We hope you all had a great 4th of July. Maybe, like us, you celebrated a bunch last weekend and are taking it easy this one. If that's the case, we don't blame you! But if you are in the mood to do a little handiwork while you're home, we have some great around-the-house projects. From unclogging the drain and repairing a chipped bathtub, to hanging a bird feeder in your yard, these simple ideas will have your place looking great in less than two days. To check out all 9 projects just click through the slideshow below.
Freshen Up Your Fence
If your backyard fence has never been stained, or the color has faded from the sun, adding a fresh coat is sure to brighten it up and protect the wood. First choose your stain and make sure your fence is clean and dry. Using a roller with a long attachment, coat about 3 feet of fence at a time. It is best to roll in the same direction as the wood grain. Then, move to the next section. Staining the fence in small sections will help make sure you cover each area completely. Allow to dry and apply a second coat if needed.
Install Floating Shelves
Floating shelves are a really cool way to display books, DVDs or cute decor because they appear to be magically suspended. And they aren't as hard as you'd think to install. First, decide what length you'd like the shelves to be and purchase pine boards in that size. Then, paint or stain them whatever color you'd like. You will need toggle bolts, and braces to hold the shelves, which are available at your local home improvement store. Toggle bolts will allow you to securely hang the shelves from any spot, even if there are no studs to drill into. Mark where you'd like to put the shelves, then drill the toggle bolts into the wall. Then screw the braces into the toggle bolts. Finally, place the shelves on the braces and you're all set! For a full tutorial head to Home Stories A To Z.
Clean Air Conditioner Filter
Cleaning your air conditioner's filter is a must to help avoid allergens in your home and to keep the machine working efficiently over the years. First, unplug your air conditioner. Then remove the filter. Use your vacuum to remove any loose dirt and grime. Next, soak the filter in one part vinegar and one part water for about four hours. This will kill harmful bacteria. Afterwards, place the filter on a towel to absorb any excess water and allow it to completely dry. For a full tutorial, head to Do It Yourself.
Build A Wood Slat Compost Bin
Compost has great benefits for your garden, so if you have a green thumb, building a compost bin is a great idea. First, purchase waterproof and rot-resistant wood that will survive the elements. You'll want 1x4 lumber to make 24 horizontal slats: 8 slats will make up the lid, 8 slats for the back and cover, plus 8 for legs. For the back, lay down six slats of wood with a 3/4 inch gap between them. Then lay slats perpendicularly over both ends and nail securely. Do the same thing to make the sides of the bin. After making all the sides and back, secure them by glueing and screwing the corners together. Lastly, to make the lid, attach battens to four slats that are 2 1/2 inches shorter than the slats when put together. This makes one half of the lid (Repeat this for the other half). For a full tutorial, visit This Old House.
Remove Hard Water Stains From A Glass Shower Door
Nothing makes a shower door look worse than hard water stains...but they are pretty unavoidable. The good news: They aren't so difficult to remove. Using a sponge and pure-white vinegar, coat the shower door and repeat this as the vinegar dries, so the door is constantly saturated in wet vinegar for at least five minutes. After that, the stains and scum should dissipate. If not, repeat the process. Afterward, rinse the door with warm water. For the full tutorial head over to How Stuff Works.
Hang A Bird Feeder
Bird feeders are a great way to dress up your garden or lawn. Plus, it is nice to sit down with a cup of coffee and watch out the window as different types of birds visit your yard. To hang a bird feeder, first choose the spot. A southeastern area is best because birds like to eat in the sun. You'll want to hang your feeder away from trees limbs and bushes because this will keep other animals, like squirrels, from climbing up and feeding. But if you do want to suspend it from a tree, make sure to hang it at least 6 feet from the ground. Adding a squirrel baffle to the feeder will also prevent them from feeding. Then, just fill your feeder with wild bird seed, such as sunflower seeds or safflower, and enjoy the company! For a full tutorial, visit BirdFeeders.com.
Patch A Hole In Your Garden Hose
If you have a tiny hole or small crack in your garden hose, don't worry. It can easily be fixed with hose or electrical tape. First, clean and dry the hose so the tape can stick. Then, as you wrap the tape around the hose, overlap it. This will provide security from leaks. It's important not to wrap the tape too tightly, as this will cause the hose to crease. Visit Lowes for a full tutorial on how to repair bigger leaks!
Fix A Clogged Drain
If your sink or bathtub drain is clogged, it may take a long time for water to go down. A really effective way to solve this problem is by snaking it. Also known as a drain auger, this long metal rope has a spiral end that will catch all the washed away hair and product buildup! First, unscrew the screen from the tub drain and use the bent wire to fish out any debris. For more information, read how it worked for one of our editors. For a full tutorial head over to This Old House.
Repair A Cracked Bathtub
There's nothing quite like a long bath at the end of an even longer day. But if your tub's enamel is chipped or cracked, this peaceful remedy may be out of your reach. Don't worry though, there is a simple fix. First, you'll need to figure out whether the crack is large enough to need a fiberglass mesh insert. If the crack is more than a quarter inch wide, you will need some kind of patch. Purchase a fiberglass tub repair kit. After making sure your tub is clean and dry, sand the cracked or chipped area with sandpaper. Then, follow the instructions given with the kit. Some come with colorant to mix with the crack filler, while others come with paint to apply after the fill dries. Allow the filler to dry overnight and then sand it down so it's smooth. Finally, apply the paint or polish given. For a full tutorial head to Essortment.
Former NBA guard Darius Morris has died at the age of 33. He played for five teams during his four NBA seasons. Morris played college basketball at Michigan.
Affluent Americans may want to double-check how much of their bank deposits are protected by government-backed insurance. The rules governing trust accounts just changed.
Miami Heat president Pat Riley rebuked comments Jimmy Butler made about the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, while also implying that his star needs to play more.
Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss the Padres-Marlins trade that sent Luis Arraez to San Diego, as well as recap all the action from this weekend in baseball and send birthday wishes to hall-of-famer Willie Mays.
An annual government report offered a glimmer of good news for Social Security and a jolt of good news for Medicare even as both programs continue to be on pace to run dry next decade.
The 2023-024 NBA season isn't yet over. A number of teams are still dreaming of championship glory. But for those that have been bounced from the playoffs, it's time to reassess and re-evaluate for next season.
