These household hacks won't only save you a fortune, but will make your life just that little bit easier.
It would seem that where there’s a chore to be done, there’s someone with a bright idea on how it can be tackled both faster and cheaper. Here are some we’ve found:
Spruce up your carpet
Dents in your carpet are easily dealt with. Simply place ice cubes on the affected area and let them melt. Leave for a few hours and then use a sponge to mop up excess water before using a spoon to fluff up the damp fibres.
A stripped screw is no challenge if you place an elastic band flat over the screw head. The band will fill the gaps and provide the traction needed to remove the screw.
Avoid bruised thumbs and fingers by using a fine tooth comb to grip a nail. The comb will keep the nail firmly gripped between its teeth. Once the nail has been securely tapped into the wall, remove the comb and carry on tapping until the nail is at the required depth.
If you need a screwdriver in a hurry but can't find one, simply use the pointed end of a potato peeler to do the job.
Tired of your paint brushes falling into your paint bucket? Cut a pool noodle in half, fit it onto the bucket and make vertical slits to hold your brushes firmly in place.
Post it notes make the perfect catch-all when drilling into masonry. Stick one to the wall just under where you’ll be drilling and fold it in half to make a V-shape. The dust will collect in the crease, allowing for easy disposal.
Water woes
Has the water pressure in your shower diminished to a mere trickle? This could be due to a clogged shower head. To resolve the problem, take a plastic bag and half fill it with vinegar. Secure the bag with the mix to the shower head with an elastic band and allow to stand overnight before removing the bag and rinsing the shower head.
No more sticky locks
Sticky locks can break keys. To avoid this problem, take a pencil and insert it into the lock. The graphite in the pencil ‘lead’ will lubricate the locking mechanism and the door will open with ease.
Waterwise
Sprinkler systems aren't only expensive, they tend to be easily damaged. For a cheaper, disposable option take an empty two litre cool drink bottle and pierce at regular intervals. Fix a hosepipe fitting to the opening where the lid would go and voila, you have a cheap but effective watering system.
Temporary fixes
Use non-gel toothpaste to hide unsightly nail holes in the wall. Smear the toothpaste over the offending area and smooth. This quick fix will last until the room is repaired and repainted.
Use superglue to repair holes in hosepipes and pool accessories.
Soak it up
Try using kitty litter to soak up and remove oil stains on the garage floor or driveway. Sprinkle on some super absorbent cat litter (the experts recommend the crystal variety) and leave for at least 15 minutes before crushing the crystals with your foot and brushing away the excess material.
Stop the squeak
Lubricate squeaky doors with petroleum jelly.
Make your own
Make your own blackboard paint by adding two tablespoons of tile grout to every cup of matte paint.
Make your own paint thinner by mixing a quarter cup of lemon oil with a cup of linseed oil. Slowly add the mixture to the thickened paint until it reaches the right consistency.