How to Get Rid of a Smoke Smell in Your New Home
As hard as it is to believe, a lot of people still smoke cigarettes—nearly 30 million people in this country alone. Aside from the well-proven health impact, smoking also has…
The Most Common Home Repair Mistakes Owners Make (and How to Avoid Them)
When the home repair bills start to mount, many people suddenly become passionate about DIY home repairs—and there are certainly plenty of projects around the house that you can do…
When to Clean Your Air Ducts, According to the EPA
If you’re putting together an end-of-summer home maintenance checklist, you’ve probably taken your home’s HVAC system into consideration. Changing filters and performing an inspection at least once a year is…
How to Tear Masking Tape Perfectly Every Time
Photo: pics five (Shutterstock) Like many households, we have a roll of masking tape in the kitchen junk drawer, and frequently use it for all kinds of crafts, labeling, and…
Stop Putting Dryer Sheets in Your Vents
Photo: Mike Fig Photo (Shutterstock) While dryer sheets are often touted as being versatile odor absorbers, they really only belong in the dryer. It might seem like a simple and…
The Best Ways to Fix a Leaky Air Mattress Without a Patch Kit
Photo: Maria Studio (Shutterstock) ‘Tis the season for holiday houseguests and air mattresses. And chances are, you’ve either heard or said, “Don’t worry—we have an air mattress!” only to find…
Five Ways to ‘Clean’ the Air in Your Home
Photo: Shutterstock (Shutterstock) There are lots of tips out there—and here on Lifehacker—about how to clean everything in your home, from your toilet to your fireplace to your couch cushions.…
How to DIY Fake Molding on a Budget
Photo: Sedletsky (Shutterstock) New molding can give a boring room more visual interest and look more expensive. While springing for the real thing looks great, it can be pretty pricey…
What a Professional Housecleaner Will Clean (and What They Won’t)
Photo: mariakray (Shutterstock) Hiring a house cleaning service can be hugely helpful if you’re busy, unorganized, or in a rush, but there is some etiquette you have to know before…
How to Tell If There’s Mold in Your Air Conditioner, (and What to Do About It)
Photo: PattyPhoto (Shutterstock) Air conditioners make life much easier when the weather is hot. But if your AC unit isn’t well-maintained or functioning properly, or hasn’t been used for an…