All home and DIY guides
35 practical guides, grouped by topic. Each guide links to the others that go with it.
Repairs
How to fix common household problems yourself
A troubleshooting guide to the small faults most homes develop, with simple fixes and clear limits.
How to fix a leaking faucet
Find out what type of faucet you have, replace the worn part, and know when the leak is a job for a plumber.
How to unclog a sink without calling a plumber
Clear a slow or blocked sink with a plunger, a trap clean-out, or a drain snake, in the order that makes sense.
How to fix small holes and cracks in walls
Repair nail holes, dents, and hairline cracks in drywall or plaster so they disappear under paint.
How to fix a running toilet
Diagnose and fix a toilet that runs or refills by itself, by adjusting or replacing the flapper, fill valve, and float.
How to fix a squeaky floor
Find why a floor squeaks and silence it from above or below, on bare boards, laminate, or carpet.
How to re-caulk a bath or shower
Strip old silicone, prep the joint, and lay a clean waterproof bead around a bath or shower.
How to unclog a shower drain
Clear a slow shower drain by removing hair at the grate, using a drain tool or plunger, and cleaning the trap.
Cleaning
How to remove mold from bathroom walls safely
Clean small patches of bathroom mold safely, then deal with the moisture that keeps bringing it back.
How to get rid of bad smells in your home
How to track a bad smell to its source in the kitchen, bathroom, drains, carpets, or fabrics, and remove it.
How to clean your home more efficiently
A realistic cleaning system with daily, weekly, and monthly routines and a room-by-room order that saves time.
How to remove common carpet stains
Blot and treat coffee, wine, grease, pet, and ink stains without spreading them or setting the color.
How to clean a washing machine
Clean the seal, drawer, filter, and drum of a smelly washing machine, and keep the smell from coming back.
How to remove limescale and hard water stains
Dissolve limescale from taps, kettles, showerheads, and toilets safely, and slow how fast it returns.
Organization
20 smart storage ideas for small homes
Storage ideas that use walls, doors, and dead space, without built-in carpentry or a renovation budget.
How to organize a small kitchen
Declutter, then arrange cabinets, drawers, counters, and walls around the things you use every day.
How to declutter your home, room by room
A realistic, room-by-room way to declutter in short sessions, decide what to keep, and keep clutter from returning.
Maintenance
How to stop condensation on windows
Why windows run with water on cold mornings, how to reduce it, and when it points to a bigger problem.
DIY home maintenance checklist: what to check every month
A recurring checklist for plumbing, alarms, ventilation, appliances, windows, and outdoor areas, with seasonal extras.
How to bleed a radiator
Release trapped air from a radiator that is cold at the top, and check the boiler pressure afterward.
How to improve indoor air quality at home
Reduce dust, damp, and fumes and ventilate well, with a clear-eyed look at when a purifier actually helps.
How to care for and restore wooden furniture
Clean and protect wooden furniture, deal with water rings and scratches, and know when to oil, wax, or refinish.
DIY projects
How to paint a room properly
A complete beginner's guide to painting a room, from preparing the walls to cutting in, rolling, and cleaning up.
Essential tools every DIY beginner should own
The tools that cover most beginner jobs, what each one does, and which tools you can skip at first.
10 DIY projects you can finish in a weekend
Ten realistic projects, from recaulking a tub to putting up shelves, that fit into a weekend without major construction.
How to hang shelves and pictures that stay up
Find studs, pick the right anchor for your wall type, and hang shelves and frames that hold their weight.
Home improvement
15 simple DIY home improvements that make a room look better
Low-cost changes to lighting, paint, hardware, shelving, and textiles that make an ordinary room look cared for.
How to make a small room feel bigger
Furniture placement, light, mirrors, color, and storage choices that make a small room easier to live in.
How to choose paint colors and finishes
Choose paint colors that suit your light and pick the right finish for each room, tested before you commit.
Safety
How to make your home safer for children
A room-by-room guide to anchoring furniture, securing windows and stairs, and removing everyday hazards for young children.
When should you DIY and when should you call a professional?
Which home jobs suit beginners, which need a qualified professional, and how to decide when you are unsure.
How to test and replace smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Test and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fit them in the right places, and know when to replace the unit.
Energy and efficiency
How to make your home more energy efficient
Practical ways to waste less energy, from draft-proofing and heating habits to lighting, appliances, and insulation.
How to prepare your home for winter
Fall jobs that protect pipes, heating, gutters, and windows, and keep the house safe through the cold months.
How to draft-proof doors and windows
Find and seal drafts around doors, windows, and floors, while keeping the ventilation a home needs.