WD-40
That familiar blue-and-yellow can of WD-40 has probably been in your garage—and your parents’ garage—as long as you can remember. Invented more than 60 years ago, it’s a secret sauce of lubricants and other agents that displace water, repel dirt, and prevent corrosion. You can use it to silence squeaky door hinges, remove rust from garden tools, and perform a zillion other household miracles. Available on Amazon; $12.99
CLR
Bondo All-Purpose Putty
Minwax Stain Markers
Keep a set of stain markers in the house to touch up nicks and scratches in all your wood surfaces. The markers can refresh any wood surface, including floors, cabinets, doors, and moldings. Regular use will keep wood maintenance easy and manageable. Available on Amazon; $5.98
Related: Floor Care Guide—11 Ways to Care for Your Wood Floors
Good-Bye Cracks Elastic Crack Cover
If you have stubborn cracks in drywall, masonry, or wood, you can eliminate them for good with Good-Bye Cracks. The product forms a flexible, elastic layer of protection to keep cracks from coming back. Spray one two coats of Good-Bye Cracks, and then paint once it has dried. Available on Amazon; $56.99
Loctite GO2 Glue
Loctite GO2 Glue is an all-purpose glue that can mend myriad household hurts. Useful in applications where at least one surface is porous, Loctite GO2 Glue can adhere a tile back on the wall or join together a broken mirror. It’s water resistant and dries clear, so it’s appropriate for both exterior and interior uses. Available on Amazon; $93.75
KwikWood
Use KwikWood to repair damage to wooden window and door frames, moldings, and furniture. Mix together this two-part epoxy by hand and fill holes and cracks. You can even mold it into shape and then sand, carve, and paint it. Suitable for both exterior and interior applications, it won’t rot, shrink, or crack. Available on Amazon; $5.78
Related: 10 Toolbox Hacks for Your Next DIY Project
VLP Leather & Vinyl Repair
A torn leather cushion may seem like a lost cause, but it’s not. Both leather and vinyl can be repaired with VLP, which dissolves the edges of a tear, bonds them together, and then dries clear. No color matching is required. Repair upholstery, awnings, covers, inflatables, and more. Available on Amazon; $8.46
Gorilla Tape
Gorilla Tape takes duct tape to the next level. It’s stronger and stickier than traditional duct tape and works well on porous surfaces like brick and wood. With a superthick layer of adhesive, it can do everything traditional duct tape does—but better. Just don’t stick it to your walls, or it may very well take the paint off with it when it's removed! Available on Amazon; $8.47
For More...
For more about home repair, consider:
Easy DIY Fixes for 11 Annoying House Problems
30 Things Every Homeowner Should Know How to Do
20 Insanely Easy 60-Minute Home Improvements
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