Regular home maintenance is challenging, but we all have to do it. Of course, while calling our trusted handypersons for minor repairs is always an option, we could all benefit from brushing up on our DIY skills to tackle home fixes independently. 

Here are some essential DIY tips and tricks that every homeowner should know, courtesy of House Logic, Best Life, Family Handyman, and some of our lovely Kapitbahays.

Absorb Moisture with Chalk

Tools, especially if improperly stored or unused for long periods, may eventually accumulate rust. You can prevent this by tossing some chalk into your toolbox. Because chalk absorbs moisture, it can significantly help keep any rust-prone tools from getting damp. 

Chalk can also be used to absorb dampness and odor in your closet. Simply fill a small cheesecloth bag with chalk and hang it in your wardrobe. Alternatively, you can opt for dehumidifiers (which you can also use in cars!) to not only keep the dampness away but to prevent the spread of bacteria and to protect fabrics such as leather from mildew. 

Stick-On Backsplash Tiles

Tiles can rack up a high price — good thing Kapitbahay Jason found the perfect budol for those looking for cheaper alternatives! Create the illusion of tiles in your kitchen with peel-and-stick backsplash patterns (A). The best part? This tip is so easy that you don’t need a contractor!

Buff with Essential Oils

If you want to bring the kintab back to your wooden furniture, try polishing them with essential oils. You can use lemon or tea tree essential oils to polish and clean stains or spots. However, be careful not to use them on surfaces where you prepare food and areas where pets may easily reach, as many essential oils are unsafe for consumption and can be harmful to animals.

Protect Your TV with Acrylic

If you have kids who regularly play around the TV like Kapitbahay Jean, try this DIY tip. Create a barrier using acrylic to avoid accidents and broken screens. For this project (B), Jean installed shelving using wooden planks above and below the wall-mounted TV, then attached an acrylic board from Trafierce Acrylic/Fiber Glass Works to create a protective screen.  

Repair Drywall with Makeup Sponges

Another item with surprising uses is a makeup sponge! If you have small holes in your drywall, try cutting down a makeup sponge until it can fit snugly inside the hole. Then, squeeze your makeup sponge into the hole, and finish off your DIY hack with a coat of spackling paste on top to secure everything.

Get Creative with Limewash Paint

If you want to try painting your walls, Kapitbahay Bebs shares their novice-friendly paint job that you can also do. Using Asvesti limewash paint in the shade “Fla,” Bebs gave their space a unique makeover. Be sure to follow the provided instructions and clean the dust and debris off your walls before painting! 

Maximize Your Hangers

Fitting all our clothes in small closet spaces can be a pain — lalo na sa ating mga panay ‘add to cart’! But, if you have a tall closet, you can maximize that space by connecting your hangers with a lightweight chain. All you need to do is loop the first link of the chain on the first hanger, then hang more hangers on every other link to stagger your hanging clothes.

Keep Bugs Out with Window Screens

If installing window screens is out of budget, try this online find from Kapitbahay Joy. These velcro window screens (C) are easy to attach to your window frame and even more straightforward to use. Simply detach the screen from its velcro lining if you want to open and close your window or if you need to clean out the dust.

Make Use of Vinegar

Another multi-tasking product is vinegar. For instance, you can use it to eliminate any foul odors in your microwave by placing a bowl of vinegar inside and letting it sit for around five minutes. Afterward, you can remove the bowl and wipe down your microwave — voila! The odor is gone! 

You can also use vinegar to clean spotty windows and mirrors. First, make a solution of cold water and white vinegar. Then, spray it onto the surface and clean it with a microfiber towel. 

If your oven looks a little worse for wear, you can use vinegar to clean it up. First, spread a paste using baking soda around your oven. Then, allow it to sit overnight. The next day, take a spray bottle and fill it equally with vinegar and water. Thoroughly saturate all surfaces with the solution and soak for 15 minutes before rinsing. This method should break up any char built up.

Spruce Up Your AC

Window-type air-conditioning units can sometimes look out of place — especially in Kapitbahay Abby’s case, where their unit is literally inside their window. But with some DIY, Abby found a stunning way to make their AC look chic and cohesive with their walls (D). All you need to emulate Abby’s renovation is contact paper to decorate the panels around the unit, border stickers to line the edges, and self-adhesive pleated blinds for the rest of the window.

Remove Candlewax with Ease

Candles are great for decorating and setting the mood. But nothing turns that mood sour faster than realizing you’ve gotten candlewax all over your furniture. Don’t risk any damage by scraping the wax off! Instead, you can cool the wax by placing a bag of ice over it and letting it sit for a few minutes. Once the wax has sufficiently hardened, it should be easy to pick up.

If the wax got onto your fluffy carpet and you're having difficulty getting it out, try putting a paper bag over the area and steam ironing it. The steam can help lift the wax, causing it to cling to the paper bag instead. 

Do you know any home hacks? Share your DIY adventures on our Facebook page!