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How To: Build a hoophouse

Hoophouses (or high tunnels) are unheated greenhouses that are becoming increasingly popular with home gardeners and farmers eager to extend the growing season. In this two part series, learn how to make one of your own. Adam Montri is the hoophouse specialist for Michigan State University and in this tutorial, he takes you through all of the necessary steps for building one.

How To: Recycle a milk carton into a tabletop lantern

In this video tutorial, viewers will learn how to make a milk carton lantern. This lantern uses recycled items. The materials required for this lamp are: a milk carton, unryu paper, colored newspaper, raffia, ruler, glue gun, hole puncher, X-acto knife, glue stick and scissors. Flatten the milk carton. Draw a rectangle with each panel and measure about 1/2" form each of the sides. Measure about 3/4" from bottom and top. Cut out the rectangles with the X-acto knife. Glue the newspaper to the c...

How To: Repot a plant into a larger container

This video from Lowe's shows you how to successfully repot a plant into a larger container. You will know it is time to repot your plant when the roots are visible on the surface, or when they start growing through the drainage hole. If you need to repot one of your plants into a larger container, simply follow these steps: You will need a clean pot that is no more than two sizes larger than the old one. Place a wire mesh or pieces of broken clay pot over the drainage hole. Add a layer of pot...

How To: Spray paint Ikea furniture for a girl's bedroom

The video demonstrates the way of converting a plain IKEA cabinet for a girl's bedroom using spray paint. The person presenting us the video uses a pink all-purpose spray paint from Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch. The cabinet to be painted is dismantled and placed on a table. The person recommends to shake the paint spray bottle well before using it. First she paints the cabinet body and then the two cabinet doors using the pink spray paint. Once the spraying is complete, she lets it dry well and...

How To: Clear up office clutter

It's easy to find yourself drowning in a pile of papers and nick-nacks if you're not armed with a good organization system. By taking the time to set up a system where everything is condensed and has a place you'll find it much easier to keep it that way.

How To: Make your own solid pipe clamp hold-down

In this video "A better way" presenter Chuck Miller demonstrates a method of how to create a job site pipe holder (clamp hold-down) as opposed to a c-clamp, bar clamp or blocks of wood. It involves use of a pipe flange of the same diameter as the pipe being held. It shows you how to drill a hole into the top of your workbench and install the pipe flange. The video finally demonstrates how to use the pipe clamp in order to install a work-piece and clear the clutter from your work bench. The ti...

How To: Unclog your sink easily

This is a do-it-yourself video of how to unclog your sink when it is clogged up. First plug the sink stopper so that no water flows into the drain. Now place a bucket below the U-bend and remove the bend by rotating the coupler. If there is any water in the bend it will fall into the bucket. Remove the clogging waste with the help of a twizzer or any other contraption. Check if the vertical pipe from the sink is clogged or the outlet in the wall. Clean all the venerable point so that it allow...

How To: Apply a deep red mahogany finish to furniture

Add shimmer and color to your wood furniture with a Deep Red Mahogany Finish. Watch as The Wood Whisper's Marc Spagnuolo shows you how to apply this look to anything wood in your home. First Marc tells you about narrowing down whether or not you have to mask the wood or enhance the wood. After you figure that out you must choose how to color your wood. There are stains, oils, dyes and more! Marc chooses both a Merlot General Finishes Water Based Dye and Brown Mahogany General Finishes Gel Sta...

How To: Build a punching bag out of trash

In this video, Danny Lipford will show you how to make a punching bag with trash found at a construction site. First, a circle of plywood is cut out about one foot in diameter (in this video, a bucket is traced in pencil over the plywood). This is for the base of the punching bag. A large piece of PVC pipe is used for the center of the punching bag, which carpet padding is wrapped around to makeup the main part of the bag. Finally, duct tape is wrapped around the whole thing. Out of these ver...

How To: Organize & unclutter your closet

In this how-to video, you will learn how to organize your closet. You will need motivation first and foremost in order to fully go through with this project. The closet of course is the best way to motivate yourself to clean your entire house. First start by getting rid of the items you do not wear or do not like anymore. You can easily get rid of things you do not love by doing this. Next, purchase matching hangars. You can even just rework what hangars you are currently hanging. Items such ...

How To: Build a gravity retaining wall

This video shows us how to build a gravity wall with Allen Blocks. In order to do this, place blocks on top of the base course. You want to make sure that the bottom notch is tight against the front lip of the blocks underneath. Sliding them into place removes any present debris. Running bond is ideal; however, if that is not possible, offset them by a quarter of a block. After making sure the blocks are straight, fill the hollow blocks (and 12 inches behind them) with wall rock. Then smooth ...

How To: Make your own professional looking jewelry box

A jewelry box is not just a great way to keep your jewels safe, it is also a beautiful addition to your decor. In this video, learn how to make a gorgeous, professional looking jewelry box from walnut, maple and cherry woods. This in depth, seven piece series takes you from selecting your wood, through the finishing touches. These boxes are lovely enough to compete with anything on a store shelf.

How To: Fold a fitted sheet for perfect storage

Folding fitted sheets is always trickier than folding a conventional rectangular sheet. First, throw the sheet onto the bed. Then use your hands to tuck all the corners in on themselves. Then lay the sheet back down and straighten it. It makes a horseshoe shape with its elastic. Then fold one corner over the top so that all your elastic hangs over one hand. With the other hand grab the other corner so you can lay it down flat in a half moon shape with all the elastic together in one place. Th...

How To: Make mini cotton candy for a doll & dollhouse

Use a q-tip (ones for little kids will have a larger base, but are not required). Put a few drops of red food coloring in a glass of water and stir it up as necessary. Dip q-tip in red water, get it nice and saturated. Remove q-tip and let sit overnight. Cut q-tip in half, then take a small rectangle of paper, apply glue from glue stick to one side, then make a small fold from a corner and roll (this may take some work). Use scissors to cut down to the correct size. Next rub q-tip's cotton si...

How To: Lay tile in the bathroom

This video is from DannyLipford and covers the proper technique to lay tile in the bathroom. The first step is to lay some chalk lines to find the exact center spot of the room. The first tile will be put down diagonally so that the corners sit on the four chalk lines. Next the mastic is put down on the floor for the first tile and the tile is set into place. The process repeats itself until the tiles reach the toilet where some cuts are required. The presenter is using a portable wet saw tha...

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...