15 Quick Fixes for Common Home Problems
Let’s be honest: no matter how well we maintain our homes, problems arise. (Nagging home issues range from squeaky doors to stubborn stains—it can be tedious if the issues take up your time. But here’s the bright side: a lot of these issues have fast and affordable solutions that don’t require a pro and won’t break the bank. Here, we take a look at some simple solutions to common home problems that will help you save time, money, and a ton of frustration.
Fix a Squeaky Door with Items Around the House
hat sound of creaky doors, right, nails on a chalkboard. Fortunately, you don’t have to put up with it! Apply some petroleum jelly, cooking oil, or even a bar of soap. Smear the lubricant of choice on the hinges, open and close the door a couple of times, and boom! Silence restored.
A little spray goes a long way; bought a small can of wd-40. A multipurpose marvel for squeaks, rust, and more.
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar to Unclog Drains
Clogged drains can lead to a nightmare situation. Instead of resorting to harsh chemicals, turn to a natural alternative. Go to your drain and pour half a cup of baking soda, then half a cup of vinegar Cover the drain and allow the fizzy reaction to work its magic for around 15 minutes. Rinse with hot water, and your drain should run smoothly again.
Tip 3: To minimize future clogs, put a drain strainer in place and be sure to clean it regularly.
Use Candle Wax To Fix a Sticking Window
If your pesky window isn’t sliding easily, the secret is candle wax. Wax a regular candle against the window tracks to help reduce friction. Slide the window up and down, and delight at how smoothly and easily it slides.
Pro Tip: This trick also helps with sticky drawers.
Ice Cubes to Remove Carpet Dents
Moving around furniture usually creates unsightly marks on your carpet. Insert an ice cube into each ding and wait for it to melt. That will cause the carpet fibers to stand back up. After it dries, separate the area with your fingers or a fork to return it to its pristine state.
Silence a Creaky Floorboard with Baby Powder
Squeaky floorboards are what makes sneaking around impossible. Pour baby powder or cornstarch into the attachment of the squeaky boards. The powder creates a frictionless layer and silences the noise. For a more permanent solution, try driving screws in to attach the loose boards.
Fill Nail Holes with Toothpaste
Thinking of repainting or do you need to accidentally cover a tiny nail hole? A little white toothpaste can be a good fill in a pinch. Just squish it into the hole, smooth it with your finger, and let it dry. It’s not a professional patch, but it gets the job done in a pinch.
Using the paste can give you a place with a little more semblance of durability — combining baking soda with white glue will give you a worthwhile filler
Lemon for Removing Hard Water Stains
If you have lime stains on faucets and glass, you are chronic. Then cut a lemon in half and rub it on the stains. The citric acid dissolves the mineral build-up, so your fixtures are left shiny and free from spots. Rinse with water, and dry with a towel.
Pro Tip: To tackle stubborn stains, combine lemon juice with baking soda to form a paste and scrub gently.
Keep Ants Out with Vinegar
And ants are frequent/scourging guests. Combine equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray the areas where ants usually gain entry. It muddles their scent trails and keeps them from returning.
Pro Tip: A few drops of peppermint oil make this spray even stronger.
Tighten a Loose Cabinet Knob with Nail Polish
If a cabinet knob keeps loosening, put clear nail polish on the threads before screwing it back in. The polish essentially functions as the glue that ultimately secures the knob for longer.
Refresh a Musty Room with Coffee Grounds
Musty odors can create an unwelcoming atmosphere in virtually any environment. Set out bowls of coffee grounds in the room to absorb odors. It’ll not only freshen the air, but it’ll also give you a warm and welcoming aroma.
Pro Tip: You can also use activated charcoal and baking soda which are great for absorbing odors.
Vinegar to Clean Cloudy Glassware
Hard water stains can leave glasses cloudy and embarrassing to serve to guests. Soak them in equal parts vinegar and water for 15 minutes, then scrub with a sponge. Rinse well and enjoy crystal-clear glassware.
Make Wood Furniture Shine with Some Olive Oil
Revive tired-looking wood furniture with olive oil. Apply a small amount to the surface with a soft cloth, leave it on for a few minutes, and then buff it off. The oil brings back the wood’s natural sheen and hides scratches.
Pro Tip: Combine olive oil with a few drops of vinegar for added cleaning power.
Use Felt Pads To Avoid Door Slamming
Tired of doors slamming shut? Use adhesive felt pads on the part of the door frame that makes contact with the door. This absorbs the impact and deadens the sound.
Use Baby Oil on Shine Stainless Steel
Getting fingerprints and smudges on stainless steel appliances can be annoying. Pour a bit of baby oil on a microfiber cloth and go over the surface. The result? Shiny, fingerprintless appliances that shine like new.
Connect a Wobbly Chair, using a Hot Glue Gun
Loose chair legs can be a nuisance as well as dangerous. Apply a thin layer of glue to the loose joint using a hot glue gun. Reassemble the chair and clamp it until the glue dries. A simple, strong temporary fix, fast.
These hacks prove that sometimes all it takes is a bit of creativity to solve those home-based problems. So the next time you have an annoying problem, give one of these quick fixes a shot. You’ll be a home improvement expert in no time!
