Save the Motor in Your Garbage DisposalWhen you are running your garbage disposal, don't use hot water. The only thing cooling down the motor is the water going down the drain. By using cold water you reduce the amount of wear on the motor and increase the life expectancy of your garbage disposal.
Tips for Buying a New RefrigeratorTop freezer models are more efficient (use 7-13% less energy) than side-by-side models. Manual defrost models use half the energy of automatic defrost models but must be defrosted periodically to remain energy efficient.
Wine Cork Art FurnitureI have been collecting wine and champagne corks for some time now. Never knew what to do with them. Now that I am moving to a brand new apt., a.k.a. clean slate.
Rid-Ex Alternative for Your Septic TankInstead of using Rid-ex for a monthly solution for a septic tank - use baking soda and yeast and flush down the toilet.
Spring Maintenance: Gutter TipsSpring is a good time to examine your gutters and see if they
need to be cleaned. Here are some gutter tips.
Fixing a Door that Won't Stay OpenRemove the top hinge pin and bend it slightly with a hammer. Repeat for each pin, until door remains open.
Seasonal Roof MaintenanceWe tend to ignore the roof until it begins to leak. Leaks are expensive and can cause extensive damage. Check your roof for possible damage every spring and fall and after heavy winds, hail, or an ice storm.
Finding Studs in Your WallDid you know that an old and tired electric razor works as a stud finder? I bought a wed/dry electric razor at a garage sale a couple years ago and was not able to refurbish it. Now I put it to use as a stud finder.
Frugal Drain CleanerBuy a box of baking soda and a bottle of vinegar, dump the soda in your drains, followed by vinegar, let bubble out about 15 minutes, then run clean water down sink.
Prevent Buildup of Scale in HumidifiersPut vinyl magnets in the well of humidifiers and it will prevent buildup of scale. Use Refrigerator pictures, Magnetic Calendars/business cards etc. I have used this in both Furnace and Room units.
Decorating Doors with Book CoversI am 14 and I badly wanted a way to decorate my door but had no money! I am really into books... then I had an idea. I went to the local thrift shop and got books with cool covers (paperbacks only really work).
Use Curtains for Canopy BedsInstead of buying those expensive drapes made specifically for canopy beds, why not try curtains. Curtains are less expensive if you buy them at the right store. Just make sure the curtain's rod length fits the canopy's frame rods. It is easy and cheap!
By Angela from MO
Buy Now to Save Money on Heating FuelIf you use fuel oil for heating, have your tank topped off now, the price will be more expensive when you need it in the heating season.
Changing Your Shower Curtain TipWhen changing the shower curtain liner, use the towel bar as an easy-reach holder for the curtain rings.
Unique Window Hardware from Everyday ObjectsWe've used decorative shelf brackets (usually sold near plant supplies) to hold curtain rods. The 2 "curls" each hold a long dowel: the lower one for the curtain, the upper one for the valance.
Invest in Good Painting ToolsIf you are going to be doing a lot of painting, invest in good quality tools (brushes, rollers, roller covers and paint trays). Better tools last longer, costing less in the long run than constantly replacing cheaper items. This help save the environment too.
Keep Your Furnace Filters CleanTo save on your electric bill and to make your air conditioner compressor last longer, keep your furnace filters clean. We put a post-it note on the furnace door with the date we last cleaned them.
By Terri H.
Drilling in the CeilingWhen drilling holes in the ceiling a lot of dust can fall down. If possible, ask a helper to hold the vacuum nozzle near the area you are drilling. If that is not possible you can also use a cheap shallow plastic bowl or the plastic lid from a coffee can to catch the dust.
Use a Tea Light in Pillar CandlesIf you like to decorate with large pillar candles, but don't like it when they get short, just let them burn down to the height you like, pouring out the extra wax each time to form a hollow inside of the candle.
Fix For a Squeaky Ceiling FanMy ceiling fan was making a squeaking sound when turned on. My husband said we needed rubber bands that they sell to put around the base of the light fixture.
Line the Bottom of Your Kitchen's Garbage CanDon't you hate it when you take out the kitchen bin liner to find it's leaked all over the kitchen floor! An easy way to avoid this is to put 2 or 3 sheets of kitchen paper in the bottom of the bin.
Painting Tip: Less Mess When PaintingStretch a strong rubber band around a paint can from the top to the bottom. Use the rubber band to remove the excess paint from the brush which keeps the paint from going all over the side and rim of the paint can.
Painting with Less CleanupBefore you start painting with a roller, try this and I swear you'll never do it any other way again!
Get Second Opinion When Fixing Air ConditionerRecently the motor on my fan went out. In the climate where I live, an AC is not optional. So I called around to have it fixed. The first company I called said that I needed a new motor.
Salvaging Paint BrushesIt's always good to clean your paint brushes after each use but if you forget and the paint dries on the brush you still may be able to salvage the brush. Just soak the brush over night in cleaning solvent for the type of paint you used.
Wall Artwork on a BudgetWant to have beautiful artwork to hang on the walls, but have a tiny budget? With a computer, printer and the help of colored pencils all things are possible. Go to a site such as art.com and find whatever artwork moves you.
Install a Versatile Shower HeadWhen it's time to replace your shower head, consider buying one that has a hose on it. It can be detached from the fixture and used to clean a lot of household items. I use ours to wash off baskets, silk flowers, wreaths, lamp shades, etc.
Energy Conservation in the HomeThe average house uses 38 percent of its total annual energy use on heating. When a house is occupied, the thermostat should be set at 65 to 68 degrees F for maximum energy efficiency.
Prepare Your Home Against Winter & High Energy CostsOne of the best ways to prepare a home for the winter weather and high energy costs is to take time now, before winter arrives, to do some simple home maintenance.
Painting Tip: Use a SkateboardBorrow your kid's skateboard when you are painting baseboards and lower walls. Just sit cross-legged on a skateboard and roll along with your paintbrush and a paint can. It's much easier on your back.
By Katz
Clean Your Home's Siding with a Hose and Push BroomAn easy way to clean your siding on your house is: Tape a garden hose to a wide push broom, using duct tape at 2 or 3 places along the handle. Position the nozzle near the top of the broom head, just above the bristles.
Use Fluorescent Light Bulbs in Hard to Reach PlacesWe finally replaced them all with fluorescent light bulbs and haven't replaced a burnt out bulb in over a year.
Holiday Decorating With Fresh Greenery"Decorating the house with fresh greenery is one of the oldest winter holiday traditions. Evergreens have been a part of winter festivals since ancient times. Evergreens are used to represent everlasting life and hope for the return of spring."
Make A Lamp Out Of a Wok LidGot an old Wok that doesn't work anymore? Don't throw away the lid, make a hanging lamp shade out of it.
Protecting Your Marble SlabIf you use a marble slab for rolling pastry (which is recommended because the surface is always cool) never allow acidic food like vinegar, lemons or tomatoes to come in contact with the surface, acid corrodes marble.
HAPPY MARBLING
By joesgirl
Foam Meat Trays For Stopping DraftsUse those foam trays from meat packaging to make draft stoppers for behind your outlets. It is quite simple to do. Remove one outlet cover and trace around the outlet cover. Using a sharp blade cut out the pattern.
Prepare Your Swamp Cooler for WinterFoam "egg crates" (mattress pad) can be used to weatherize your swamp cooler. Remove the cover plate and stuff the egg crate into the empty hole. Be sure your swamp cooler is shut down (water off, power off).
Finding and Storing FirewoodFor all of us living in areas that get lots of snow we are stocking up now on firewood. Whether you cut it up yourself or have some one else cut and deliver it to you, here are some tips you need to know.
Fleece Cartoon Character CurtainsIf you have decorated your child's room with the latest cartoon characters and those light weight curtains just don't cut it in the winter, why not make some out of Polar Fleece?
Frugal Outdoor FurnitureFrugal tips for outdoor furniture.
Recycle That Old High Boy DresserSo that dresser you got from grandma has been repaired so many times that you can't count the repairs and all the drawers are broken but one?
Uses for Broken Glass Topped TableSo you were just at the local thrift store and you saw this beautiful table but the glass was missing. Here are some ideas you can use to make that beautiful table useful again.
Switching the Screen for the Storm Window on HalloweenWhen Halloween is here, it's just about time to switch from a screen in the front door and a storm window. On Halloween I take the screen out - pass the candy through it and the next morning put the storm window in.
Warm Air CirculatorIf this winter, you are going to be using a wood burning stove or a free standing fireplace to heat all or part of your home, try this tip.
Alternative to Spring Rods for SheersI needed spring rods for my sheers at several windows, but they were more expensive than I could afford. When we go to home fairs or safety fairs, we often get yardsticks. I paint them white, cut them down and stick sponges on either end to hold up the sheers. They're not moveable, but they do stay up if you leave them alone.
By springmaid5
Umbrella Table Plastic Ring ReplacementThe plastic ring on our outdoor glass umbrella table broke a couple of years ago in a wind. To fill the gap between the umbrella and the table, I cut an inverted Yoplait Yogurt container and forced it down into the hole. It has lasted for over two years now. What a surprise.
By springmaid5
How to Dispose of Paint and Other Hazardous MaterialsMy storage room was filled with half cans of paint (I just redecorated,) varnish, old paint thinner and stripper. My trash people told me that they could not haul this to the landfill so I called our county extension office.
Fixing a Stripped Wood Screw HoleTo fix a hole that has become too large for a wood screw take some tooth picks and wood glue and fill the hole until it is the right size again. If you decide to fill it completely you will need to pre-drill for the screw.
Other Uses for the FridgeThe refrigerator isn't just for food! It can help to keep other household items fresh and extend their lives as well. And I'm not talking about your husbands ;)
Uses For An Old WaterbedIf you have the old super-single size waterbed with the cubby hole type headboard you can turn it on its side and you have a small bookcase for your kids' books.
Cling Wrap for PaintingI recently painted my bedroom, and disliked the thought of masking the trim, the window frames, etc. Instead, I used a roll of cling wrap. I would paint an area, then move the cling wrap to another area when I was ready to paint.
Artwork from LibrariesDid you know some local libraries will let you check out framed artwork to hang in your house for a couple of weeks? When I was decorating my living room and wasn't sure what kind of painting would look good on one of my walls I simply checked out a couple of paintings, hung them for a couple of days each until I decided which one I liked. Once I had an idea of what I was looking for, it was a great help when I was sifting through thrift store pictures.
By Kristine
Cheap Wood Floor for a Family RoomMeasure your room and buy enough chip board to cover your floor. Find a stain that you like to stain the floor. Use liquid nails to secure chip board to floor. After the stain add two coats of polyurethane to the floors letting it dry completely between coats. This floor gives a great earthy feel to a room. The stain will penetrate differently on all parts of the chip board so you will get a great multi-tonal effect.
By Debra in Colorado
Install a Dimmer SwitchTo save money and help save the environment, install a dimmer switch. Installing a dimmer switch can save energy and extend bulb life. Plus, it's as easy as replacing a light switch.
By Kathy
Towel Bar for the Guest RoomPlace a towel bar (or maybe 2) on back of guest bedroom door. This will keep your guests' towels, facecloths, etc., nearby for them and free up the bathroom of "too much stuff."
By Marian
Hanging on the Towel RacksI remember as a kid hanging from the towel racks in our bathroom. We would eventually pull them out of the walls.
In my kids bathroom, I just use simple hooks bought at the buck store. They can't hang from them, and it is a lot easier for my kids to actually hang their towels up too.
It doesn't look half bad either!!
By Tori Parker
Mis-Tinted Paint for AccentsI find that if you choose mis-tinted paint occasionally (paint that was tinted for someone else sold for much less) for working on accents in special areas of rooms and are discriminating in what you choose, you will save lots of money and find someone else's mis-tinted color is your special color.
Spice up your Blah HallwayHere is a great way to spice up that blah hallway. I painted mine a pastel blue and then did the faux painting techinque with sponges dipped in a lavender and pale aqua. At the top the hallway I added a famous quote from Helen Keller about the essentials to a happy life.
Frugal Decorating With Old CalendarsNeed to decorate in a bad way but have almost no money to spare? If you want to perk up those bare walls with artwork here's what you do.
Reflecting Heat Back Into A RoomIf you have radiators in your home, place a metal reflector behind each one to bounce heat into the center of the room.
Frugally Humidify Your Home in the WinterTo combat dry indoor air (without the expense of running a room humidifier), place old containers of water in or near your heat vents (if you have forced air heat).
Hanging a PictureHaving trouble hanging pictures when you have the hooks on the back? Here is a solution, take a piece of tape (masking or scotch tape) and stick it to the pack of the picture. Now put a pencil mark on the tape where you need to put your nail or screw. Now take the tape off of the back of the picture, and put your tape on the wall and you have your marks, put nail or screws in and your ready to hang your picture remove your tape. You can put a level on top of tape to make sure it is level or you can just eye ball it.
By Sassy
Salt For Grass Growing in Pavement CracksGrass in sidewalk cracks? Plain old table salt will do it. Just pour a generous amount anywhere you don't want grass. Careful though it will kill most other plants too.
By Tracey
Label Pipes and Wires in Your BasementLabel the parts of the electrical and plumbing systems that lurk in your basement. Identify each fuse or circuit breaker, hot and cold water shutoffs, heating system controls, gas and water meters, and drain clean-out access covers.
Save Warranty Information For Home Improvement ProductsWe recently had to redo the plumbing in our bathroom which included replacing leaky fixtures. Unfortunately the faucet in the bathtub began to leak after only 6 months. We discovered the leak was probably due to the contractor soldering a part that wasn't meant to be.
New Life For An Old LampDid you know that old lamps can be painted? Start by cleaning the lamp of dust and dirt. Then apply Rustoleum type paint with a sponge or sponge brush.
Homemade Spa or Hot Tub CoverWhen we got our hot tub it came with a nice insulated cover. What we did not count on was that my daughter's pit bull puppy would love to tear it up. Our hot tub is outside so we tried everything to keep it covered and ended up not using it for a couple of winter's because it became a real money drain.
Emergency Caulk for Holes in the WallI recently moved a picture in my dining room. There were nail holes left in the wall. We had guests coming for dinner. I was out of caulk, so I used white toothpaste, dabbed it with a small amount of left over wall color paint.
Hitting The Nail On The HeadTo hold a nail without hitting your fingers, put it between the tines of a fork!
Filling Holes in Old ScreensI learned this tip or hint out of desperation. We live in an old house and it has old screens that have developed holes. I tried cotton balls and duct tape but they didn't stay on for long.
Furniture Repair From ScratchUse shoe polish (paste or wax-based) to touch up nicks and scratches on door frames and furniture. It's quick and easy to use, and when rubbed in really makes the scratch seem to disappear.
By Kathy
Building With Recycled WindowsGlass windows cannot be recycled commercially. They get destroyed. Stores replace their l l/2 thick double windows. I found 5 of them and used them to fill in my back porch. They were 300 to 400 lbs. Two men had a hard time lifting them.
Discounted Paint at LowesWhenever I visit my local Lowes home improvement store, I check out the discounted paint rack. These are 1 gallon and 5 gallon pails of tinted paint that someone did not purchase.
Line Trash Can With An Extra BagIn our effort to stuff our trash bags to the fullest we can't always slide them out of the can without great effort or breakage. The solution to this is to put one bag in the can and then put one on top on the first one.
Painting Heating RadiatorsPainting old radiators can be tough. Try using an inexpensive, small window squeegee: the type that has a small rubber strip on one side and a sponge strip on the other. The sponge side on these squeegees holds paint pretty well and can slip into the smallest spaces.
By Elizabeth
Keeping Pipes from FreezingIn areas with freezing temperatures, if you don't have your pipes wrapped, you can leave your inside faucet dripping (just a small trickle will do, from the furtherest faucet from the water pipe entrance of your home) while you're sleeping so your water lines won't freeze and burst.
By Terri H.
Lemon Juice for AntsKeep ants out of your kitchen, use some lemon juice on windowsills and doorways.
Painting Tip - Keeping Wet Ones HandyWhen doing painting, staining, or polyurethane projects; I keep Wet Ones pop-up wipes handy to clean my hands, wipe off paint brush handles, or wipe up small accidents.
Use a Leaf Blower for SnowTo keep snow off of your porch that isn't wet or packed down use your leaf blower.
By Melanie
Repairing Small Holes in Window ScreenRepair a small hole in a window screen with a dab of clear nail polish.
By June S.
Paint Wall in Playroom With Chalkboard PaintIf you have an available wall in a playroom or basement, paint the lower half with chalkboard paint. The kids will have a ball writing on the wall!
By Chell
No Window Over Your Sink?Mount an appropriate sized mirror on the wall. Then you can always see what's behind you. It's better than looking at a blank wall!
A Stop Ball for the GarageUsing a long string, hang a ball from the garage ceiling indicating where a new driver should stop the car. Hitting it won't do any damage to the car and it will prevent the driver from hitting something else.
By GrammySheila (Sheila Saey)
Energy Saving Tips - SummerEveryone's worried about energy costs. Start planning now, so that you'll save on electricity all summer long.
Weather Strip and CaulkOne of the quickest, best ways to save money is to weather-strip, caulk, and seal all of the seams and cracks in your home. Reducing air leaks can save you 10% of more on energy costs.
By Robin
Insulation Saves MoneyIf you have an older home, consider having it insulated. There are several programs available to help with this, but if you do not qualify for them, it is still something that can be done for a reasonable price and it is an excellent way to save energy.
By Robin
Use Chalkboard Paint On FurnitureI loved the idea of using chalkboard paint in a child's room, but in our tiny apartment we just didn't have enough wall space. To give my son a place to draw, I decided to paint the front drawers of his dresser and armoire with chalkboard paint.
Shut Off The Main Water Valve When You Go On VacationGoing on vacation? Be sure to turn off the main water shut off valve where it comes into the house. Also turn off the hot water heater. It's best to anticipate a "what if" than return to a flooded house.
Buffing Leather Seats on Dining ChairsTo buff the leather seats of dining room chairs. After cleaning the leather with saddle soap I use a hand mixer to buff them. I wrap a soft cloth around one of the beaters. Low speed. The leather looks great.
Discontinued Wallpaper ForumWe get a lot of requests from readers looking for wallpaper that has been discontinued or is just hard to find. Feel free to submit your request for wallpaper in this thread.
Plastic Floor Mats To Protect CarpetIf you have a table with chairs that have castors; try this to save your carpet. Put the type of plastic floor mats that you use in an office at your desk, under the chairs.
Wallpaper An Old Ugly Colored 'FridgeMany years ago I wallpapered an ugly avocado 'fridge that was past it's prime with a plain textured paper. The 'fridge worked fine but was so outdated! I got lots of compliments on the wallpaper and it was cheaper than buying a new 'fridge!
Generate Humidity From Within Your FireplaceI take quart canning jars and fill them full of water and put inside my fireplace on either side of it. It helps keep moisture in the air. Before I start another fire I fill jars up again.
By Darlene
Wood Stove Sales After ChristmasWood stoves come on sale after Christmas. I first purchased one that was not welded together. Big Mistake! Downdrafts would fill the house with fumes while we slept. I got rid of it for one that is sealed.
Make A Dry Erase Board With Contact PaperWhite dry erase boards are costly, especially large ones. Instead, I stick white contact paper to the front of my refrigerator. Dry erase markers work well on it and can be wiped with a damp cloth or special dry erase spray.
Make Your Own AwningsInstead of an old fashioned, pulley-operated awning, install a single piece of canvas attached to a wood pole at the top and at the bottom. Secure the top above your window with hooks.
Cleaning A Well Water FilterThe filter for our well water is about 8 inches long and 2 inches wide. About every 2 months or so our water stops flowing and we have to change it with a clean one. They are expensive and it is hard to remove the rust and hard water sediment.
Rewiring a Fluorescent FixtureA 4 tube fluorescent fixture was previously wired for operation from two switches in different locations via 4 wire cable, blk , wht, red with bare ground wire. The fixture uses two ballasts with 8 wires each Two red, two blue, two yellow, one black and one white.
Make a Fire Extinguisher CoverIt might not be illegal in your area, but it would certainly be very irresponsible if you don't have at least one fire extinguisher in your home. Yes, I know they are ugly dust catchers. However, it's easy to make good looking covers for them.
Fixing Holes in Particle Board FurnitureTo fill in places where the paper has been ripped off of wood look furniture, try using a brown crayon to cover the spot followed by a black crayon (lightly) to blend the spot. We did this with a dvd cabinet recently with great results.
By Katie in NY
Temporary Border In The BathroomWhen decorating my daughters' bathroom in ducks and daisies, I didn't want to use a border in case I wanted to change it when they got older, so I painted the walls a light sky blue and then used the foamy paper to cut out large hand drawn daisies (just five petals or so).
Decorating A Curtain Rod With Tennis BallsMake lively curtain rods with tennis balls. For my living room curtains, I bought a wooden dowel and mounted it above the window.
