Ever found yourself facing a household hiccup and wishing you had a handyperson on speed dial? We’ve all been there. The good news is, you don’t need to be a DIY expert to tackle many common home issues. With a bit of know-how and some everyday items, you can sort out many problems in a jiffy. I’ve put together a list of 21 quick fixes for those pesky household problems that always seem to crop up at the worst possible moment. These solutions are simple, cost-effective, and often use things you already have lying around. So roll up your sleeves and get ready to become your home’s very own troubleshooter!
Squeaky Door Hinges
Silence that annoying squeak with a quick spritz of WD-40. If you don’t have any handy, a dab of olive oil or petroleum jelly works wonders too. Simply apply a small amount to the hinge, then open and close the door a few times to work it in. Your ears will thank you! For a long-term solution, consider removing the hinge pin and coating it with a thin layer of lithium grease before reinserting.
Clogged Shower Head
Restore your shower’s pressure by giving the shower head a vinegar bath. Unscrew the shower head and soak it in white vinegar for a few hours. For a quick fix, tie a plastic bag filled with vinegar around the shower head and leave overnight. Rinse thoroughly before use, and enjoy your refreshed shower. To prevent future clogs, make this a part of your regular cleaning routine, doing it every few months.
Stained Tupperware
Banish those stubborn tomato sauce stains from your plastic containers with a paste made from baking soda and water. Rub the paste onto the stains, let it sit for a few hours, then wash as usual. For extra tough stains, leave the paste on overnight before washing. To prevent future staining, consider spraying the inside of your containers with cooking spray before adding tomato-based foods.
Smelly Washing Machine
Freshen up your washing machine by running an empty hot water cycle with a cup of white vinegar in the drum. This helps remove soap scum and neutralise odours. For front-loading machines, wipe the rubber seal regularly with a mixture of water and vinegar to prevent mould growth. Leave the door open after each wash to allow the machine to dry out completely, further preventing musty smells.
Scratched Wooden Furniture
Hide minor scratches on wooden furniture with a walnut. Simply rub the meat of the walnut over the scratch, let it sit for a few minutes, then buff with a soft cloth. The oils from the nut help to camouflage the scratch. For deeper scratches, try a matching wood filler. To prevent future scratches, use felt pads under objects placed on wooden surfaces.
Stuck Zippers
Get that stubborn zipper moving again with a pencil. Rub the graphite from the pencil along the teeth of the zipper. The graphite acts as a lubricant, helping the zipper glide smoothly. For plastic zippers, a bit of lip balm can work wonders too. If the zipper is stuck due to a piece of fabric caught in it, gently work the fabric free with tweezers before applying lubricant.
Water Rings on Wood
Remove those pesky water rings from wooden surfaces with a hairdryer. Set the hairdryer on medium heat and aim it at the ring, moving it around constantly to avoid overheating. As the moisture evaporates, the ring should disappear. Follow up with a polish to restore shine. For stubborn rings, try rubbing the area with non-gel toothpaste before using the hairdryer method.
Scuffed Floors
Erase scuff marks from vinyl or linoleum floors with a tennis ball. Cut a small X in the tennis ball and pop it onto the end of a broom handle. Rub the scuff marks with the tennis ball, and watch them disappear like magic. For wood floors, try a damp cloth dipped in baking soda. To prevent future scuffs, place felt pads on the bottom of furniture legs and avoid wearing shoes indoors.
Blocked Sink
Clear a mildly blocked sink without harsh chemicals. Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain and let it fizz for 15 minutes. Flush with hot water. For stubborn clogs, you might need to repeat or use a plunger. To prevent future blockages, use a drain strainer to catch hair and food particles.
Sticky Residue
Remove sticky label residue from glass or plastic with cooking oil. Apply a small amount of oil to the residue and let it sit for a few minutes. The oil helps break down the adhesive, making it easy to wipe away. Follow up with soapy water to remove any oily residue. For particularly stubborn residue, try heating it gently with a hairdryer before applying the oil.
Wrinkled Clothes
De-wrinkle clothes quickly without an iron by hanging them in a steamy bathroom. Run a hot shower for a few minutes with the clothes nearby. The steam will help relax the fibres and remove mild wrinkles. For stubborn creases, dampen the area slightly before steaming. If you’re in a real hurry, hang the garment in a dry area and aim a hairdryer at it, smoothing with your hand as you go.
Musty Books
Freshen up musty-smelling books with a sprinkle of baking soda. Place the book in a paper bag with a few tablespoons of baking soda. Seal the bag and leave it for a day or two. The baking soda will absorb the musty odour. Brush off any powder before returning the book to your shelf. For valuable or delicate books, consider placing them in a box with an open container of baking soda instead of directly applying the powder.
Foggy Mirrors
Prevent bathroom mirrors from fogging up after a shower by rubbing a small amount of shaving cream on the surface and buffing it off with a clean cloth. This leaves an invisible film that resists fog. Alternatively, a solution of vinegar and water works well too. For a longer-lasting effect, you can purchase anti-fog sprays from most automotive or hardware stores.
Squeaky Floorboards
Silence squeaky floorboards by sprinkling a little talcum powder over the noisy area and working it into the cracks. The powder helps lubricate the wood, reducing friction and quieting the squeak. For a more permanent fix, you might need to secure loose boards from below. If you can access the underside of the floor, try driving a thin wedge into the space between the joist and the underside of the subfloor.
Dusty Plants
Clean dusty houseplants with a soft, damp cloth or a gentle shower. For fuzzy-leaved plants like African violets, use a soft brush to gently sweep away dust. Keeping your plants dust-free helps them absorb more light and stay healthy. Remember to support the leaves as you clean to avoid damage. For plants with many small leaves, you can use a spray bottle to mist them with room-temperature water, then gently shake off the excess.
Grimy Shower Curtain
Refresh your shower curtain by washing it with a couple of towels. The towels help scrub away soap scum and mildew. Add a cup of white vinegar to the wash for extra cleaning power. Hang the curtain back up to dry completely before your next shower. To prevent mildew growth, spray the curtain with a mixture of water and tea tree oil after each use.
Smelly Fridge
Absorb fridge odours with a bowl of coffee grounds or baking soda. Simply place an open container in the back of your fridge and replace it every month. For stubborn smells, wipe down the interior with a solution of water and white vinegar before adding the odour absorber. Remember to check for and remove any expired or rotting food items, which are often the source of fridge odours.
Cloudy Glassware
Restore the sparkle to cloudy glassware with white vinegar. Soak the glasses in equal parts white vinegar and warm water for about 15 minutes. Rinse and dry with a lint-free cloth. For stubborn cloudiness, gently rub with baking soda before the vinegar soak. To prevent cloudiness in the future, avoid using too much detergent when washing glasses and rinse them thoroughly in hot water.
Grubby Keyboard
Clean a grimy keyboard by gently shaking out debris, then wiping with a slightly damp cloth. For stubborn dirt, use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean between the keys. Always unplug your keyboard first and avoid getting any liquid inside the device. For a deep clean, you can use a can of compressed air to blow out dust and crumbs from between the keys.
Water-Stained Taps
Remove water stains from chrome taps with half a lemon. Rub the cut side of the lemon over the taps, then rinse and buff dry with a soft cloth. The citric acid helps dissolve mineral deposits. For extra shine, follow up with a dab of baby oil on a clean cloth. To prevent future water stains, wipe your taps dry after each use.
Scratched CDs or DVDs
Fix minor scratches on CDs or DVDs with a banana. Gently rub the flesh of a ripe banana over the scratch in a straight line from the centre outwards. Wipe clean with a soft cloth. The oils in the banana help fill in small scratches, potentially saving your favourite tunes or films. For deeper scratches, try using a small amount of toothpaste, rubbing gently in the same manner.
Katy Willis is a writer, master herbalist, master gardener, and certified canine nutritionist who has been writing since 2002. She’s finds joy in learning new and interesting things, and finds history, science, and nature endlessly fascinating.
