Hot Home & Garden Posts
How To: Kill fruit flies
Profisher has a rather unique method of ridding your kitchen of fruit flies. Make sure you start this after you have cleared your countertops of all food. Place any kind of juicy fruit on foil on the open rack of your oven. Leave open overnight. In the morning, close the oven door, set the temperature to 400 degrees and flies will be no more! This can, additionally, be performed in the microwave oven. Set plate of fresh fruit in the open microwave for about an hour. Close the door and set tim...
How To: Join copper pipe without solder using "Just for Copper" pipe glue
Tired of soldering? Well, there's a solder-less solution to joining pipes together. Check out this handy video tutorial on how to join copper pipe with "Just For Copper" pipe glue. Just For Copper is a solderless bonding solution for copper pipes and fittings. This is very useful in areas where a blowtorch cannot be used.
How To: Build a French cleat storage system
The Wood Whisperer is Marc J. Spagnuolo, a professional and passionate furniture maker, who also contributes to Fine Woodworking and Popular Woodworking. In this video, Spagnuolo shows us how to build a French cleat storage system. It's a very versatile unit, and gives you plenty of storage space without cluttering up a room.
How To: Deal with brown patches on Leylandii hedges
Over the past few years brown patches on leylandii hedges has been a real problem in some areas. These patches are caused by conifer aphids that feed by sucking the sap from the new shoots. In this gardening tutorial, Martin Fish from Garden News shows you how to deal with brown patches on your Leylandii hedges.
How To: Make a bucket cord caddy to carry extension cords
Home improvement expert Danny Lipford gives you some 5-gallon bucket tips. Watch this video tutorial to see how to make a bucket cord caddy to carry extension cords.
How To: Check out foundation cracks below your carpet
Danny Lipford shares some tips on foundation cracks. Watch this video tutorial to see how to check out foundation cracks below your carpet.
How To: Separate Two Glasses That Are Stuck Together
Learn how to separate two glasses that are stuck together with this Howcast video tutorial. You nested two glasses when you put them away — and now they're stuck! Gently pry them apart with this system.
How To: Adjust the Alignment of Cabinet Doors
Poor alignment of cabinet doors will cause a kitchen to look run-down and may be embarrassing to the homeowner. Luckily, with a single screw driver and a little ambition, the door alignment can look brand new.
How To: Tie a slip knot in a plastic grocery bag
Have you ever wondered how to tie a slip knot on your grocery bags? When we go to the grocery store, the clerks always tie the bags in a carrying knot. With this easy to follow video, tying these knots is made easy. Knots always seem perplexing, but now they are easy to do. This is a must watch video for anyone who goes shopping.
How To: Replace a toilet ballcock with a fill valve
Most older toilets have older-style fish and ballcock for toilets. But they are prone to fault, like running and constant water. Replacing them with a newer-style fill valve will save water and frustration now and later on. Watch this plumbing video tutorial to learn how to replace a toilet ballcock with a fill valve. It's a little more efficient and it's pretty straightforward, so see how to replace your valve!
How To: Build a laminar flow nozzle for fifteen dollars
This video tutorial shows how fifteen dollars and a half an hour of assembly can produce a working bare-bones laminar flow nozzle that attaches to a garden hose for a makeshift fountain.
How To: Replace a belt on a Kirby vacuum cleaner
Once in awhile, however, you will run into the issue of having to replace the belt on a Kirby or any other type of vacuum cleaner. Even the most experienced repairmen will admit that replacing the belt on the Kirby is one of the most difficult repairs they face. However this how to video will show you how to do make this vacuum belt repair yourself. Go through the step by step process of dismantling the powerhead and swapping out the belts on the roller brush.
How To: Replace the Dryer's Idler Pulley
The dryer’s idler pulley provides tension to the dryer’s drum belt so the belt won’t slip when the drum is turning. It can become faulty over time due to increased friction. If your dryer is making a squeaking or squealing nose then the idler is probably faulty. Replacing this pulley is a simple project. Repair your noisy dryer with this step-by-step tutorial!
How To: Remove A Very Tight Lid
How to... Remove A Very Tight Lid? Use Items You Have Around The House! Step 1Want to remove a very tight lid? Do you have a weak grip or arthritic pain in your hands? Have you already tried tapping the lid with a spoon? Thumping the bottom of the jar with the palm of your hand, and it still won‘t come off? An easy, quick way to remove a very tight lid is to put on rubber gloves! Yes. Ordinary household rubber gloves. Hold the jar in one hand, then use the other hand to twist the lid off. Thi...
How To: Check a washing machine pump for blockages
Ultimate Handyman demonstrates how to check a washing machine pump for blockages. First, disconnect the washing machine from the electricity source and remove the pump. The water sucks through the inlet and is pumped out of the outlet. Check to make sure that the pump doesn't have any open circuits by attaching the leads to the multimeter. Remove the screws to look inside the pump. Remove any debris that may be clogging the propellor. Make sure the O-ring around the edge creates the seal and ...
How To: Hang Curtains Without Making Holes in the Wall
For anyone who lives in a space that may frown upon making holes in the walls, or for anyone who may not want to take on such a task, there's a simple alternative to hanging curtains or drapes. And the answer is brilliantly simple.
How to Build a Shed, Part 11: Installing Fascia Boards & Soffit Materials
The fascia boards and soffit material installation is very important. This is the finishing part of the shed. Henry shows you how to do this in great detail and get perfect results. In this video he shows you how to use his exclusive jig to make it easy to install long trim without any help!
How To: Make a yule log for a gift
In this tutorial, Ingrid teaches us how to make a yule log for a gift. First, wrap two pieces of wood together with wire thread. Next, take some raffia and tie it onto the top and bottom of the yule log to give it a rustic look. To warm it up, add in some pine needles to the middle, as well as fur, cedar, and whatever else you find. To make it look more festive, take some red shiny ribbon and tie it onto the top of the pieces of wood like a package. This is inexpensive and useful for anyone t...
How To: Avoid detergent residue on your high efficiency washer
If you are finding white or colored marks on your clothes, it's more than likely going to be detergent residue. These unsightly stains can ruin your clothes and be a sign that something is wrong with your washer or with what you are using.
How To: Distinguish different types of bulbs
In this tutorial, Scott Atkinson shows us how to identify different types of bulbs. Common types of bulbs are: tulip, daffodil and lily. These are most easily identified but there are many that appear in flowers. A core looks similar to a bulb but it is a solid tissue and doesn't have an leaves, just a hard core with a protective covering. There is also tubers which are what potatoes and other foods grow from. These cause eyes to form and create different types of things to grow. You will now...
How To: Preserve your lampshades
This video is from FusionNW.com - Fusion: All about the Northwest home. In this video we learn some tips about preserving your lampshades. Bea Searles from Naomi's Lampshades & Lamps joins us to give us some advice. Lampshades come all wrapped in plastic and you may be tempted to leave the plastic on because you think it will protect your lampshade. But, actually, you always want to take that off, because the plastic holds the heat in and, while you think you're helping them, you're actually ...
How To: Replace a Whirlpool refrigerator filter
Find the indication light, located at the top of the Whirlpool refrigerator just inside the door. This tells you when to change your water filter. A green light indicates the filter is good and a red light indicates you need to change the filter.
How To: Separate Your Recycling
Recycling your garbage is noble and, in many places, mandatory. But it also can be very confusing. This guide will clear up the rules.
How To: Replace a Bosch fan oven element
Check out this home repair tutorial video that demonstrates how to fit and replace your fan oven element in a Neff & Bosch appliance. Follow the step by step instructions in this domestic appliance repair video to remove the fan oven element. Please note that all work should be performed by a qualified person. Make sure to take the necessary precautions to ensure a safe removal of the fan oven element.
How To: Install a window in a metal frame
A good way to install a window in a metal frame construction is to use some light gauge angle and screw it onto the sides of the window leaving a 10mm space for plaster. A flat head, self tapping screw is used to fix the window to the frame. Watch this video tutorial for a demonstration on how to install a window in a metal frame.
How To: Make Your Own Febreze (And Save Up to 97% Per Bottle)
If you're a Febreze fanatic, you're well aware that the "odor eliminator" can be pretty pricey, and that's reason enough to stop buying it.
How to Build a Shed, Part 9: Building & Installing Gable Ladders (Rakes)
Using ladders (Rakes) to build your gable overhangs on the shed is one of the fastest and easiest ways to do this. Henry shows you how to layout, build and install the ladders on our shed.
How To: Replace Your Dryer's Belt
Over time, the dryer belt can become hard and brittle when the drum is turning loud noises such as squeaking, squealing or thumping noises can occur. Replacing the belt is an easy task for the do-it-yourselfer. All that’s required is a few simple tools. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you install a new belt in your dryer.
How To: Replace a Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Blade
If the fan blade cracked, the hole where shaft goes is worn out, the fan blade not spinning properly, air from freezer section not blowing into refrigerator section, refrigerator section is too warm, you will have to replace the evaporator fan blade. You can follow the steps in this video to help you do this easy repair.
How To: Clean and Maintain Your Tape Measure
Recently I was working outside forming a driveway in the rain. Working in and around the wet sand was not friendly on my tools, especially my tape measure. About halfway through the day my tape measure would need "encouragement" in order to retract to the closed postion. Not too much later, with force applied, it would remain standing out at 1ft. and the problem progressively got worse.
Creator Spotlight: Matthias Wandel, Prolific Woodworking Machinist
You've seen his explanation of a combination lock's inner workings. You'll never lose another game of Jenga, thanks to his winning wooden pistol. And nearly 4 million YouTube users have marveled at his wooden marble machine sculpture. He's Matthias Wandel, and he's accomplished what most only dream of—turning a hobby into a career. Matthias has been tinkering in woodworking since he was a child, with unrestricted access to his father's workshop, permitted to use power tools unsupervised from ...
How To: Get past a mortice lock with a drill
This lock can certainly be picked, but what if you don't know how, or you don't have anything on hand that can serve as a good lock pick? That's what this video is here for! It will show you how you can drill out the stump of a mortice lock, allowing you to get past the lock entirely. It is not a difficult procedure, and all you really need is a power drill with the appropriate bits, and maybe a template showing you where to drill.
How To: Cut hardened steel with an angle grinder
Hardened steel is a very useful material, but working with it is tough because it is nearly impossible to cut with simple tools. What you really need is an angle grinder, and this video will show you how to use one of the powerful power tools to cut a hardened steel ring.
How To: Save Your Tomatoes From Rats And Rot
Every summer my husband and I plant a tomato plant. We do this to enjoy the plump red tomatoes right off of the vine.
How To: Clean a 2 cycle engine carburetor from a Ryobi trimmer
If you own a Ryobi trimmer and wish to perform some regular maintenance work on it, you may want to check out this next video. In the tutorial, you find out how to clean a 2 cycle engine carburetor from the Ryobi trimmer using some simple pieces. It's not too difficult to do and can be really handy when you want to make sure your machine is working at optimal capability. So check out the video above, pay attention, be careful, and enjoy!
How To: Fix a power drill grinding noise and chuck problem
Is your power drill making a funky high pitched noise when you try to use it? Or why your chuck on your drill doesn't spin? You first reaction may be to throw it on the ground in anger, but this could actually be simple fix. Sometimes, the gear switch can get stuck in-between gears, and can be fixed by simply moving the gear switch back and forth on your drill. Try that and see if it fixes your battery operated power drill.
How To: Keep Your Tool Box Organized with Foam Floor Mats
In this episode of Mechanical Mashups, Dave will show you how to keep your tools organized by cutting tool shaped spaces out of foam floor mats. Never let a wrench or hammer slip out of place again with this genius way of organizing your garage.
How To: Easily fix a sticking Karcher pressure washer
Using a pressure washer to clean the outside of your home or driveway, is great and easy to use. But what happens when it becomes stuck and there's hardly any pressure? Well you're about to find out. In this next tutorial, you'll see how to fix a sticking Karcher pressure washer easily. It can take you a couple of hours to complete or a matter of minutes. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Detect bed bugs inexpensively
Do you have an suspicion that your bed and home is being taken over by bed bugs? Are you waking up with small bites on your legs and arms? In this video, learn how to detect bed bugs in your home, the inexpensive way, with help from this video presented by Ask the Exterminator.
How To: Install the moisture barrier over concrete subfloor
This video describes the process of installing a moisture barrier over a concrete subfloor. The presenter is using 6 mil thick poly barrier. The barrier comes in rolls about twenty-four inches wide. When rolling out the moisture barrier you want to go from wall to wall and cover the entire floor. For optimal moisture control you will want to overlap the poly barrier by at least six inches. The barrier plastic does not need to be taped or secured to the floor at all, it simply lays on top of t...