12 Handy Tricks Every Home Owner Should Know
- Got nasty grout? Just use a bleach pen to banish dirty grout lines.
- Prolong the life of your refrigerator by pulling it out an inch from the wall. It likes to breathe too!
- Improve your shower by de-gunking the shower head. Put some white vinegar in a plastic bag and attach it to your shower head. Let it soak for awhile to remove stubborn mineral deposits that lessen the water flow.
- Sharpen garbage disposal blades with ice cubes. Throw in a couple of lemon wedges to make it smell nice.
- Drain your hot water heater every 6-12 months to clean out sludge and mineral deposits that accumulate. This will extend the life of your hot water heater.
- Extend the life of your washer by de-scaling it. Hard water deposits can clog up your washer. Get rid of them by running a load with hot water and a cup of white vinegar.
- Keep an eye on the paint. Extend the time between whole-house paint jobs by touching up exterior paint as problem spots arise.
- Use clear nail polish as a temporary fill for small chips in your windows .
- Clean your vent hood filter. A dirty vent hood is not efficient, but no one ever cleans it because it can be a huge pain! For an easier clean, just soak the filter in a sink full of hot, soapy water and scrub with a scrub bush to loosen sticky grime.
- To clear a slow drain, try Alka-Seltzer. The fizzy action can loosen grime without the harsh chemicals.
- Extend the life of your mattress by vacuuming monthly. Extend the life of your pillows by washing them every six months in hot water.
- Remove dents in carpet by placing a damp washcloth over the dent, and then steaming with your iron.

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