BUILD
PAINT
CLEAN
MAINTAIN
USE
DESIGN
INSTALL
CHOOSE
GROW
How To: Remove Grout Haze
If you notice a cloudiness suddenly appear across your tiled surfaces only days after a bathroom renovation, it's probably not a thick layer of soap scum that has accumulated in the very short time its been i...
Solved! What to Do If an Electrical Outlet Isn't Working
Q: When I plugged my cell phone charger into a kitchen outlet, my phone didn’t start charging as it normally does—rather, it seemed that this one electrical outlet was not working. I could charge it elsewhere, of...
How To: Polish Wood Floors
Think about the beating your wood floors endure on a daily basis: high heels, pet nails, children’s toys, and shifting furniture, to name a few! Tough as wood floors may be, their finish is still susceptible to s...
Solved! What Is a SEER Rating?
Q: My 15-year-old air conditioning unit finally gave up, so I’m in the process of shopping for a new one. I’ve heard that SEER ratings are an important consideration when choosing a new model but the numbers are ...
The Dos and Don’ts of Replacing a Toilet
Thanks to their solid construction and simple design, toilets often outlast other bathroom fixtures, but they don’t last forever. After a decade or so, heavy lime deposits can build up, resulting in clogging or s...
How To: Paint Bathroom Cabinets
If your bathroom vanity has gone dingy with heavy use and exposure to moisture—or it’s just looking dated—paint can come to the rescue by offering an easy way to refresh your storage piece. Yes, you can successfu...
How To: Remove Scratches from Plastic
Any plastic—windows, headlights, patio furniture, and more—is susceptible to scratches as a result of normal wear and tear. An occasional shallow mark can go unnoticed, but over time they'll add up and leave ...
How To: Fix a Hole in a Door
Hollow core doors—consisting of a lightweight wood frame covered with composite veneer—are affordable (around $50 per door, compared to $150 to $350 for a solid hardwood) and paintable, so you can easily match th...
How To: Clean Stovetop Drip Pans
Kitchen surfaces are bound to get messy from meal prep, but arguably none more than your stovetop. Take a good look at the drip pans at each burner. Chances are they’re covered with spaghetti sauce, cooking oil, ...
How To: Dispose of Paint Thinner
Composed of mineral spirits, turpentine, and acetone or other solvents, paint thinner effectively does its job of thinning oil-based paints and cleaning tools like brushes and rollers. But if you aim to get rid o...
