12 diy fixes for your apartment?

Answer 1

Did you know that there is a cheaper alternative to dryer sheets and chances are it's right in your kitchen?

Life is hard enough as it is, with the tens of thousands of things to get through in a day. It’s a delicate balancing act, dealing with work and various responsibilities, all while attempting to have a social life. So it’s no surprise that household chores are at the bottom of your list of things to tackle. But what if we said we could make your life a whole lot easier?

These life hacks will make everything infinitely simpler and will help you get some well-deserved extra downtime. When it feels like there aren’t enough hours in day, try one (or more!) of these household hacks to gain some time. Who knows—maybe you’ll finally be able to fit in a nap, or even catch up on “Game Of Thrones” before someone posts spoilers on Facebook! There’s a first time for everything...

Silence squeaky floorboards with baby powder.

Squeaky wooden floors can be extremely annoying. Get around the creaky noises by sprinkling some baby powder where the floors creak and sweeping it into the cracks of the wood. The baby powder will act as a lubricant and help silence the squeaking. Think of it as powdery WD40.

Pro tip: Use a paintbrush to get the powder into all of the nooks and crannies.

Prevent soap-scum build-up by using Rain-X in the shower.

Looking for a way to cut down on cleaning? Rain-X is your solution. Get rid of soap-scum and prevent future buildup by using it in the shower. It works the same on shower doors as it does on windshields, making your life a whole lot easier.

Pro tip: Did you know that spritzing a bit of anti-grease dish detergent on the walls of your shower after each morning rinse will help reduce mildew?

Figure out which clothes to donate with this simple hanger trick.

When it comes time to donate clothes, the rule of thumb states that if you haven’t worn it in over a year, donate it. But often times we feel stumped, racking our brains on whether we have worn something recently or not (or if a trend will come back!). Solve this dilemma by following this simple hanger trick: After wearing an item of clothing, put the it back into the closet facing the opposite direction. That way you can donate anything that is facing front the next time Goodwill calls.

Pro tip: For an advanced method, pick up a copy of Marie Kondo's book "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up." If that doesn't inspire you to donate some clothes, nothing will!

Get rid of the fish smell by using vinegar.

Many people decide not to cook fish for one reason alone: the smell. Instead of worrying about the fishy stank that lingers in the kitchen for days, leave a bowl of vinegar out when you sear that salmon of yours. The vinegar will help absorb the fishy stench, leaving your kitchen smelling fresh.

Pro tip: Get a spare box of baking soda to keep in the fridge to eliminate extra odors. It can last for months!

Turn a regular curtain into a baller shower curtain.

Don’t have a shower curtain? You’re failing at life. But you’re in luck, because making one is easier than clicking on Amazon. Turn a regular curtain into a shower curtain by adding a liner on the inner side, and you’re good to go!

Pro tip: Make sure you match the length of your liner to the curtain for a sleek finish.

Make bacon without the mess.

Use aluminum foil to cook bacon without the mess. All you have to do is line a bowl with aluminum foil and microwave it. You can use the grease in the rest of your brunch cooking, let it harden, and then dispose of it easily.

Ditch the dryer sheets for a ball of aluminum foil.

If you don’t want to spend money on dryer sheets, there’s a cheaper alternative: aluminum foil. A ball of aluminum foil can provide the same benefit of keeping your clothes static free, in one much easier, cost-effective way.

Pro tip: Add vinegar to the rinse cycle as a fabric softener.

Freeze out carpet furniture indents.

This one is a pretty easy fix. If you’re trying to get rid of pesky furniture indents on your throw or wall-to-wall carpet, just take an ice cube and place it over the spot where the leg of our sofa used to sit. Wait until the ice melts...and poof! The dent will be gone. Let the fibers expand by “fluffing” the area with a fork or toothbrush before patting dry.

Keep USB cords from getting lost behind your desk with binder clips.

Your day’s frustrating enough—contorting underneath your desk to grab a cord is the last thing you need spend time doing. Stop them from falling through the cracks by using binder clips. Attach binder clips to the cords; that way they can’t get lost behind your desk.

Pro tip: Make sure to line them up neatly according to which ones you use the most.

Use bread tags for power cords.

Per above, untangling cords can be a nightmare. Most times you just stare at the jumbled pile and wonder how you ever let it get this bad in the first place. Alleviate your stress of being electrocuted with the help of bread bag twist tags. First, label the tags to what item they’re connected to, and then attach it to the cords. That way you know which wire to unplug without having to deal with the turmoil.

Pro tip: Make sure the electricity is off before messing about back there!

Get rid of pet hair with a squeegee.

There’s nothing like a fluffy, four-legged friend by your side—that is, of course, until they start to shed and you need to emerge from your apartment. Instead of worrying about how you’re going to clean the place up, grab a rubber squeegee to help you remove all of the hairs. And you can go back to telling your pet that they’re the best, while having a spotless house.

Pro tip: Give it a good rinse and you use it on the bathroom mirror. Double duty!

Speed up drying time.

Doing laundry is a chore. You likely have neither the time nor the energy. So if you’re ever stuck in a bind, speed up the drying process with this next trick; before starting the dryer, throw one clean, dry towel in with your wet clothes, and take it out after 15 minutes. The dry towel will help absorb excess moisture and speed up your drying time in a stitch.

Pro tip: The fluffier the towel, the more moisture it will absorb. All the better to get out the door with.

Easy Blender Cleaner

Everyone loves a good smoothie, yet nobody has the time to clean their blender afterward. Make the cleanup process a whole lot easier by following this hack—fill your blender with warm water and a drop of dish soap, then turn it on for a couple of seconds. Dump out the soapy water and rinse the blender with clean water.

Pro tip: Frozen fruits help keep your smoothie chill during the winter months when the berries you love best are more expensive.

Dryer Sheet Duster

Did you know that dryer sheets can do more than just make your gym clothes smell fresh again? Their anti-static chemicals also help repel dust, so think twice before throwing them away; take a used sheet and dust electronics, bookshelves, and more.

Pro tip: Throw a sheet into your sock drawer for continued freshness.