A shady spot isn’t just a pleasant place to relax on a hot summer day: shade can help keep your home cool, too. On the inside of the home, you can install new blinds or drapes to block the sun. If you’re in a type of home that will allow for...

Be sure to change out your air filter monthly (or on whatever schedule the filter maker recommends). It’s a cheap and easy way to keep the cool air in your home flowing smoothly — and if you’re bothered by dust, dander, and allergens in the...

Depending on your home, insulation can make a big difference for a low cost — and older homes are especially likely to be poorly insulated. Check the insulation in your attic and any crawl spaces. If there’s no insulation or gaps in the...

If the scratch you need to deal with is on the very surface of the furniture, you will need a different approach. Pour some fine rubbing compound onto a pad and rub it on the scratched surface. Next, apply a coat of new finish and perform...

1. Remove stains with Coca-Cola. Get rid of stubborn toilet bowl stains with a 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola. Pour the full can around the rim of your toilet so it coats the toilet bowl and let the soda sit for an hour. The acid in the Coca-Cola...

The acid in lemons makes them great natural cleanser. The juice is great for disinfecting kitchen countertops and cutting boards. Cut a lemon in half and scrub your bath and shower to remove soap scum. You can also make a paste with lemon juice...

A distraught homeowner called a plumber because her water heater wasn't heating, and furthermore, it was leaking. Right away, the plumber asked if the homeowner had been draining some of the water from it every year. The puzzled homeowner said,...

Fix a wobbly shower head, or any wobbly pipe, with a few squirts of expanding foam. The foam encases the pipe in the wall and locks it into place, eliminating the wobble.