HOME REPAIR 101: HOW-TO TIPS FOR FIXING THINGD AT HOME

A loose screw in a door hinge (or any wood material) can be tightened by removing the screw, inserting a few common wood toothpicks or matchsticks, breaking them off at surface level, and then replacing the screw.

Double-hung windows that don’t slide freely can be lubricated by rubbing a dry bar of paraffin in the tracks on the sides of the windows. (This also works for wooden dresser drawers or for doors that rub against their frames.)

The tip of a common graphite pencil can be be rubbed on metal door latches to make them close more smoothly without banging on the latch plate in the door frame.

Among the most useful items to have around for quick fixes are a wide roll of masking tape and another roll of common vinyl duct tape. You can write on masking tape with a felt marker or Sharpie and make temporary “Wet Paint” signs. A tear in a vinyl chair seat or car seat can be patched with heavy-duty duct tape.
Fixing things yourself has two big advantages: You save time and you save money. After all, who has the leisure - or the inclination - to wait all day for an expensive repair person to stop by? Here are a few simple at-home fixits you can easily handle yourself.

-- A broken cup handle can be reattached with epoxy, polyvinyl chloride, or another strong glue meant for porous surfaces. You can hold it in the proper position with a piece of masking tape while the glue dries. (Avoid putting these glued items in the dishwasher; hot water may melt the seals.)

-- Cracked window glass can be temporarily held in place with strips of duct tape.

-- Wrapping a thickness or two of masking tape around the end of a loose chair rung and then tapping it back into its hole can provide a temporary fix.

-- Wrapping a thickness of vinyl duct tape around any tool’s smooth metal handle can make for a better grip.

-- All manner of things that break into pieces or come apart can be temporarily taped back together with duct tape until permanent repairs or replacements can be made - a cracked broom handle, cardboard storage boxes, exposed metal edges, eyeglasses, even a loose doorknob.

-- When working with something that has small parts roll a piece of masking tape into a loop (sticky side out), and flatten it against your work surface. Press the small items onto the tape to prevent them from rolling onto the floor and getting lost while you’re in the midst of a repair.

Spring Cleaning With Kids

Spring is here! We’re all enjoying the extended daylight hours and season’s warmer weather. We’re planting flowers, airing out the patio cushions and checking the umbrella for mildew.

In many parts of the country, though, it’s not quite warm enough to move outside - yet. In the meantime, use cooler days to brighten up the indoors with a “Spring Cleaning” plan that gets the kids excited about this annual rite of home purification.

Kids? Excited about cleaning? You’re probably thinking there must be a typo here. Nope, no typo. Yes, it really is possible, even probable, that your kids will not only get excited, but motivated and moving, too!

The secret? A fun game plan that starts with - well, a game. So to increase the odds of cleaning success in your home, two of my favorite cleaning games (one you can play with your younger kids, the second with the older ones) are described below. If helping out is a new concept in your home, you’ll definitely want to take the fun approached. It’s worked wonders for my three kids.

First, however, you’ll want to gather your cleaning supplies so you’re ready for the kids and the fun and the cleaning to begin. And create a chore chart for the family so everyone will know exactly what they’re expected to do.

Not sure how to get started - or to divvy up the chores? Calling a family meeting is a great way to introduce a new cleaning plan and give everyone in the family a chance to choose his or her chores.

Below I’ve broken down spring cleaning chores so that they’re age-appropriate for your children. Here’s how the kids can help you bring spring indoors.

Seasonal chores for kids under age two:
☀ Pick up outside toys

Seasonal chores for kids ages three to five, previous chores plus:
☀ Put away outside toys and games and all their pieces in the proper boxes or bins
☀ Water plants

Seasonal chores for kids ages six to nine, previous chores, plus:
☀ Take indoor plants outside for a gentle washing
☀ Rake leaves
☀ Help with planting
☀ Sweep the patio and porches
☀ Wipe clean patio table and chairs
☀ Easy yard work such as weeding
☀ Help wash the car
☀ Fish surface litter out of the pool (with a grown-up’s supervision, of course)
☀ Help test the pool or hot tub water
☀ Help balance the pool or hot tub pH
☀ Help clean the pool strainer baskets
☀ Hang up pool towels

Seasonal chores for kids ages 10 to 13, previous chores, plus:
☀ Clean the patio and patio furniture
☀ Plant plants and bulbs
☀ Debug plants
☀ Weed gardens
☀ Harvest vegetables
☀ Mulch plants
☀ Vacuum the pool once a week
☀ Scrub the pool sides occasionally
☀ Clean refrigerator coils
☀ Clean dryer exhaust vent
☀ Polish silver

Seasonal chores for kids ages 14 to 17, previous chores, plus:
☀ Wash exterior windows
☀ Mow lawn
☀ Yard work such as pruning with small shears
☀ Clean the garage
☀ Check the pool or hot tub filter
☀ Maintain the compost pile
☀ Clean closets and drawers; put away seasonal clothing
☀ Turn mattresses
☀ Vacuum drapes
☀ Clean out fireplace and tools

We’ve Got Games
To get the family cleaning party started:

“Grimy to Glamorous” When it’s time for a spring cleaning session, have the family don sweats and labor the day away dragging rags and pails. In the evening, the family puts on their “night-out” best and heads out to dinner and a movie, something everyone enjoys together. Looking forward to a magical family outing makes even the longest list of chores palatable, especially when they’re done together.

“Bop While You Mop” Turn on your favorite upbeat music while you clean. Watch your kids howl as you sing along to Kanye West and do the Bump with the vacuum, the Macarena with the duster. You get the picture - a smiling group making short work of housework. Fill the house with positive energy, not grumbling. We rotate the DJ duties in our home to keep the peace. And we judge the results (say, a floor) not the mopper (a child), and everyone pitches in to make it a winner.

Window Washing 101

While name-brand glass cleaners will do you and your windows right, you can save coin and get the gleam you desire with this home-made glass cleaner recipe and some simple buffing tips.

Start with these three basics:

1 Spray bottle
2 Squeegee
3 Lint-free rag
4 Newspaper

Make your own mix-your-own window cleaner with white distilled vinegar diluted in water.

For streak- and spot-free glass, spray the cleaner lightly on the rag and wash the surface using horizontal strokes to prevent dripping. Squeegee dry.

For extra sparkle, polish the surface when it’s dry with a piece of newspaper. The ink used in some papers may smudge the glass when it’s wet, so try this first in a small area before attempting to buff the entire surface.

TIPS FOR BUILDING YOUR BASIC HOME TOOLS KIT

A well-rounded home repair and maintenance tool kit includes the following essential 15 items:

1 A standard claw hammer;

2 An adjustable wrench;

3 A tape measure;

4 Several sizes of screwdrivers (both standard and Phillips head);

5 A cordless drill and set of bits;

6 Standard slip-joint, needle-noise and wire-cutting pliers;

7 A hacksaw for cutting metals and plastics;

8 A medium-size pair of tongue-and-groove pliers;

9 A pair of locking pliers;

10 A general-purpose wood saw;

11 A putty knife

12 A utility light and several long, heavy-duty extension cords;

13 A dependable flashlight;

14 A battery-operated stud finder;

15 A plunger for minor plumbing fixes.

Your essential tools will come in handy for routine repairs such as stopping leaks at the base of a faucet (with your adjustable wrench), or for hanging shelves or pictures (with your hammer, drill, stud finder, tape measure and level).

Needle-nose pliers are just the thing for reaching into tight spaces, twisting small wires; and holding small metal parts and nails in place for screwing or hammering.

Other tools for occasional projects: an electric saber saw, a set of socket wrenches, a circular saw, an electric palm or orbital sander, an assortment of paintbrushes, and a staple gun.

Finally, stock an assortment of nuts, bolts, screws, and metal washers; rubber washers for leaky faucets; duct tape; several sizes of nails or tacks; fine sandpaper; lubricating oil for door hinges; a versatile glue; and a container of liquid drain opener.

SPRING CLEAN YOUR CLOSET

The air is getting warmer. The freesias have pushed up along the sidewalk. And you are just beginning to believe that spring might actually be here after all.

Before the weather beckons you outside, spend at least one more day indoors and give your closet a good spring cleaning. This is the perfect opportunity to clean and put away winter clothes and get your summer duds in gear.

Most of us (unless you’re living in Miami) have a summer and winter wardrobe - even if the word “wardrobe” sounds a bit highbrow for the clothing in residence in your closet. To maximize closet space - and your clothes’ lifespan - tuck the winter duds in for a good summer’s rest.

The Closet Spring-Cleaning Routine

Go through all your clothes and divide them into five separate piles:

1 Clothes that are clean, in good condition and that you will definitely wear this summer.

2 Clothes that need cleaning.

3 Clothes that need repair.

4 Winter clothes.

5 Clothes you rarely wear - regardless of season.

You know the drill here. Donate the out-of-favor clothes. Clean and repair the rest. Box up the winter clothes for a rest.

While the closet is empty, vacuum it well and wipe down all shelves.

Now you have a closet ready for clothes that you are actually going to wear. What a concept! Here’s how to take the best care of what you have left:

-- Use cedar balls or blocks to ward off moths.
-- Use good hangers. Don’t use the flimsy wire ones that you get from the dry cleaners. They don’t provide enough support; plus they can rust or snag your clothes. Invest in curved wood or plastic hangers for suits and jackets; padded hangers for delicate dresses or silk robes; plastic hangers for blouses and jeans; clamped hangers for pants (always hang from cuffs). To save space, buy the multiple skirt or pants hangers that will accommodate five- to 10 garments.
-- Never store clothing in plastic bags. They can promote mildew and light damage.
-- Do use plastic shoulder protectors to keep dust off rarely-worm clothing.
-- Space clothing out to promote airflow and to minimize wrinkling.
-- Air clothing overnight before returning an item to the closet to rid it of any moisture or odors.

Finally, don’t be like your kind and wear the same thing everyday. Clothing needs a rest. (Shoes, too.) If you like it that much - buy two!