My vacuum stopped working last year. I almost threw it out and ordered a new one for $200. My father-in-law took it apart in 20 minutes, pulled out a sock that was clogging the hose, and handed it back to me. It has worked perfectly ever since.

Here are ten things most people replace that are actually easy to fix.

1. Vacuum with no suction: 90% of the time it is a clogged hose or a full filter. Disconnect the hose, poke a broom handle through it, clean or replace the filter.
2. Toilet that runs constantly: The flapper inside the tank is probably warped. A replacement costs $5 and clips in without tools.
3. Squeaky door hinge: You do not need WD-40. Rub the hinge pin with a bar of soap, petroleum jelly, or even cooking oil. Silence.
4. Scratched wood furniture: Rub a walnut into the scratch. The natural oils darken and fill the scratch. It sounds fake. It works.
5. Sticky zipper: Rub a graphite pencil along the teeth. Graphite is a dry lubricant. No mess, no oil stains on the fabric.
6. Phone charging port not working: Lint packs down in the port over time. Turn off the phone. Use a wooden toothpick — not metal — to gently dig out the compacted lint. You will be shocked how much comes out.
7. Stained coffee mug: Fill with warm water, drop in a denture cleaning tablet. Wait 10 minutes. Stains wipe right off. Works on tea stains too.
8. Slow laptop: Before buying a new one, try the steps from the Windows speed-up guide above. Or for Macs, clear system cache and quit background apps.
9. Clogged shower head: Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar. Rubber-band it around the shower head so the nozzles are submerged. Leave overnight. Mineral deposits dissolve.
10. Dead remote control buttons: Open it up. Clean the rubber contact pads and the circuit board contacts with rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab. Reassemble. Buttons work again.