Hot Home & Garden Posts — Page 21 of 160 « Home & Garden

How To: Fit a dry lining back box

In this tutorial, we learn how to fit a dry lining back box. This is very easy to install, and the sides will grip the wires on your light. First, determine where you want your switch, then mark a quick line using a sturdy level. Next, you will cut out a hole in the wall the size of the box. After this, push the box into the wall. Then, you can add in the light switch to the box and secure it with the wires that are inside. This will finish up this project, just make sure the wires are place ...

How To: Make homemade laundry detergent

In this tutorial, we learn how to make homemade laundry detergent. To make this, you will need: 6 c water, 1/3 bar grated laundry soap, 1/2 c washing soda, and 1/2 c borax. To start, you will heat up the water and the soap in a large pan until it's all dissolved. Then, you will stir in the rest of the ingredients and mix until it's all dissolved as well. From here, boil the mixture for 15 minutes and then remove from the heat. Then, you will add this to cold water so you have 2 gallons of soa...

How To: Install a new toilet seat in your bathroom

In this tutorial, we learn how to install a new toilet seat in your bathroom. You will need to get on your knees to do this, but it's a simple process. First, find the two bolts on the toilet seat and unscrew them. After this, remove the toilet seat. From here, you can place the new toilet seat down. Go to the bottom of the toilet and find where the screws are placed at. Twist these until they are secure in place. Then, use a screwdriver to screw them in place on the top. This will finish you...

How To: Scribe break an acrylic sheet

In this tutorial, we learn how to scribe break an acrylic sheet. You just need a Stanley knife and a straight edge to do this to any acrylic sheet. First, put some gloves on and safety glasses. From here, level out the area you want to cut on your sheet, then clamp the angle while laying down. Next, use your knife to cut along the edge, going over the same spot several times. Press down hard to ensure it's completely cut. To finish, all you have to do is to bend the excess piece down and it s...

How To: Recycle an old can to make a candle votive

This is a video tutorial in the Home & Garden category where you are going to learn how to recycle an old can to make a candle votive. Take an old can and cut it vertically along the side without cutting off the edges. Now cut along the top and bottom edges starting at the vertical cut and going outwards on each side. Cut up to about half of the circumference of the can. Now pull out the cut halves and you have the basic stand for the votive candle. Now you got to straighten out the jagged ed...

How To: Replace a broken flush handle

In this tutorial, we learn how to replace a broken flush handle. First, remove the top from the tank on the back of the toilet. After this, find the chain that is connected to the handle and remove it. From here, take a new handle and place it into the spot the old on was in. Use a wrench to tighten this into place. From here, you will connect this with the lever that will flush the toilet using the pump. When finished, test this out by flushing your toilet! If it works, this means the replac...

How To: Recycle plastic bottles and make a decorative mobile

In this video we learn how to recycle plastic bottles and make a decorative mobile. Start off by cutting the strips off of the water bottle then pinning them down to a table. After this, you will start to cross each of these with another piece to make a checkered effect. Nail them down on the sides as well to make it stick to where you want it. When finished, you will remove the nails and then place in a needle with beads and shells attached to it on each of the holes. Once you are finished w...

How To: Troubleshoot your washing machine

In this tutorial, we learn how to troubleshoot your washing machine. First, unplug your machine before you do any handy work. Then, check for leaking around the bottom. Look around the door sill to check for wear and tear. Then, pull the machine out and check for a lose connection. If you don't see anything, you will need to call a pro. If you aren't getting water, check to make sure your water lines are connected. If your washing machine is loud, make sure you haven't overloaded it and the d...

How To: Make an autumn themed flower arrangement

In this video we learn how to make an autumn themed flower arrangement. Start off by purchasing fruits and vegetables that are fall colors. These colors can be: yellow, orange, light green, and brown. Grab the fruit or vegetable, then remove the inside from it, scooping it all out. Then, grab some fall flowers and cut the stems down on them. Place the flowers into the vegetable center and it will make a gorgeous center! It doesn't take a lot of time or creativity to do this, so it's perfect f...

How To: Make a compost toilet

In this tutorial, we learn how to make a compost toilet. First, you will need a 5 gallon bucket. Then, you will need to put a toilet seat on top of it so it's comfortable. After this, build a cabinet around it to make it look nice. After this, you will need to put something inside it, like sawdust, which will absorb the liquid inside. Now, you can feel free to use this for a bathroom! For ventilation, you can use a hair dryer from your local thrift store which will connect to the back wall an...

How To: Make a light bulb vase

In this video, we learn how to make a light bulb vase using any old light bulb. This is great for helping recycle old light bulbs to turn them into something beautiful! To start, you will remove the top of the light bulb with your tweezers and throw it away. After this, you will break the glass from the base, so you have somewhere to stick the flowers into. After this, discard any of the glass that comes out and then you can push the metal up on the bulb. Fill this up and then put it in somet...

How To: Drill porcelain tile like a professional

In this tutorial, we learn how to drill porcelain tile like a professional. You will first need to get a blade that is round and very sharp. Place this on the porcelain and then gently rock the blade back and forth until it cuts the tile all the way through. Make sure you place tap underneath this to catch any of the dust and debris that flies away from you while you're cutting. Remember not to use really strong force to the drill while you are using it, to prevent any wrong cuts on the porce...

How To: Recycle cans to make garden decor

In this tutorial, we learn how to recycle cans to make garden decor. First, use small scissors to poke a hole in the top of the can, then cur around the top of it until you have removed the mouth. After this, cut a rigid design in the top of the can and then cut five slits going down on all the sides. Push these down, then cut the sides of them so they are slightly rounded. From here, you will attach these to another can that has been spread out with tons of different slits. Place this on a r...

How To: Install a toilet seat

In this video, we learn how to install a toilet seat. Start off by screwing the screws into the knots on the base of the toilet seat. After this, you will lay this down gently on top of the toilet and line up the screws. After this, you will go underneath the toilet. While you're down there, you will need to place on the screws to make sure that the toilet seat and the toilet are down securely. Once you are done, your toilet seat will be installed and it will be brand new and ready to use. En...

How To: Make a piece of graphic wall art with Threadbanger

In this video, Meg shows us how to make a piece of graphic wall art with Threadbanger. First, gather stencils in the letters that you want. Then, place them on contact paper and trace them with a permanent marker. After this, cut the letters out and put them on the wall where you want them. Next, mark your wall with a ruler to make sure it's a straight bottom. From here, place your letters onto your canvas. Now, paint over your canvas and allow to dry. Once dried, very carefully remove each l...

How To: Recycle milk bottles to make decorative flowers

With this video, we learn how to recycle milk bottles to make decorative flowers. First, mark eight coupled marks on four sides of the bottom of the bottom. Then, poke holes into them and cut into them with sharp scissors. From here, you will continue to do this all the way around the bottom of the bottle until you have created petals. Then, cut above these to make long oval types of shapes and then spread the petals out on the bottom and on the top. Pull the longer petals into the open areas...

How To: Make a small windmill from a permanent magnet motor

In this video, we learn how to make a small windmill from a permanent magnet motor. You will need: a motor, a rotor, and a stand to make this. First, you need to find a motor that has permanent magnets on it, like one from a printer. Then, grab a windmill like one from the garden and make a stand by combining three pieces of wood. Then, heat up the side of the motor and connect it to the middle of the windmill so that it spins around. After this, you will connect it to the stand with a fiberg...

How To: Begin composting

In this tutorial, we learn how to begin composting. When you compost, you have a lot of choices of where you want to compost. You can do it inside of a metal bin, in a small tumble type of container, or a wood cedar box. If you are doing a lot of composting, use a large composting bin that you will turn with a shovel. It's important to get oxygen into the pile to keep the bacteria growing. You can use compost accelerator to help get things going and make it more successful. You can compost co...

How To: Get glue stains out of clothes

Glue is one of the worst things that you can get on your clothes. It sticks to most things and fabric is no exception. Watch this video to learn how to get glue stains out of any type of clothing.

How To: Finish hardwood floors naturally & safely

In this tutorial, we learn how to finish hardwood floors naturally & safely. First, buff out the entire floor so the surface will adhere better with the stain. Buffing it will give it a beautiful finish and a glossy look. The spatter that happen white using the pad can be buffered out or mopped out easily. When finished, you will use a polishing pad on the floors to finish up the floors entirely. The floor will look great after just one coat and a polish with the mop. When finished, enjoy you...

How To: Take care of orchids during the winter

Orchids are some of the most beautiful flowers that you can own, but they are tropical and if you live somewhere with bad winters you have to take special steps to take care of your plants. Watch this video to find out how.

How To: Strop on a stropping block

In this video, we learn how to strop on a stropping block. There are two layers to the strop and they measure different lengths. On the bottom you should put two mouse pads to make sure it stays put. Now, charge the strop with a stropping compound and rubbing it against the grain until it flakes off. Next, gauge the angle of your knife and place the blade against the strop. Push against the edge of the blade and work from the top to the bottom in a long and slow arch. This is all there is to ...

How To: Make your house fake clean for company if you don't have time to clean

If you don't spend the time cleaning your house regularly to keep it within reach of clean all the time and you need it to be clean fast, watch this video. It will teach you how to quickly and effectively fake clean a house if your parents, significant other, or other figure your want to impress is coming over.

How To: Build a decked pathway

In this video, we learn how to build a decked pathway. The first thing to do is to plan out where you want your pathway to do. Then, build a pathway out of wood that is all the same size. There are all kinds of decking you can use, whether you want hard, soft, wood, or more. Just make sure it has the FSC symbol that ensures it's not cutting down from the rain forest. You can make it into blocks rather than a continuous surface to make a more unique feel and allow you to create different flowe...

How To: Kill a cockroach kindly

In this tutorial, we learn how to kill a cockroach kindly. If you currently use insecticides to kill bugs and insects in your home, rethink it! These fumes can be toxic to your health and the health of your family. To help avoid getting cockroaches, make sure you dust and sweep often, throw away food around the house, and keep it clean! If you do have these bugs, you can first pour some beer in a glass, then put bread in the glass along with some petroleum jelly. Next, you will set this on yo...

How To: Winterize your lawn to protect it during winter and prepare it for spring

If you have a big beautiful lawn and live somewhere with cold winters, you probably already know about how to winterize your lawn and how doing so can protect your lawn in the winter and make it grow better in the spring. If you don't, watch this video.

How To: Make and use nontoxic products for cleaning your house

Household cleaning products are some of the most toxic things in your house. If you want to get them out and replace them with all-natural alternatives, watch this video to learn how to make alternative cleaning products yourself out of common household ingredients.

How To: Get the skunk smell off yourself after being sprayed

Skunks are cute little animals with a nasty surprise waiting in the gland under their tail for anything that threatens them. If you've been sprayed by a skunk, you're never going to be at peace until your get rid of that smell, and this video will teach you how to do just that.

How To: Make a wood slit drum with woodworking tools

Looking for your next woodworking project? Why not a wood slit drum? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this DIY guide can present a complete overview of the process in about minutes. For all of the details, and to get started making your own one-of-a-kind slit drum, take a look.

How To: Make wooden salad tongs with woodworking tools

Looking for your next woodworking project? Why not a pair of wood salad tongs? They're easy! So easy, in fact, that this DIY guide can present a complete overview of the process in about minutes. For all of the details, and to get started making your own one-of-a-kind salad tongs, take a look.

How To: Get moss off of different areas of your home and garden

Moss can be a beautiful part of natures, but it can also wreak havoc on your roof shingles or garden plants and rocks. If you've got a moss problem, watch this video for some easy ways you can solve them.

How To: Protect different kinds of outdoor pots from harsh winter weather

If you live somewhere with harsh winters, you know that they can be hell on your garden and the flower pots therein. Watch this video for tips on protecting different kinds of flower pots from the elements during the winter.

How To: Plan a layout for a square foot garden

Square foot gardening is a type of gardening in which you carefully arrange plants in tiny squares to maximize space and stylistic harmony. Watch this video to learn how to plan and execute a square foot garden in your apartment or house.

How To: Repair your lawn mower's pull starter with silicone spray

You're trying to mow your lawn, but the engine on your pull-string push mower isn't turning over— why won't it power up? Well, if your lawn mower was stored outdoors for a large amount of time, chances are that the recoil has built up some corrosion or is simply sticking. This video will show you a very simple repair, where you only need to remove 2 or 3 screws to gain access to the mechanism, then grease with silicone spray.

How To: Find creative ways to hang pictures

Nailing a picture or a work of art to a wall is pretty easy in and of itself, but when it comes to arranging these pictures stylishly people have more trouble. It's true that you can nail pictures to the wall, but what about to bookcases?

How To: Container garden with plants that look good year round

In our most idyllic of dreams we envision living in a 17th century English castle with endless lush fields and gardens bursting with flora and faunt. But unfortunately most of us live in a more urban setting (think right in front of a Subway) and don't have as much space to work with if we want to garden.