You don’t need a full toolbox or a big budget to keep your home in good shape. Many small problems can be solved quickly with everyday items you already have. Here are simple and inexpensive home fixes you can do in under 10 minutes.
1. Stop Door Squeaks with Cooking Oil
A squeaky hinge is annoying but easy to fix. Add one small drop of cooking oil to the hinge, move the door back and forth a few times, and the squeak disappears instantly.
2. Silence Noisy Drawers with a Bar of Soap
Sticky or noisy drawers can be fixed by rubbing a dry bar of soap along the rails. The soap acts as a smooth lubricant that makes the drawer slide easily again.
3. Remove Carpet Dents with Ice Cubes
Heavy furniture leaves deep carpet dents. Place an ice cube on the dent, let it melt, then fluff the carpet fibers with your fingers. The spot looks almost new in minutes.
4. Tighten Loose Screws with Toothpicks
When a screw doesn’t hold anymore, insert one or two toothpicks into the hole. Break off the excess, then re-tighten the screw. The added wood gives it a firm grip.
5. Freshen a Smelly Sink with Baking Soda
Pour a spoon of baking soda into the sink drain and rinse with warm water. It neutralizes odors quickly and costs almost nothing.
6. Fix Wobbly Chairs with a Piece of Cardboard
Wobbly furniture can be stabilized by slipping a folded piece of cardboard under the uneven leg. It works instantly and is completely free.
7. Clear Foggy Mirrors with Shaving Cream
Rub a small amount of shaving cream on a bathroom mirror, then wipe it off. This leaves a thin protective layer that prevents fog for days.
8. Remove Scuffs from Walls with a Damp Sponge
Many wall scuffs disappear with a slightly damp sponge or eraser sponge. Light pressure is enough to clean most marks in less than a minute.
9. Stop a Rattling Window with Cotton or Tissue
If a window rattles during wind, place a small piece of cotton or folded tissue between the frame and the glass. It cushions the gap and stops the noise instantly.
10. Make Old Chrome Shine with Lemon
Rub a cut lemon on dull or spotted chrome surfaces like faucets. Rinse and dry to restore shine in seconds.
