Shred Wax Paper to Lubricate ShredderDo you use a paper shredder for disposing of sensitive documents like I do? After a while, the blades need a little lubrication. Run a piece of waxed paper through the shredder to make it work like new again!
How To Repair Frizzy American Girl Doll HairThis is an easy and inexpensive way to repair American Girl Dolls' hair using household items.
Reupholstered Chaise LoungeOur first attempt with a more advanced reupholstery project. This chaise lounge was a neighborhood throw-away which we picked up and brought home to upcycle.
No Spackle Hole RepairOne day while painting a room with latex paint, I noticed that larger drops of paint, when left to dry, became pliable like a putty. I hit on the idea that this half dried paint could be rolled into a a tiny ball and smashed into a hole left by a picture hanger. It worked. Even if you need to lightly sand smooth, the color is through and through.
Replacing Your Watch BatteryI always took my watches to the jeweler to have them replace the battery, at a cost of $8-$15. I saw watch batteries for the first time at Dollar Tree, and decided that I would try to replace them myself. Dollar Tree sold them 4 to a pack, which ends up being 25 cents to fix a watch.
Rewiring a Living Room LampThis will show you how easy it is to rewire a lamp yourself instead of paying some place to do it!
Using Thread to Untie KnotsI will often have knots brought to me to untie that are practically impossible to undo. I thread a needle with embroidery floss and get the string of embroidery floss between the knotted yarns. I will keep reinserting the needle and yarn wherever the knot is the most stuck. After a bit of pulling, everything is able to be untied.
How to Remove a Broken Key from a LockHere's a tip to save time and money to remove a broken key from a door knob or other lock, without having to call an expensive locksmith to do the job.
Fixing a Broken Shoe with a Key RingRecently, I realized that shoving my shoes off with my other foot was going to come back on me. It did. The little pot-metal clip that the Velcro strap went through broke. I can't afford shoe repair so I did it myself.
Temporarily Cover Car Windows with Shrink...I have driven briefly on highway at 55 mph and on local city streets at 35 mph all over about 2 weeks. The film stayed on perfectly, kept the heat in the car and the cold out .
Refurbishing an Old Table and ChairsWe got this idea from a estate sale we attended several weeks ago. The chairs were just throw-aways. With a few visits to the local thrift store and a couple of hours of work, we transformed these old chairs into useful items again.
Reviving Dried Pencil ErasersI wasn't able to get good photos so I'll go ahead and tell you what I did. First of all, I really can afford new pencils or a pack of erasers. I have this lifelong fascination with words and crosswords are part of that.
Removing a Stripped ScrewWe all know how frustrating it can be if a screw is stripped and you need to remove it.
Razor For Removing Fabric PillsIt seems like it's always your old favorites that get those awful little fabric pills. Take a new disposable razor and lightly go across the garment. Use short strokes while pulling the fabric tight.
Bread Tag for Broken Flip FlopI could have used this tip so many times, I have broken so many flip flops. Next time you do just attach a bread tag onto the bottom of your shoe, it will hold it in place.
Walnuts for Hardwood Floor ScratchesCrack open a walnut and rub the nut "meat" against cracks and scratches in hardwood floors to repair them. The nut meat fills in the scratch with a color resembling the wood.
Sharpening Scissors With SandpaperSharpen scissors by cutting superfine sandpaper.
Armour Etch For Scratched EyeglassesMy glasses (polycarbonate lenses with anti-glare coating, no other coatings) were ruined when I got brake cleaner on them. They looked like they had tiny scratches and dots all over the lenses, to the point that I couldn't drive at night with them.
Treating Bleach Spots and StainsAs the queen of mending, here's another sneaky tip. If there are discolorations, such as bleach spots on your clothing, you can "mend" them by trying to fill in the bleached spot with various coloring methods.
Fixing a Squeaky Office ChairEverybody in your office will be annoyed at a squeaky office chair, if it's yours at home you will be annoyed. Either way let's fix it. It's easier than you would think.
Use "Japanese Paper" To Repair BindingFirst of all NEVER use tape to repair a book. Tape does not age well. It becomes brittle, yellow, leaves a deep stain on the paper, and often the paper gets torn at the edge of the tape.
Maintaining Your Refrigerator GasketDid you know that one of the first thing to wear out of a refrigerator is the rubber door gasket? So, with this simple tip, you can protect the gasket from cracking, drying, and mildew. Just apply a very thin coat of Vaseline petroleum jelly.
Making a Watch Battery Last LongerI have several watches. Some for good, some for everyday. When I am not wearing the watches, I pull out the stem and that makes them stop working. This saves on the life of the battery and won't wear them down when they aren't being worn.
Fix Sandal Clasp with Key RingI purchased a pair of sports sandals for $.50 at the thrift store. I hadn't noticed a plastic clasp was broken on one side of a sandal. I decided to get pliers and completely break the piece off the sandal and do the same to the other side.
Refurbishing A Faded Patio UmbrellaOur deck table needed an umbrella and someone threw one out. It was faded but otherwise in pretty good shape. I decided to spray paint it using an indoor/outdoor paint that is good for wood, metal, and more.
Jeans Zipper Won't Stay UpIf you have a pair of jeans that fit well, but has a zipper that just won't stay up, try this tip before getting rid of them. Get a small, thin ponytail holder, like the ones used for little girls.
Use Spray Glue And Fabric To Cover Worn UpholsteryThink of spray glue as a help with spiffing up your upholstery! My husband used spray glue to glue the tapestry placemats that I had decided to use as sort of antimacassars in a contrasting pattern.
Fishing Line For Frugal Toilet FixAs a very stingy gramma, I have got "tight waddery" down to a science. While living in an apartment where the repair people didn't come running when I called, I figured out a way to fix my toilet.
Learn About Your Equipment From RepairmenThe gas man just came to look at my vintage gas stove, which we had restored. Even though I have had it for years, by watching him and asking questions, I learned a lot I didn't know about my stove and its care.
The Benefits Of Solid Wood FurnitureMoving again and I find myself touching up the finishes of our furniture pieces. Because they are old solid hardwoods, a bit of fine sandpaper and some furniture polish/oil touches up the nicks nicely.
Maintaining and Fixing Your Window Air ConditionerHere are a few things you can try that may save you a service call on your window unit air conditioner service call. Seems like the whole country is experiencing extremely hot weather.
