Top Tips for Projects Around the House

Nearly every day I embark on a new project around the house where I learn something new about tools, projects, woodworking, cleaning, or other general home improvement.

Below are some of the top tips I've discovered. They'll save you time, money and a LOT of frustration. I wish I had known about some of these a long time ago, but then again, what fun would that have been??

Does your house look like this?

The resources here can help!!

Spring cleaning, ski...

demon of chaos

9.99 in 2006

time to sort

Post Office

Remember the Student...

Clutter Office Corne...

Day 148: Autopilot

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TIP: Save time cleaning the litter box.

If you have a cat, and thus a litter box, use cheap plastic sandwich bags - the ones with the fold-over flap - to clean the cat box. Stick your hand in the bag, use it as a glove to pick up the clumps, turn it inside out, twist the open end shut and tie a knot. It's clean and keeps the garbage can from stinking up the house. The bags are cheap and you're far less likely to drop litter and chunks all over the floor as with a scoop.

Keep on top of housework with FlyLady

FlyLady is known by women across the US as the home-control goddess. Her easy to implement and daily tips help you stay clean and organized without taking over your life.

FlyLady - your personal online coach: Take back control of your house with the ultimate in home-management resources.
Baby Steps: If you're new to FlyLady, start here.
FLYing Lessons: Get started with the daily routine - learn to shine your sink!
Control Journal: A control journal is a valuable tool that can be applied to many areas of your life.
FLY Library: Recommended reading from FlyLady herself.
SHE Shop: Audio and video resources and nifty goodies to keep you organized and CHAOS free.
FLY Shop: Get your duster, timer, and control journal resources here.

The MAKE Blog

Some of these weird inventions might actually serve a purpose.

Using piezos for sound pickup
Weekend Project: Kinetic Remote Control
Weekend Project: Kinetic Remote Control (PDF)
Designing walls for robot bricklayers
Eee atTiny45 USB LED message notifier mod

TIP: Always drill pilot holes

I used to be supremely lazy when it came to woodworking. I'd nail instead of screw, and I never drilled pilot holes. While switching between a drill bit and screwdriver bit can be a pain (unless you have the $120 DualDrill, which I WANT), drilling pilot holes saves you a lot of time and aggrevation.

You will:
- create a cleaner finished product
- avoid splitting wood
- end up with straighter drives
- make less mistakes
- get a stronger hold

Black & Decker DR201K 5 Amp 3/8-Inch Drill with Keyless Chuck

The basic drill for around the house projects.

Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)

Black & Decker XD1200K 12-Volt Ni-Cad 1/4-Inch Hex Cordless 5-Position Drill/Driver Kit

Variable position drill drivers are handy for tight places and putting together furniture and shelves.

Amazon Price: $56.98 (as of 07/10/2009)

Black & Decker HPD18K-2 18-Volt Ni-Cad 3/8-Inch Cordless Drill/Driver Kit

A cordless drill can give you flexibility and the battery packs are a lot better than they used to be.

Amazon Price: $147.12 (as of 07/10/2009)

DEWALT DC727KA Heavy-Duty 12-Volt Ni-Cad Cordless 3/8-Inch Drill/Driver Kit

For the heavy-duty user, consider a heavy-duty drill.

Amazon Price: $145.94 (as of 07/10/2009)

DEWALT DC988KA 18-Volt Cordless Hammerdrill/Drill/Driver Kit

If you do a lot of woodworking or building projects, go top-end for a strong drill that will last.

Amazon Price: $538.04 (as of 07/10/2009)

TIP: Keep flashlights handy

I was standing in the middle of the street (in the rain in my pj's) when the town went dark. (I had a reason to be in the middle of the street, I was returning the garbage can that blew into the road.) Anyway, do you know how dark it is when the entire town goes dark? After finally finding my way to the house, not walking into the car, not breaking my ankle on the porch steps, and not falling down the basement stairs, I switched on the flashlight just in time for the electricity to come back on.

The following is a list of places where it would be convenient to have battery operated light sources, just in case.

By the bed. If most storms happen at night, chances are good you'll get caught in bed. Plus, you can get up without waking your sleeping partner.
By exterior doors. Even if it's just your house and not the entire neighborhood, it's nice to know that the flashlight is only a few steps away.
The vehicle. Changing tires or headlights at 2AM on a highway in Missouri. Need I say more?
The kitchen. Before you get to those matches, make sure you can see what you're lighting.
The garage. Things that go bump in the night end up as bruises on your shins. Don't risk falling over the recycling bin searching for the door.

TIP: Handy accessories for around the house

Sometimes the things that come most in handy are those odds and ends that you don't think of often.

Zip ties. Find them cheap at the dollar store. Keep cords under control, close stubborn garbage bags, tie things together - you'll find all sorts of uses for them.
Gallon-size zip-seal freezer bags. They're the perfect size for cleaning up soggy stuff, storing food (preferably not with the soggy stuff), containing parts, and stashing stuff.
Sharpies. I luuuuv Sharpies. I especially love the little ones, they're so cute! Ahem...anyway, just like the commercials recommend, they're great for marking things, and "unmarking" things, like that yellow mark the concrete post left on your black fender. Um, don't ask.

TIP: Start dishes while you're still cooking

If you start dishes while you're still cooking dinner, food won't have a chance to dry in the pan. By the time you're done with dinner, the dishes will be dry in the rack and you won't have a huge pile to shuffle around.

TIP: Freshen the bathroom with baby wipes

Baby wipes are cheap (buy the generic or store brand) and help you keep the cleanest bathroom around. Each time you're done with the toilet, shower, or sink, wipe it down with a baby wipe, toss, and you're done. Keeps toothpaste spittle from crusting up the faucet, keeps hair from clogging the drain, and keeps mold from growing under the toilet seat.

TIP: Back up your computer

It isn't until times of great tragedy that most of us begin to think about emergency and disaster plans for our families. After hearing about the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, many of us have used the last week to create supply kits and gather important information, just in case it really DOES "happen to me."

But what are you doing to plan for the continuity of your business in case something happens? It doesn't take a hurricane, tornado, or flood to destroy your business. Power outages, theft, illness, and mold cause problems for small business owners all over the world, every single day of the week.

Your small business is the lifeblood of your lifestyle. It defines how you will live, work, and care for your family. If your business is destroyed, it affects every other area of your life. Imagine not being able to keep up on your gas or electric bill because your business couldn't function. Imagine having to start all over with your business in another state, in an unfamiliar area. Prior planning won't always prevent problems, but it will help you get back on your feet faster.

The BackInBusiness Crisis Recovery Plan is designed to help you create a record of your business resources and activities so that when you need this important information it will be there.

Order the BackInBusiness Crisis Recovery Plan today for just $14.97!

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The Sesame Street way to hang a picture

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TIP: Buy good tools, buy cheap bits

The fact is that no matter how careful you are, you will break jigsaw blades and dull drill bits. You can pick these up cheap at discount stores such as Northern Merchandise, Big Lots, local liquidators, and even Target. Don't forget #2 phillips screw driver bits!

TIP: Assorted hardware kits rock

The best hardware kit I ever bought cost four dollars. I've used the screws, nails, washers, and other accessories for numerous projects and I still have hundreds left. You can find these handy little kits everywhere. Stock up when you find them cheap at dollar stores and liquidators. Sure, you may never use most of the parts, but boy you will be happy when you do use the ones you get.

TIP: Use the right tool for the job

It bites not to have a hammer handy when you need it, or to try to strip wire with a steak knife. Part of doing a good job includes using the right tool for the job. Get a head start with these great tool kits, available for a variety of budgets.

Apollo Precision Tools DT9706 39-Piece General Tool Set

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 07/10/2009)

Fuller Tool 997-8160 160-Piece Home Repair Kit

Amazon Price: $39.39 (as of 07/10/2009)

Grip Women's Household Tool Kit

Amazon Price: $18.99 (as of 07/10/2009)

Alltrade/Toolsmith #835494 79PC Tool Bag Kit

Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)

Hangzhou #648214 MM 35PC HSEHLD Tool Kit

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 07/10/2009)

Fun Remodeling Projects

And funny things that go wrong with them.

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REMODELING ELECTRIC BOX EXTENS...

Kitchen Remodel Cabinet Instal...

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powered by YouTube"

TIP: Own great tools

Things are so much easier when you own a great tool. The following are all items I personally own and recommend. They are easy to use and make your household and woodworking projects a LOT easier!

Black & Decker JS500B 4.5 Amp Top Handle Jigsaw

Cut corners (ok bad joke) and handle holes with a jigsaw. The first thing I did was turn an old dresser into an entertainment system by cutting slots in the back. I also used it to cut a piece of wood for an old silver casserole rack. It worked great!

Amazon Price: $35.99 (as of 07/10/2009)

Black & Decker MS550GB Mouse 5 Amp Detail Sander /Polisher with 41 Piece Accessory Pack

Sand or polish furniture with the handy Mouse sander. Fits into small spaces and is easy on the hand. Doesn't vibrate too much and make your wrist go numb.

Amazon Price: $61.39 (as of 07/10/2009)

TIP: Own and use a label maker

I love my label maker. There are so many cool things you can do with it. I've used it a lot lately to label things for my grandmother. I label lightswitches so she knows which switch operates which light. I put emergency phone numbers right on the phones so she can't forget. I also labeled locks so she can figure out which way to turn them on and off. They're also fun for around the home and garage, and of course, make your file folders look pretty.

Below I've featured three labelers. I have the top one, the fire dept uses the middle one, and both of those work great. Choose the best one for you depending on your budget and needs. For each, you can purchase a variety of tape colors and textures.

Dymo 11946 LetraTag Electronic Labelmaker (Metallic Blue)

Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)

Brother PT-65 P-touch Home and Hobby Labeler with LCD Screen

Amazon Price: $129.99 (as of 07/10/2009)

Casio KL-780 EZ Label Printer

Amazon Price: $32.75 (as of 07/10/2009)

Give Outgoing Things a Home

One of the problems with clutter is that it accumulates when things don't have a home. SOME things don't have a home by nature - that is, they're on the way OUT of the house. Video rentals, library books, gifts and things for other people, stuff to stash in the garage, etc., are all things that need to have a temporary home before they leave for their permanent home.

Try setting a basket or box near your main door for such goodies. If you have a spare drawer you can use that, or place a rolling box in the closet. If nothing else, a large tote bag on the wall. This will give the OUTgoing stuff a home without cluttering up your entryway.

Keep Projects Together

I'm lucky in that I have a two car garage in which to keep my many simultaneously ongoing woodworking, painting, and misc building projects. One of the problems is that I use my freedom to leave things laying around, and today I almost used project parts for something other than their intended purpose...twice!! This would have left me high and dry on two major furniture projects.

When you're working on projects - whether it be refinishing a cabinet or a simple picture framing process, keep the parts together. Use plastic shoe boxes, crates, or freezer bags to keep the parts together. This will keep you from using your pegboard as an ottoman base or your drop-leaf craft armoire as a shelf brace!!

What is your favorite household hint?

Lensmaster

totalhealth wrote...

nice helpful tips. love your lens

Posted November 27, 2008

Lensmaster

marthahark wrote...

Wow, I wish I was as organised :) Great lens!

Posted August 25, 2008

Lensmaster

jimames wrote...

Wow, detailed lens! Learned a lot here. Feel free to visit mine and offer any tips (but no laughing while it's under construction mode please :)

Posted May 16, 2008

Lensmaster

renovator wrote...

I especially like your tips for giving outgoing things a home, and cleaning with baby wipes.
Very sensible and easy to do, while saving time and confusion.

Posted March 27, 2008

Lensmaster

ArrowSheds wrote...

You are way more organized than me, Great job!

Posted January 13, 2008

Hey smartie - read this before you go!

I bet you have your own great list of tips and tools for projects around the house, yard, or car. Did you know you can create your own free Squidoo lens to share them, AND earn money for yourself or a favorite charity? Get started today!

Top Tips for Projects Around the House

Does your house look like this?

TIP: Save time cleaning the litter box.

Keep on top of housework with FlyLady

The MAKE Blog

TIP: Always drill pilot holes

TIP: Keep flashlights handy

TIP: Handy accessories for around the house

TIP: Start dishes while you're still cooking

TIP: Freshen the bathroom with baby wipes

TIP: Back up your computer

The Sesame Street way to hang a picture

TIP: Buy good tools, buy cheap bits

TIP: Assorted hardware kits rock

TIP: Use the right tool for the job

Fun Remodeling Projects

And funny things that go wrong with them.

TIP: Own great tools

TIP: Own and use a label maker

Give Outgoing Things a Home

Keep Projects Together

What is your favorite household hint?

Hey smartie - read this before you go!

by KimberlyDawnWells

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