00:00I'm going to show you 25 useful hacks to make DIY projects better, faster, and easier.
00:06There's nothing worse than trying to hang a picture and using a level, right?
00:10You're worried about scratching the wall and it slides everywhere.
00:13The fix?
00:14Wrap a few rubber bands around your level so it grips the wall.
00:18Now how easy is that?
00:19You can hold it level with one hand and mark your nail line with the other.
00:23Next, hate holding tiny picture nails and smashing your fingers?
00:28Grab a pair of pliers, slap some rubber bands on them, and look at that, it's self-gripping.
00:34Clamp it right onto the nail, hold it against the wall, and hammer away.
00:38Will it drop the nail?
00:39Not with those rubber bands!
00:41Once it's started, just finish hammering and you're ready for your frame.
00:45Hate cutting outlet holes because of all the tedious math that still ends up wrong?
00:50Try this instead.
00:51Remove the cover screw, then roll up two little bundles of painter's tape and stick them to the cover.
00:56Press your panel against it, pull it back, and guess what?
00:59The outlet cover sticks right to the panel.
01:02Just grab a pen or sharpie, trace around the edge, and you're done.
01:05No more math, no more guesswork, just a perfect cut outline every time.
01:10Want to keep your wood from splitting?
01:12Avoid pieces with a knot on the end, it's already splitting down the length,
01:15and driving a nail in will only make it worse.
01:18So, what should you look for instead?
01:21Find pieces with straight, tightly stacked grain and zero knots.
01:25This one's okay, but see those widely spaced rings?
01:28You want them stacked as close together as possible.
01:31That gives you super strong wood that can handle anything and won't split when you drive a nail in.
01:36Dread working under the kitchen sink because of that sharp cabinet edge digging into your back?
01:41Here is the ultimate back saver.
01:43Take a pool noodle, cut it to size with a serrated knife,
01:47and slice it down the middle just to the core, not all the way through.
01:50Open it up and slip it right onto that sharp wood edge.
01:54Does it stay in your way forever?
01:56Nope, just pop it on while you work for an instant cushion.
01:59Easy on your back, and no more aches later.
02:02Want to save your shoulder and elbows while cleaning?
02:05Grab a round brush from Dollar Tree,
02:07chop off the handle, and mark an X right in the center.
02:12Next, carefully drill a hole straight through the middle.
02:15Once cleared out, push a bolt through the bristles so it sticks out the back,
02:18then tighten a washer and nut over it.
02:20See those awful grout lines?
02:22Spray down your favorite cleaner, lock the bolt into your drill, and run it on high speed.
02:28Look at that shine!
02:29And it's so much easier on your arms.
02:32Got a couch, autumn, and a rug covered in stubborn pet hair and dust?
02:36Here's a quick hack.
02:37Grab a cheap toilet bowl brush, mark the handle at 6 inches,
02:41and use a jigsaw to trim off the end and clean off any rough plastic slivers.
02:46Now, how do we make it work?
02:48Lock the stem into your drill and spin it on high.
02:52See how those spinning bristles reach deep down into the fabric?
02:55When your vacuum fails to pull out embedded hair,
02:58this DIY drill attachment gets the job done every time.
03:02Struggling to remove those ugly plastic wall anchors without destroying your drywall?
03:06Well, pliers usually slip right off.
03:08Instead, grab a wine corkscrew and twist it directly into the center of the anchor.
03:13Will it damage the wall?
03:15Not at all.
03:16Once it gets a solid grip, lever the handles down and watch it pop right out.
03:21Got rusty old tools that were left out in the rain?
03:24Drop them into a bowl with equal parts white vinegar and water and let them soak overnight.
03:28When you pull them out, how do you get the rest of the gunk off?
03:32Just scrub away the loose rust with a stiff, bristle brush.
03:36Finish with a liberal spray of WD-40 on all the moving hinges.
03:40Isn't it great to get your tools looking brand new before the work starts?
03:43Ever tried filling a large bucket that won't fit under your sink faucet?
03:47Here is the big secret.
03:48Every pool noodle has a hollow core.
03:51Slide one end of the noodle right over the faucet spout
03:54and then take the other end and hold it directly over the center of your bucket on the floor.
03:58Turn on the tap slowly and watch the water slide right down the tube until your bucket is full.
04:05Wondering how to get a smooth coat of paint on top of a wide piece of furniture?
04:08Grab a wall painting sponge pad.
04:10It lets you cover large flat surfaces in seconds with zero brush strokes.
04:15Want to strip old wood stain without hours of messy sanding?
04:18Grab a can of regular oven cleaner and spray a thick, heavy layer over the entire piece.
04:24After letting it sit for 30 minutes, what happens?
04:27The chemicals break down the old finish so it's ready to scrub.
04:30Give it a thorough spray down with the garden hose, let it dry in the sun,
04:34and look at that incredible transformation.
04:36Got stubborn drawers that keep sticking and jamming?
04:39Just swipe a tiny dab of Vaseline along the tracks or side rails.
04:43It acts as a slick, long-lasting lubricant for a smooth, silent glide every single time.
04:48What about squeaky doors around the house?
04:50Rub a little Vaseline directly onto the hinge pins.
04:53Swing the door back and forth a few times and enjoy the silence.
04:57Got a pair of dull scissors that won't cut?
04:59Grab a square of aluminum foil, fold it into quarters,
05:03and start snipping along the folded edges.
05:05Every cut gently hones and sharpens the blades.
05:08Give it a few snips, and boom!
05:11Brand new scissor performance!
05:13Heading into a painting project?
05:14Why scrub dried paint out of your plastic roller tray?
05:17Line the entire tray with aluminum foil first.
05:20Pour your paint right on top, and when you're done,
05:23simply peel the foil away and throw it out.
05:25Your tray stays spotless.
05:27Leftover paint on your roller or brush.
05:29Don't let it dry out.
05:30Wrap the ends tightly in aluminum foil to seal out the air.
05:34Want to save the paint in your tray for tomorrow?
05:36Just stretch another sheet of foil over the top to keep it fresh.
05:40Think your toilet might be running up your water bill?
05:42Take off the tank lid and drop a few squirts of food coloring into the water.
05:46If that colored water seeps down into the toilet bowl without flushing,
05:50you've got a leak!
05:51It almost always means a worn-out flapper.
05:54Swap in a new one, and watch your water bill drop.
05:57Love the look of natural wood grain,
05:59but don't want to deal with sanding or paint stripping?
06:02Try this simple faux grain technique.
06:04Start by light sanding all painted surfaces until smooth.
06:08Use a small brush for tight corners,
06:10then roll on your base color with a smooth velour roller.
06:13How do we create that rich grain texture?
06:15Brush a dark wood stain over the painted surfaces,
06:18then gently wipe most of it away using a crinkly old rag,
06:22followed by light strokes with a dry brush.
06:24Add your new hardware,
06:26and isn't that timeless wood grain finish gorgeous?
06:29Disgusted by stained, peeling bathroom caulk,
06:32slice along the edges with a utility knife,
06:35and scrape the old caulk out.
06:37Next, lay down a fresh, thin bead of silicone along the seam.
06:41Looks messy at first, right?
06:43Smooth it down with a gloved finger,
06:45then wipe away the excess with a damp sponge.
06:48Look how clean and fresh that looks.
06:51Want perfect, razor-sharp caulk lines around your windows?
06:55Apply strips of painter's tape along both sides of the gap,
06:58squeeze your caulk down the center,
06:59and smooth it with your finger.
07:01Now for the secret.
07:02Pull the tape away while the caulk is still wet.
07:05Look at those razor-sharp professional edges.
07:08Torn window screen letting bugs in?
07:11Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the rubber spline out of its channel
07:14and pull the old mesh away.
07:15Lay your new screen material over the frame and trim it roughly to size.
07:20How do we lock it down?
07:21Press the spline into one corner.
07:23Then run a screen roller tool along the groove to press the cord firmly into place.
07:27Finish by running a utility knife along a straight edge to trim off the excess mesh.
07:32Pop it back in the window.
07:33And doesn't that look brand new?
07:37Tired of messy paint cans?
07:39Instead of wiping your brush on the rim,
07:41stretch a large rubber band across the top of the open can.
07:44Now where do you wipe off excess paint?
07:47Right against the band.
07:48And your rim stays completely clean for the lid.
07:51Does your paintbrush ever get gunked up?
07:53Run a comb through the bristles.
07:55It pulls out stubborn paint,
07:57keeping your brush in great shape for your next project.
08:00Painting around a bathroom toilet?
08:02Skip the tedious taping.
08:04Just slide a large plastic trash bag right over the tank and seat.
08:07It keeps every stray paint spatter completely off your toilet.
08:10Finish painting a room and worried you'll forget the color later?
08:13Grab a sharpie and write the brand, color name, and sheen
08:17directly on the back of the light switch or outlet cover.
08:19Years from now, you'll know the exact match for quick touch-ups.
08:23Let's do this.
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