50 Home Repair Tips We Wish We’d Known Earlier

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If you have a broken window, a leaky pipe, or another home repair issue and you’re uncertain about how to handle it, you’re not alone. Many people have faced similar situations. The DIY community has always been a source of advice and tips to assist individuals in undertaking home repairs independently. However, as time goes on, we continually acquire new skills that streamline the repair process, making it easier, quicker, or more efficient. In this blog post, we present 50 hacks for homeowners of all experience levels to use when addressing household repairs.


Use superglue to secure screws in place.

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Many individuals struggle to install basic screws because they tend to slip, roll, or fall off. This task becomes even more difficult when you have to work at a specific angle. That’s where this ingenious superglue home repair trick comes in handy.

Simply apply some rubber glue to the tip of the screwdriver, and you won’t encounter issues with screws slipping any longer. It’s one of the simplest tricks to prevent screws from slipping off the drill. After that, you can proceed with your installation, saving both time and effort.


Toothpaste can be used to easily fill nail holes.


When people move out of a place, they often take their belongings like pictures, art, and frames from the walls with them. As a result, when you move into the same place, you may notice many holes in the walls. Don’t worry, there’s an easy home repair trick for this situation.

All you need to do is use some toothpaste to fill in those holes. Make sure the toothpaste is white, so it matches the color of your white walls, or it won’t blend in. You can also do this before you move out of a place to help you get your security deposit back.


Use Coffee Grounds to Revive Wooden Furniture


Our furniture sets the desired atmosphere in our home, so it’s important to maintain it. We’ve all, at some point, spilled drinks and other substances on our furniture. While some stains might be tough to clean, using coffee grounds can help if your furniture is unfinished wood.

By rubbing coffee grounds on the damaged area, you’ll quickly restore your furniture’s appearance. The coffee grounds provide a brown tint that matches the furniture, eliminating the need to repaint it.


An Incredibly Easy Method to Shield Your Fingers When Using a Hammer


Are you afraid of accidentally hitting your fingers with the hammer instead of the nails in the wall? If so, we have the perfect home repair tip for you to make your life much easier. This tip will enable you to hammer in nails without injuring yourself.

For this hack, you can use bobby pins, clothespins, or similar items. For instance, if you use a clothespin, you can hold the nail between the pin and start hammering. This will protect your fingers and ensure you aren’t injured during the nailing and hammering process.


Soak the tiles before cutting them.


If you’re planning to cut tiles soon, this home repair trick will simplify your task quickly. It will save you time, effort, and money in the long term since you can do it at home with ease. Start by making a rivet or pre-cut on the tiles.

Then, measure the amount you need and begin cutting. Once finished, soak the tiles in warm water for at least a few hours. After this, it will be easy to break apart the tiles with little effort.

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Soap Can Easily Silence Wooden Drawers


Do you have wooden drawers in your home that creak and make noise, and you’re not sure how to fix them? If so, this home repair tip will be perfect for your problem. Soap is one of the best things you can use to silence your noisy wooden drawers once and for all.

You can use a bar of soap or liquid soap, as both will work well on the drawers. Rub the soap along the rails of the troublesome wooden drawers for a few minutes, and you’ll see results quickly. If the noise returns, you can simply repeat the process.

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Struggling With Removing Old Stickers? Use A Blow Dryer!


Stickers often accompany new and packaged items, which can be troublesome if you want your belongings to maintain a pristine and polished appearance. Attempting to remove them by hand can leave behind glue residue and potentially harm the object. That’s why we have a top home repair tip for you.

To remove stickers, use a hairdryer to heat the sticker, making it easy to peel off. The heat will weaken the adhesive, allowing you to remove the sticker cleanly. Your appliances will look as good as new once you’re finished.

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Vinegar Can Revitalize Shower-Heads


The issue with showerheads is that over time, calcification can occur, which causes the water flow to decrease. If you’re not a fan of a slow flow from your showerhead, vinegar can be a great solution. While it might seem unusual initially, you’ll find that it works incredibly well once you try this method.

Simply take a plastic bag and a bottle of vinegar, fill the plastic bag halfway with vinegar, secure it around your showerhead, and leave it overnight. In the morning, you can take it off, and you’ll see a significant improvement in the water flow.

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Use Baby Powder to Finally Silence Those Noisy Floorboards


Hardwood flooring can produce significant noise and creaking, particularly if it has been in place for a long period. Luckily, a small amount of baby powder can solve this issue and quiet your floorboards quickly. If you are dealing with this noise problem, simply take a bottle of baby powder.

After obtaining the powder, sprinkle it between the floorboards as this is where the wood rubs together and generates noise. Ensure that all the cracks are filled with baby powder, and you will no longer experience noisy floorboards. It is a simple and effective solution.


Use soap to assist screws in going into holes.


Have you ever encountered a screw that refuses to go into a wall? If so, you know how frustrating and difficult it can be. However, you can easily fix this problem by using a bit of soap to help the screws go into holes.

Take a bar of soap you have at home and rub the screw on it. Make sure to cover all sides of the screw with soap, as it acts as a lubricant. Once all sides have been coated with soap, try inserting the screw again, and it will slide in effortlessly.


Using tape can simplify the process of hanging predrilled frames.


While many people don’t typically use predrilled frames, there are exceptions. If you’re looking for an effortless way to frame your pictures using predrilled frames, this tip is helpful. It will enable you to position the nails perfectly to maximize their use.

Start by using masking or artist’s tape to mark the locations of the holes. Then, simply position the tape on the wall to see exactly where each nail should go. This method will save you both time and effort when setting up nails.

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Use Your Microwave to Refresh Tape That Is Not-So-Sticky


If you’ve ever dealt with tape that has lost its adhesive quality, you know how annoying it can be to use. It’s normal for tape to lose its stickiness over time. However, there’s a method to restore its stickiness and make the tape usable again.

You can place the tape in your microwave for a few seconds. This will heat the tape slightly and help restore its adhesiveness. After using this trick, the tape should be as sticky as new.

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Use Some Ice Cube to Make Your Carpet Dents Even


We all cherish our home decor, especially our carpets, as much thought and decision-making are involved in picking the ideal ones. That’s why seeing furniture leave dents in the carpet can be disheartening. However, there’s no need to worry too much because this issue can be resolved easily.

To eliminate the dents in the carpet, place some ice cubes on them and allow them to melt. Afterward, absorb the excess water with a cloth and use a toothbrush to smooth out the carpet.


Utilize a Microphone to Detect Concealed Wires


When drilling at home, be careful of concealed wires that can lead to shocks or electrocution. To prevent this, there’s an easy trick to identify hidden wires and avoid getting shocked or electrocuted. You’ll just need a functioning microphone.

Use a tape recorder with your microphone to locate hidden wires in a wall. If the microphone is placed near a spot and the tape recorder begins to hum, it indicates the presence of hidden wires. This lets you know where drilling should be avoided.

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Keep Your Paint Brushes Fresh With a Plastic Bag


If you enjoy painting walls, then paintbrushes are your most important tool to maintain and care for. However, if paint is left on the brush, it can harden, making it difficult to paint with later. That’s why you need this home repair tip to keep your brushes in good condition.

After finishing painting, place your paintbrush inside an airtight plastic bag. The next time you take the paintbrush out of the bag, it will be incredibly soft, allowing you to paint easily and perfectly.

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A Potato Can Help You Unscrew a Broken Light bulb


If you’ve ever attempted to take a socket out of a broken light bulb, you’re aware of how difficult it can be. Incorrect handling might cause the bulb to break in your hands, resulting in injury. This is where our home repair tip using a potato can be helpful.

Take a potato, slice it in half, and press the soft side into the broken bulb. To remove the broken piece, turn the potato counter-clockwise, and it will come out quickly. Indeed, potatoes are useful for more than just eating.


Use Kool-Aid to Identify a Leaking Toilet


Fixing a leaking toilet can be challenging, as you’ll either need to pay a plumber a significant amount or spend hours repairing it on your own. However, if you want to save time, effort, and money, you can diagnose the issue yourself. All you need is a packet of dark-colored Kool-Aid.

Pour the Kool-Aid into the toilet tank, wait for 30 minutes, and then check the toilet bowl. If the water is colored, it indicates a leak; if it remains clear, your toilet is in good condition.


Use Coins to Fill the Gap of a Bolt That’s Too Narrow


Whenever we need a bolt for a task, we often can’t find one with the right size at home. However, if the bolt is too large, you can modify it to fit your needs at that moment. All you need are some coins, which you’re likely to have around.

Simply take a few coins, place them in the gap between the bolt and the wrench, and fill it up as needed. This will eliminate any extra space, allowing you to complete your task efficiently. It is one of the best home repair hacks for bolts.


Use magnets to locate nail holes.


We enjoy rearranging things in our home for a bit of variety and change. For instance, you might remove some pictures or art, but later decide to hang them back in the same spot. However, it can be tough to locate the nail holes to reinstall the frame in the same place.

If this occurs, you can use magnets to find the nail holes. Instead of making new holes, you can take a magnet and place it on the existing holes. When you want to hang your frames again, you won’t need to spend time searching for the right holes.

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Unclog Spray Cans with Gasoline


You may already be aware, but companies that manufacture products on a large scale often use a strategy known as planned obsolescence to shorten the lifespan of products, encouraging you to continue purchasing them. A prime example of this is a spray can. You can hear that there’s still something inside the can, yet nothing comes out.

To address this problem, you can soak the nozzle of the spray can in gasoline for at least fifteen minutes. This will clear the clog, allowing you to use your spray can without any issue.


Utilize tape to assist you in drilling into tiles.


Drilling can be challenging, as there’s always a risk of injury or damage. This task becomes even more difficult when dealing with slippery tiles in places like the kitchen or bathroom. If you need to drill into tiles, here’s a useful tip.

To prevent slipping while drilling, you’ll need some tape. Start by applying masking tape over the tile, then drill through it. This method helps to keep the drill steady and prevents it from slipping out of your hands during the process.


Use cooking spray to quiet squeaky objects.


If you’ve lived somewhere for a while, you’ve probably encountered doors, cabinets, windows, or drawers that squeak. If the squeaking is persistent, there’s a simple home repair trick to resolve it. Fixing the issue only takes a few seconds, so there’s no need to put it off.

You’ll need some cooking spray, which you likely already have at home. Simply grab the can and spray it on the hinges of the squeaky items. The noise will stop almost immediately, and you can use everything without any issue.


Utilize a Pool Noodle to Prevent Your Car Door from Hitting the Garage Wall

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If you have a garage at home with limited space, it’s important to know a safe way to park your car without causing damage. This clever trick can help you park your car in the garage without any trouble. You’ll need a pool noodle for this method.

Simply attach a pool noodle to the wall where your car door might hit when opening. By doing this, you’ll prevent the car door from banging into the wall, thus avoiding damage.


Use Nail Polish to Prevent Rust Circles


We have numerous metal containers in our homes, such as spray bottles, deodorant cans, and more. However, due to the humidity and moisture present in our kitchens and bathrooms, these cans can develop rust on their surfaces. The rust can also transfer onto the surfaces where the containers are placed, so it’s important to remove it.

Use clear nail polish to coat the bottom of these metal containers. This will prevent rust from forming on the containers, ensuring there are no rust marks on other surfaces.

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Use a Plastic Bottle to Prevent a Mess after Drilling


Drilling projects often result in a lot of mess, meaning you’ll have to invest time in cleaning up afterward. This is particularly the case if you’re drilling in high areas, like ceilings. If you’re looking to avoid covering the entire room with sheets, this trick can help.

Simply take a plastic bottle, cut off the top portion, and attach it to the drill. This way, any debris created while drilling will be caught by the plastic bottle, saving you from spending hours cleaning up later.

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Remove Stubborn Screws with a Rubber Band


Grasping a screw tightly can be extremely difficult when you’re fully focused on a DIY project. Although losing the grip can happen to anyone, it doesn’t have to be this way. You can quickly solve this issue with our favorite home repair tip that you’ll appreciate.

Simply take a rubber band, place it between the screw and the screwdriver, and you’ll have the grip required to work perfectly. It’s one of the best tricks that many individuals use during DIY tasks. This method will save you time and effort in the long run and help prevent injuries.

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Remove Old Wallpaper with a Water-Vinegar Mixture

Aged wallpapers can become unsightly when they begin to chip and tear in various areas. To refresh your room, consider replacing the old wallpaper with a new one. However, many individuals find it challenging to remove wallpaper without harming the wall.

To remove wallpaper seamlessly, mix equal amounts of vinegar and hot water thoroughly. Dip a roller into the mixture and begin rolling it over the old wallpaper. This will soften the paper, allowing it to come off easily and without difficulty.

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Fix Burst or Broken Pipes with a Sealant


Keep in mind that using a sealant to repair broken pipes is a temporary measure, but it is the best option for an urgent repair. After handling the emergency, you can always contact a professional to make a proper repair, ensuring your home’s system remains undamaged. This quick fix is simple and only takes a few minutes.

Simply obtain some silicone sealant and apply it around the hole in the pipe. This will address the problem until you can seek professional assistance for a permanent solution.

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Prevent Doors from Slamming With Cabinet Door Bumpers


Slamming doors can be incredibly irritating, but there’s a straightforward solution to eliminate this issue permanently. If you have cabinet door bumpers at home, you can quickly address this problem and prevent door slams.

Simply take a pack of cabinet door bumpers and attach them to the door. That’s it—this will cushion the impact and resolve your problem. It’s one of the best quick solutions for stopping slamming doors.


You can eliminate unwanted scratches by using toothpaste.


It’s common for people with wooden furniture to experience some scratches on their lovely furniture now and then. However, many individuals resort to costly fixes when they aren’t necessary. You can address the problem with some toothpaste without spending a lot of money.

Simply apply a small amount of toothpaste to the scratches and rub it with a clean cloth using circular motions. This will remove the scratches from your wooden furniture, and you won’t have to spend much money to solve the issue. It’s an inexpensive, fast, and effective solution.


Use an iron to remove dents from wood.


Begin by taking a washcloth, soaking it in water, and wringing it out to make it moderately damp. Then, lay the washcloth over the dent. The water will absorb into the wood, which is completely normal, so there’s no need for concern. Make sure your iron is prepped and heated to the highest setting before you apply the damp washcloth. Start by moving the iron in small circles on the washcloth, then press it down until all the water has evaporated from the washcloth. Repeat the entire process until the dent in the wood has fully expanded to its original position.


Nail polish can repair minor screen tears.


To repair a small tear in your screen, you’ll only need clear nail polish. Begin by cleaning and drying the area with the tear to ensure no impurities are present. Next, use either a thin paintbrush or the nail polish brush to apply a thin layer of clear nail polish over the tear in the screen. Avoid double-dipping to prevent transferring pollen or dirt to the nail polish. Allow the first coat to dry; you can use a hairdryer on the lowest setting for faster drying. Then, apply another coat and let it dry.


Use Rubber Bands to Keep Doors from Closing


To make this work, you’ll need a thick rubber band instead of the usual thin ones. First, keep the door open and loop the rubber band around the door handle on one side. Then, stretch the rubber band to reach the handle on the other side, using the same looping method. Once your rubber band is stretched from one side to the other, make sure that the band runs both above and below the door’s latch. This helps create a bumper effect, preventing the door from closing. If you don’t have thick rubber bands, you can use several rubber bands to achieve the same effect.


Create a Sprinkler Using a Plastic Bottle


Take a plastic bottle; the larger, the better, and ensure it’s completely clean. Rinse out any liquids by running tap water through it. Then, take a tool with a sharp point, like a compass or screwdriver, and punch about 12 to 14 holes in the bottom of the bottle. Next, connect the mouth of the bottle to your hose and use electrical tape to secure it. Once you turn on the water, the bottle will fill up, and the water pressure will cause the holes to function like a sprinkler.


Your kitchen’s vegetable peeler can double as a screwdriver.


There are various tools that can serve multiple purposes that you might not have considered before. One example is the vegetable peeler commonly found in most household kitchens. Many vegetable peelers come with screwdriver heads, which can serve as a good alternative to flathead screwdrivers. Make sure, however, that your vegetable peeler’s handle is robust to prevent any injuries. So, if you can’t find your flathead screwdriver, just check your kitchen.


Sharpen Scissors Using Aluminum Foil


Begin by taking an 8- or 10-inch piece of aluminum foil and folding it lengthwise. Then, use scissors to cut the folded aluminum foil lengthwise as well. Ensure that you cut thin strips so you can reuse the same piece of aluminum foil multiple times. If necessary, you can use more than one piece of folded aluminum foil. Ensure that every part of the scissor blade contacts the foil by using full strokes. After completing this process, take a paper towel, dampen it with warm water, and use it to wipe the scissors clean of any debris.


Use a Regular Pencil to Unjam a Stuck Lock


A jammed lock typically needs lubrication for the key to function again. Nonetheless, it should not be done with any liquid but with graphite. Although finding graphite powder can be difficult when you’re in a pinch, you can conveniently use a graphite pencil to lubricate the lock. We advise against inserting the pencil into the lock, as the tip could break and create a larger problem. Instead, rub the graphite pencil on your key, then insert the key into the lock. Repeat this several times and then unlock the jammed lock.


Eliminate Snags in Woven Rugs to Restore Their Like-New Appearance


When dealing with snags in your rug, make sure that any piece you decide to cut with scissors is at least half an inch long to prevent damaging the rug. Once you’ve located the snags, hold the scissors completely parallel to the rug and cut the snag off. Then, tuck the cut ends into the nearby fibers. You can use a small amount of hot glue to secure and conceal them. For substantially longer snags, place masking tape on each side of the snag to form a trench, then continue snipping and gluing.


Utilize Zip Ties to Clear Clogged Drains


To do this, you will need a wire cutter and several zip ties. If you have short zip ties, you can extend their length by linking two zip ties together. Continue linking the zip ties until they become a long tool that allows you to easily reach and unclog the drain. Using the wire cutter, cut halfway through the zip ties diagonally. These cuts should face downward and alternate with each cut. Next, grab the cut tip and bend it outward to create a barb. Insert this extended tool into the drain and move it in circular and vertical motions to remove the debris. Pull it out and repeat the process until no debris remains.


Utilize Cat Litter to Eliminate Oil Stains


If a new oil stain has formed on your driveway, don’t delay in addressing it; grab some cat litter right away and get started. First, cover the oil stain completely with a layer of cat litter and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. If the stain is small, 30 minutes should suffice. If it’s a large stain, consider leaving the cat litter on the oil overnight. Then, sweep it up and use some detergent and a bristle brush. Begin scrubbing the detergent into the oil stain with pressure. Rinse the detergent off with water. Repeat the process if needed.


Use Tape to Measure the Depth of Holes


To measure the depth of holes with tape, gather masking tape, and a drill bit or machine. Tear off a long strip of masking tape and wrap it around the drill bit, leaving some of the bit exposed to actually drill into the material. Ensure the tape wrapped around the bit is thick enough so it becomes noticeable once it touches the material. After drilling the hole, measure the distance from the tip of the drill to where the masking tape starts.


Utilize a small magnet to hold nails in position.


When driving in nails to hang something, people often have difficulty holding both the hammer and the nails simultaneously, so you typically see them holding nails in their mouths. This can be quite hazardous. A useful way to keep nails handy when using them is to attach a small magnet to the bottom of your hammer. This trick works best with hammers that have wooden handles. Begin by drilling a small pit-like cavity at the bottom of the hammer, about the size of a small magnet. Then, apply a small amount of super glue into the cavity and carefully insert the magnet. Once the magnet is secure, you are all set.


Use foil to line and paint your trays.


When roller painting your walls, one useful tip is to line your paint tray with aluminum foil. This makes cleanup much simpler because the paint will dry on the foil instead of the tray itself. The foil acts as an excellent protective cover for your paint tray. Begin by cutting a piece of aluminum foil that is a few inches larger than your tray. Lay it over the tray and press down so it molds to the shape of the tray. To hold it securely, fold the excess foil over the tray’s edges.


Use a Few Rubber Bands to Remove Excess Paint


Ensure you have a few thick and long rubber bands ready when you’re painting. The rubber bands assist in removing excess paint from your paintbrush, letting it fall back into the paint can. Take a rubber band and stretch it around your paint can, starting from the top and wrapping it carefully around the bottom. Do this step carefully to avoid spillage. Then, take the paintbrush with excess paint and swipe it against the rubber band.


Turn off the water to silence noisy pipes.


If you’re having trouble with constantly noisy and disruptive pipes, we have a temporary solution that might help. Noisy pipes can interfere with the peace in your home, disrupting your focus and attention. Additionally, dealing with loud pipes when you’re trying to sleep can be quite a challenge. The problem can become more complicated when you try to identify which specific pipe is causing the issue. A useful approach to address this problem is to turn off the main water supply in your home when you know the water won’t be needed.


Unclog a Toilet Using Liquid Soap and Water


Begin by measuring a gallon of water and placing it on the stove to warm up. As the water heats and before it starts boiling, add your liquid soap. Once the water is sufficiently hot, remove it from the heat and cautiously pour it into your clogged toilet. Remember to remove the water from the heat before it boils. Wait for about 10 to 15 minutes, letting the combination of hot water and liquid soap loosen the blockage in your toilet. Finally, flush to confirm that the pipe is fully cleared.


Use Newspapers to Map Out Your Gallery Wall


Using a newspaper, you can easily organize the design of your gallery wall and make a template to ensure you’re happy with the arrangement. Begin by placing a frame on the newspaper and outlining it with a black marker. Remove the frame, cut out the shape you traced, and label it with a number assigned to that specific frame. After repeating this process for each frame, use painter’s tape to attach the newspaper cutouts to the wall. The painter’s tape will let you remove the newspaper without harming the wall’s paint.


Utilize plastic tubing to reduce the noise produced by fan chains.


It doesn’t matter if your fan is perfectly level; the airflow from the fan can cause the pull chains to hit the fan, creating a very annoying noise. You can resolve this issue and get rid of the noise with a plastic tube. First, turn off your fan and carefully remove the chains. Next, take a plastic tube with a quarter-inch diameter and thread the chains through it. Finally, reattach the chains to the fan and enjoy the quiet airflow.


Use rope to quiet water dripping in gutters.


Noisy gutters can quickly become an annoyance. This noise is often caused by water dripping inside the gutters, which can be easily fixed using a nylon rope. Begin by securing one end of the nylon rope at the top of the gutter’s downspout and allowing it to extend downward. When water encounters the nylon rope, it will travel along the rope, reducing the drip noise. Additionally, place a sponge in the corners of the downspout to absorb water drips.


Unclog the Sink Using a Mixture of Baking Soda and Vinegar


The mixture of baking soda and vinegar is a fantastic method for clearing a clogged sink, and the best part is that these materials are commonly found in most kitchens. Begin by boiling some water and pouring it into the blocked sink. Next, prepare a mixture using one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar, resulting in a two-cup solution. Pour this mixture down the drain and block the sink’s drain. Allow it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes, during which time you can heat some water to boiling. Once the time has elapsed and the water is boiling, pour it down the drain. This will create a bubbling reaction that will clear the blockage in your sink.

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