Getting Kinks Out of a Necklace?I would like to know how to get the kink out of a necklace.
Finding an Honest Mechanic?Being a woman with an older automobile, I feel like I'm taken advantage of when it comes to car repairs. Does any one have any strategies for finding an honest mechanic?
Reupholster Help!I would like to reupholster my fiance's brown plaid couch. I know that reupholstery costs around $1000, so I would like to attempt to do it myself. However, there doesn't seem to be much info on how to do it yourself!
Two Way Heavy Duty Zipper?I would like to purchase a 24" heavy-duty two-way zipper for my husband's winter jacket. The original zipper is a Talon; however, I cannot buy any zipper like this locally. I received a Talon catalog, but there were no two-way zippers listed.
Ideas for Refilling for Bean Bag Chairs?Looking for an alternative for refilling beanbag chairs. Tired of refilling with styrofoam which doesn't last and when old can't be taken to recycling.
Bathroom throw rugs with crumbled backing - what to do with them?I have some very good bathroom rugs - the only problem is the rubber non-slip backing which is crumbling. Does anyone know if there's a way to rejuvenate these? Can the backing be removed in some way and a new one sprayed on?
Problem with Featherbed?I just purchased a featherbed and I have a problem with the feathers coming out thru the material. not only is this getting messy, it is making it difficult to sleep on, as the stalks are poking me in the legs. Does anyone out there have any suggestions for me?
Lori from california
Dish Stuck Inside Pot?Any advice on how to remove a dish that fell inside an aluminum pot? Would freezing or just cooling both cause them to shrink and separate?
Thanks
Mike
Freezer Problem - Thermostat?I have a small chest freezer (Frigidaire). The other day I noticed the food items at the top of the freezer were thawing out. I checked to see if a breaker had been tripped. It had not.
CD Scratch Removal?Does anybody know some good ways of removing scratches from CD's?
Thanks,
Steven S.
Bad Electrical Circuit?I own a new condo, and have lost power at four outlets. Two of these are in the kitchen, the other two in the dining room. The outlets in the dining area have only been used periodically while vacumming. The two outlets in the kitchen that aren't working have only been used for small appliciances. None of the outlets have burn marks etc. Other outlets in the kitchen are working fine.
I've reset all the breakers and still no juice. The advice given to others about electrical problems has been good. Hoping to get some help as well!
Cheers...
Steve B
Painting Gold Earrings?I have lots of old cheap gold earrings. I would like to find a way to paint them. I used gold spray paint but that only lasts for a few days and the jewelry started to have an funny smell, kind of like rusty. Can you advise me on what would be good to use. Also I did not know if I should Use some type of sealant.
Electrical Wiring Problems?Ground wire has become hot, any idea where to start looking? Problem is between the Service Panel and the first receptacle.
Robnoxious SoCal
Problem with Washing Machine?I have a different problem with my washer. I think a screw or a coin may be trapped in between my drum and outer shell as when the washing machine is on spin it is an incredible scraping sound...
Washing Machine Help! Cold Water Overflows The Machine And It Won't Run The Rinse Cycle.I was hoping that someone will be able to help me with a problem that I'm experiencing with my washing machine.
Children's Book Binding Repair?I have a number of children's books that have the binding tore or broken. Is there a good way to fix these well but cheaply? A number of them are copyrighted in the 50's and 60's! Is tacky glue an option?
Bleach Stain on Leather Chair?I have a bleach stain on a new leather chair. Is there any way to remove it?
Martha MN
Cut Crystal Bowls Stuck Together?I hope you can help me with this. I have two small cut crystal bowls. One is nested inside the other and I can't get it out. Any ideas?
Can Shrunk Material Be Unshrunk?I failed to read the washing instructions on a tweed skirt and put it in a coloured wash at 100 degrees. The instructions advised dry clean.
How Do You Get Clay Cat Litter Out of the Toilet?Hi all! Well my husband made it home safe and we just moved into the new place. Unfortunately he thought that "scoopable" and "flushable" cat litter were the same thing. So now the toilet is clogged. How do we get the clay litter out and get the toilet unclogged? Thanks everyone.
Suzanne S. from NJ
Replacing the Non Skid Feet of Sleepers?My son received several pairs of hand-me-down footed sleepers. They still had plenty of wear in them, but the feet had worn out the non-skid part. I didn't want to cut the feet off the sleepers so I took a fabric pen and put a squiggle on the bottom of each foot.
Plastic Cups Stuck Together?I have a plastic cup stuck inside another plastic cup, and I have tried putting cold water as well as hot water in them, but cannot get them apart. I would appreciate and tps anyone has.
Clothing Washing Machine Repairs?Tips for repairing your clothes washing machine yourself. Post your ideas.
Water Build Up in Dryer?I have water accumulating in my clothes dryer. Has anyone had this problem before? I cannot imagine where this water is coming from. I have to dry my dryer before each use.
Chainsaw Pull Cord Won't Pull?The pull cord won't pull on my chainsaw. Any ideas on what I can do?
Refrigerator Not Maintaining Temperature During the Day?Our refrigerator seems to be not working well. At night, the temp is around 4C. But during day time, it is hovering around 10C to 12C. What could be the problem? It is 15 years old. Is it worth it to fix it or should I go for a new one?
Sharpening Paper Shredder Blades?I think the blades of my paper shredder are getting dull. Has anyone ever sharpened theirs?
Repairing a Chipped Marble Vanity?I need to know how to repair a small chip in a marble vanity. Please Advise.
Repairing a Wood Dining Room Table?I have a cherry dining room table that has some small strips of wood missing on the edge of the table. Can this be repaired or does the top need to be replaced? If it can be repaired, what do I need to do?
Pickets Falling Off Fence?I had a handy man put up two picket gates and some fencing about a year ago. The pickets are falling off. I have used liquid nails and it lasted for a while but now they are falling off again. The handy man is long gone.
Stretched Out Suede Sandals?The other day I got caught out in a heavy downpour while wearing a pair of suede sandals - Birkenstock style. Now they are all stretched out! Is there any way to shrink them back to their original shape?
Pitted Fiberglass Tub?I have a fiberglass tub that is pitted and hard to keep clean. The tub was like this when I moved in. I don't know how old it is. I've tried everything short of filling tub with water and adding bleach.
Old House With Smelly Pipes?I recently bought a house, an old one built in like 1930s. It is semidetached. My problem is on the bedroom level, the bathroom and more so the bedroom next to the bathroom has an odor - a bad odor. It smells like rotten wood and backed up sewer.
Waxing a Fiberglass Bathtub?I have a chocolate brown fiberglass bathtub (we built in the 70's, what can I say). The tub seems to show every water spot and I was told to wax it. Has anyone every done this, what kind of wax do I use and how often?
Can Dry Erase Markers Be Refilled?Can dry erase markers be refilled? if so with what solvent or chemical?
Have To Hold Down The Handle To Flush?I installed a new flapper on my Commode, the old one was leaking out water, and now In order to flush it you have to hold down the handle until all water is out of the bowl. Why is this? did I forget something that keeps the flapper up while the water goes into the bowl?
Reviving Velcro on a Elbow Bandage?I have one of those magnetic bandages that close with velcro/scotch. It is for my elbow and I wear it a lot. After just a few months, the velcro is not catching.
Glass Lids Stuck Together?I have two glass casserole dish lids that are stuck together like glue on paper. I have tried soaking them in hot and cold water, banging them apart, dish soap, oil, and a knife to try and separate the two. I have been unsuccessful so far.
Phone Line Repair?Our phone line in our house isn't working. The line is working outside. What exactly do we need to do to repair this? We are told by our phone company they are responsible for the outside line only and we will have to pay to have this corrected. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated.
Separating Stuck Together Pages?I stored some crafting books in my storage barn in a box for a couple of years because I didn't have room for them in my home and wasn't ready to part with them.
Water Stain on the Ceiling from Flooding?How to remove a water stain, that is a result of an upper floor bathtub overflowing, from the white sealing?
Sewing Machine Keeps Breaking Needles?My sewing machine needs adjustment but I don't know how and I can't afford to take it to a repair shop. The needle keeps hitting and breaking or bending really bad on the feed dog. Does anyone know how and what to adjust so the needle is in time with the feed plate.
Rusty Water Marks on Oak Table?I washed my coasters and left them on an Oak Coffee Table, now I have rusty water marks and have tried everything to remove them. Any ideas?
Recharging a Dead Laptop Battery?How can I recharge a battery for a laptop computer that has gone dead?
Shower Knob Keeps Slipping?The knob to my shower keeps slipping around the fixture. Therefore I cannot turn the upper shower unless i have a wrench. What can I do?
Water Rings on Oak?I had water rings on my oak desk and put mayonaise on them and left overnight. When I wiped it off, the rings are now very dark and it looks worse than ever! Is there help or will I have to refinish?
Removing Scratches from a Decorative Glass Door Window?Anyone out there have any suggestions on how to remove minor scratches on a decorative glass window on the door? The person who originally cleaned the glass evidently must have used a brillo pad of some sort. I don't want to spend a fortune just to remove a few fine marks.
Painting Privacy Lines on a Shower Door?How can I repair my shower doors. From cleaning them, I have removed some of the paint lines that are used for privacy. This has been the result of using a harsh cleaning agent. Can I repaint them with special paint or is this not repairable?
Washing Transmission Going Bad In Stacked Washer/Dryer Unit?I just had a repair man come out to my house and he said that my washing machine "transmission" is going out. He said not to do anything yet as it is an "expensive" item.
Matching the Color of My Leather Couch?I have a leather eggshell cream coloured lounge and stupidly during cleaning pen marks off it one day removed the colour or paint (whatever it is). I would like to know if there is something I can do to colour it again.
Broken Foam Couch?I have a basic foam couch that has broken. The material that is the support has come away from the back of the couch. Does anyone know if this can be fixed as easily as hammering the nails back in? Or if not, do you know how I would fix it?
Mildew Smell in Ice and Water from Refrigerator?The water and ice coming from my side by side refrigerator is mildewy.
Tiny Holes Appearing in T-shirts After Washing?I've noticed that when I wash my tee-shirts (which were new) I have tiny holes in them, not just one, but a lot of them. What am I doing wrong?
White Spot on Antique Table from a Hot Cup Coffee?I have an antique coffee table and have a big white spot on it from a cup of hot coffee. I tried rubbing it with mayonnaise but it's still there.
Scorch Mark on Furniture from a Lamp?I have a scorch mark (made by a too close lamp) on the corner of a dark green leather-like recliner. I wondered how to remove it without having the whole piece re-upholstered? Could I use any type of paint or magic marker?
Why do some light bulbs stick in the fixture?Why do some light bulbs stick in the fixtures? I've noticed this mostly in my bathrooms, so I'm assuming it may have something to do with moisture causing rust. What can prevent this, once I get this bulb out, besides replacing the entire fixture?
Damage from Steamer on Pergo Floor?I left my steamer on my pergo floor for too long and it has bleached a spot on the floor. Is there any way to get back the finish color without replacing the few pannels that were damaged?
Repairing Particle Board Cabinets?Can I get a tip on how to repair a wood composite kitchen cabinet? The door and hinge came off the cabinet base and tore a part of the particle board off with it. How can I repair the cabinet to get the hinge to stay in place? The hole is about a quarter inch larger than it should be.
Broken Asphalt Roof Shingles?During a recent snow storm heavy a neighbor kid shoveled snow off the roof of a low porch area at my house. I discovered later that 3 asphalt roof shingles were broken.
Looking for Caps for Chair Legs?I have 8 dining room chairs they are in beautiful condition except for the bottom of the legs. I would like to replace a square clear cap that it supposed to level the chairs and protect the floor from scratches. I have been unable to located a store to purchase these caps.
Omega Electronic Safe Won't Close?I have taken the batteries out of my omega electronic safe and now cannot close it. Any ideas?
Re-Covering a Speaker Cabinet?I have a speaker that was damaged in shipping (UPS) and was thinking of re-covering the cabinet. The cabinet is constructed of particle board covered with a fake wood vinyl laminate - or something. Anyway, I was thinking of completely re-covering the cabinet with some sort of cool fabric.
Reinforcing Drawers?You can reinforce dresser or desk drawers by cutting small rectangular pieces of wood and screwing them into the back corners of the drawers.
Electrical Problems With My Dryer?I am hoping someone out there can help me. I am desperate for some good electrical advice. About 2 1/2 months ago my dryer stopped working. I assumed the dryer motor went bad because when you pushed the button for it to start it just hummed at you. After verifying that the belt was still good we disposed of the dryer.
Isopropyl Alcohol Stain on Wood Furniture?How do I get out a small stain left by isopropyl alcohol on my wood table?
Humming Sound Coming From Wall Socket?I'm hoping someone will know how to fix the problem I'm having. When I plugged a lamp into a wall socket last night, I heard a deep humming sound - and quickly unplugged it. I then tried the light in other sockets I know were okay, and there was no problem. Could the problem be a short in the socket?
Squeaky Springs in an Armchair?I have an armchair that needs repair because the springs creak when somebody sits on the chair. Is there a manual on how to do the work myself? Does anyone have any tips?
Sharpening a Fillet Knife?How do you sharpen a fillet knife?
Restoring Linoleum?I have an old linoleum floor that is definitely showing its age (yellowing with age, dull luster). Does anyone have ideas on how to restore it to at least a shadow of its former self? It seems as though a deep cleaning would clean some of the yellowing since much of it is ground-in dirt, but everything I try, professional, bleach or vinegar, has produced minimal results. And there is no shine to it.
Circuit Breaker Won't Switch On or Off?I plugged in a vacuum cleaner in the living room and had other things going (TV, etc.) and blew the circuit. I unplugged everything and tried to re-set the circuit breaker (switch to off then back to on position). However, the switch will not switch completely to the off or on position.
Frost Free Freezer Has Frost In It?Why is my frost free freezer getting frost inside it? Is my freezer/fridge going out? My fridge is about 10 years old. I was thinking maybe the seal isn't sealing correctly. We have already replaced the seal around the fridge which was $70.00 to replace. Should I get a new refridgerator?
Painting an Electric Guitar?I have an electric guitar that is in good shape but the paint is worn in several areas. Does anyone know what type of paint to use or have any tips for painting an electric guitar?
Scratch on Laminate Table?Some one scratched my new table. It has a dark laminate top. I have tried the wax crayons and the marker. Nothing worked. Does anyone have any suggestions on what else I can try? It is a white scratch on dark wood looking.
Shower Doors Are Difficult to Open?I have heavy old fashioned shower doors in my bathroom. It is getting harder and harder to open them. Anyone know how I can get them to move freely again?
Part for a Keystone 16mm Projector?Does anyone know where I can get parts for an old Keystone 16 mm projector? The drive and reel belt need to be replaced.
Faded Mock Crocodile Purse?I have a turquoise mock croc purse that is beginning to fade. I've found shoe polish in the right color, but I'm wondering if this will be the best bet to fix the purse. Will the shoe polish be colorfast, or will it rub off on my clothing when I wear the purse?
Curtains Won't Close All The Way?I have a set of curtain rods that will not meet in the center. There seems to be something holding one of them back. Most of the time I don't use the cords, just pull them open in the morning, and pull them closed at night and pull the fabric together and clothespin it to provide privacy.
Water Not Running In My Dishwasher?My dishwasher doesn't work. It still sounds like it's working, but despite turning the tap, no water comes through. I thought maybe the pipe was clogged, but didn't want to pay for a plumber if it's easily fixable myself.
Kitchen Cabinet Magnetic Latch?My kitchen cabinets and the magnetic latches are a bit "aged". So aged that the magnets really hold well together. Is there any tip that you can offer that will make these magnets easier to open once again?
Water Damage Under The Sink?I have water damage to the bottom of the cabinet under my kitchen sink from a leak. Is there any easy way to replace/repair this without having to tear out the old bottom and replace it with a new one?
Starting a Gas Mower More Easily?I'm looking for assistance in getting my gas lawn mower to start more easily. Last year I had minor back surgery. After that I had trouble pulling the cord hard and fast enough to get the motor to "catch" and run. I often ended up needing to pull the cord over and over to start - probably as many as 20-25 times.
Plumping Up a Head Rest on Chair?Does anyone know how to plump up the head rest section on an overstuffed reclining chair? I think my cat's been sleeping there and it's looking deflated and caved in. Now if I sit in that section I end up staring at the ceiling!
Repairing a Mirror?Is There a paint or something to resilver a mirror? I have an OLD beautiful frame but the miror needs help.
Shower Curtain Keeps Falling Down?How can I keep a spring load shower curtain rod from falling down?
Restoring a Mahogany Leaf Table?I recently acquired a mahogany leaf table and It needs to be restored. It has surface scratches and gouges through to the surface wood and shows light beige binder tracking along the edges. I would like to sand or strip but don't know if I have enough surface to work with. Should I sand or chemical strip?
Painting Plastic Patio Chairs?I have green plastic patio chairs that are faded. What kind of paint can I use to refresh them?
Replacement Leaves for My Table?I have a dining room table (oval) that we traded someone for, but I lost the leaves due to water and smoke damage in a fire. Does anyone know of an inexpensive place to find replacement leaves?
Burn Holes on Microfiber Furniture?How do I clean some ash and burn holes on my microfiber furniture?
Which glue should I use to repair a small plastic knob?The plastic On-Off-Speed knob on my trusty Patton fan has cracked. Naturally, I don't know what kind of plastic it is. Is it realistic to try to repair the knob with glue? What kind?
Scratches on a Stainless Steel Sink?Is there a way to get light scratches out of a new stainless steel sink?
Repairing a Chipped Chalk Board?I have a large piece of slate chalkboard from an old schoolhouse. I want to hang it for my children to play with. However, it has a sharp chip on one side. The area is still pretty thick. Can I sand it down, and if so, what should I use?
Changing a Main Panel in a Mobile Home?My question is that I am having a problem with my main breaker, so I want to change my main panel which is a Westinghouse main panel to a GE main Panel. My question is, could I change a mobile home main panel to a regular Residence Home main panel?
Fixing a Creaking Bed Frame?I bought a wooden bed frame last year, and it's creaking. What can I do to stop it from creaking? Is it because the bed needs to be taken apart and screwed together again?
Retrieving Parts from a Broken Drain?The linkage to my plunger type drain broke and the remainder of the rod fell back down in the pipe where the lever is located. How do I retrieve it? is there a magnet that can be used?
Repairing Seat Cushions With Ripped In Them?I have a couch that has some small rips in the seat cushions. Can anyone recommend how to repair that with out replacing the cushions? I'm not sure if sewing will keep it from ripping every time someone sits on it.
Looking for Switches for Craftsman "60" Drills?I am new to site and looking for help. I am searching for a switch for a Craftsman "60" electrical drill. Both Models 315.7901, and 315.7750. Both are great drills, and will run a long time, if I can find the switches. Both switches have the A-H 3A-250V and 6A-125V stamped on the side.
Refurbishing Wood Salad Bowls?I have inherited a old (possibly teak wood) salad bowl set. The finish has worn off (light mahogany) in various spots on the bowls. How do I refurbish these bowls (hopefully, so they could be useable)?
Window Screens Don't Fit Properly?My screens in my windows do not fit properly. Our electric bills are supposed to double by the summer. I wont be able to use my air conditioner so I have to get my windows fixed. So far, I have put weather stripping in the cracks and I have also caulked them.
Zipper That Won't Zip?Is there a way to fix a zipper that sometimes zips and sometimes doesn't? I don't know why this is happening, but would appreciate another thrifty's zipper knowledge!
My Washing Machine Wobbles?My husband bought a washing machine and it wobbles and turns across the floor. Hubby says it is from putting clothes in there unevenly.
Losing Power When I Put a Light Bulb in a Socket?I have an electrical problem. I have power at my light switch and fixtures, but when I put a light bulb in the socket the power is no longer there. If I take the bulb out and power is back.
Fixing My Black Jeans?Just recently, the colour in my black jeans ran and the end result was white lines or streaks appearing all the way down them. Is there any way in which I might effectively "run the colour BACK into them"? I was once told that leaving them to simply soak in hot water would fix them, is there any truth in this?
