Handy Hints: Solutions for the Home

Home & Family, Living Green
on September 5, 2004

Stud stuffer
Create attractive storage space between any two studs (as long as there are no wires or pipes in the way). Build the 14 1/4-inch-wide box from 1-by-4s screwed together at the corners. Next, nail and glue on a 1/4-inch thick plywood back. Surround the box with molding that matches the other trim in the room, then nail the box to the studs through the sides of the box. Make the unit as tall as you wish and add shelves to suit your needs.

All-purpose grabber
Use this little gizmo for holding matches while lighting pilot lights, for holding brads too small for your fingers or as mini clamps. Simply solder a small alligator clip to one end of a 1-foot piece of No. 12 wire and a larger clip to the other end.

Furniture scratch touch-up
Hide furniture scratches with permanent ink felt-tip markers available through art-supply stores and home centers. For complete coverage try dotting the ink onto the scratch, letting it dry, then evening out the color by stroking it lightly with the grain.

Easy-turn lamp knobs
Know someone with arthritic fingers (or greasy hands) who has trouble turning the switch knobs on lamps? Super-glue or hot-melt glue a knurled pill bottle cap to the knob; the larger, easier-to-grab cap makes it easier to turn the lamp on and off.

Mattress moving magic
Its hard getting a grip on big, bulky mattresses and box springs. Not so with this little trick. Simply make a sling from a blanket or bedsheet and haul away.