Here’s the deal: sometimes you need a contractor, sometimes you don’t. Believe it or not, there’s lots of common problems that occur around the house that can be fixed by even the most fix-it-adverse person on the planet (and that includes my husband!) … are any of these little issues driving you batty?
In our house, one of my biggest complaints is squeaking floors … we have hardwood throughout, and it seems I can’t even creep up the stairs to check on the girls without feeling like I’m walking through a field full of land mines.
I recently found out the fix is simple: baby powder. Just sprinkle it on the board(s) that squeak and use a dust brush to move the powder deep into the boards. Test it out. Still squeaking? Repeat until you don’t hear that annoying creak any longer.
Gum in the Carpet or Upholstery: Cherylann over at LovingHomeOf4Babies.com reports that chewing gum is easily removed with an ice cube and a plastic bag. She basically recommends putting an ice cube in the plastic bag and going back and forth over the gum until it’s frozen. Scrape off with a dull knife and repeat as necessary.
She also has recommendations for fixing a clothes dryer, cleaning windows, and quick-cleaning after a big party.
Fixing Nail Holes: I found this idea over at The Nest, and I think it’s fantastic. Use white toothpaste! When you think about it, it seems like common sense, yet I never would have thought of it!
They also list a tried and true favorite fix of mine for drawers that either squeak or are seemingly stuck all the time. An unscented (or even scented if you want things to smell pretty) candle on the drawer edges and the rails works wonders.
Check out the REALTOR Mag website for quick solutions to fix things like oil stains on the garage floor and leaky faucets and This Old House for fixes for the 52 most common (and annoying) household issues.
photo credit: This Old House
