Hot Home & Garden Posts
How To: Build and outdoor couch
This is a video tutorial describing how to build an outdoor couch for your porch. First measure out where you want to put your outdoor couch onto your porch. Then start building the first post. You should use concrete block to build this post. Then build out from the post the back wall of the couch with more concrete blocks. Then build the other post. Then stack the second course onto the first course. Then add the third course to the top of the second course. If you want then you can add a f...
How To: Install a home wall safe
Mary from VLine industries shows up how to Install a wall safe into a closet wall. For this example, she used a DOJ approved Wall Safe from VLine. The first step to the installation is to find where the studs are in the wall and make sure there is no electrical or plumbing behind the wall. Next, after locating the studs with a stud finder or by knocking on the wall, you measure and mark the space you will need for the wall safe. Use your dry wall knife to cut the space for the wall safe out b...
News: Tiny Apartment Shapeshifts into 24 Different Rooms
Space is tight (not to mention expensive) in Hong Kong. What's the solution? Architect Gary Chang has come up with an ingenious design: a small, 344 sq. ft. "accordion" apartment that can transform into 24 different rooms, simply by employing the use of sliding panels and walls. Via the New York Times,
How To: Make a decorative wreath from garden plants
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make decorative wreaths from garden plants. Users will need a wreath thorn. Users may choose to make the wreath or purchase it. Then add on some greenery such as bay leaf. Now place the greenery onto the thorn wreath and secure it by wrapping it 3 times around with wire. Continue doing this for the rest of the wreath. This video provides a visual demonstration for viewers to easily follow along. This video will benefit those viewers who are interes...
How To: Remove surrounding "haze" from a tile grout patch
In this Home & Garden video tutorial you will learn how to remove surrounding "haze" from a tile grout patch. Allow the grout to dry and wipe off the area with a dry piece of cloth. Put on gloves, take a bit of grout haze remover on a piece of rag and wipe the floor around the grout areas. This will take the hazing material off. Take more of the liquid and cover more area. Once the rag is dirty, take a clean rag piece and continue the process until all haze is removed. Leave it on for a few m...
How To: Grow and juice wheatgrass
In this Home & Garden video tutorial you will learn how to grow and juice wheatgrass. Take wheat seed in a bucket, add little bit of compost and wet it with water. Take a tray, make few holes in the bottom, put newspaper, fill the tray with compost up to halfway, spread the wheat seeds and cover the tray with newspaper. After a day or two, remove the paper and put the sprouts in shade. Wait for 8 – 10 days and the wheat grass is ready. Then cut it with love with scissors, wash it thoroughly...
How To: Grow a pineapple inside your home
How to grow pineapple inside your home
How To: Make homemade laundry detergent with 3 ingredients
This video shows how to make homemade laundry detergent with three ingredients. There are three ingredients required. The first is soap. The demonstrator recommends natural laundry soap which can be bought at a grocery store. The second ingredient is washing soda. Washing soda is not the same as baking soda, though some people have used baking soda successfully. Washing soda is recommended, however. The last ingredient is Borax, which can be found in most stores. To make the laundry soap mix ...
How To: Design a rosemary christmas tree arrangement
Face it, when it comes to the holiday season buying a Christmas tree can be a bit of a pain. Always going out and trying to find a tree that is just right, then lugging it back home and setting up the lights and decorations. While at the same time little pieces of pine needles are being layed across the floor making a huge mess. Whew! Well with this tutorial, you'll find out how to design a small rosemary tree with Christmas decorations. Some of the stuff that was used include carnations, chr...
How To: Grow pineapples using the fruit crown
In this video Jack in the Net shows how to grow your own pineapple using just the crown. Find a nice firm, strong pineapple with no brown leaves. With a very sharp knife, cut straight through about an inch down from the crown. Then trim the flesh all the way around, leaving only the solid round core in the middle, being careful not to cut into the crown. The roots will grow off of the crown so all the fruit needs to be removed.
How To: Use an old tree log garden planter
In this how to video, you will learn how to use an old tree log as a planter for your plants. To do this, you must have an old tree log. The trick is to create and make the holes bigger in the log. Some of the holes may be too deep, so you must place netting to hold the soil back. The netting will last as long as the log. To make the holes bigger, use a hammer and chisel to shape it. Drilling and burning does not work as well as hammers. Placing the plants in and watering it will cause the lo...
How To: Grow pineapple by planting the top
In this video, our author, ofenjen, shows us how to slice and plant a pineapple. First, find a pineapple: please don't get one too green or too yellow as they aren't ripe properly. Twist off the top of the pineapple with your dominant hand.
How To: Make a bridal bouquet with The Knot
To start off making your bouquet, you must start by crossing the stems instead of going straight up and down. The crossing action will give you a round bouquet. Choose the size of the bouquet to match the bride and to match the dress. If it's a big dress with lots of action, you don't want to hide it with a big bouquet. Always hold your bouquet down. Use wax string to hold your bouquet together. This won't slip. Tie the not twice to ensure it stays together. Cut the stems off and then proceed...
How To: Deal with spindly seedlings
The Survival Podcasting present how to handle leggy or spindly seedlings that have grown too fast. Potted swiss chard seedlings are used as examples. The seedlings are growing well but are a bit floppy or spindly. This happens because the warmth from being started indoors encouraged their fast growth but since there is not enough light for them, they started reaching for the light. A `head space` is developed between the root and the leaves that makes the seedling flop over. A simple trick to...
How To: Fix a leak in your calgary waterfall
This video is an explanation of how to fix a leak in a backyard water feature with a pond and waterfall. If the waterfall is losing water and has to be refilled frequently, you can tell there is a leak somewhere. One place where a leak can happen is a place where the liner needs to be propped up with a rock so it won't flatten out and allow water to leak out. Another problem can occur when a rock is arranged so that water splashes over it. That problem can be fixed by rearranging the rocks to...
How To: Care for hibiscus plants
In this video, we learn how to take care of hibiscus plants. These can grow anywhere from 3-10 feet tall, so make sure to take care of these! Some extra steps to help are to: plant these in a well drained area and water it, let it drain and water it again. During the winter, mulch the flowers and it will survive. Make sure you pinch the flowers that are dead to keep your plant looking gorgeous and make sure you trim any dead branches that make the tree look dead. Doing these small steps will ...
How To: Divide hosta
In this Home & Garden video tutorial you will learn how to divide hosta. Hostas are one of the best plants for your garden. They grow very fast. Hence, you have to divide them to keep them healthy. The best time to do this is either early spring or during fall. Take a flat shovel and dig a hole about 3-5 inches around the base of the plant and then pull it out. You can use a big knife, your hands or even the shovel to divide the bunch of plants. Move the foliage a bit so that you can see the ...
How To: Choose plants that love shade with Lowe's
If you have a shady yard, you can still have a colorful garden. You just need to pick the right plants that do well in the shade. Caladium is a leafy plant with bright colored red, pink and green leaves. They do not tolerate cold weather and should be brought in over winter. Impatiens are popular annual flowers that grow in the shade. They look nice planted around the base of a tree or in containers. The flowers come in shades of pink, coral, white and red. Fuchsia is a beautiful flowering pl...
How To: Care for hydrangeas
Scott from Spring Hill Nursery with Step by Step Gardening teaches you some basics about hydrangea plants. He talks about how to take care of the plants, how to ensure blooming, and some planting considerations. Hydrangea plants need at least five hours a day in order to bloom so they should not be planted in very shady locations. The blooms can be pink, blue, green, or white, depending on the variety and soil conditions. The blooms can be used in bouquets, or dried for use in crafts. The pla...
How To: Build a bat box and get rid of insects
If your yard is full of pests in the summertime that you can't get rid of, consider building a bat box. Bats are great animals - they eat any unwanted insects and only come out at night so they don't bother anyone.
How To: Build a bat house for the bats in your yard or barn
A lot of people fear bats; in fact, bats rank third on America's most feared list behind spiders and snakes. Most people get nervous around bats because they are hard to see at night and can fly around undetected; not to mention that Dracula myth that hasn't done bats any favors.
How To: Recover a chair with custom fabric
If that old chair is covered in holes or stains, or boasts a pattern that can best be described as "70s chic" it may be time to update it a bit. In this video learn how to save your favorite comfy chair and recover or reupholster it like a pro. By recovering your furniture yourself you can avoid the cost of buying a new one or paying a professional, with the added bonus of holding on to a long-loved piece of decor.
How To: Get rid of moss and mildew on your home
Moss and mildew inside your home are breeding grounds for colds and flu..not too mention that horrible damp smell. If you are having a problem with growth in your house, check out this tutorial. In this clip, Ruth S. Foster and her friend Jim, show you exactly how to clean up and eliminate any of that unwanted buildup. In addition to a lesson on how to clean it, learn how to prevent it from happening again in the future.
How To: Convert an old fridge into a meat smoker/cooker
Have an old fridge (or, like the creator of this video, easy access to a scrap metal yard)? Convert it into a meat smoker! This DIY guide will teach you how to repurpose a disused refrigerator for smoking meat. For complete, step-by-step instructions on how to make your own cooker from an old metal-body fridge or freezer, watch this free video tutorial.
How To: Clean and fix a scratched DVD
Do you have stacks of scratched up DVDs that will no longer play? Have no fear. In this video, learn how to clean and fix a scratched DVD in minutes.
How To: Remove and clean grout from a tile patch area
To remove grout from a tile patch area, use a scouring pad on a sponge to gently go ontop of the tiles to remove grout and see where you need to rub harder, but dont rub hard on the actual joint. Don't get your sponge too wet. Once you have everything off the tiles, work on the grout. Make sure you get the grout lines to make them look neat and clean. Make sure the seams are tight and flush, run your sponge over it to clean it up a bit. If you have a missing tile filled with grout, use a wet ...
How To: Repair and seal an asphalt driveway
An asphalt driveway looks good when new but over time, wear and tear will show. This video by Lowes.com shows you how to clean, repair and reseal your driveway to maintain it and make it last. Before starting the job, check the weather for a few dry days. Tools and materials needed are listed highlighting safety equipment to be used and precautions to be taken. Weeds, stains and dirt are removed and a low pressure is used to rinse the driveway clean. Crack sealant is used to repair smaller cr...
How To: Measure wood by relative dimensioning
The Wood Whisperer demonstrates how we can install hinges on a cabinet without a tape measure, using relative dimensioning. In this example, we use center lines instead of marking the top and bottom of each piece that needs to line up. Using shims at the bottom and top of the door, we center the door on the cabinet to the desired spot. At this point, it's as simple as marking the center lines where you want your hinges to go on both the door and the cabinet frame. Now we can simply attach our...
How To: Make homemade laundry powder/detergent
This video is a demonstration of how to make environmentally-friendly homemade laundry detergent. This recipe uses soap flakes, soda crystals, and borax substitute. You may also add oxy-action bleach if you like. Put half the back of soda crystals (500g) into a container, or more if you have hard water. Add a 500g pack of borax substitute and 2 tablespoons of soap flakes. If you like, add 2 tablespoons of oxygen bleach. Put the lid on the container and shake it up. This laundry detergent must...
How To: Detect bed bugs with tape
Rick Steinow shows how to detect bedbugs using tape. Rick shows that obvious signs would be fecal matter and blood stains. If you're still unable to detect bed bugs, you can purchase a roll of double-sided carpet tape. You're also going to need a roll of painters tape. Apply a strip of the double-sided tape all the way around the mattress. Place another strip of tape around the head board. Make sure to add a strip of painters tape first when doing the headboard. You'll do this because the dou...
How To: Make a lamp out of a USB cable
Trick Life demonstrates how to make a lamp out of a USB cable. To make the lamp, cut the end off the USB cable, strip the wire and separate the black wire from the red wire. Attach the wire to a box using a soldering iron. Attach a six volt bulb to the wires. Insert the apparatus through the hole of a used CD or an old DVD. Insert the rest of the wire through a cylinder. Hide the wiring in the cup and glue the cup cylinder to another CD or DVD. Make a shade out of paper and attach it to the l...
How To: Make your own laundry soap at home
In this video, we learn how to make homemade laundry soap! To do this you will need: one bar of ivory or handmade lye soap, borax and washing soda. First, grate your bar of soap and place into a large plastic container. Next, add 1/2 cup of Borax to your shredded soap followed by 1/2 cup of washing soda. Now you will need to mix this thoroughly, making sure everything is well combined. Now put this into a container with a lid on it and store for future use. You will use one tablespoon per loa...
How To: Free rusted parts
In this how-to video, you will learn how to remove rust from metal. This is useful if you have rust on bolts and it becomes hard to remove. You can squirt penetrating oil on the bolt in order to easily take it apart. All you have to do is spray it. Leave it for about 10 to 15 minutes. If you still have a hard time, you can use wrenches to do this. You will see that the liquid has penetrated all the way through the threads of the bolt. This is the best way to release any rusty parts. This vide...
How To: Build a suspended ceiling
Want to install a suspended ceiling yourself (perhaps enlisting the help of a construction-savvy buddy)? If you have the time and necessary tools (and provided your existing ceiling is structurally sound), the process is quite simple. This free DIY guide will walk you through the process from start to finish. Build your own suspended ceiling with this how-to.
How To: Lay a wooden floor at home
Want to lay a hardwood floor yourself? It's easy. Provided, that is, you have all of the following materials: wood panels (preferably with built-in foam underlay), plastic sheeting, duct tape, tapping blocks, a hammer, a crowbar, a straight edge, a miter square, a pencil, string line, some spacers, and a saw. For complete instructions on putting it all together and installing your own custom wooden floor using panels, watch this free DIY guide.
How To: Build a photo set
Need to build a for a set for a film, TV, stage or photo production? This free video tutorial will walk you through the entire process, from design and sketching to fabrication and assembly. For detailed instructions, and to get started building your own professional quality sets, watch this free set designer's guide.
How To: Clean a microwave using only cheap, green products
The instructor shows us how to clean a microwave using green products in this video. First, take a microwave safe dish and pour some white vinegar into it. You will want to cover about 1 inch of the dish. Once in the microwave, turn on for around 2 minutes and remove the dish. Now, you take a wet wash clothe and rub ivory soap all over it. You can now clean the inside of your dirty microwave with the soapy clothe. Make sure once you're done scrubbing, you take a clean wash clothe and wipe all...
How To: Set the defrost timer on a True Freezer
True's Owner Maintenance Video Series shows us how to set the defrost time clock on a True freezer, and also how to cut the shipping band on the compressors of all larger freezers. The time clock is behind the grill at the base of the unit, behind a gray box. There are instructions in the inside of the lid for setting the time clock and for setting the defrost settings, and the video goes through the entire process, as well. Next, the man shows how to remove the shipping band protecting the c...
How To: Plant peas in your vegetable garden
There is nothing like fresh vegetables from the garden. Dave Epstein shows us the secrets to planting peas.
How To: Plant bulbs
Scott from Spring Hill Nursery with Step by Step Gardening talks about planting fall bulbs. Planting bulbs is very easy. You just need a shovel, good soil, and lots of water. The bulbs he plants are tulips bulbs, lily bulbs, glad corms, and iris rhizomes. All of these must be planted in the fall to bloom in the spring. It's easiest to dig one big hole - about 6-8" deep - and plant all of your bulbs at once. A random pattern yields a natural look. Once you've placed your bulbs, put about 2"-3"...