Fix Almost Anything Around The House On The Cheap With These Items
Any homeowner will tell you some of the greatest challenges of owning a home are the near-constant repairs that come with it. A sudden tear, a clogged drain, and an accidental dent or stain are grounds for an expensive repair job... or are they? Contrary to what you may believe, you can often get a high-quality fix without hiring a professional. Owning a home is already expensive, so why spend more than you need to when you have options at a lower cost?
There are several affordable items on the market that can fix almost anything around the house that you may or may not have thought about trying. According to The Ascent, most homeowners spend over $3,000 a year on home maintenance and repairs. Because the items on our list are so inexpensive, we suggest giving them a shot before spending a large chunk of change bringing in professionals. Let's take a look at some of the cheap items you can use to fix almost anything in your home.
Super glue
We all know about the immense strength of super glue, so it's no surprise that it sits at the top of our list. Not only is super glue effective, but it's incredibly cheap, so feel free to stock up in case of emergencies. Use it to quickly fix nearly anything broken in your home, including snapped PVC pipes, a loose table leg, or your favorite vase that took a nasty fall. According to Aron Alpha, you can make super glue even stronger just by adding baking soda.
Duct tape
For a strong hold on repairs around the house, use duct tape to patch holes and seals. The Gorilla Glue Company states that duct tape is durable enough to withstand all types of weather, high UV index, and temperature changes, making it an excellent choice for outdoor projects and repairs as well. It sticks to all types of surfaces, such as wood, metal, stone, brick, and glass, and only takes 60 seconds to permanently bond to a surface.
Plastic razor blades
Plastic razor blades have sharp edges just like regular razor blades, but are made with flexible plastic, which makes them safe to use on nearly any surface. Plastic razor blades help to remove buildup, grime, and other debris on painted or plastic surfaces, walls, windows, fabrics, and other spaces that traditional metal razors may damage, Menards says. Though they aren't made of metal, you should always be cautious when using plastic blades, as they still have that sharp edge.
Hole repair kit
Patching up a hole or dent in your drywall may seem like a difficult task, but hole repair kits make it a lot easier (and cheaper) than you think. You've probably heard of the putty-in-the-hole trick, but that typically only works for smaller nail and screw holes, according to This Old House. With a hole repair kit, you can patch up large holes that putty simply couldn't fill without risking further damage to your wall. If you want to save more time and money, look for a kit that comes with all of the tools you need.
Touch-up paint
If you've ever chipped the paint off of something, you know how annoying it can be, having to look at that naked spot every day. To fix this problem, grab yourself a bottle of touch-up paint. Not only can you use it for your home, but there are also several car touch-up paints you can purchase for your automotive needs. Before you get to painting, however, True Value recommends cleaning and priming the area first.
Watermark remover
So, you forgot to use a coaster and you're stuck with a water ring on your new coffee table... now what? You could throw out the entire table, or simply run to the store and purchase a watermark remover. You can also make your own watermark remover by mixing equal parts olive oil and vinegar and simply wipe the stain away, according to Better Homes & Gardens. This option is not only cheaper, but you probably already have these items in your kitchen, which means you can get to work on that watermark faster.
Baking soda
Liquid-Plumr recommends using baking soda to unclog your drains for a natural drain cleaner. It's more cost-effective, and you most likely already have a box at home, saving you one less trip to the store. To use the baking soda method, first put the kettle on so you'll have hot water to pour down the drain. Follow that up with a mixture of 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup water, and 1 cup vinegar. After about five to 10 minutes pour in another pot of boiling water to flush everything out.