Hot Home & Garden Posts

How To: Use a tile nibblers on ceramic tiles

This video demonstrates how to make small cuts on ceramic tile by using Tile Nibblers. The video starts with a quick overview of the tile nibbler tool. It looks like a pair of pliers that have been sharpened. The presenter stresses that a tile nibbler should be just that; nibble away at the tile. If you try to cut out bigger chunks it will result in cracking. Once you get the cut close to how you want it, the presenter uses a tile file to remove the remaining tile and smooth the edges. This v...

How To: Organize your home closet

This video shows us how to organize our closet without breaking the bank. As summer comes around and winter is finishing up, it’s time to do some spring-cleaning. Some tips to help get additional space in your closet: Tip 1. Use your luggage to store winter items not used during the summer. Tip 2. Use those old boxes that have just been piling up to store items. Tip 3. Invest in a hanging shoe bag to preserve the shoes you love. Tip 4. Invest in a clear storage rack where your accessories can...

How To: Caulk your bathroom tub

Joe explains how to caulk the bathroom tub using a caulk gun. You need: - a latex based caulk designed for bathrooms- a damp cloth. Steps: 1. When you start caulking, gently squeeze and move the gun at the same rate as you apply pressure to the trigger. 2. After you've applied the caulk , wipe your finger on the damp cloth and smooth out the caulk with your damp finger. 3. Stop every 12 or 18 inches and wipe your finger on the cloth. 4. Continue smoothing the caulk until you're done.

How To: Maintain your garbage disposal to extend its use

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to maintain a garbage disposal. When using the garbage disposal, always run cold water before using it. Put the debris one by one. Do not stuff it all in at once. When finished, turn the disposal off and let the water run for a while to wash all the debris down the waste line. Do not grind stringy items. It is fine to grind hard food waste. This video also talks about the common problems that people encounter when using a garbage disposal. This video ...

How To: Harvest worms for shipment

In this video Christy Ruffner will show you the process involved in harvesting worms for shipment. The container used in the video is an oil changing pan. The pan is filled with worms and bedding. Simply rake your fingers on the top of the bedding and remove the worms to another pan. You need to feed and water the worms properly. Then, the worms will be congregated on the upper portion of the bedding. Once all the worms are separated, weigh them and then add an equal amount of bedding. If you...

How To: Install hardwood floor on concrete

This video shows you how to install a hardwood floor over concrete. You will need a plywood base. This video demonstrates the nail down method. You will need 15 nails per 8 feet by 4 feet sheet; plan according. The entire process is very easy and gives you easy steps to follow. The demonstrator gives some good pointers that might help you avoid any serious mistakes. The flooring installed will be suitable for solid flooring or multiply engineered flooring with a heavy wear layer. This is a ve...

How To: Remove candle wax from carpets easily

The video shows you how to remove candle wax from carpets with ease. All you need are paper towels, an iron, and a butter knife. First, you have to turn the iron on to a medium or high temperature. Next, use the dull side of the knife to dig up the excess wax from the carpet. Afterwards, you have to place the paper towel over the area of wax. Next, you simply iron the carpet very lightly. You have to be careful so that you don't burn the carpet. When you iron the carpet, the wax should absorb...

How To: Fix a leaky, dripping bathroom faucet

DYI-FYI #57 teaches you how to fix a leaky faucet in this video. First, have to distinguish if the water drips from the tap or from the handle. If the water is leaking form the tap you need a new washer; if it drips from the handle you need a new o-ring. First, turn the water off using the valves under the sink. Next, drain the faucet by turning it on of course and grab a towel to place in the sink to prevent scratching while you work! Next, you'll have to remove the decorative topping to rev...

How To: Fix a running toilet easily

Having trouble with your toilet continually running? Here's a video to help you with that troublesome toilet. 1. Check the flapper valve if it is already worn out. This can be done by pulling the siphon end and running your fingers around the valve. 2. If you can feel grit and lime scale, then, it needs to be cleaned. However, if it feels distorted or damaged, it needs to be replaced. 3. Check the chain or the wire link connecting the arm lever to the rubber flapper valve. It may be too short...

How To: Install your garage door safely

This video is from FusionNW and discusses Garage Door safety. First, the presenter disconnects the garage door from the lifting mechanism. He then moves the door up and down to check for balance and any rough areas. Next, the presenter moves on to test the reversing mechanism. Place a 2x4 underneath the door and lower the garage door. If the mechanism is working correctly, the door will reverse and raise up after it hits the board. You will then want to test the sensitivity of the reversing m...

How To: Install a toilet for your home

To install the new toilet you will need a putty knife, hacksaw, tape measure, adjustable wrench, level, sponge, and replacement wax seal. Before you begin removing the old toilet, turn off and disconnect the water supply to the toilet. Then flush the toilet to get the water out of it. Use a sponge to remove any remaining water in the bowl or tank.

How To: Use copper push-fit fittings to connect piping

Follow this video to learn how to use copper push-fit fittings to connect piping. 1. Sometimes we connect pipes by means of push-fit fittings which are not very appealing to look at since they are of a different color and material and so do not match with the pipe. However a good alternative is to choose copper push-fit fittings rather than plastic ones. Copper push-fit fittings would be similar to the pipe itself. 2. Open the pipe and ensure that it is clean before fixing the fitting by simp...

How To: Put together a fall flower arrangement with roses

The flower god demonstrates how to arrange a beautiful rose arrangement for your fall table. A dozen yellow roses, greenery and safflower are used to construct this masterpiece. To begin you need a vase filled with fresh clean water. The flower god shows how to lace the stems of the greenery in and out of one another. The laced stems are then placed in vase and eucalyptus is placed throughout vase giving a cascading effect. Next it is time to prepare the roses. Thorns need to be removed off t...

How To: Kill gnats

In this video, Sbirdboi will explain how you can get rid of a gnat infestation. First, you must identify what kind of gnats they are, as this determines the best ways in dealing with them. He will explain three common types of gnats, their habits and where they tend to lay their eggs. After teaching you about the kinds of gnats, you will learn what steps to take to kill the gnats, and prevent them from coming back. You will also learn tips of ways you can attract gnats and subsequently kill t...

How To: Design a fall flower centerpiece for your home

To decorate a fall flower centerpiece for your home, create a table centerpiece. Get some dry flowers with attractive colors of your choice. Take a metallic pot for centerpiece. Place a Styrofoam ring in the bottom of pot or vase. Carefully insert stems of dried flowers into the foam. The interior design technique is to be perfect to fall, so that it looks natural. Make sure to have the tallest flower at the center of the pot. Work from the center outwards applying more flowers and stems. Mak...

How To: Upholster a full occasional chair

This is a demonstration of how to upholster full an occasion chair. First the seat upholster is removed carefully. The new cloth is cut accordingly to the shape. The edges are folded and stitched. The cloth is spread over the seat, tucked under the hand rest stretched to the bottom and nailed. For the hand rest a rectangular cloth of required color is cut. A piece of foam is spread over the hand rest and covered with the upholstery cloth and stapled at the sides and bottom. The back rest is r...

How To: Use Dap Foam sealant and 3.0 Weather seal caulk

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to seal gaps in houses using DAP foam sealant DAP 3.0 Weather seal caulk. The DAP products are designed to meet the tough standards demanded for professional window & door installations while effectively sealing large cracks, gaps and voids. Users learn to use the foam sealant to seal in gaps from inside the house. The gaps found behind wall trims. The seal caulk is used outside around windows. This video will benefit those users who want to learn how...

How To: Create a suede finish on your walls with Home Depot

This is a video which shows how to create a suede finish on walls using paint. To do this the right tools are necessary. Use a special suede finish paint and a nine inch specialty roller. Arrow wood merant is used for the color. Tape the ceiling and base boards. Paint the corners with a two inch brush. Work top to bottom on the unfinished areas with the roller. It will appear uneven. But that is fine. It should be allowed to dry. Use a 3 inch latex brush and excess paint, start at the top and...

How To: Unclog a sink drain yourself

First of all put a bucket under the trap. Now use your hand to loosen the handle of the PVC type trap. Loosen both the two plastic nuts on the ends. Remove the nuts that are holding to the drain pipe. Now when you remove this trap from the drain pipe a little dirty water comes out of it which gets collected in the bucket. Now check the trap for some hair and other clogs. This you have to remove and clean it out completely. Also check the drain pipe outlet for removing any hair or other clog. ...

How To: Clean laminate floors safely

The basic idea of cleaning laminate floors is to use a dry or damp mop or cleaner for cleaning spills and as little moisture as possible. Laminate floors are resistant products and are made to last, but they also are sensible to moisture and thus it can produce damage. Also very important for defending against stains like tomato sauce and red wine is to be vigilant and clean them immediately. The longer a stain like that sits, the longer it is the probability of being permanent, so the best a...

How To: Use the antique distressed paint technique

Using an antique distressing paint finish technique on furniture is a good way to revive a piece of furniture that other wise might just be discarded. This video is part of a series of videos taking viewers through the process of distressing furniture and focuses on accent technique. You’ll want to accent the select parts of the furniture you want to accentuate that distressed look. Our expert recommends painting the edges of this table. You’ll want to pick a complimentary color and when you ...

How To: Arrange flowers at a dinner party

Lifestyle expert Clinton Kelly demonstrates how to throw a fabulous party. With great food, alcohol, and atmosphere you must also have fresh flowers to add ambiance. Big floral centerpieces overtake the room and have to be removed from the table when dining so that guests can see one another. Clinton recommends a low long floral arrangement that will not block guests. Staying in the same color family when choosing flowers is recommended. Start with small low container with room temperature wa...

How To: Unclutter your bedroom

In showing how to unclutter the bedroom, the information provided focused on jewelry rather than other areas of the room. Tarsa Mar, the host of the video had a huge jewelry collection and showed the various ways to store those items. One of the boxes she shows is a wall case. One of the features of this item is the fact that necklaces hang. This prevents them from becoming tangled with other necklaces. There was space for rings and bracelets but the main objective was keeping necklaces separ...

How To: Fell and sned a tree

Woodland areas provide a personal forest where you can ramble about and relax. This video tutorial teaches you how to chop down a tree in your woodland area and what to do with trunk afterwards. First, you'll need to have the tools and proper safety equipment. Next, thin the trees to allow more light and encourage growth. Then use your chainsaw to cut a gap on the side of the tree that you want the trunk to fall. Finally, sned the tree by cutting off branches and reducing it to manageable 2 m...

How To: Decorate a boy's room with lockers

In this video you will learn how to decorate your boy's room with lockers using cheap and fun ways. In order to do that you need to follow this steps and tips from the video: The first thing that you need to do is to get a large locker where you can deposit your kid's toys and athletic stuff. Another tip or step is to install timers to your kid's room. The timers will turn off the light and you won't have to worry because your electricity bill. This tips will help you organize your kid's room...

How To: Get a nice, even stain on wood

You will learn how to get a nice, even stain on wood in this Home and Garden video tutorial brought to you by TheSoapGuy. It’s really easy and simple to do. Get a finished piece of wood. You should work in a well ventilated area because wood stain generates a lot of fumes. Wood stain comes in aerosol spray and in cans. Mix the stain in the can by rolling the can. Don’t shake it, it will generate bubbles. Open the can and apply the wood stain with a brush evenly on the surface. The more coats ...

How To: Bend acrylics (like Plexiglas) with a hot air gun

Have you ever wanted to bend a small piece of acrylic? Well now you can with the help of a traditional hot air gun and this informative video. Make sure to wear safety glasses and gloves before trying this project. Clamp the acrylic to a work table, and proceed to turn the gun on and heat up the piece of acrylic, using a steady back-and-forth sweeping motion. As it heats up, you can use your fingers to gently bend the acrylic upward. Leave it at 90 degrees to cool down for a couple minutes, a...

How To: Unclog a drain without Drano

This video details the procedure for unclogging a drain without the use of drain clearing chemicals. This procedure is intended to be used in the event of a drain being clogged with hair. A tool for this task would be a wire hanger, modified to have the bottom removed, and two ends fashioned into hooks. For this example, a drain with an unscrew-able top-cover is used. To begin, unscrew the top cover to reveal the washer and the drain. Remove the rubber washer to fully reveal the drain. Once t...

How To: Paint any piece of wood furniture

In this Home and Garden video tutorial you will learn how to paint any piece of wood furniture. The video is from CR8everydaycrafts.com and is presented by Jen Grant. You will need yellow and red color general finishes paint, aging wax, sand paper, a piece of soft cloth and of course your furniture. First fine polish the raw wood furniture. Then paint two coats of yellow general finishes paint. Now paint two more coats of red paint. Allow the each coat to dry before painting the next coat. Af...

How To: Faux paint a rustic texture for a distressed look

Add a custom finish to a dresser or armoire by following the steps outlined in this video tutorial to add a faux finish and distressed technique. This a good way to add a finished to a piece of furniture that looks plain or undone. To begin, used a water-based primer that is tinted in a golden tone. Just paint a thin layer of the primer onto your piece of furniture with a roller or paint brush. You can leave the hardware on since the finish is very crude looking. This means it is okay if you ...

How To: Remove an acrylic scratch

To remove the scratch in acrylic you need to first use Silicon Carbide water proof paper of 600CW grade. Turn over the paper and rub the scratched area of acrylic in a circular motion. You will see the scratch disappears after few minutes. Thereafter use the Silicon Carbide water proof paper of 1200CW grade which is more fine. Again rub over the scratched area in circular motion. Then wipe off the area and you can see after some time of rubbing the scratch is completely disappeared. But it le...