Tips for Home Repairs To Do Yourself Before You Spend a Lot of Money

 Tips for Home Repairs To Do Yourself Before You Spend a Lot of Money

• Clogged drains – Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. As they bubble down the clogged drain, follow with at least a teapot full of boiling water.
• Closet Odors - Put several dryer sheets in the linen closet to remove the musty smell. This also works in your clothes closet and specifically in the shoe slots or inside the shoes. 
• Dishwasher Odors- Try running a load with Lemonade Kool-Aid or a vinegar and lemon juice mixture.
• Carpet stains – Put a dab of white shaving cream (not the gel variety) onto the stain and blot. Use cool water to clean off the shaving cream. Let dry and vacuum. For urine stains, try blotting white vinegar to rid the odor so the pet will not return. Dishwashing or Washing Machine soap can be dabbed on to remove the stain. 
• Squeaky wood floors – Before you call in a pro to adjust your squeaky hardwood floor, try sprinkling baby powder between the floorboards and sweeping up the excess. The powder should lubricate the boards so they no longer rub together.

• Dirty windows – White vinegar and paper towels should make a streak free window. Also try a mixture of lemon juice and water. The secret is to get the window clean of dirt with a little soapy water and a hose to the outside first.
• Appliance breakdowns – Keep the instruction booklets for every appliance you buy. Before you call the repairman, check the handbook. Most contain troubleshooting tips that may help you solve the problem yourself.
• Mice – If you can spot the opening where mice are crawling in, stuff it with a rag saturated with peppermint oil. Mint planted near doorways, or spraying door frames with peppermint oil will also deter mice from entering. 
• Ants – Ants hate the peppermint smell too, so the solution for mice infestation should work for ants as well. Other solutions? Sprinkle baking soda where you have seen ants congregate. Leave it for 24 hours, then brush or vacuum away. Or try cinnamon sprinkled in the doorway where the ants are but be careful as cinnamon can stain. Also corn meal seems to work since the ants carry the grains back to their nest and when they eat it, the grain gets larger and the ant explodes.

• Spider Webs- Spiders do not like the smell of peppermint oil either. If you are plagued with spiders and webs in the garage, remove the webs and wipe the area down with  peppermint oil and they will probably not come back for a while.
• Furniture drawer slides that do not slide easily. Put some petrolum jelly on the drawer sliderer and then open and close the drawer 2-3 times and you will then see how easily the drawer moves. Plus the jelly will not hurt the wood.
• Jewelry Cleaner- Make your own by mixing dish soap and water . If you are in a pinch and do no have any cleaner, a 1/2 tsp of mouthwash will work. Soak it for a couple of minutes and then clean it with a brush and wipe it dry. It will sparkle! (great on trips)
• Remove Water Spots- Use Lemon Juice or Vinegar and let it sit for a while. Wipe it with a tooth brush and rinse.
• Clean Pan Bottoms- Make a paste of baking soda and lemon and put on pans to remove the ugly brown spots. Let it sit for 4-5 hours and rinse. Repeat if necessary.

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California is a dream-come-true state no matter what your needs or wants are. We have year round warm weather, beautiful beaches, rustic mountains and desert communities. If you are looking for a home in Southern California, please contact me. I am a local California Realtor, live in the Inland Empire community and am aware of the local market. I am here to help you find a home or to sell the home you currently own. California has great opportunities to view Nature and Bird Watching. Whatever your needs are, you will find it here in California! From the Inland Empire you are 45 minutes to the beaches, mountains or desert. Housing is affordable in the Inland Empire area!

Kristin Hamilton CABRE #01492138 Keller Williams Realty –Women's Council of Realtors® Member– I am a full time agent and deal in all types of real estate transactions. Trusts, Probate, Short Sales, Standard Listing, Single Family Homes, Apartments 1-4 units, Duplexes and Condos. I am also an experienced REO agent. I sell real estate in the Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties. I am a trained and experienced Short Sale agent. If you are looking for a professional and experienced agent, I am just a click away. Google me at Kristin Hamilton-Real Estate Agent. Homeowners and Buyers both will find my services top notch and successful. Call me to sell your home; both traditional and short sales.

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