Hide A Mess Of Cords
Nothing creates clutter like having a tangled mess of cords all bunched up. There’s an easy way to hide all of these cords, whether they’re at the foot of your computer, by the TV stand, or on the floor by your bed. First get a packaging tube – this is made of thick and durable cardboard. Cut a line down the long side of the tube and cover the edges with Duct tape. Finish off with a coat of spray paint and let it dry. Attach the tube to the back of your desk or tuck it away behind your bed and then slide your power strip into the tube, making sure the sockets face the opening. Then, plug in everything and tuck the cords into the tube to conceal everything!
Magnetic Screwdriver
If you’ve done any home improvement projects around the house – big or small – then you’ll know the pain of constantly dropping screws or putting them in at the wrong angle. Try this awesome trick that will alleviate so many of those issues! Simply grab a strong magnet, like a rare earth magnet, and put it halfway down the length of the screwdriver. This will make the rest of the metal screwdriver magnetic! The screws will stick to the tip of the screwdriver instead of falling off.
Scuff Free Hammer
Removing nails from a wall is a delicate task. Not only will you have to fill in the hole, but if you’re not extremely careful, the hammer can leave unsightly scuff marks. Try this trick instead! Grab a rubber band and wrap it around the head of the hammer, making an “X” shape. This will make for a cushion of sorts when leveraging the hammer against the wall.
Hands Free Marking
This next trick comes in handy if you’re hanging shelves or marking out spaces for just about any project. Grab a pencil and a large binder clip. Place the pencil in the binder clip and stick the grips inside the clip on the back of the measuring tape. You’ll have an easy way to mark exact intervals as you measure the wall or wood or wherever you need to mark!
Save Excess Paint
Painting projects seem simple enough, but they always end up costing more and using more paint than you might think! Plus, it’s always good to have a spare container of paint to do any touchups in the future. Therefore, any way you can save every last drop is so important. Try this painting hack – make three or four holes in the rim of the paint can for the excess paint to drain from around the rim. Then, replace the lid and hammer it on.
Clean A Dirty Sink
This is a useful cleaning tip for anyone to know – homeowner or not, if you use a sink, you should know how to clean it properly. This method uses the tried and true combination of baking soda and vinegar. Start by rinsing out the sink, and then put a layer of baking soda down. Scrub with a sponge. For tougher stains, apply a paper towel soaked in white vinegar. Then, pour some baking soda down the drain, followed by vinegar. The mixture will bubble as it cleans the drain. Rinse off the baking soda and vinegar, and then pour hot water over the sink and down the drain. Put some citrus peels like lemon or orange down the drain (if you have a garbage disposal), and then turn on the garbage disposal. The citrus will clear out the smell of the vinegar. Wipe down the sink and it’ll be sparkling like new!
Nail Holder
Whether you’re hanging pictures or trying to do other home projects, chances are, you’ve had your fair share of dropping nails! This little hack will be great for keeping everything in place while you hammer away. Take an old mouse pad and draw an X in the center. Fold the mouse pad and cut the X shape, then cut around the X so you have a smaller, more workable section. Then, mark the spot on the wall where you want to put the nail and line up with the X. Put your nail right in the center of the X and hold the outside of the pad while you hammer the nail. The pad will hold the nail in place, plus you won’t have to worry about hitting your thumb. Win-win!
Extend Battery Life
Have you ever been out of AA batteries? I’m guessing the answer to that is a resounding, “Yes!” Did you know you can make AAA batteries work in lieu of AA batteries? All you need to do is stick a little ball of tin foil in the negative slot of the electronic and stick the AAA batteries in. The foil will help make a connection and extend the life of whatever it is you’re using!
Unclog A Sink The Easy Way
Whether it’s a bathroom sink, a kitchen sink, or even the bathtub drain, this is a handy trick to keep up your sleeve! Start by mixing equal parts salt and baking soda and pouring it down the drain, followed by warm vinegar, and finally, boiling water. Wait a few minutes and voila! Your sink will be totally unclogged!
Check out these other home improvement hacks!