Home & Auto Maintenance Archives - Page 19 of 36

Day 24 – Two New Tips using a Flashlight

Do you have a flashlight? Silly me, of course you do. But, if you only use it when the power goes out or to send your child out trick or treating, you are missing out on two additional uses for a flashlight.

Day 24 – Two New Tips using a Flashlight

1. Before you prepare to paint a room, double check the wall for any imperfections. Turn on the flashlight and shine it parallel to the wall to highlight any imperfections that need spackle or sanding.

2. Next time you drop something tiny on the floor (like a pill or earring backing) shine a flashlight at the floor level and it will illuminate any tiny objects. Beware, you might find some dog hairs that need vacuuming too.

Do you have any other uses for a flashlight?

Update: Two readers asked for recommendations for a good flashlight. By far, this is my favorite flashlight:
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It is extremely bright and comparable to a floodlight. Sadly, it looks like these flashlights are being phased out. And even sadder is that they no longer sell them with the Ryobi TEK4 batteries and charger. Instead they include a AA battery converter. If you do buy this flashlight, spend the extra money to buy two TEK4 batteries and the charger. You’ll save money in the long run not replacing AA batteries. In short, best flashlight I’ve ever owned!

October 24, 2014/8 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

31 Days of Handy Home Fixes, air filter, Fix It, Home & Auto Maintenance

Day 23 – Remembering to Change Your Air Filters Regularly

I’m sure you already know how important it is to change your air filters in your home. As a Filtrete Ambassador, I’m happy to remind you why you should replace your Filtrete Healthy Living Ultimate Allergen Reduction MPR 1900 filters on a regular basis:

Helps improve air quality in your home
Allergen reduction from air passing through the filter
Clean filters allow better air flow and less stress on your heating and cooling system
Capture airborne microscopic particles that can carry bacteria and viruses
Regularly maintenance and filter changes can help maintain your system

If you’re like me it’s hard to remember when it’s time to change your air filters. I have a solution!

Two tips to help you remember to change your air filters regularly.

1. Write the date you changed the filter on the new filter. That way you can peak at the filter to see if you need to change them soon.

2. Sign up for a reminder email. You can sign up for the Filtete Clean Advantage Club to get reminder emails when it’s time to change your air and/or water filters. It’s easy and they’ll email you at your preferred intervals to help you remember to change your filters.

Simply enter your filter size, the date you need your first reminder (or the date of your last filter change). Then choose how often you replace your filters (or should I say how often you should replace your filters.)

Don’t forget to add your email address and click submit.

Now sit back and don’t worry about remembering to change your air filters ever again! When it’s time, you’ll get an email from Filtrete!

Now you can spend time trying to remember other important things, like what time is Flip or Flop on? Anyone else watching this show? Is is just me or does it bother you that Christina doesn’t ever get her hands dirty. Must be a Handy Girl pet peeve. 😉

Follow Filtrete via social media on Facebook or Twitter for more tips and tricks to help create a healthier home.

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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Filtrete Brand. I have the honor of being an ambassador for them and have been sharing information from Filtrete Brand. I was given key messages to share, but all the words and thoughts are my own and additional products used in the project were selected by me. I have been compensated for my time and for this post. I continue to work with certain brands like the Filtrete Brand that I believe in, because of their quality and because I feel they have helpful messages for my readers. I will always disclose to you if you are reading a sponsored post. #HealthierHome #Ad

Other tips in the 31 Days of Handy Home Fixes series:

October 23, 2014/6 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

31 Days of Handy Home Fixes, Fix It, Home & Auto Maintenance

Day 22 – Is Your HVAC Choking?

Is your refrigerator running? Then go catch it. Is your HVAC choking? Time to administer CPR! When was the last time you looked at your HVAC unit? Specifically the condenser which is the big box usually located outside the house. At first glance it doesn’t look too bad, but if you peek around the back…

…you’ll find a stray vine trying to make its way inside.

In order for your HVAC system to work efficiently and live longer, it’s important to keep vegetation and leaves away from the condenser. Never plant bushes or shrubs too close to the unit.

To discourage weeds and plants from growing back lay down some mulch, rocks or other weed resistant materials. I used leftover slate slabs around our unit. It’s what I had on hand and it was FREE.

Go check your condenser and if it’s choking give it some CPR by pulling back all the weeds and shrubs.

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October 22, 2014/2 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

31 Days of Handy Home Fixes, cleaning, Dremel, Home & Auto Maintenance

Day 20 – Scrub Away Hard Water Stains

Do you have hard water? If you do, you probably understand when I say, “It’s the bane of my existence when it comes to cleaning sinks!” However, I have a trick to scrub away that stubborn hard water crusty stain in no time! And I use a little power to save myself from fatigue.

Day 20 – Scrub Away Hard Water Stains

The other day I shared my non-toxic drain opener with you. Today, pull that vinegar and baking soda back out. You’ll also want to grab a good scrub sponge. I’ve been using the Scotch Brite Non-scratch Scrub Sponges and like them because they are non-scratch and use natural fibers. (I was not paid to say that!)

Pour some baking soda and a tiny bit of vinegar to create a paste on the hard water stain. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes.

While you are waiting, cut a piece of the scrub sponge to fit on the sanding head of the Dremel Multi-Max. The hook and loop will hold the scrub sponge in place. If you don’t have a Multi-Max, you can scrub by hand, but it will take a little longer to remove the crusty stain.

Before you plug in the Multi-Max, make sure your vinegar baking solution is more paste and not too much liquid. If there is too much liquid, add more baking soda. You want to make sure you are working with a paste to avoid any potential electrical shocks.

Turn on the Multi-Max and let the vibration of the sanding head do all the work for you! It may take several passes until the hard water stain is gone.

Before:

After:

I love finding ways to clean with power tools!

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October 20, 2014/3 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

31 Days of Handy Home Fixes, Build It, drill, Home & Auto Maintenance

Day 19 – Drill Holes to a Certain Depth

Occasionally you need to drill a hole to a specific depth. Or you want to drill a hole into but not through your wood. This simple trick helps you do just that!

Day 19 – Drill Holes to a Certain Depth

When I was drilling the top of the new closet doors, I marked the depth of the door pin onto the drill bit with painter’s tape.

As I was drilling, I know to stop when the tape reaches the wood.

Similarly, when creating these fun art utensil holders for my mom, I put a piece of painter’s tape to mark how deep to drill without going through the other side.

You can also use the tape trick to create countersink holes. Drill with the smaller bit first, then center the larger bit and drill just deep enough to bury the screw head.

I hope you are enjoying these quick little tips and tricks. I’m on the homestretch and still have some great tips to share! Stay tuned.

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Other tips in the 31 Days of Handy Home Fixes series:

October 19, 2014/4 Comments/by Brittany Bailey