…Do you have a hack you absolutely like and can’t live without?
It’s one thing to collect a set of handy tools that can be used in a wide range of contexts around the house, but it’s a whole other level to keep them in good working order and know some neat hacks to use them.
You can use pliers to hold your tools, but have you ever thought of using them to hold your flashlight in a tight spot? Magnets on the refrigerator are handy, but when you realize they can also hold tools, you’ll appreciate them even more. See? These simple hacks will make your life so much easier.
In other words, these are the kinds of tricks and tips you want to know, and trust us, you’ll use them all the time from this moment on. We talked to several specialists, and they each shared some great advice for getting the most out of your toolbox and rounding out your knowledge of home repairs.
Do you want to know some amazing toolbox hacks? Then read along with us until the end of this article!
1. Use a magnet for small bobs and bits
Small metal parts like screws and washers have an annoying habit of dispersing and disappearing right when you need them. We know, it’s one of the worst things ever, especially when you’re in a rush! However, we have a solution for you. Using magnets to secure them to a single surface will keep this from happening again.
Magnets are available in wristband form in some stores, but as one of our experts says, you can simply use a magnet on the end of your tools, which will make it much simpler to grab the screws you need.
…Isn’t it a great hack? We think it is!
2. Use a toothbrush
Did you know that a toothbrush can have multiple purposes? That’s right, it isn’t good just for cleaning your teeth. You can use it to clean your shoes, scrub your bathtub, shower, or sink, and it can even serve as a great life hack for your toolbox.
Even though it might feel like a burden to keep your tools as new as possible, we all know that cleaning them can be a real pain in the neck. But it shouldn’t be.
Just take a few minutes to scrub them after you’re done using your tools, and you’ll notice how shiny they’ll look afterward. Grab a cloth and a cleaning solution and wipe out your tools. Be careful not to get the solution near the power cables or motor because it’s not good.
You can use an old toothbrush to restore shine to dull equipment and it only takes a few strokes of a toothbrush to clean in and around switches and knobs.
After you’re done using the cleaning solution, wipe the surface with a dry towel to get rid of the excess. If your tools have some rusty spots, we have another amazing hack for you: use steel wool to remove corrosion.
3. No tangled extension cords
While extension cables have their uses, they have the annoying habit of becoming tangled. Lucky for us, there’s a method to stop this from happening.
Experts recommend always tying off extension cables before using any power equipment because it keeps the extension cable from disconnecting while being pulled from a height, such as a ladder.
Take both ends of the cable, wrap them around each other like you’re tying your shoes, and then plug them together. While you’re doing it, you can form the rope into a really strong bow. Simple and efficient!
4. Paint with a broom
Did you know that there are numerous additional uses for a broom than sweeping the floor? That’s right. You can do posture exercises with the help of a broom. But that’s not today’s topic. You don’t have a paint roller? No worries; just grab a broom and let’s start.
If you want to change the look of your home and give it a makeover, you can do so by changing the colors of your walls. Sadly, you might find it hard to reach the tall ceiling and walls.
Don’t even think of heading out to the store to get an extension pole for your paint roller, because we have an amazing life hack for you. Grab a clean broom, dip it in paint, and get the job done. It’s easy and convenient, and the results will be just as good as if you were using a regular paint roller.
5. Keep your garden tools in the sand
When you store your garden tools outside, they come into contact with various elements and can easily corrode. But there’s a hack you can use to avoid this: grab a bucket of sand and store all your garden tools in there. If you use a cup of motor oil and add it to the bucket, it will keep your things organized and rust-free at the same time.
6. Save your screws
When working on a DIY project around the house, make sure you have all the things you’ll need to get started, so everything can run smoothly. If you have any screws and nails that aren’t used right away, don’t even think of throwing them away. You’ll regret it later!
Add them to a stockpile and organize them by size and kind in a drawer in your garage. This is a great way to avoid rushing out to the hardware store at the last minute, and you’ll also save money.
7. Pliers double as lighter holders
Fixes at night, in crawl spaces, or in other low-light situations might be difficult to see since you need your hands for the actual task and not for holding a flashlight. If you don’t have a guiding light of any kind, this is one hack you don’t want to miss.
A rubber band, a flashlight, and a pair of pliers are all you need. Open the pliers, place the flashlight between the jaws, and wrap your rubber band around the plier handles to make a handy flashlight holder.
8. Secure your hammer projects
There are times when you need to shield the substance from your hammer blows, and we have the exact life hack you need. Start with a little piece of scrap 1/4-inch plywood that should have a hole drilled through it slightly larger than the nail head. If you somehow miss the nail, it’s only the 1/4-inch plywood that will be damaged, not the finished wood.
9. Allen keys
Even though the little Allen wrenches that come with furniture packages might have lost their sharpness after repeated turns in hexagonal sockets and screws, you shouldn’t throw them away just yet.
They are not beyond the point of being revitalized, no matter how stale they might have become. Experts recommend giving them a second chance by removing the head and filing it down with a metal file. It’ll be like having a brand new Allen key. Cost-effective, right?
10. Keep your paint job fresh
The presence of lint and hair after rolling on a coat of paint is annoying, at best, and potentially disastrous, at worst. Rollers and paintbrushes might be difficult to keep clear of stray fur even after vigorous shaking and scrubbing. But we have a fantastic hack for when this occurs.
Wrap the roller sleeve in blue painter’s tape from end to end, and form a spiral pattern that wraps around all the fibers. When you’re done with that, simply remove the tape, and you’ll get rid of the lint and fibers that were stuck to the sleeve, which will prevent them from sticking to your wall.
…What do you think about these simple life hacks? Do you think they’ll be useful for those little projects around the house? Let us know in the comments!
…If you’re into crafts and home improvement projects, you came to the right place! Here’s another great article for you. Check it out: 12 Surprising Things You Should Never Throw in the Washing Machine!
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