Hot Home & Garden How-Tos

How To: Punch down a 24 port patch panel

Jim teaches us how to punch down a 24 port patch panel in this tutorial. You will need: cable scissors, a punch down tool, and 24 port patch panel. Now, strip the cable by cutting it and stripping down the wires. Now, attach the wires to the port punch panel by following the pattern of where the different colors are at. When you have these connected, use the punching tool to punch the wires down, then it will cut off the excess wire from the panel. When this is all done, you will want to tie ...

How To: Grow strawberries easily in a container

In this tutorial, we learn how to grow strawberries easily in a container. First, you will need your refrigerated bare root strawberries laid out in front of you. Next, prepare your soil by using a high quality potting mix and adding 1/3 compost to the mixture. Take your soil and place it into a plastic bin, then add in some water. Mix the water with a trowel, then place your soil into a strawberry jar up to the first row of pockets. Next, plant your strawberries into the pockets on the side ...

How To: Make wood roof shingles by hand

In this video, we learn how to make wood roof shingles by hand. Start off with round oak wood, then split it with a splitting axe. Then, use a mallet to split them out further. Make sure to use clean and straight grained oak to do this. Now, remove the bark from the wood and split into thin sheets. Then, place into a cleaver brake and use a mallet to split down the different wood shingles. From each piece of wood, you should get 4-5 different shingles. When finished, you can hammer these toge...

How To: Prepare your home for winter snow fall

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to winterize their home. Users should begin by cleaning the gutters on the side of their house. Scoop out all the debris and seal it with caulk. Then change the batteries of the smoke detector and clean it. It must be replaced if it is over 10 years old. Prepare the lawn mower for the spring season by sharpening the blades, clean it and drain all the gas out. It is a good idea to trim off the shrubs and trees. This video will benefit those viewers who...

How To: Make a traditional trug

The trugs are made from finished birch and lamium (sp)birch plywood. 1 inch wide and 4 millimeters thick plywood in three thickness. Laminate three pieces together to make a handle. Make a rim in the same way. It is made in two halves, put in a drying rack overnight and then trimmed and pinned together at the side with solid brass pins which won't rust. They are placed in a former where the boards are plced into the trug. The boards are 1 1/2 millimeter aircraft ply. The handle and rim are so...

How To: Get rid of Japanese beetles

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to get rid of Japanese beetles. This task is very easy, fast and simple to do. Begin by filling a bucket with some water and liquid soap. Then simply shake the leaves and catch the beetles in the bucket. Another way to is attach a funnel on top of the bucket's lid. Place a 4 wall trap on top of the funnel. This will allow the beetles to instantly fall through the funnel when they hit the wall. This video will benefit those viewers who have a backyard ...

How To: Layout and plan your drywall

In this tutorial, we learn how to lay out and plan your drywall with Myron Ferguson. First, check the wall to make sure there is proper access inside to see what layout you're dealing with. Next, plan out what kind of materials you are going to have to deal with. Measure the ceiling and windows that are in the building and do the math to figure out how much drywall you need. Next, check for possible problems with the wall, so you can make sure your drywall will attach correctly and not pop ou...

How To: Make a window valance

In this tutorial, we learn how to make a window valance. If you have a drop down shade, a valance will help cover up the hardware that is located underneath it. Start out with your choice of fabric, then add in 1 inch to the top, bottom and sides. Next, line the fabric and place Velcro on the top. Now, use a wrap around and mark where you want to fold the fabric in at. After this, sew the valance and then use the Velcro to stick it onto the metal part of the drapes. When finished, enjoy your ...

How To: Make your own laundry soap

In this tutorial, we learn how to make laundry soap. First, grate soap up into a large bowl. After this, pour the soap into a large pot. Add in 6 c water, then heat this up on medium heat for 40 minutes, not letting the soap boil. Next, add in washing soda and borax into the pot and mix together until well combined and dissolved. By now, the heat should be off so the mixture doesn't come to a boil. Now, dump your mixture into a large bucket and then add in 1.5 gallons of water. Over time, thi...

How To: Create a mid-century modern wood wall hanging piece

Remember summer camp? Remember the smell of the log cabins? The feel of the treated wood? Well, you can create something for your home that's perfect for a nostalgic summer camp aesthetic. Meg Allen Cole (recently of Threadbanger) was inspired to make this mid-century modern wall hanging piece made from a small wooden log (or branch) when she was at a relaxing, wooded vacation spot in Maine. And she shows you how to make one, too!

How To: Make nitrogen enriched manure tea for garden plants

Are your plants dying? Are they in dire need of some fertilizer? Is your compost not cutting it anymore? Well, save your garden plants with this recipe for nitrogen rich manure tea fertilizer. It's a really easy all natural fertilizer anyone can make. You can collect manure in your pasture or buy it by the bag at a garden center. You can also reuse the manure over and over again. Keep chemicals out of your garden and go green!

How To: Replace the cable rewind on a Dyson DC05 vacuum

If you're having a hard time with your cable rewind on a Dyson DC05 vacuum cleaner, this tutorial should help you out. In this tutorial, you'll find out how to replace the cable rewind using a few tools. It doesn't take that long to replace and will make things much easier when cleaning up around the house. So check out the tutorial above and enjoy!

How To: Replace the actuators and springs on a Dyson DC05

If you're having a hard time with turning your machine on and off, you may have a problem with the actuator and spring. In this tutorial for the Dyson DC05, you'll find out how to replace the actuators and springs to your vacuum cleaner. It doesn't take much to replace, just a few parts and pieces. So good luck, pay attention, and enjoy!

How To: Replace both filters on a Dyson DC25 easily

If you own a Dyson DC25 and haven't replaced or cleaned the filters, then check out this video. It's important to clean the filter on your vacuum cleaner because not only does it help to keep dust and other particles out of your motor, it also makes sure that none of that stuff is spwed back out onto your floor.

How To: Grow wheatgrass in your home garden

Interested in growing your own wheatgrass? This gardener's guide will show you how it's done. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this clip can present a complete overview of the process in just over a minute and a half minutes' time. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, watch this video.

How To: Grow tomatoes upside down in a bucket

Interested in less-conventional container gardening methods? Say, growing tomatoes upside-down in a bucket? This video will show you how it's done! It's easy. So easy, in fact, that this clip can present a complete overview of the process in about 7 minutes' time. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Use natural products to clean your home without toxins

We all want to spic and span our kitchen countertops, our tile floors, and our bathrooms. But for the most part we can bet you've been unwittingly using storebought detergent cleaners or bleach. While these cleaners are in fact excellent at removing grime and buffing your dirty floors to a Midas touch perfection, they also come filled to the brim with known cancer-causing agents, synthetic chemicals, and other gnarly, hard to pronounce crap.

How To: Choose colors that you won't get tired of in your home

Choosing paint colors for the living room or wallpaper for the bedroom can be tough. How do you know you won't get sick of it? Well, this video will help you choose the colors that will fit you best. Learn how to choose colors that you won't get tired of in your home. If you're looking for a magical color palette, forget about it. Everyone gets tired of the colors of their clothes, and some people weary of their hair color. That's only natural. So the bottom line is: decorating with color isn...

How To: Fold a towel the correct way

Folding a towel might not seem that hard, but there are those out there hay have never done. Those are the type of people that throw their clean clothes directly on the ground, right next to their dirty clothes. They've never heard of "folding". But eventually, they'll need to acquire the skill. And the perfect start… towels. This video shows you the precise steps to folding a towel the correct way. Watch and learn. And put your clothes away!

How To: Preserve and dry herbs

In this tutorial, we learn how to preserve and dry herbs. First, you will want to cut your herbs fresh from the garden. Next, use scissors to cut the herbs into small pieces. After this, place the herbs on a piece of wax paper on a plate. Now, place the plate into the microwave on half power for three minutes. Look at the herbs to see what they look like when they come out of the microwave. If there is still moisture in them, place them in a microwave again. Adjust the power and time you cook...

How To: Clean and repair gutters with Lowe's

In this tutorial, we learn how to clean and repair gutters with Mike Kraft. Damaged gutters can mean leaking roofs with water dripping everywhere. To fix this, you will need: buckets, a shovel, gutter sealant, a trowel, wire hooks, garden hose, nozzle, and gloves. First, place your ladder up to your house so you can easily reach the gutters, being careful not to touch any electrical wires. Next, clean the debris out of the gutter with the trowel and place into a plastic bucket. When finished,...

How To: Install dual exhaust on your tractor

In this tutorial, we learn how to install dual exhaust on your tractor! First, find the exhaust strip on the tractor, then detach the muffler and slip the regular pipe into the muffler. After this, get a 3/4" pipe and slip it up into the other pipe and well around it. It should come to the bottom of the tractor. Next, take a bushing and connect it to the elbow pipe. Connect a short pipe and connector to this, then connect a long straight pipe that goes into the dead center of the bottom of th...

How To: Reset your home garbage disposal

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to reset a garbage disposal. Begin by making sure that the garbage disposal is turned off. Then look for a red button underneath the garbage disposal. This red button is the reset button. If the button is pushed out, push it back in to reset the unit. If it still will not start, look down the sink hole for any obvious obstructions. Another solution is to insert the included wrench into the center of the unit. Then turn it 1/4 - 1/2 turn. This video wi...