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How To: Use old tennis balls

Tennis balls aren't just for playing tennis, so when you are getting ready to trash those tennis balls… DON'T. There are many different uses you can find for them, from donating them to fluffing up laundry. Recycle them using these 7 helpful tips.

How To: Polish aluminum

Aluminum isn't one of the prettiest of metals, but it's actually one of the easiest to keep clean, if you know what to do. If your aluminum is looking tarnished, try this quick solution to revitalizing the glare. Mix equal parts water and cream of tartar and apply with a rag. Shiny!

How To: Extend the life of a steel wool pad

Steel wool can be used from a ton of things, like creating fire, but the main use of steel wool pads is cleaning. They're great for getting things spotless that can handle the rough abrasiveness of the material. But what if your steel wool has gone rusty? Instead of instantly buying new ones, next time, wrap it in foil and stick it in the freezer after using it, and it won't corrode. Nice!

How To: Plant narcissus bulbs

In this tutorial, we learn how to plant narcissus bulbs. To pick out the best bulbs, look for a nice healthy sprout and a nice firm bulb. These plants grow very fast and they grow during the winter. You can plant these and within 2-4 weeks you will have flowers growing. You can plant either a small or large bulb, just make sure it's healthy. To plant these, you can either grow them in rocks and water or soil. To grow in soil, place the bulb all the way into the soil then pour water into the p...

How To: Clean a concrete driveway with tips from Lowe's

Mike Kraft tells us how to clean a concrete driveway in this video. The driveway can collect a lot of different stains, which can lead to deterioration. Pressure washing is the best way to clean a brick or concrete driveway. You will first need to place detergent onto the driveway, then use the pressure washer to clean off the ground. You will also need grease remover if you have grease stains that are on your driveway. If you have a low pressure washer, hold the stream closer to the ground, ...

How To: Blank out and finish a drywall

In order to blank out and finish a drywall, you will need the following: a large putty knife and mud. You should begin at the top. Lay on a thin layer of mud. Put a little on your putty knife. Place your putty knife in the crevice, where the ceiling meets the wall and pull it down. Repeat. Do this, until you cover your working area. Then, go back over where you started and feather it. You will need to smooth it and even it out, without distressing the area that you did first. When you finish ...

How To: Remove root suckers from trees

In this tutorial, we learn how to remove root suckers from trees with Lee Reich. The root suckers will take the energy from the tree, outgrow the tree, and destroy the tree. The easiest way to get rid of these is to just tug them and remove them from the tree, which will result in no regrowth. For suckers that have been developing for a long time, it's going to be harder to remove. To avoid these, make sure you remove them two to three times a year. You can also cut off root suckers at their ...

How To: Prune pine shrubs or trees

In order to prune pine shrubs or trees, you will need the following: pruning sheers. Conifers can be pruned, whenever they aren't growing. Pruning when a plant is actively growing will retard the growth. Therefore, if you need to restrict the height of a tree or shrub, then you would prune it, when it is in active phase. New bud formation will begin at the point where you trim. Future trimming should be done where new bud growth is found.

How To: Light up your ceiling without recess lighting

This video tutorial is in the Home & Garden category which will show you how to light up your ceiling without recess lighting. Tamara Maslar shows two easy lighting projects to brighten up your living room. The first project is lanterns. You will need paper lanterns, assorted fabrics, some screws with hooks at the ends, a glue gun with sticks, fishing line, 40W bulbs, extension cords and light kits. Put three screw hooks on the ceiling. Prepare the lanterns by fixing the bulbs to the light ki...

How To: Paint clay pots for gardening

In this video, we learn how to paint clay pots for gardening with Michelle Gervais. All you need is: acrylic paints, brushes, plastic paint, cup of water, paper towels, and clay pots. First, put a base coat on your pot before you place your design onto it. This is easiest done with a foam brush, and without using any water. This will dry quickly, but take a lot of paint to fully cover the entire pot. When the paint is dry, you can now start to paint on your design! You can put stripes, flower...

How To: Refinish and paint cabinets

In this tutorial, we learn how to refinish and paint cabinets. Start off by grabbing a fresh brush and dipping it into your favorite color of paint. Next, brush the outer edge of the cabinets, brushing off the corner instead of in the corner, which will create a mess. Now, paint the entire outside of the cabinet, making sure to paint more heavily in the parts of the cabinet that has gaps and creases in it. Next, apply a new layer but paint very smoothly so you don't get any bubbles or brush m...

How To: Collect fern spores for propagation

In this tutorial, we learn how to collect fern spores with Nancy Swell. If you turn a fern over, you will see the spores on the back of them. The green spores are green and will not shed from the plant. You will first need to collect the fern leaves and place them in an envelope so they dry out and the spores are released. When they are dried, you will see a substance that looks like dirt in your envelope. When finished, separate the light spores from the dark ones, and use how you wish. Make...

How To: Oil a paper shredder

In this video, we learn how to oil a paper shredder. You will want to oil this every time you have to dump out the waste basket of your shredder. A good way to oil it is to grab the oil and make a zig zag shape on a piece of paper, then place it into the shredder. It's good to do this because the shredder teeth are made out of metal and need to be oiled, or they will start to not work correctly. Make sure you purchase oil that is made for shredders, or you could put the wrong type and ruin yo...

How To: Reinforce a ceiling fan

In this tutorial, we learn how to reinforce a ceiling fan. If you are hanging a ceiling fan, you need to make sure the electrical box is reinforced and can carry the weight. The ceiling fan can weigh 20 lbs or more. First, remove the existing ceiling box and push the wiring through. Next, push the bracket through the hole until it's completely in. Next, twist the brace until it's tight. After this, put the bracket in and then take your electrical box and line it up to the bracket so you can s...

How To: Install an insulated basement floor

In this tutorial, Mat Weber teaches us how to install a basement floor. Start with an insulated subfloor system, top it with cork panels, and then top it with easy to install carpet squares. First, you will install OSB subfloor panels, these will protect against moisture extreme and can be applied directly over concrete. When you have finished installing these, apply cork panels to the top of the subfloor and press down so these don't come up and are packed down hard. When finished with this,...

How To: Prune hybrid tea roses

In this tutorial, we learn how to prune hybrid tea roses with Peter Kukielski. When pruning, look at the entire plant and cut the upper branches to simplify the plant. You will remove the bush down to 12 or 14 inches. If you have a lot of branching, reduce them by trimming at the bottom and another branch will grow in where that was. Also, remove any buds that are swollen and aren't going to grow out. You can also trim off any interior growing buds that are growing the wrong way. If you notic...

How To: Pinch coleus plants

In this tutorial, we learn how to pinch coleus plants. This plant is great for containers and the garden, but you need to pinch it for it to become more full. If it's not pinched, it will grow straight up without and lateral branching. To do this, pinch off the stem right at the base of the stem. You can do this with a pruner or your fingernails. So, instead of one stem coming from the middle, two stems will come up from separate sides. You can be rough with this plant and pinch the stem many...

How To: Unclog a sink in the bathroom or kitchen

In this Home & Garden video tutorial you will learn how to unclog a sink in the bathroom or kitchen. It's extremely simple. Put a bowl under the U joint. Unscrew the plunger rod located under the sink and pull it out. Then remove the sink blocker and remove any dirt from inside the pipe. Now unscrew the PVC U joint at both ends and remove it. This can be done with your hands. Most of the time this part is clogged. Clean it up. Then clean up the pipe coming down from the sink. Look from top an...

How To: Make a Milk Jug Green House

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a mini greenhouse milk jug. Begin by cutting the milk jug in half. Make sure to leave one side uncut, leaving the top of the jug on. Then pour some potting soil into the milk jug and plant some seeds into the soil. Make sure to plant the seeds deep into the soil and then pour some water onto the soil. Now tape down the top of the milk jug. This video will benefit those viewers who enjoy planting and gardening, and would like to learn how to ma...

How To: Fix a leaky faucet in the kitchen

In this video, we learn how to fix a leaky faucet in the kitchen. This is for a faucet that is leaking around the handle. You will want to start off by figuring out what type of faucet you have, and get the proper parts and repair tools for it. Next, you will need to turn off the water that goes into your faucet, and then remove the hardware from the top. Once you get to the inside of the faucet head, put the replacement part in and then turn your water back on. Now, test your faucet to see i...

How To: Sharpen your chainsaw with a hand file

In this tutorial, we learn how to sharpen your chainsaw with a hand file. First, take the cover off of the chainsaw and jam something into place so the chain stays in place. Put gloves on before you touch the chain, and use a hand file to file down on the chain. Look for the shortest tooth and put the file in, holding it well and giving it two or three strokes. When filing, be consistent on each different tooth you are sharpening. You will be able to feel the blade being taken off. You might ...

How To: Pack pots and pans for storage or movement

Moving is such a hassle! Packing is a big job but this video shows and easy way to pack out pots and pans. You will need 4-5 cubit foot cartons. You can get these from your mover or you can purchase them from a moving company. You will also want to get clean newsprint, packing tape, a moving blanket, and a permanent ink marker. Prepare your 4-5 foot carton by putting crushed paper on the bottom. This will act as a cushion for the pots and pans. Put the moving blanket or a protected pad on the...

How To: Replace bathtub sealant or caulk with Rob Hazelton

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to replace caulk on a bathtub. Begin by placing a fresh blade into a utility knife. Then use the knife to cut out the old caulk. You want to make 2 cuts. The first cut with the knife plying flat on the edge of the tub. The second cut with the knife tip up at about a 45 degree angle. This will allow most of the caulk to come out in one piece. For any remaining caulk, take a razor blade and scrape it off. To remove any remaining mildew, apply 6 ounces o...

How To: Divide ornamental grasses

In this Home & Garden video tutorial you will learn how to divide ornamental grasses. Daryl Beyers in this video says that spring is the right time for this activity and you'll need a sharp knife or, even a chain saw for this. When a bunch of grass starts to become sparse in the middle, it's about time to divide. The first step is to dig the entire grass out of the ground. It will take some amount of effort to do this. After this is done, take a sharp knife or a chain saw and divide the bunch...

How To: Start a STIHL chainsaw

In this video, we learn how to start a STIHL chainsaw. First, remember never to start your saw by drop or throw starting it. The safest ways to start are to start it on the ground or standing up. To start it on the ground, find a firm and flat area free of any obstacles. Always make sure there are no people in the immediate area. Now, press your foot into the handle and grasp the handle with your left hand and the starter handle with your right. To stand while starting a chainsaw, do the same...

How To: Make a cigar box clock

This video tutorial is in the Home & Garden category which will show you how to make a cigar box clock. The parts used for this project are a cigar box, quartz clock movement and hands for the clock. The tools needed are a drill bit and pliers or a wrench. Take your cigar box drill a hole in the center with a drill bit and put the time markers on it as shown in the video. The size of the hole will depend on the shaft diameter of the clock movement. Now fix the clock movement from inside the b...

How To: Get rid of wasps and hornets without chemicals

In this tutorial, we learn how to get rid of wasps and hornets without using chemicals. Take a piece of bacon and wrap it around a stick. Then secure that stick by hanging it over a bowl of water with dish soap on it. The bacon will entice the bees to come towards it. Then, the bees will eat so much bacon they will have a hard time flying and they will end up flying down into the bowl of water. Then, the soap will make them be able not to fly and they will drown in the water. This is very eff...

How To: Remove blood stains from fabric

Johnathan E. Stewart shows us how to remove blood stains from fabric in this tutorial. Your first step right after blood gets on your clothes is to rinse it with warm water and pat a wash cloth with soap and water on it. If the stain is more set in, grab hydrogen peroxide, soap, and water, then mix together and pat onto the stain. If all else fails, you can use ammonia with water on the stain. When you're finished cleaning the stain, throw it into the washer immediately, with stain remover mi...

How To: Sand and Repair Drywall

In order to sand and repair drywall, you will need the following: 100 grit sanding sponge. After you have applied mud to the walls evenly, you will need to sand the walls until they are smooth. Hopefully, you minimized or mitigated most of the need for sanding in the application of the mud, by using feathering and thin layering. When the mud is completely dry, you will need to choose a good sander. It is recommended that you use a 100 grit sanding sponge. Place the sponge against the wall, an...

How To: Pack glass for storage or moving

In this video, we learn how to properly pack glass for moving. Make sure you have a table or work area that has a furniture pad on it. Now, place packing paper onto the bottom of a box carton for glasses and china. Glass should be on the top of the box while plates should be placed at the bottom. Put the glasses into a rolled piece of paper until secured, then place upside down into the box. When finished, add crushed paper to the top of the first layer to avoid any glass from breaking. Make ...

How To: Refinish hardwood floors in your home

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to refurnish hardwood floors. Using a drum or belt sander, begin by cutting 36 grit abrasive. Then remove all the old finish marks and scratches from the main body of the floor. Using an edge sander, do the same thing. Now vacuum the floor and then repeat the process once again with both sanding machines, except use 50 grit abrasive this time. For the third time, use 80 grit abrasive and 100 grit abrasive for the fourth time. Remember to vacuum each t...

How To: Build a greenhouse to grow flowers or vegetables

In this tutorial, we learn how to build a greenhouse to grow flowers or vegetables. A greenhouse means the growing season doesn't have to end. You should plan the greenhouse out on paper before you begin, and allow space for walkways, location, and more. Make sure you can afford one and know that it will cost more for you to keep the climate in this preferable to grow plants. You can put a number of different glasses on the greenhouse, so pick which one you can afford and prefer the most. Pla...

How To: Replace a primer bulb easily

Many homeowners may not realize it, but primer bulbs are important for getting an engine cold started. Many people tend not to use it, but when it comes time and the machine doesn't start, then they it's important to have a primer bulb ready. Since they're plastic, they can wear out easily or even crack.

How To: Let Mother Nature take care of roses during winter

Every time fall rolls around, gardeners tend to take their time when pruning plants in their garden. Roses are the most commonly pruned plants during the fall since many are trying to help protect them before the cold winter months arrive. But it's sometimes best to listen to Mother Nature on when is the best time to prune.