Family Handyman To properly build a fire, you need to have tinder (easy-lighting material), kindling (finger-size sticks) and fuel (logs). We all have a readily available supply of tinder: dryer lint! To make fire starters, I stuff empty toilet paper tubes with dryer lint. My dryer lint “logs” light quickly and easily burn long enough to light up the kindling. And I don’t have to resort to lighter fluid for this lint fire starter!...
If you’ve had your internet router for a few years, it no longer may be suitable for you and your family’s internet needs. Ask yourself the following questions to see if it’s time to invest in a new, modern internet router. Is Your WiFi Slow? The easiest way to tell if your router needs replacing is slow WiFi. That could mean long loading times for web pages, pixelated or laggy video streams, trouble uploading documents, or a wide range of other issues....
The Family Handyman Few people want the hassle of applying more than one coat of paint, but more often than not, you need to put on that second coat. Several paint brands, however, have high-end products that claim one-coat coverage. It seemed to us here at Family Handyman that this is may prove to be a little too good to be true. So we bought a gallon of Behr Marquee ($38), Sherwin-Williams Infinity ($37) and Benjamin Moore Aura ($72) to see how well they covered in one coat....
I’ve read many hints that advise the reader to cut off the tops of plastic milk jugs and use them for funnels. I’ve found that if you replace the cap after cutting the top off, you can use the milk jug for a scoop, too. It’s perfect for handling potting soil, fertilizer or pet food. The no-scratch plastic also makes the milk jug scoop ideal for bailing water out of your boat....
Mold exists everywhere — in the air, in the dirt, in our homes and yes, in our washing machines. Mold spores travel great distances, hitchhiking on a breeze or a soft cashmere sweater. When they settle on something damp, they start to grow. It’s nearly impossible to get rid of mold. Molds eat building materials like wood, drywall and paint, and they destroy everything in their wake. Sure, that sounds grim....
About Smart Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can detect smoke or dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in your home and sound an alarm to alert you, just like traditional detectors. But unlike traditional detectors, they send alerts to your phone so you’ll know of dangerous conditions even if you’re not home. These smart detectors also may come with nifty extra features like voice control through Alexa, music streaming, nightlights and more....
Monika Wisniewska/Shutterstock Back in the day, when you took your dog for a walk, they would do their business, and then you’d keep on walking. It wasn’t until Boomers were growing up and plastic bags were everywhere that people started picking up their dog’s waste. Fast forward 50 years, and dog poop totals about 10 million tons per year (that’s more than human waste in 1959). Dog owners everywhere are determined to keep their yard tidy and are required to keep public spaces clean....
Family Handyman It happens: You overestimated the amount of building materials you needed for your project. Well, you’re not alone. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck eating what you spent on those unused items. But did you know you can return building supplies and get back some of the money you spent — that is, if you haven’t earmarked those materials for your next project. Each major retailer has specific return policies....
Toa55/Shutterstock Landscape design is part science, part art. The science part means looking at the site, making any needed modifications, and choosing plants that fit the conditions. The art is about making something out of your imagination. So let’s get started! Write down your goals. What do you want to accomplish? Landscape around a deck or patio? Create a spot for entertaining? Have a combination edible/ornamental garden? Here are 17 great tips for landscaping your backyard....
Although you may have only recently noticed rain barrels popping up around your neighborhood, the concept has been around for thousands of years. There’s archeological evidence of rainwater capture as far back as 4,000 years ago! And while the materials used to make the rain barrels have changed, the purpose is the same: to collect a natural resource for outdoor use. Before you run out to buy or build a rain barrel, read these tips from the experts about rain barrels....
When I built the cabin in the woods where my wife, daughter and I now live, I knew creating a proper waste treatment system would be a big deal. Unlike in the city, where sewage is directed into a centralized treatment facility, rural life almost always involves figuring out your own way of dealing with waste. That’s where septic systems come in. Almost all rural properties with indoor plumbing have some sort of septic system....
New Africa/Shutterstock No need to scope out fancy cleaning products to keep your home in top shape. There are many natural cleaning products right in your kitchen cabinets that can be used to clean a wide variety of items, often more efficiently and effectively than with store-bought cleaning products. Don’t miss our guide to making homemade cleaner with simple ingredients. Vinegar. Vinegar has a wide variety of uses. Clean your washer by pouring white vinegar into an empty machine, then running on the clean or hot cycle....
If Memorial Day Weekend is any indicator, a lot of people are planning to take road trips this summer. Some, of course, will head to beaches, resorts, theme parks and family reunions. Not everyone, though — many folks just want to relax at a woodsy cabin or chill at a summer lake house. According to one recent survey, cabins have increased in popularity by 80 percent since the start of the pandemic....
A stand for a glass tabletop made from coat hangers? This is a creative TikTok idea posted by 5.minute.crafts, The blindingly fast presentation (in typical TikTok style) doesn’t give you much time to appreciate the project details, so we stopped the video multiple times for a closer look. Here are our thoughts on what’s presented, and what you can do to improve the final product. You can make all this furniture for $50 🤩 #ijustfoundout #furnituremakeover #cheapdiy...
Every yard and garden has weeds, and we’re all looking for easy and effective (even magical!) ways to kill those weeds and keep them from returning. Weeds are especially troublesome when they grow between cracks in driveways, patios and sidewalks. The internet has a proposed solution: Grab a jug of vinegar from under your kitchen sink, mix it with a little dish soap and salt, put it in a spray bottle and spritz away....
As the weather starts to warm up and the days grow longer, our thoughts turn to grilling. Outdoor living is one of the great joys of summer, and hosting a cookout with family and friends just adds to the fun. Whether you’re a homeowner with a new patio to show off, a novice BBQer or an established grill master eager to mix things up, our guide to outdoor grilling will help light the way....
Benjamin Clapp/Shutterstock For inexpensive flooring, you can’t go wrong with vinyl. Whether you’ve installed vinyl flooring, vinyl plank flooring, or vinyl tile flooring, learning how to properly care for the floors with an appropriate cleaning solution will ensure your floors have a long, clean life. It doesn’t have to be difficult, either. Follow this essential guide to learn the best way to clean vinyl floors. How to Keep Vinyl Floors Clean Lay a doormat down by all entryways to keep out dirt and dust....
If you’re tossing around the idea of building a home, to live in full time or use as your family’s regular vacation spot, you’re probably also wondering about the best way to finance the project. Is a traditional construction loan, with a high interest rate and a hefty down payment, the only way to go? Not at all! While a construction loan is certainly a reasonable choice in many situations, there are other ways to foot the bill....
Reading the Size of a Tire Like most vehicle parts, tires eventually wear out and need replacement. Wear and tear of the treads reduces traction, and aging rubber makes the tires weaker and more susceptible to going flat. That’s why experts recommend replacing your tires every five or six years, even if the treads aren’t completely worn down. When the time comes to outfit your car with new tires, it’s crucial to choose the right ones....
Whether you’re boiling water for a cup of tea or taking the chill off a room with a space heater, many of the ways we try to stay warm and cozy during the winter months also rank among the top causes for home structure fires. U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1.4 million fires in 2020, reported on average every 89 seconds, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)....
