How to Restore Faded Outdoor Plastic With a Heat Gun

My patio chairs looked like they belonged in a ghost story. Gray, chalky, sun-bleached beyond recognition. I was about to […]

How to Make Your Own Grout Cleaner That Actually Works

I scrubbed my bathroom grout with three different store-bought cleaners before I gave up and made my own. The store […]

How to Make Your Own Air Freshener With Baking Soda and Essential Oils

I used to buy those plug-in air fresheners. The ones that cost eight dollars and smell great for about four […]

How to Fix Scratches on Wood Furniture With a Walnut

I scratched my coffee table moving a lamp. Deep scratch, right in the middle, impossible to ignore. A friend said […]

How to Install a Shelf on Drywall That Actually Holds Weight

I installed a floating shelf in my living room using the plastic anchors that came in the box. It held […]

How to Cover Up Ugly Floor Tiles Without Replacing Them

My bathroom had pink tiles. Not a charming vintage pink. The kind of pink that was clearly a mistake even […]

The Painters Tape Trick for Perfectly Straight Caulk Lines Every Time

My first caulk job looked like a toddler had squeezed the tube with both fists. Thick in some spots, thin […]

The Tape Trick for Drilling Holes Without Cracking Drywall

The first hole I ever drilled in drywall exploded. Not a clean round hole — a jagged star-shaped crater with […]

The Hair Dryer Hack for Removing Old Wallpaper Without a Steamer

We bought a house where the previous owners apparently loved the 1980s. Floral wallpaper in the dining room. Striped wallpaper […]

How to Stop a Door From Slamming Shut With a Pool Noodle

My daughter was about eighteen months old when she discovered doors. She would push them and watch them slam. The […]