From silencing a noisy floorboard using baby powder to unclogging spray cans with gasoline, the magic tricks are all in here, and the wands are at our homes within reach! Don’t believe us? Some of these hacks may make one gasp with their simplicity. In fact, it might even provoke a quick facepalm how frustratingly easy they are and why none of us thought of that ingenious idea ourselves! So, get ready to be transformed into a wizard, and thank us later!
If there’s ever been a time when we needed handy home hacks, it is now amidst this pandemic that has force-fed us the value of self-reliance. Locked in with bare minimum help from outside, it’s about time we sharpen our skills along with our net surfing abilities!
Holding Screws Using Glue
At some point, each one of us must have been tasked to successfully install a screw, and inevitably, would have faced the challenge of keeping it in place while bolting it in. Yes, these tiny bolts can be really elusive when needed.
They can easily slip off the fingers and roll into unreachable places. But a nifty hack could prevent this from happening. Immerse the tip of the screwdriver in rubber glue, and then try fastening the screw. The glue will secure it on the tip, and once done, peel off the dried adhesive. Isn’t that easy?
Concealing Nail Holes With Toothpaste
Nail holes are a common sight in any house. What once seemed like an ideal spot to hang beautiful portraits suddenly doesn’t seem good enough. But oops! too late. The wall has already been drilled through for a nail. The cavity is enough to wreck the allure of the interior.
Thankfully, there’s an easy fix for this. Toothpaste is excellent to hide such holes. Sweep a pea-sized amount of it across the hollowed-out part, and watch it disappear in the background. Brush off the residue using tissue paper or a tiny chunk of cardboard. Why weren’t these tricks taught in school?
Reconditioning Wooden Furniture With Coffee Tint
Though coffee stains on white clothing can make one cry, the same to recondition wooden furniture doesn’t sound like a bad idea. Many have turned to use the coffee’s brown hue to refurbish their wooden stuff without paying an arm and a leg to get it done professionally.
To do this, mix coffee powder and water. Grab a paintbrush or a similar tool, and immerse it in the coffee. Glide it across the furniture piece that needs fixing. Voila! The coffee tint has now brought back the lovely color of the wood. Be it cabinets, frames, or flooring, fix up any wood using this technique!
Using A Cloth Clip To Protect Fingers
Bolting a nail is an easy task. Until the realization hits that one’s fingers would be in immense danger while doing so. Some people may avoid this handyman task altogether, owing to the fear of striking one’s thumb. But what if we said that there’s an easy and inexpensive hack that could save the fingers from any pain?
Just grab a clothing clip- a common item in an average household, and hitch it below the nail. Use the legs of the clip to keep the nail steadywhile hammering it into the wall or a plank of wood. All done!
Cutting Tiles After Dampening It
While cutting tiles is not a run-of-the-mill handyman task, the knowledge of how to neatly do it won’t do any harm. With their sturdy exterior, it can be tremendously tough to cut the tiles. During the renovation, this piece of info can come in handy.
A little birdie told us that if the tiles are soaked with water before being sliced, the job will become relatively smooth. Ensure to measure how much of the tile needs to be removed, then dampen the same for a few hours. Once done, begin slicing the portion.
Soap To Lubricate Wooden Drawers
Noisy wooden drawers are enough to make anybody annoyed. Sadly, it’s pretty common. Any wooden chest is bound to become squeaky after rigorous use over a period of time. Thank god there’s an easy solution to this- one that would not make a hole in the pocket.
All that’s needed is a bathing soap bar or a dish soap. Either of the two is easily available in a household. Rub it along the rails of the drawers twice or thrice. Repeat the same until the drawer becomes as quiet as a cat!
Removing Stickers With A Blow Dryer
Who knew blow dryers can be used in more ways than one? We’ve failed to reap all the benefits of the device. But it’s not too late. There’s still time for us to use this appliance for other purposes.
For example, while trying to remove a sticker or a label from any sort of surface, the grip of the same can be weakened by the heat of the instrument. When the sticker appears to be losing its grip on the surface a little, simply pull it off. The residue of the glue can also be removed in the same way.
Increasing Shower Pressure Using Vinegar
Weak shower pressure can be annoying when all one wants to do is to enjoy a luxurious bath after a tough day at work. While the obvious solution to this is calling a professional and getting it fixed by paying some fee, little do people know that it can be fixed using cheap vinegar too.
Surprised? Well, obviously. For this, grab a plastic bag and a rubber band. Fill half the bag with vinegar, and cover the showerhead completely using the band. Keep it like that for 8-9 hours. By the next morning, one can have a revitalizing shower easily!
Silencing Floorboards With Baby Powder
Hardwood flooring is pretty common in modern houses, thanks to the sleek and classy look it gives to the overall setting. But the prime disadvantage of installing such flooring is the squeaky sounds it can begin to make after a while.
With every step comes that annoying screech, which at midnight is enough to scare the daylights out of a grown person. Yet, this can be dealt with using baby powder. Sprinkle some of it across the cracks of the floor, and shove the debris inside using paint or a makeup brush. That’s enough to silence it for a long time!
Lubricate Screws With Soap Before Installation
Installing screws can be a tricky task for first-timers or people who are not altogether experienced with fastening the bolts. Or maybe the wood that one is trying to fix it in wouldn’t budge, despite considerable efforts. Let’s just reveal a trick to seamlessly install a screw that can help us all.
Thankfully, getting around this sitch is simple. By rubbing the screw over the bathing soap, it can be completely lubricated. Ensure that the soap is dry. Once done, the screw can be inserted into a wall or a plank of wood with ease.
Hanging Predrilled Frames Couldn’t Be Easier
Finding it hard to mark the position of hooks of a favorite picture frame to hang on the wall? This simple trick will leave anyone pleasantly surprised. It’s a cakewalk, really! Just use a painter’s or masking tape to measure the width between both the predrilled hooks.
Now, peel the tape off, stick it on the wall and make the holes on either end. One might question their IQ for not coming up with such an easy trick already! Next time, if there’s a redecorating project, we are sure no one in the house would deny this particular job.
Restore A Not-So-Sticky Tape In The Microwave
After reading this hack, no one will throw away those old tapes that have lost some stickiness. Hold on to them; they can still be pretty useful! All it needs is a round in the microwave, and then it will be as good as a new one.
It’s a quick fix that will save a trip to the hardware store and some money to buy a desired sweet treat instead! A great deal indeed! Although ensure not to overheat it. Otherwise, no amount of tape will amend the mess it would create.
Ice Cubes Can Erase Carpet Dents
Shuffling of furniture is a common practice around festivals to create more room for guests. But we are sure no one would want the visitors to see those carpet dents from heavy sofas and tables! We suggest taking some ice and rubbing it on those pesky spots.
Yes, it’s that easy to get rid of those unsightly indentations. Just let the ice cube melt on the mat, wipe off any extra water, and leave it for air drying. To fasten the process, one can also use a hairdryer and an old toothbrush to fluff the threads.
Discover Hidden Wires With A Mic
Drilling a hole into a wall is a risky business if there’s a mesh of wires or switchboards around. If not performed carefully, one might get shocked quite literally! But as they say – every problem comes with a solution, and there can’t be a better way than this cheat code to ease the process!
Plug in a microphone and hover it around the desired area. It will start beeping or making high-pitched noises near any hidden wires. Doesn’t it sound magical? But it’s all eighth-grade physics. Try it at home; it’ll feel like a eureka moment!
Use Plastic Sheets To Keep Paintbrushes Wet
Undoubtedly, painting walls is a relaxing activity, which can also turn into an annoying one in about 30-40 seconds if someone forgets the wet paintbrush out in the open. It will become as hard as steel, and no amount of hot water will melt that thing!
Now, of course, everything can’t be painted in a single day; we all need breaks in between. So, before taking that long nap or going for a quick lunch, make sure to wrap the paint-dipped brush in a plastic sheet. It will keep the tool from air-drying.
Unscrew A Broken Bulb With A Potato
Potatoes are a versatile food item. Sometimes it’s a hero in the dish, and other times it goes well as a side dish too! The sweet vegetable goes with most of the ingredients in the kitchen, but not just that, it can also help a person unscrew a lightbulb without harming themselves. Wondering how?
Cut a potato in half and insert the soft side into the broken bulb. Check if it’s firmly stuck in there, and then just twist it till the entire thing comes out. One can even put on gloves to be one hundred percent safe. Easy-peasy!
A Cool Hack With Kool-Aid
No one likes a leaky toilet! Not only does this waste a lot of water, but it also means issuing a hefty check for the plumber’s work. It’s often because we don’t even get to know about the cracks unless it’s too late!
But don’t panic. One can actually diagnose the leaks at an early stage with the help of a 20-cent worth pack of Kool-Aid. Pick a dark color, open the tank and empty the contents into it. Wait for about 30 minutes, and check if the water in the bowl changes from transparent to Kool-Aid’s color. If the answer is yes, then it’s bad news!
Narrow Bolts? Use Coins To Fill The Gap
Never underestimate the worth of a few cents! They come in handy when the bolts are too narrow to fit in a wrench that’s a bit wide. Simply stack a few coins and stuff them in the gap, as shown in the picture.
This shortcut will save time, money, and effort while providing the same amount of efficacy! It’s not feasible to run down to the hardware store each time a new tool is required. Sometimes we must work with what we have or else come up with such clever solutions so that our work doesn’t get hampered!
Swipe A Magnet To Find Old Nails
While we are on the topic of nut-bolts, let’s also talk about this creative and uncomplicated method of finding those missing nail holes that somehow manage to disappear each time a person renovates their house! Of course, installing new ones is an option, but who minds saving a few extra bucks?
For the same reasons – we suggest putting hooks and nails before applying a fresh coat of paint or new wallpaper. Then take a magnet, and rub it over the wall to locate the nail holes. No drilling on the surface, no mess on the floor – cleanliness everywhere!
Unclog Spray Cans With Gasoline
To increase their profits, manufacturers often use the method of “planned obsolescence” to increase the mass production of their top-selling inventory. It means that the producers make products with a low shelf life to lure their consumers into buying more and more of one particular item.
Take spray cans, for example. There’s always some amount of liquid left in the end that doesn’t come out! Feels helpless, right? Try this trick next time and thank us later – soak the can’s nozzle in gasoline for 10-15 minutes; it will clear the passage for a couple of last sprays!
Drilling Easily Into Tiles Using Tape
Among the dreadful tasks one can undertake, which needs utmost care, is drilling tiles. One moment a person could be carefully drilling into a bathroom tile; the next, they’re stuck dealing with another mess that has been caused by the machine slipping off.
Yet, there’s a better way of minimizing the damage on the slate. What someone needs to do, is cover the place where they are about to drill using masking tape, and voilà! The drill will have sufficient grip to penetrate, making the entire piece of renovation work stress-free.
Fixing Squeaky Hinges Using Cooking Spray
All of us, at some point, encounter doors or windows that squeak, and the noise can be pretty irritating. Instead of going all the way to the hardware store to get some WD-40 to fix the problem, one can use something that is readily available in almost any household.
A person needs to spray the hinges with cooking spray lightly, and in no time, the hinges will be well lubricated, getting rid of any squeaky sounds. Who knew what’s good for the food, can also interestingly be suitable for the metal?
Using A Pool Noodle As A Wall Bumper
Anyone who is unlucky enough to have a garage that is not spacious enough might have noticed the grazing of the door or wall every time they open the car doors. To avoid much damage to both the vehicle and the wall, there’s an easy, fun way to soften the bump, literally.
The trick is to fix a foam pool noodle on the wall at the height where the car door hits. With that, a bumper would be created for the wall. Now, every time one pulls into the garage, they wouldn’t need to worry about getting a paint job for the ride or the wall.
Preventing Rust Circles Using Nail Polish
Many of us use products that come in metallic cans, it could be deodorants or hair products, but we all have them in our bathrooms. The downside to owning them is, they may develop some rust underneath due to moisture and humidity, and removing the rusty rings might be a difficult undertaking.
To avoid the tarnish from forming, all one needs to do is apply nail polish at the base of the containers. With that, any chances of having rusty cans are easily eliminated, and one wouldn’t have to deal with cleaning out any brown circles from the shelves.
Preventing A Mess Using A Plastic Bottle
When one wants to fix something in the ceiling, say a light bulb or a hook, the only way is to drill through the roof. Ideally, the person would have to cover the place using sheets to avoid any debris falling off on valuable items, which can take a lifetime to fully clean.
To avoid all that hassle, one can cut the top of a plastic bottle then fix it over the drill. All the ceiling chippings could be collected inside the container and emptied when it’s full, leaving the entire place speck-free.
Removing Screws Using A Rubber Band
Anyone who is a fan of fixing stuff around the house or engaging in DIY projects definitely knows how frustrating unscrewing worn-out bolts can be.
Yet, using a rubber band, the stripped screw should come out in no time; all one needs to do is place the band between the screwdriver and the bolt.
Soon, they will be getting on with their fixes without any unnecessary taxing work. Many can attest to how it literally takes ages to get rid of a screw that has no proper grip, so we hope this trick made someone smile.
Removing A Wallpaper Using Water-Vinegar Mixture
We all love to see beautiful walls when we get home, and one way to do that is by installing wallpaper. The beauty of this decor is that one can easily replace them as frequently as they would like without worrying about the cost or damaging the walls.
To ensure seamless removal of the decorative paper, all one has to do is mix equal parts of vinegar and water, and using a roller, apply the solution on the wall. Soon enough, the wallpaper will be rolling off the room divider without leaving any residue!
Fixing Broken Pipes Using A Sealant
Having burst pipes in our homes can be nightmarish; before the plumber comes along to fix the problem, one could have drenched house items or be unable to use water until the pipes are whole again. Still, instead of helplessly waiting, a dash to the local hardware store can be of help.
What anyone needs to do is get a silicone sealant and shoot it around the opening where the hose is broken. While it isn’t a permanent solution, the adhesive should buy some time until the expert comes along. In the meantime, they would have saved on the water bill, and everything stays dry.
Preventing Doors From Slamming Using Bumpers
While our homes are supposed to be the one place where we can have some peace, sometimes there are things that get on our nerves. Slamming doors are one of those things, and having to be careful every time a person opens the door can be tiring, but luckily we have a solution.
To stop the door from banging, one needs to get cabinet door bumpers and stick one on each entrance. All those slamming problems will be solved right away, and our abode is a place of tranquility once again.
Using Toothpaste To Remove Scratches
Yes, we’re not done with nifty toothpaste hacks. Take a piece of cloth and on it, apply a small amount of toothpaste, rub it in a circular motion along any surface scratches. Soon, all the marks will be gone leaving the fittings buff and smooth. Pretty easy to do, right?
Scratches on our furniture are an everyday occurrence, especially when moving things around in the house. While they are not fun to look at, instead of going out to get some pricey varnish or thinking of replacing the entire furniture set, we have this neat trick now.
Remove Wood Dents With Iron & Towel
There’s a certain joy people feel when their homes are in pristine condition. On the other hand, it can be very annoying to see imperfections around the house, such as dents on wood surfaces. Our first move is to call repair experts when we see these unsightly bumps, but as it turns out, we don’t need to.
We can get rid of wood dents ourselves using two household items – iron and a towel! The step is not complicated at all; one has to moisten the towel, put it over the damaged part of the wood, then apply heat using the hot iron.
Patch Screen Tears With Nail Polish
Isn’t it amazing that nail polish has so many uses aside from making fingernails look pretty? It can work as a glue replacement, help with threading a needle, and it’s also great for waterproofing things like garden markers. Surprisingly, nail polish can also work in fixing tears in screens!
There is no need to spend a lot of money on professional repair, especially when the tear isn’t that big. Using a clear polish, patch the screen by applying one coat on one side, then do the same thing on the opposite side.
Use Rubber Band As A Door Stopper
A door loudly slamming is a very annoying sound no matter the day or time. Banging doors can be particularly irritating for people who prefer a quiet environment while studying or working from home. How about a door closing onto the latch when one doesn’t need it to? Both happenings are a nuisance that can try people’s patience.
A rubber band will do the trick of both stopping the unnecessary noise and prevent the door from latching. Just put the rubber band around one doorknob, then hook it on the other. Then twist the elastic across the middle on top of the latch.
DIY Water Sprinkler From Recycled Plastic
Sprinklers can be costly, especially automatic ones. So then, why not make our own sprinkling device? We can easily do so by recycling plastic water or juice bottles. Poke small holes on the bottom of the bottle, attach the garden hose onto the spout, and voilà, a homemade water sprinkler!
For homeowners who love to keep their lawns looking green and lush, having a sprinkling system is a must. The device makes watering convenient- no more aching back from standing and crouching too long while manually spraying grass and plants!
Vegetable Peeler As A Screwdriver
Screwdrivers are must-haves in every household because they are handy tools that function more than loosening screws. Yet because they are inconspicuous, it’s common to lose them all the time. What happens when one loses a screwdriver? Easy, it’s the vegetable peeler to the rescue!
That’s right! when the mighty turnscrew gets lost; a metal vegetable peeler is a great replacement. Because of its pointy tip, the kitchen tool can quickly turn into a handyman’s gadget. Aside from detaching screws, a good ole’ paring knife can also pull out fasteners and open seals.
Aluminum Foils As A Sharpener
Dull scissors can be a real headache, especially when we need to cut something quickly and it doesn’t work. Well, it is no longer a problem as within seconds, it becomes possible to sharpen scissors with the help of a simple piece of aluminum foil.
The only thing needed is a folded foil sheet. Next, start to cut it with the dull scissors. After cutting around eight to ten times, the tool will become sharp as new. Start saving wrappers from sandwich takeaways, and one can avoid cutting new sheets too.
Use A Pencil To Slide Into Key Locks
Who could imagine that a pencil can serve in unlocking stuck locks? Most of us have faced the problem when the key won’t pass through the lock. At first glance, this may seem like a complex issue; yet, it can be resolved within a second if there is a sharp pencil around.
Take the pencil, stick it into the lock, and then cover the inside part with the pencil lead. This will help the key to slide forward and open the door. So, there is no need to call a locksmith urgently; a sharp pen will do all the work instead.
No More Snags On Rugs
Snags can make the look of woven rugs seem cheap and old. If there are pets in the house, such as cats or dogs, their claws may spoil the carpet. Another reason for emerging tufts can be moving the furniture. Nevertheless, these are no longer a problem as we only need a scissor and some glue to fix them.
First of all, cut the defective parts with scissors. Then take a good glue, produced for fabrics, and squeeze onto the part of the carpet where there is wool sticking out. Finally, set it with wax paper and a heavy object. After a couple of hours, it’ll be one smooth rug.
Zip Ties Instead Of Plumbers
The struggle of collected dirt and hair in the drains may be familiar to everyone. The dirt blocks all the way, and usually, we need to pay a fortune to the plumber to come and unclog the drain. If only there was something to fix the dilemma.
Well, we’ve got one. Having a zip tie at home can be a saver when the drains are clogged. Take them and link the zip ties together. With the help of wire cutters, get some barbs on their edges. Afterward, slide it into the drain and the dirt will be removed in a minute.
Cat Litter Vs Oil Stain
Removing oil stains is not an easy job, especially when it immediately dries out. Though there may be some chemicals in the market that are advertised as an effective way to get rid of stains, they don’t work much of the time. So instead of buying a chemical substance, it will be more helpful to collect some cat litter. Here is why!
Cat litter can be used to cover the oil stain and should quickly be removed afterward. Start with overlaying the organic substance on the desired spot. Then leave it for 15-20 minutes. After the oil absorbs, pour a detergent on top and start scrubbing. As a final step, wash with water and leave the place to dry.
Tape To Measure Hole Depth
Tape is proving to be the MVP of this list as it is turning out to be such a versatile item when it comes to household tips and tricks. In this case, the tape can be used to estimate how deep a screw needs to go or how deep a hole we need to predrill.
This hack almost sounds like a daunting task, but it’s quite easy. All a person needs to do is measure a screw against a drilling bit and mark the distance with a piece of tape. It should help determine the exact position one needs to stop drilling.
Using Magnets To Keep Nails In Place
Magnets are a fun tool to have around, and many of us have played with them a lot when we were children. Growing up, people found out that these items were handier than we ever thought, making it one of the main underdogs on this list.
For this hack, all we need are some glue and a piece of magnet, preferably with a hammer as well. The hammer is the crucial part as the magnet will be stuck on the bottom of its handle with adhesive. This allows us to stick some nails onto the item, making it easy to hammer away, without shuffling to look for nails.
Lining Painting Trays With Foil
Painting is hectic, and the aftermath is enough to make anyone lose their cool. The cleaning and waiting are so frustrating as a level of tiredness kicks in. That being said, there are a few ways of making this process smoother, and lining painting trays with foil is one of them.
This might look like a sci-fi hack, but it is as logical as they come in reality. The foil will be used to hold the paint and prevent contact with the tray. Now, when someone is done painting, they can forego the cleaning by just tossing out the messy foil.
Remove Excess Paint With Rubber Bands
Tying a rubber band around the paint can significantly reduce the mess that’s usually left after a thorough paint job. It’s very simple to do this as all that’s required is a rubber band large enough to fit the entirety of the can and some nimble hands.
First of all, the lid has to be removed so this can work. Once that is done, the painter will wrap one or two rubber bands across the can from top to bottom. The band should run across the can as shown, thus being able to run the wet paintbrush across it to remove any excess paint.
Silencing Noisy Pipes By Turning Off The Water
Some people might think that noisy pipes are an inescapable annoyance that no one can ever get rid of. We are more than glad to inform everyone wishing away this situation that it’s not always the case, and we have a swift solution for it.
Start by turning off the main valve that’s usually found near the main meter. After that’s taken care of, run all the taps in the house in the cold setting until all the water is emptied from the pipes. Once that’s done, turn back the main valve and enjoy a silent night. Pretty easy, right?