Hot Home & Garden How-Tos

How To: Replace the controls to a Hotpoint washing machine

One of the most damaged parts of a washing machine can be the controls. This is an important part of the machine as it helps determine how much water is needed in the machine and how the clothes should be washed. This tutorial is going to show you how easy it can be to replace the controls on a Hotpoint machine. So check it out, be safe, and enjoy!

How To: Replace the cable and reel on a Hetty or Henry vacuum

If you own a Numatic vacuum cleaner and have a problem with the cable and reel, then this tutorial may be for you. In the video, you'll find out how to easily replace them on a Hetty or Henry vacuum. It's easy to do and will result in a much more easier to clean up machine. These vacuums can be used for many years. So good luck, pay attention, and enjoy!

How To: Replace the a Whirlpool oven lamp easily

Checking the status of your meal is a good idea, especially if you want to use less energy. Oven lamps make this easy, by offering a view of what's going on inside your appliance. But when the bulb goes out, then you have a little problem on your hands. Opening the oven door is easy, but you allow a great amount of heat to leave resulting in energy loss.

How To: Install a kitchen backsplash with glass tile accents

This video tutorial is in the Home & Garden category where you will learn how to install a kitchen backsplash with glass tile accents. A tile can be attached to walls with the help of mastic. It doesn't require mixing and it is stronger than mortar. Before applying mastic, sand the wall surface lightly. Don't sand away the paint. Clean the surface with damp cloth. Layout the tile pattern below the space and measure the dimensions. Do the marking on the wall of the centerline. Apply a thin lay...

How To: Drywall your attic & loft with Fermacell

In this tutorial, we learn how to drywall your attic & loft with Fermacell. First, you need to consider the nature of your build and how much you will need to drywall. It is recommended that you install a film to ensure air tightness. You can place this down with a staple gun and tape it down as well. Large holes should be properly sealed as well, to enforce building regulations. Once you do this, you can add the boards on top of what has already been installed. Insulation will be now place o...

How To: Make picture frames for vinyl record covers

This video tutorial is in the Home & Garden category where you will learn how to make picture frames for vinyl record covers. These frames do not use nails or clips to hold the covers. The covers slide in and out of the frames so that they can be changed easily. For this you will need 4 pieces of wood 3/4" thick, ¼" wide and 14" long. First you sand all the pieces. Then you set up your router and the rabbeting bit to cut out the four wooden pieces. Now you need to make indentations on the to...

How To: Build your own windmill with household materials

In this Home & Garden video tutorial you will learn how to build your own windmill with household materials. Materials needed for the windmill are a template, scissors, straw, some yarn, some pennies, a paper cup, rubber bands, pencil, single hole punch, a skewer and thumb tacks. Take the template, cut it out along the solid lines and punch holes on the corners as shown in the video. Now with a thumbtack and a pencil make a nice hole at the center of the template. Fold the template along the ...

How To: Replace bathtub caulk with the Master Handyman

In this tutorial, we learn how to replace bathtub caulk. First, fill your bathtub halfway full with water, then grab your caulk and caulking removal tool. After you have done these steps, apply your caulk remover. Next, scrape it with the remover tool. After this, use bleach and a toothbrush to remove any excess. Now, use rubbing alcohol on a towel to clean the edges of the bathtub. After this, apply mold resistant caulk, then smooth it evenly. Next, wipe the excess caulk with a clean washrag...

How To: Use a jigsaw with Lowe's

In this tutorial, we learn how to use a jigsaw. First, measure and mark the size of the circle you need to cut. You can use a compass or trace around a round object. Now, place your wood off of a table and clamp it into a place. Now, drill a starter hold inside the circle and put on your protective glasses. Now, place the saw in the starter hole and saw half way up, or to where you feel comfortable. After this, reposition yourself, then continue on. Make sure you don't force the saw, just let...

How To: Prune roses in the spring

In this video, we learn how to prune roses in the spring. When you prune the roses, you want to cut the branches with shears at the bottom of the plant. Cut any of the dead parts that you see before the flowers start to grow back. If you see any short stubs that haven't and won't grow out, trim those off as well. Leave any healthy branches to keep growing, but trim the tops of them. When you finish, you should end with just a few branches left that are ready for the new growing season. Remove...

How To: Install a ceramic or porcelain tile floor with Lowe's

In this tutorial, we learn how to install a ceramic tile floor. Before installing, you need to prepare a solid base. First, you want to take off the trim, then calculate the area of the room. Prepare the floor by inspecting low or high spots. You will want to apply mortar, then set the backer boards into place. Screw these into place, then finish covering the floor with seam tape. Apply mortar over these then let dry. Now, you can start laying your tile onto the top of this! Once you are fini...

How To: Punch down a 12 port patch panel

In this video, we learn how to punch down a 12 port patch panel. Start off by grabbing your cable and using scissors to cut off the outer covering of the cable. Next, use the wire scissors to cut off the end of the wires (about 1-2 inches). After this, place the stripped down wires into the appropriate spots that correspond to the colors that are on the 12 port patch panel. After you finished this, you will need to grab your punch down tool. Use this tool to push down on the wires, then it wi...

How To: Fold a t-shirt using cardboard

In this tutorial, we learn how to fold a t-shirt using cardboard. First, cut out a piece of cardboard so the it's 72 cm x 25 cm, and make sure it's completely flat. Next, place two flaps on the side of the cardboard and one underneath. Now, place your shirt inside of it and fold the top down, then the sides. After this, fold up the bottom and you will have a nicely pressed and folded shirt! This will save you time over folding the shirt by yourself and it will also come out more nicely than f...

How To: Screw drywall to studs with a drywall screwgun

Bob Schmidt teaches us how to screw drywall to studs with a drywall screw gun. A countersink bit is a great option to help you screw drywall studs in. This will fit in a variable speed drill for setting counters and drywall. Use a DeWalt screw gun, which is specifically made to install drywall. It has a clutch driven head with different adjustments on the head for different screws. The gun should be inexpensive and doesn't have a very large motor, so it's perfect for a homeowner. If you just ...

How To: Make a butter knife out of sycamore wood

In this tutorial, we learn how to make a butter knife out of sycamore wood. First, you will take a log then you would split it in half. After this, cleave off a flap off of this. Next, take a knife to flatten it out. Take the width down so it isn't thick anymore. Use a knife to sharpen out the knife so it will be sharp enough to cut into something. Mark the shape so it is in an arrow shape, then make the end of it into a handle shape so you can hold it. When finished, you will have a homemade...

How To: Make your own extension cord caddy out of a bucket

In this tutorial, we learn how to make an extension cord caddy out of a bucket. First, you will need an old bucket that you aren't using for anything else. Then, drill a 1" hole into the bucket on the bottom with a drill. Then, feed your extension cord through the hole in the bottom and place your extension cord in the bucket for transport. You can also place tools you need into the bucket. This is a lot more convenient than having to run around to pick up different tools. This is also a grea...

How To: Install a butt hinge mortise

If you've been working on a project and need to know how to put up a door using a butt hinge, this video should help. In the tutorial, The Wood Whisperer, will let you know what tools you'll need to determine how to properly install a butt hinge mortise. Installing it incorrectly can result in an off balance door and can be tedious to try and fix. So check out the video for more information, take notes, and good luck!

How To: Make a beautiful wood rainstick

If you ever wanted to make your own rainstick from scratch, you've clicked the right video. In this tutorial, you'll be taken step-by-step on what supplies you'll need to make this cool looking trinket. It can take up to a day or less depending on your level of handiness in the garage, so check out the video, take notes, and enjoy!

How To: Recycle old windows into new decorations

In this video, we learn how to recycle old windows into new decorations. First, you can make a coffee table by using the old window and adding legs onto the bottom of it. You can also place a box around the bottom and hinge the window to make a display case. This is simple to make and doesn't cost much, you only need to pay for the legs of the table! You can also use the window to make a pot rack, but make sure you have strong hooks in the ceiling to hold the rack tightly and it will be able ...

How To: Design a fall centerpiece in a watering can for a home

In this tutorial, we learn how to design a fall centerpiece in a watering can for a home. Start off by cutting branches off of a willow and placing it into a watering can. Next, arrange Japanese lanterns around. After this, cut alstromeria and seeded eucalyptus and place them around the can where you feel they fit best. The best part of this arrangement is that you can arrange it however you want! You can add different types of fall flowers and add more or less of flowers you prefer. When fin...

How To: Style an old yamadori bonsai

The previous owner chose this view. The trunk is naturally hollow. Dead wood is coming toward us. Branches are coming to the back so we will have to do some manipulation. The two parts of deadwood play together in an interesting dance. The piece of deadwood can be improved and the branches can be moved more to this side of the tree as a front. This is what we'll go with. (Using various tools, the bark is removed from the left side deadwood). Height has been added to the branches. Lots of torn...

How To: Use a stud finder to locate your wall studs

In this tutorial, we learn how to use a stud finder to locate your wall studs. First, you will use your stud finder tool and place it against a wall. It will go off when it has found the edge of a stud. Place the finder against the wall then slowly move it until the red light on the top beeps. Move it around to make sure you know exactly where the stud would be located. The finder will go off wherever the edges of the studs are to help you pinpoint exactly where the stud is. You could get wro...

How To: Take sticky labels off easily

In this tutorial, we learn how to take sticky labels off easily. All you need to do this is a blow dryer. First, set your dryer to the highest heat setting possible, then blow the air onto your label for 2-3 minutes. Keep the heat in constant contact with the label, then after a few minutes, you will be able to pull the label off right away. You can use this on anything from lotion bottles and aspirin bottles to water bottles and plastic containers! This is a great way to remove the labels wi...

How To: Fix a sticky cast iron pan

If your cast iron pan is sticky, you will need to place the pan on top of the stove. Turn the heat on high for 30 seconds to less than one minute. Then, turn it down to medium heat. This will loosen up the oil. Then, you'll need to buff out the creases and the spots. Place a little oil in the pan, approximately 1 tablespoon. Spread the oil around with a paper towel. Continue smoothing the pan. You may need to get a new paper towel, if it gets to hot.

How To: Make light using a stepper motor generator

In this tutorial, we learn how to make light using a stepper motor generator. First, take the motor out of an old printer that you don't use anymore. After this, find a few LED lights. You will need to solder the LED lights, then connect them with a soldering iron to the printer motor. Now connect these to a generator, and the light should now shine so that you can see in the dark! This won't use any additional electricity, so you are helping the environment. All of the pieces used to make th...

How To: Use micro-misters for drip irrigation systems

Micro misters allow for low volume of water over a wide area. They give good moisture coverage. Systems can be pulled up, changed and made into what you need it to be. Keep potted plants separate from other plants. They should have their own system. There is a system to encourage growth of root systems of various plants. Shrubs get two emitters in case one clogs up, the plant still has moisture. Having the water at the base of the plant limits weed growth. There is a temporary system to get t...