In today’s fast-paced world, many families opt to enjoy meals around a kitchen table or breakfast bar, often leaving the formal dining room empty and unused. Here are a few ways you can revamp your formal dining room into a fun or functional space.
Make a Work Area
Boost your productivity by designating a separate space that prevents work and homework from overtaking the rest of your home. Furnish the room with a desk, a supportive chair and a small worktable for projects. Be sure to include baskets or other storage bins to organize supplies.
Set Up a Game Room
Score big on family bonding with a game room that brings everyone together in a fun, modern way — much like the dining room table once did. Consider a ping-pong or pool table with an add-on tabletop feature and surround it with comfortable chairs. Include cabinetry to store board games.
Start an Indoor Garden
Show off your green thumb with a variety of plants in their very own garden room. Use colorful planters and vases to bring character to the space, but make sure you place planters on waterproof surfaces.
Build a Library
Line the walls with shelves and fill them with your favorite books. For something unusual, consider creating a music library with your favorite vinyl albums or a small movie room to house your favorite films. Don’t forget to include some plush seating to enjoy your media collection.
Create a Sitting Room
Ditch the TV and create an inviting conversation space with comfortable furnishings arranged to encourage family connection. Add soft lighting and an electric fireplace for added warmth.
Organize a Decor Swap
Transform your space without spending a dime by trading trinkets for newfound treasures at a decor swap.
Plan the Perfect Swap
Send invitations to friends and family. Include instructions detailing how many pieces to bring, what items are acceptable and what to leave at home. You might even try a themed swap, like “seasonal splendor” or “vintage vibes.”
Host With Style
Create an inviting atmosphere with light background music and refreshments. Arrange tables to display the featured pieces and allow everyone to browse, then have your guests make selections. Keep the process simple by drawing two or three names at a time and setting a time limit for choosing items. Allow extra time for any additional swapping between guests.
Any unclaimed items remaining after the decor swap is over can be donated to a local nonprofit or posted online in a Buy Nothing group.
Lighting Hacks
Proper lighting can make or break a room’s look and feel. Every room is different, so it’s important to tailor lighting to the function of the space.
Soft lighting works well in rooms where you want to relax, such as bedrooms and living rooms. Skip the overhead lights and opt for table lamps or wall sconces to create a sense of coziness.
Practical lighting is essential in areas where you want to be productive, such as an office or workout room. In these spaces, the right overhead lighting and functional fixtures can add brightness and boost productivity.
Versatile lighting is key in the areas of your home where you can be both productive and relaxed, such as the kitchen or primary bedroom suite. Install dimmer switches for overhead lighting to adjust the mood as needed. Add lamps or battery-operated LED candles to create a warm, inviting atmosphere during relaxation time, and consider under-cabinet lighting for practical tasks. Layering your lighting options allows you to easily transition the space from bright and functional to soft and soothing.
The Dirty Truth About Kitchen Towels
Keeping your kitchen sparkling clean isn’t just about scrubbing surfaces and washing fruits and veggies. One often overlooked culprit for bacteria buildup is the kitchen towel.
While cloth towels are an economical and environmentally friendly alternative to paper, they’re breeding grounds for bacteria. Even after rinsing towels in the sink, salmonella can still grow quickly overnight. Towels used to wipe down counters and clean up spills should be laundered in a washing machine with hot water after one day’s use. If towels are used only to dry hands, they should be laundered after three or four days. Experts also recommend replacing kitchen towels every year or two.
Recipe: Penne With Smoked Sausage
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. smoked sausage
½ cup diced onion
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
2 cups chicken broth
1 (10 oz.) can diced tomatoes
½ cup milk
2 cups dry penne pasta
Crushed red pepper
Shredded Parmesan cheese
Basil leaves
Arugula leaves
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Slice sausage into bite-sized pieces. Brown sausage and onion in olive oil. Add garlic, salt and pepper. Continue cooking for about 30 seconds.
Add chicken broth, tomatoes, milk, and dry pasta to the pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and top with crushed red pepper and Parmesan cheese. Garnish with basil and arugula leaves.
Is your home looking less exciting these days? Are you sick of staring at the same four walls but don’t have a huge budget for renovations? Just because you don’t have a lot to spend doesn’t mean you can’t refresh your home. You just need to know what to do and how to pay as little as possible for it. Here are seven microbudget ways to upgrade a home.
Repaint Any Room
“Paint is a decorator’s miracle,” says interior designer Kate Dawson. “Nothing can transform a space as quickly or dramatically—without renovating—as a new coat of paint. It can change the vibe and energy even if it’s only used on one wall.”
The best thing about paint is it’s not only inexpensive (the price of dining out for lunch can get you a fairly cheap can of paint)—but you can also do it yourself and save on labor. The cost of rollers and brushes also won’t break the bank.
Swap Out Pillows
Whether they’re in your living room or your bedroom, old pillows can really make a room look dated, but new pillows can surprisingly transform. “I see decorative pillows as the home’s version of earrings, shoes, and scarves,” Dawson says. “When we’re going out, we always accessorize because it adds individuality, style, and pops of color. A room is the same way. Pillows pull the room together and give the space cohesion and a new energy.”
There are many places to buy pillows inexpensively, such as HomeGoods or Target. Amazon also has curated sets, so you don’t have to spend extra time and money mixing and matching. Another way to save a few bucks is to replace the pillow case but keep the insert.
Add Greenery
There isn’t one room that wouldn’t benefit from bringing a little nature in. That’s why Dawson is so passionate about plants. However, real ones can be expensive, so she recommends going the faux route to achieve the same design impact for less money. “Plants are a fantastic way to play with scale, levels, and volume,” the designer says. “They come in so many shapes and sizes and are the perfect thing to tuck into little places that just need a little pop of color, or for large spaces such as a big empty corner of a room. Get a nice faux six-inch fiddle leaf plant for any area that feels like a gap in the flow of the space.”
Wallpaper A Powder Room
We often neglect powder rooms but these spaces are a great way to go big on design. While replacing a toilet and sink can be expensive, installing wallpaper is a great way to get some wow factor without overspending. To save more money, consider peel-and-stick wallpaper over the traditional pasted kind because it can be self-installed and generally costs less.
Swap Out Hardware in the Kitchen and Bathroom
Old hardware can really date a room. While you can definitely splurge on hardware, you don’t need to. Look for hardware multipacks, which can get the cost of a handle or knob down to a few dollars each—a major bang for your buck.
Add A Peel And Stick Backsplash To Your Kitchen
Is your kitchen backsplash looking dated? While you might not have the budget to replace it permanently, you can use peel and stick tile over it. From faux marble subway tiles to ceramic penny styles, there are a lot of options out there. Best of all, no one will know the difference between that and the real thing.
Add Artwork in Any Room
Dawson recommends upgrading your plain walls with artwork. “Adding colorful artwork instantly tells a story about the homeowner,” she says. “It always makes great conversation, and aesthetically, it always adds depth, texture, and dimension to the room.”
Alternatively, you can use photos. Try shopping from your own camera roll for maximum savings. That beautiful shot you have of a sunset on vacation can be made into a canvas fairly inexpensively.
For many families, the kitchen is the social hub of the home, so it’s important that you clean often. Some areas of your kitchen will require consistent attention, such as the counters. Others, like larger appliances such as the refrigerator or oven, can be addressed on a weekly or perhaps monthly basis.
Below, you’ll find daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal kitchen cleaning checklists to simplify your routine. These detailed guides will help you create and maintain a tidy kitchen space.
Supplies You’ll Need
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Before you get started, make sure you have the proper tools and cleaning solutions on hand. The following is a comprehensive list, detailing all of the supplies you need for the four kitchen cleaning checklists in this guide.
For your daily kitchen cleaning checklist, focus your attention on the counters and floors. Keeping these high-use areas clean will help you cultivate a more hygienic environment.
Remove any decor, appliances, or clutter from the countertops.
Wipe down the counters with a clean, damp cloth and an all-purpose cleaner or warm, soapy water. You can also use a DIY all-purpose cleaner, made of diluted vinegar. Consider wiping down high-use areas at this time as well, such as the drawer and cabinet pulls and the handle on your microwave.
Sweep the floors.
Return the items you moved to their proper homes on the countertop or elsewhere.
Unload your dishwasher and tackle any dirty dishes by handwashing or loading the dishwasher.
Wipe down the faucet and inside of your sink with an all-purpose cleaner. Pay close attention to any corners and crevices that may be collecting grime.
Take out the trash and recycling.
Put any cleaning rags or kitchen towels in the laundry and replace them with clean ones.
Weekly Kitchen Cleaning Checklist
The Spruce / Jenelle Botts
In addition to your daily cleaning regimen, your weekly routine should include frequently used appliances like your microwave and refrigerator. Start your weekly cleaning routine with the steps below, then finish with your daily kitchen cleaning checklist above.
Clean the interior and exterior of your countertop kitchen appliances, including your toaster, coffee maker, and microwave.
Next, it’s time to clean the refrigerator. You’ll need to rearrange or remove items as you clean, so you’re able to wipe down all of the shelf and drawer space. As you go, check for expired goods and toss them. Remember to wipe down the face and handles of your refrigerator too. (Save the freezer for your monthly kitchen cleaning checklist.)
Wipe down your stovetop with a store-bought or DIY all-purpose cleaner. Don’t forget to wipe down the face of your oven too.
Next, wipe down additional high-use areas, such as light switches, drawer pulls, cabinet handles, and door knobs.
Turn off (at the breaker box) and clean your garbage disposal, using distilled white vinegar and baking soda.
Finally, you can move on to the daily cleaning checklist and finish your weekly routine by mopping your kitchen floors.
Tip
During your weekly kitchen cleaning routine, take a look at your supplies and see if any cleaning solutions or tools need to be replaced or replenished. Take this opportunity to add those items to your grocery list.
Monthly Kitchen Cleaning Checklist
The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Your monthly kitchen cleaning checklist provides an opportunity to tidy and disinfect areas that are not frequently used, but still collect dust and grime over time. This includes cabinet and drawer faces, windows, and even the inside of your garbage can. Start with your daily kitchen cleaning checklist, then move onto the tasks below.
Remove the contents of your cabinets and drawers to prepare for cleaning and organizing (we recommend following steps three and four for one cabinet or drawer at a time). This includes your pantry.
Wipe out the inside of your drawer or cabinet with an all-purpose cleaning solution, then move onto the cabinet or drawer face.
Return the contents of your cabinet or drawer, organizing as you go. Move onto the next drawer or cabinet and repeat steps three and four until you’ve tackled all of the storage space.
Wipe down any tiles and grout, such as a kitchen backsplash, with your all-purpose cleaner.
Next, wipe down areas that may be collecting dust, such as the tops of cabinets and light fixtures.
Clean the inside of your dishwasher with a soft abrasive brush or sponge, distilled white vinegar, and baking soda. Be sure to wipe down the face of your dishwasher with an all-purpose cleaner when you’re finished.
Seasonal Kitchen Cleaning Checklist
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
While the checklists above will help you maintain a clean and sanitary kitchen, there are a few leftover tasks you should complete every few months.
Set your oven to the self-clean setting. Keep in mind this process requires some prep (such as removing the racks and turning on the oven vent) and can take a couple of hours.
Using a microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaning solution, wipe down the ceiling and walls in your kitchen. When you complete this step, pay close attention to areas that may have gathered grease or steam, such as the wall behind your kitchen faucet and the ceiling area above your vent hood.
When you empty and deep clean the cabinets and drawers in your kitchen (during the monthly kitchen cleaning checklist), search for any kitchen tools and utensils you can donate or toss. For cabinets or drawers with food (as well as the pantry), see if there are any items that need to be replaced or replenished, such as expired goods or spices running low.
Unplug your refrigerator and pull it away from the wall. Clean the top of your fridge, the floor underneath it, and even the coils behind it. Use a microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner for the top of your refrigerator and the coils, then a broom, dustpan, and mop for the floor. Plug the refrigerator back into the outlet, then return it back to it’s proper home.
Tips for Sticking to Your Kitchen Cleaning Schedule
Following the kitchen cleaning checklists above will take time and discipline, but there are several tips you can use to help you keep up with the chores.
Schedule kitchen cleaning days in your calendar. This is especially important for your monthly and seasonal kitchen cleaning checklists.
Keep your kitchen organized.Maintaining an organized kitchen will help prevent clutter, optimize your food storage, and notice and address any grease, spills, and other debris quickly.
Store your cleaning supplies in bins. Keeping the supplies needed for each checklist in labeled plastic bins can help you grab what you need quickly when it’s time to complete a cleaning checklist.
Declutter often. Instead of waiting until it’s time to complete your kitchen cleaning checklist, make sure you are frequently looking for and removing any expired products or tools/utensils that aren’t being used.
Drying your laundry correctly doesn’t have to be complicated. Lean on this guide to simplify your drying routine.
Should you tumble dry low or normal dry? Is it better to dry towels and sheets together or separately? Knowing these laundry best practices can make your clothes last longer, save you energy, and reduce your monthly utility bill. Modern dryers boast an overload of advanced setting combos, from sanitization to activewear and even static-reducing options—which is why getting familiar with your model can help you get the most out of your dryer.
With the help of laundry and appliance experts, we’ve compiled all the do’s and don’ts of drying your clothes at home, whether you have a front- or top-loading dryer. And in case you are traveling (or shopping for a new dryer), this guide will also outline the common dryer settings found in today’s drying machines. The best part: You’ll be able to open your dryer with confidence, knowing your favorite tee hasn’t shrunk two sizes.
Prep Your Laundry Before You Dry
To maximize your laundry success, prevent wrinkles, and reduce your drying time, there are a few steps you can take before starting the dryer. First, sort your laundry before zapping it into your dryer (this step is especially important if you’re using an all-in-one washer-dryer), advises Zachary Pozniak, co-author of the upcoming The Laundry Book. “You should dry items of similar color and weight together,” he says. For example, “Do not dry dark jeans with lightweight white tee shirts. The tee shirt will be dry well before the jeans which will cause the shirt to be heavily wrinkled and covered in dark lint,” he adds.
Second, shake and untangle each piece right before tossing it into your dryer, and always follow your item’s care labels to protect your fabrics. Always be careful not to overload the dryer: Give your pieces some wiggle room to tumble freely inside your machine.
Lint clogged in your lint trap or ductwork can cause hot air from your dryer to spark a flame. Prevent this by keeping your dryer from working overtime—since clogged lint makes it harder for your machine to remove damp air from inside your dryer, resulting in greater energy expenditure and a more costly monthly bill—and clean it regularly.
Basic Dryer Settings
Normal, Regular Dry or Automatic
The hottest temperature a dryer can provide, this setting will tackle heavier items like towels, sheets, and sheets more efficiently, Pozniak says. But depending on your dryer model, this setting will either be labeled normal, regular, or automatic. Each of these cycles typically uses a moisture sensor to determine when clothes are dry, but you can also set a timer based on your preferences, Pozniak explains. He suggests reserving this setting for your most durable items like towels, bedding, sweats, and jeans while avoiding using this cycle on delicate items.
Note that ‘normal’ and ‘timed dry’ are the most popular cycles, according to David Wilson, senior commercial director for clothes care at GE Appliance. Each of these cycles represents around a quarter of all dryer cycles, based on GE’s data of more than 300 million cycles.
Delicate or Gentle
On the other hand, delicate settings use the lowest amount of heat and tumbling action, explains Pozniak. This cycle is best for fragile fabrics or laundry pieces that may start to melt, fray, stretch, or fade in high-heat conditions. Some examples can include activewear, spandex, underwear, lingerie, and sateen sheet sets.
Permanent Press or Wrinkle-Resistant
Wrinkle shield settings will help reduce wrinkles and keep shrinkage at bay. Typically using medium-heat settings, “permanent press is best for synthetic clothes like gym clothes,” says Pozniak, adding, “These garments dry very quickly, so the cycle uses lower temperatures, shorter drying times, and less tumbling to avoid wrinkling.”
Steam Setting
You’ll probably only see this setting on modern dryers, but this cycle adds steam to your laundry load to remove wrinkles. “However, it will not dry your garments, so expect them to be a bit damp to the touch (great for wrinkled bedding),” Pozniak says. “This can be used after a ‘proper’ dry cycle and viewed as a touch-up function.” You can also use this setting to de-wrinkle clean clothing without rewashing, as it uses a mixture of water and heat to revive clothing pieces.
No-Heat or Air-Fluff
This setting uses absolutely no heat, so it will not dry your garments like other settings. Pozniak says this cycle is ideal for stuffed items like duvet inserts, comforters, down jackets, and pillows. In addition, this air fluff setting can also help you remove pet hair and dust from your laundry pieces or even restore volume and freshen up the most delicate fabrics like wool or cashmere.
Quick Dry
Just as the name suggests, you can depend on this cycle to dry a small, light load in the nick of time.
Smart Dryer Settings
Smart dryer iterations are flooding the market right now, allowing you to streamline your laundry routine with intuitive features. For example, some dryers include dryer racks for items that require tumble-free drying (like tennis shoes). Others also come with compatible apps, where you can assign family members laundry tasks through customized texts and even cycle-match to get the perfect dry cycle that matches your load’s wash cycle. Some dryer machines can also be voice-activated when using a compatible voice-enabled device. Below, we’ve outlined a few features that you may want to consider when purchasing your next appliance.
ENERGY STAR-certified dryers follow energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy, using up to 30% less energy than standard dryers (and many times cost about the same as standard dryers).
Advanced moisture sensing: This setting is designed to adapt drying times to your garments, which helps prevent over-drying. Multiple sensors monitor the moisture and temperature of your clothes, so your drying cycle will end at just the right time.
EcoBoost: Some appliances come with a EcoBoost option that’s designed to use less heat to maximize energy efficiency.
Static-reduce: This setting combines a mist of water with tumbling after your load drys to further reduce static shock.
Sanitize cycle: A sanitizing cycle can eliminate common household bacteria and bugs (lice, bedbugs, moth larvae) thanks to its high heat levels, which can be ideal for sanitizing sheets or soiled clothing items.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you use the wrong dryer setting?
The most common mistakes include over or under-drying your clothing. “Most shrinkage occurs in the washer, so you’ll likely have a very wrinkled garment from overdrying or one that’s still wet from underdrying,” Pozniak says.
Which dryer settings can be damaging?
“Timed dry can be very harmful as this overrides the moisture sensor,” Pozniak says. “Avoid using it if possible.”
Which items should not go in the dryer?
It’s best to hang or line dry synthetic clothes since they dry super fast, and any extended exposure to heat and tumbling will cause hard-to-remove wrinkling. Pozniak adds that this will break down your garments prematurely. He also advises against putting animal or protein-based textiles (such as silk, wool, and cashmere) in a tumble dryer. Instead, lay them flat on a towel to dry.
Got tough pet stains on your sofa or maybe you found a cute secondhand couch? Here’s how to get that upholstery looking and smelling good as new.
Did you just score a beautiful vintage sofa at a secondhand shop, and you want to know how to clean it or has your once-new sofa seen better days? Over time, crumbs, spilled soda, pet hair, dirt and oil from hands and feet build up on upholstered furniture and make it look dingy. Here’s how to clean furniture made of a variety of fabrics and materials.
1. Vacuum the Couch
Use a hand vacuum or the brush attachment on your vacuum to clean debris and dirt from the sofa surface. Be sure to clean the crevices where pet hair, food crumbs and dirt accumulate. If the cushions are not attached, remove them and vacuum both sides.
2. Clean the Wood or Metal Areas
Wipe down the sofa feet and other non-fabric parts of the sofa with a solution of warm water and liquid dish soap. If necessary, work your way up to heavier-duty cleansers, such as some of these DIY wood cleaning and polish options. Always wipe down with a microfiber cloth to prevent soap residue from remaining on the surface.
3. Determine the Type of Fabric
Find the tag on the couch and read the instructions for how to clean that type of upholstery.
Here are the codes found on the labels:
WS: Use a mild detergent with a steam vacuum or a dry-cleaning detergent.
S: Use a dry cleaner detergent only.
X: Use a vacuum only. No water.
W: You can use water to clean it.
4. How to Remove Odors
Before you tackle odors, determine what type of fabric your furniture is made of. It may be too delicate for liquid solutions.
In terms of tackling odors in your home, baking soda is a fantastic odor neutralizer (as most of us already know from using it in our refrigerators and freezers). Sprinkle baking soda on the couch cushions (make sure to check labels and test in a small area first). You may want to use a soft bristle brush to get the baking soda worked into the fabric. Let it sit for a few minutes, then vacuum it up.
Vinegar is also an amazing natural cleaning option for serious odors. Try using vinegar diluted with a bit of water in a spray bottle and spray on the upholstery. When the vinegar dries, its smell will dissipate. If the baking soda or vinegar didn’t work on their own, try them in combination for an extra powerful, odor-eliminating punch.
If it’s pet smells you’re trying to eliminate, try an enzymatic neutralizer such as Nature’s Miracle to spot-treat an area and eliminate the odor.
5. Use a Bug Spray on Secondhand Upholstery
Even if you know that pre-loved sofa came from a clean home, it’s best to be cautious and treat it with some pest control. Many commercial sprays are non-toxic and safe for kids and pets. Another option is to sprinkle the upholstery with diatomaceous earth and let it sit for several hours then vacuum it up.
6. How to Clean Fresh Spills
Start by blotting liquid spills. Use an absorbent cloth to first blot at spills and moisture to quickly absorb it. This will help reduce the chance that the stain will get “rubbed in,” and it’ll help to collect liquid that’s soaking into foam layers beneath the upholstery. The more liquid you can absorb by blotting, the less internal damage that happens to your furnishings.
7. Remove Stains With a Steam Cleaner
You might expect that you’ll just have to live with dirty armrests or dried spills for the duration of a seat’s existence, but steam cleaning is relatively effective at lifting embedded dirt from fabric. You’ll probably find that a steam cleaner for carpets and upholstery is an acceptable tool for this task — especially if it comes with a detail cleaning attachment. Always use a low-heat setting, and test in an inconspicuous spot to make sure that the fabric doesn’t have an unexpectedly negative reaction to the heat. Do not use steam heat on upholstery that is made of, or contains silk.
8. Try a DIY Cleaner
If you don’t have a steam cleaner to remove stains, create mild-solution cleaners from natural ingredients you probably already have in the kitchen. Homemade cleaners are cheaper and kinder to the earth.
Here’s how to clean a sofa, by fabric type:
For fabric upholstery: Mix 1/4 cup vinegar, 3/4 warm water and 1 tablespoon of dish soap or Castile soap. Put in a spray bottle. Mist the soiled area. Scrub with a soft cloth until the stain lifts. Use a second cloth moistened with clean water to remove the soap. Dry with a towel.
For leather upholstery. Mix 1/2 cup olive oil with 1/4 cup vinegar and put into a spray bottle. Spray the cleaner on the surface of the couch and buff with a soft cloth.
For synthetic upholstery: Mix 1/2 cup of vinegar, 1 cup of warm water and 1/2 tablespoon of liquid dish soap or Castile soap in a spray bottle. Mist the soiled area and scrub with a soft cloth until the stain is gone.
9. Let the Couch Dry
Use a towel to soak up any excess water remaining on the sofa surface. Let the sofa air dry. If it’s humid, you may want to set up a box fan pointed at the sofa for speed drying. Water can cause cushions and fabric to mildew.
More Couch Cleaning Tips
Lint Roller If your couch is made from a fabric that easily attracts lint, hair or dust, you should keep a lint roller on hand that you can exclusively use for your couch. This works best for a couch that only requires a light amount of de-linting, but it can work for larger jobs, too. In a pinch, you can use large pieces of packing tape to de-puppify the couch.
Leather Soap and Conditioner If you have a leather couch, leather soap and conditioner are something you can use to keep it looking clean and fresh. You also can use a slightly damp, clean rag to wipe off my leather furniture about once a week.
Steam If your couch is made of a fabric that can be cleaned with a water-based cleaner, try using steam to loosen up dirt and stains. Try this: Grab your iron, put it on the “steam” setting, and wave it back and forth across any trouble spots on your couch.
How to clean a microfiber couch
If your couch is made of a fabric that can be cleaned with a water-based cleaner, try using steam to loosen up dirt and stains. Try this: Grab your iron, put it on the “steam” setting, and wave it back and forth across any trouble spots on your couch.
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Owning a home is a wonderful thing – and a huge responsibility! At any given moment there are probably at least a dozen little things that need to get fixed around the house. From the toilet that won’t stop running to a hole in the wall, and everything in between. Sometimes making ends meet while paying off the mortgage is hard enough, let alone paying a professional to come in a work on these projects. The good news is, a lot of minor home repairs are easy to do yourself! So grab a friend and get to repairing your home this weekend with this easy list of tips and tricks from the pros!
10. Repair A Hole In The Wall
We’ve all probably gotten a hole in a wall, one way or another. Whether you decided to “toss” a textbook onto the bed only to miss and have it crash into the wall, or your husband got a great idea to move a massive bookshelf to the other room without any help and it inevitably ended up crashing into the wall, or… any other way people get holes in walls, the fact is that the hole is there, and it’s ugly. In this easy to follow tutorial from The DIY Playbook, we learn how simple it is to repair a hole in the wall. You’ll just need a few basic supplies: mesh tape, razor blade, spackle, paint and primer, and a sanding block. The process is pretty simple – a couple layers of mesh tape, followed by spackle and sanding the area down. Then, paint away, and you’re good to go!
9.Fix Chipped Concrete Steps
If you have concrete steps in your front or backyard, you’ll know the ongoing battle of keeping them up! Once that first crack shows, it only gets worse year after year as the water freezes and expands during the winter months, then melts and contracts during the spring and summer. It can be hard to get control of! Plus, usually, things like back porch steps are pretty low on the priority list when it comes to home repairs, but don’t put this one off any longer! Repairing concrete stairs is actually a lot easier and cheaper than you might think. In this step-by-step tutorial from Two Feet First, we see how to repair concrete with some cement, water, a putty knife, and a wire brush.
8. Restore Hardwood Floors In 5 Minutes
One of my first apartments had beautiful hardwood floors that I loved. What I didn’t love? When my roommate brought home a 65-pound dog full of energy and rebellion. After a year of playing run-around-the-apartment-and-scratch-up-the-floors, as well as normal wear and tear (it wasn’t all the dog’s fault, after all), I was sure we would never get the deposit back on the apartment. I tried several different methods of cleaning up the floors and eventually gave up. I wish I would have known about this little trick way back then! According to The Chronicles of Home, all you need is a can of Restor-a-Finish and a roll of paper towels. Simply pour some of the finish on the scratches, then rub it into the scratches with a paper towel. Then use a dry paper towel to pass over the area several times. It won’t make deep scratches disappear, but it will significantly reduce the eyesore of scratched floors! Plus, it really does work wonders on small scratches. See for yourself!
7. Fix A Stuck/Uneven Door
We all have that one door that gets stuck all the time. And if you don’t have an uneven door now, chances are you will at some point, so this is good info for everyone to know. The first place to look for trouble is the screws on the hinges. If the screws are tight, do a visual inspection when the door is closed. If you can see the gap go from wide to narrow, it’s probably due to a hinge that has worn down over time. See how to fix this quite easily with this tutorial from homespothq.com!
6. Caulk Like A Pro
Have you ever taken on a caulking project? Whether it was for a backsplash in the kitchen, redoing the tile in the bathroom, or installing new windows, caulk is definitely one thing the home repair DIYer always has on hand. However, sometimes the caulking ends up looking sloppy, especially if you’re just starting out and haven’t used this product before. A quick and super easy tip from How To Nest For Less tells us to use painter’s tape when caulking. How genius is that?! I can’t believe I’ve never thought of that before, but next time I’ll know!
5. Repair Garage Door Dents
Aluminum and steel garage doors have their pros and cons. On one hand, they are relatively maintenance-free, but on the other hand, they can dent easily. Lucky for us, this easy tutorial from hunker.com shows us one easy trick the pros use on dented cars that works just as well on garage doors! First things first – clean the dented area with soap and water and allow to dry for at least an hour. Then, cut a piece of aluminum foil that is big enough to cover the dent. Set the foil over the dent and hold with your hand. Move a lighter back and forth over the dent for a minute, and then take a compressed air canister and flip it upside down and spray the area for 30 seconds. The temperature difference between the lighter and frozen compressed air will force the dent to “pop” out!
4. Fix A Chipped Sink
Chipped enamel on sinks or tubs can be unsightly and so frustrating to deal with. You don’t have to replace the whole thing just because of a few chips – with this helpful tutorial from Family Handyman, see how you can fix it yourself for less than $20! You’ll need an Epoxy repair kit, which can be found in the adhesive section of most hardware stores. There are several color options available and you can mix colors to get the perfect match, if necessary. You’ll also need a small brush and some wet/dry sandpaper, 400 or 600 grit. Start out by scrubbing the area with a sponge and soapy water, and rub the sandpaper over the damaged area to remove dirt. Then, just mix the epoxy according to directions and use a brush to fill in the gap. You’ll need to work in layers, and be respectful of the dry time according to the package.
3. Repair A Sagging Fence
Does this look familiar? I grew up on a farm where some part of the wooden fence was in desrepair. It really feels like a huge undertaking to fix a fence – either that or pay way too much to have someone else come and do it for you. But, as you’ll learn in this awesome tutorial from ehow.com, it’s usually a lot easier than it looks! Instead of going through and replacing each plank of wood, you can usually save the structure of the fence simply by resetting some bolts and hinges, and a few strategically placed reinforcement planks.
2. Fix Torn Drywall Paper
If you’ve ever tried to remove the trim in your house and didn’t score the trim enough (or at all), you’ll find that the paint pulls the paper right off of your drywall, and you’re left with an unfortunate looking wall. Your first instinct might be to just paint over the ripped paper, but wait! It’ll look terrible (trust me). Plus, there’s an easy way to fix the torn drywall paper. First, cut off the loose edges, even if that means cutting off a significant amount of the paper. Then, sand it all down. Prime the area and use a joint compound. Sand again. Repeat the joint compound and sanding steps as much as necessary to build the wall back up, and end with a coat of primer to seal it all in. See the full tutorial at mresdoitherself.com!
1. Popcorn Ceiling Makeover
Pretty much everyone knows the pain of the popcorn ceiling. It’s fine for an apartment or a temporary living situation, but it’s such a hassle to keep clean and after several years of wear and tear it start crumbling and leaving lots of dust around. Not to mention… it’s not very attractive! In this amazing DIY from edithandevelynvintage.com, see how this lady transforms her popcorn ceiling into a gorgeous planked ceiling for under $300! Plus, there’s no need to scrape off the old popcorn texture – win-win!
It should go without saying that your fridge and freezer are most vulnerable in the summer heat. To keep them running smoothly, clean condenser coils—which help the unit stay cool by releasing heat from the compressor—and be sure to remove dirt, pet hair, and any nasty food that’s lodged there.
Shortcuts: Make the job simple by using a vacuum and coil brush, says Chris Granger, vice president of Sears Home Services.
While you’re at it, tackle the door.
“A leaky door gasket can result in your refrigerator trying to cool the entire kitchen,” Granger says.
Clean the gasket with a mild cleaner, and then check the seal integrity with a solution of soapy water—just like you would do with an inflatable mattress, he says. You can also use the dollar bill approach: Close a dollar bill in the door so it’s half in your fridge. If your gasket isn’t tight enough, it won’t hold the bill firmly in place—the dollar bill will fall out or slide down.
Call in the pros: Most appliance repairmen charge by the hour. Depending on the issue, a refrigerator repair could cost anywhere from $100 and $250 an hour.
CA Real Estate Group works with professional service people.Whether it’s refrigerator repair or HVAC tune-ups, we can connect you with the people we work with.
Pets are a beloved part of many families, and creating a safe and enjoyable outdoor space for them is important.
Whether you have a dog, cat, or other outdoor pet, there are several steps you can take to make your yard or garden safe for them.
Check for poisonous plants: Many common plants are toxic to pets and can cause serious health problems if ingested. Before planting anything in your yard or garden, research the plants to ensure they are safe for pets. Some common poisonous plants include lilies, tulips, azaleas, and oleander.
Install fencing: Fencing your yard can help to keep your pets safe and prevent them from wandering off. Make sure the fencing is secure and tall enough to prevent your pets from jumping over it.
Avoid toxic chemicals: Pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides can be toxic to pets if ingested. Try to avoid using these chemicals in your yard or garden, and if you must use them, keep your pets away from the area until the chemicals have dried.
Create shade: Providing shade in your yard or garden can help to keep your pets cool and prevent heatstroke. Consider planting trees or installing a shade structure to provide shade in your outdoor space.
Provide water: Make sure your pets have access to fresh, clean water at all times. Consider installing a pet fountain or automatic waterer to ensure they always have access to water.
Keep your yard clean: Regularly cleaning up your yard can help to prevent your pets from getting into harmful materials, such as chemicals or sharp objects. Additionally, keeping your yard clean can help to prevent the spread of disease and parasites.
Provide toys and play areas: Providing toys and play areas in your yard can help to keep your pets entertained and prevent them from getting into trouble. Consider installing a sandbox or playhouse for your pets to enjoy.
Creating a safe and enjoyable outdoor space for your pets requires some extra effort, but it is well worth it. By following these steps, you can help to ensure that your pets stay safe and happy in your yard or garden. Remember to check for poisonous plants, install fencing, avoid toxic chemicals, create shade, provide water, keep your yard clean, and provide toys and play areas.
Maintaining a beautiful lawn in Southern California can be a challenging task due to the hot and dry climate, but with proper lawn care tips, it is possible to have a lush and healthy lawn all year round.
Here are some lawn care tips that can help you achieve a beautiful lawn in Southern California:
Choose the right grass type: Choosing the right type of grass is essential for maintaining a beautiful lawn in Southern California. Warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia are well-suited to the region’s hot and dry climate.
Water deeply and infrequently: In Southern California, it is important to water your lawn deeply and infrequently rather than frequently and shallowly. Deep watering encourages roots to grow deeper, which helps the grass to withstand drought conditions. It is recommended to water the lawn two to three times a week during the hot summer months, depending on the grass type.
Mow regularly: Mowing your lawn regularly helps to keep it healthy and looking its best. The height of the grass should be adjusted according to the grass type. For example, Bermuda grass should be cut at a height of 1 to 1.5 inches, while St. Augustine grass should be cut at a height of 2 to 3 inches.
Fertilize regularly: Fertilizing your lawn regularly can help to promote healthy growth and improve its overall appearance. It is recommended to fertilize warm-season grasses during the spring and summer months, and cool-season grasses during the fall and winter months.
Control weeds: Weeds can be a nuisance in any lawn, but they can be particularly problematic in Southern California. It is important to control weeds as soon as they appear to prevent them from spreading. Hand weeding or using herbicides can be effective in controlling weeds.
Aerate the soil: Aeration is the process of creating small holes in the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the roots of the grass. Aeration is especially important in areas with heavy foot traffic or compacted soil. It is recommended to aerate your lawn at least once a year.
Use mulch: Mulching can help to conserve water and improve the overall health of your lawn. Mulch helps to retain moisture in the soil, which reduces the need for watering. It also helps to regulate soil temperature and provides nutrients to the soil as it breaks down.
We’ve been fantasizing about it for months, and finally warmer weather has arrived. We know: You just want to fire up the grill and start working on your tan—we do, too! But before you can kick back in your hammock (or in your pool on your giant patriotic bald eagle float, if that’s your thing), there are a few tasks you’ll need to tackle.
And you can bet they’re all outside.
“The old adage ‘April showers bring May flowers’ rings true and makes May prime time for landscaping and lawn care in most of the country,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the National Association of Landscape Professionals.
But it goes beyond gardening and yard work. Now’s the last chance to take care of all that winter wear and tear and transform your home’s outdoor space into something worthy of the host with the most.
The good news? We’re here to make it as quick and easy on you as possible—with our handy checklist of home maintenance chores, you can knock them out and get back to that pool float ASAP. We’ve provided tips for doing each task faster and easier—or with the help of a pro.
Inspect patios and walkways
Task: Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on hardscape surfaces made of loose (unmortared) brick, stone, and concrete paving materials. Check to see if frost heave and erosion have caused pavers to shift, rise, or sink. You’ll want to fix any unevenness for safety as well as aesthetic reasons.
Shortcuts: Repair hardscape surfaces using a wheelbarrow filled with playground sand and a sturdy trowel. Pry up displaced pavers, smooth and even out the bed with fresh sand, and replace the paver.
Call in the pros: This is a good job for a handyman. Expect to pay $30 to $60 an hour, depending on your location.
Feed your lawn
Task: After a wet spring, your lawn might be looking quite rich and lush. Since Mother Nature did the hard work, you can sit back and relax, right? Not so fast. Grass loves nutrients, so now’s the time to add high-nitrogen fertilizer to help suppress weeds and keep your lawn looking great all summer.
Shortcuts: A push-powered broadcast spreader makes quick work of fertilizing your lawn. You’ll find spreaders suitable for an average suburban lawn for $35 to $100. If you have a cooking compost pile, you can substitute home-grown compost for commercial fertilizers.
Call in the pros: A lawn care company will spray on a chemical fertilizer for about $40 an application.
Repair fences and gates
Task: Cycles of cold and wet weather cause wood to move, twist, and warp. That can make garden gates fall out of alignment, and can cause fence pickets to loosen or fall off. Check for signs of loose fencing, and fix sagging gates.
Shortcuts: A cordless battery-powered nail gun ($250) makes quick work of refastening pickets and fence supports. Use only galvanized nails for outdoor work. Use a power drill fitted with a screw tip or a hex driver to remove or tighten loose screws and bolts in gates.
Call in the pros: This is a good job for a handyman. You’ll pay $30 to $60 an hour, depending on your location.
Mulch flower and vegetable beds
Task: Prevent evaporation and help keep weeds in check by insulating planting beds with 2 to 4 inches of mulch.
Shortcuts: Set aside a mulching day, and have a landscaping service deliver bulk mulch and dump it where you can get to it easily (like your driveway). Plan on 1 cubic yard of mulch to cover 100 square feet, with mulch 3 inches deep.
Call in the pros: A landscaping service will put in the mulch, but it’ll cost you—to the tune of $300 to $600 for 500 square feet, depending on your location.
Shortcuts: Have a partner clean the outside while you do the inside of the same window. That way, you can identify which side of the glass contains lingering streaks and smudges, and get rid of them on the spot. Plus, who wants to clean alone?
Call in the pros: In addition to cleaning the glass, a professional window washer will remove and clean screens and remove accumulated dirt from sliding tracks for $2 to $7 per window.
Service your grill
Task: Nobody wants a rack of ribs with last year’s grill gunk on them. Before you fire up the ol’ barbecue, make sure your grill is clean and that any gas hoses and connections are secure.
Shortcuts: No matter what kind of grill you have, invest in a grill brush or other coarse cleaning brush, remove the grates and metal plates beneath them, and soak them in hot soapy water for five to 10 minutes. Then scrub hard. To rinse, spray them with the hose.
Cover the area where the grates usually go with foil, and use a stiff grill brush to clean grime from the hood and inside walls. Use a cleaner specifically designed for your grill’s surface (e.g., stainless steel, porcelain, or cast iron), and reassemble all parts.
Call in the pros: There are professional grill cleaners who will take your barbecue from slimy to spotless, but it will cost you the equivalent of a few porterhouse steaks. This Denver cleaning service offers quotes from $185 to $279.
Check your AC
Task: Now’s your last chance to double-check your air-conditioning unit and make sure it’s in good working order before the mercury starts to rise.
Shortcuts: Hook up a garden hose and spray the outside of the condenser to remove any dust that’s settled on the unit and connections. (Yes, dust can affect your AC’s effectiveness.) Don’t use a brush, and be careful if pressure washing—you could damage or bend the fins. Make sure to change the filter, too.
Call in the pros: Having a pro service your AC system costs a few hundred dollars and includes cleaning the condenser and lubricating the fan motor.
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