Hot Home & Garden Posts

How To: Dry shoes in the dryer without the noise

There is more than one reason you would need to dry your shoes. Whether you're an athelete who frequently runs in the mud or goes kayaking or you live in New York where the winters literally freeze your face off, tossing your shoes in the dryer gets them clean and warm. We've definitely stuck our (clean) shoes in the dryer during cold weather to make them nice and toasty again.

How To: Unjam a garbage disposal

Learn how to safely and properly unjam a garbage disposal unit with this interactive video from Ace Hardware. See several methods for removing jammed objects from the disposal and how to reset the motor. Unjam a garbage disposal.

How To: Use a finishing sander

In this online video series, learn how to use a finishing sander and how to maintain it, from woodworking instructor Jon Olson. He will teach you the parts of a finishing sander, and general safety and electrical safety for using a finishing sander. Jon will demonstrate how to replace the sandpaper of your finishing sander, how to hold your finishing sander, how to use proper sanding technique with a finishing sander, how to sand edges of wood using a finishing sander, how to use the power sw...

How To: Fold Bathroom Towels into Fancy and Elegant Shapes

You may frequent hotels that treat your towels like your toilet paper, but some upscale hotels take pride in their towel presentation; therefore, they borrow some skills from master origami artists and apply them to folding towels and washcloths for memorable and decorative effects. But towel origami is not just for fancy hotel rooms — it's for your own bathroom — right at home! You just have to learn the art, and this video will show you how to fold ordinary bathroom towels into fancy and el...

How To: Lay Wall Tiles

G'day Knuckleheads. In this Owner Builder Series Episode we're up to doing the wall tiling in the bathrooms. Justin gives out some very handy tips on how to lay wall tiles in the bathroom. Check it out and let me know what you think.

How To: Grout Wall and Floor Tiles

G'day Knuckleheads and welcome to Episode 35! With the wall and floor tiling completed it's time to grout the tiles. In this episode Justin takes us through the tips and tricks of applying the wall and floor grout. Grouting really finishes the job off and is a job that any DIY'er can do by themselves. Check it out and let me know what you think :-)

How To: Install a Timber Floor

G'day Knuckleheads. In this Owner Builder Episode we look at laying the timber floor. You'll see in this video the team showing you how to lay a timber / wooden floor. The timber or wood l used for the floor was a species of timber called Blackbutt. It's a solid 19mm x 130mm board which is very hardy and should stand up to a fair bit of abuse…which it will get at my place :-) Timber floors really give a warmth to your property and are well worth the effort.

How To: Make Colorful Ice Candles

See how to make homemade "ice" candles out of taper candles (or wax flakes). Cut up the taper candles, heat them until melted, then pour into a container lined with ice (chipped ice, not cubes) with the wick dangling in from above. The ice will create an interesting design in the candle.

How To: Frame a Stud Wall

G'day, Knuckleheads, Uncle Knackers here. In this Episode, we look at making, and standing up the stud wall frames. How to build a stud wall frame is pretty straight forward but it is handy to know a few basic principles before you get stuck into it! Check it out!

How To: Mark Out a Stud Wall

G'da,y Knuckleheads, Uncle Knackers here. In this Episode, we look at marking the wall studs. Making a stud wall is pretty straight forward but you just have to know a few basics first. This stud wall framing video looks at a few basic principles that will hopefully set you up to make your first stud wall frame. Check it out!

How To: Install Decking Posts

G'day, Knuckleheads, and welcome to Episode 22 of my Owner Builder Series. In this video we look at cutting and setting up Verandah / Decking Posts. It's really important that you get thuds right as nothing looks worse than badly set up posts. Check it out and let me know what you think!

How To: Install House Wrap

G'day, Knuckleheads, and welcome to Episode 20 of my Owner Builder Series! In this Episode, we look at installing the Wall Wrap which goes on before the cladding is installed. It's a vapour membrane that protects the frame and internal linings from moisture damage.

News: The Wonder of Plants

Have you seen all the adorable miniature garden ideas? Containers of some sort (wood boxes, planters, drawers, wheel barrows, bird baths…) hold a little scene full of tiny living plants along with little adornments like garden benches, hardscapes and paths. They are absolutely enchanting for all ages and how fun to shop the house and find special little things to decorate your tiny garden whether indoors or out. Not only can you plant real, live tiny plants in your garden. Consider little suc...

How To: Make Your Own Chalk Paint

If you're a big fan of home improvement, then you've you've probably painted a wall or item in your day. Not only can it get expensive, it's also time consuming, and very often just plain boring. Waiting for paint to dry so that you can add another coat is, well…like waiting for paint to dry.