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5 Everyday Items You Didn’t Know You Could Fix Yourself (And How to Do It Right)
Types Of Woodworking Jigs
Written by Barnaby Brooks on Jan 17th 2025
If you're like most people, you’ve probably tossed out a wobbly chair or lived with a jammed drawer just because you figured the fix was too complicated—or not worth the hassle.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be a pro to fix most of the everyday issues around your home. With a few basic tools and a little guidance, you can tackle these repairs yourself—quickly and cheaply.

Let’s take a look at five common household problems that are easier to fix than you might think.

1. Wobbly Chairs

Loose chair legs are usually caused by worn-out joints or dried glue. Luckily, this is a simple fix.

What You’ll Need:

1) Wood glue

2) Clamps

3) A rubber mallet

How to Fix It:

Take the chair apart at the loose joints. Clean off any old glue. Apply fresh wood glue, reassemble, and clamp the parts tight for at least 24 hours. That’s it—your chair’s as good as new.

Tip from Barnaby: Use painter’s tape to label where each leg or rung fits—saves a headache when reassembling!

2. Jammed Drawers

Drawers that stick or won’t slide smoothly can be incredibly frustrating.

What You’ll Need:

1) Sandpaper (fine grit)

2) Paraffin wax or a bar of soap

3) A screwdriver

How to Fix It:

Remove the drawer. Sand down any rough spots or areas that show wear. Rub the runners and edges with wax or soap to reduce friction. If the slides are misaligned, tighten the screws or adjust them slightly.

Tip from Barnaby: Avoid oil-based lubricants—they attract dust. Stick with dry solutions like wax.

3. Squeaky Door Hinges

That annoying squeak every time you open the door? Gone in 5 minutes.

What You’ll Need:

1) WD-40 or a silicone spray

2) A rag

3) Optional: hammer and nail

How to Fix It:

Spray a little lubricant into the hinge. Open and close the door a few times to work it in. If the squeak persists, tap the hinge pin out slightly and apply the lubricant directly to the pin before reinserting.

Tip from Barnaby: Place a rag under the hinge to catch any drips and keep your floors clean.

4. Worn Power Cords (Non-Critical Appliances Only)

A frayed cord doesn’t always mean you have to replace the whole device.

What You’ll Need:

1) Heat shrink tubing or electrical tape

2) Scissors

3) A heat source (like a hair dryer or heat gun)

How to Fix It:

Unplug the appliance. Cut a piece of shrink tubing slightly longer than the damaged area. Slide it over the fray, heat it gently until it shrinks, and you're done.

Warning: Never attempt this fix on high-voltage or essential appliances. When in doubt, replace the cord or consult a pro.

5. Stripped Screw Holes

Whether it's a cabinet hinge or a towel rack, stripped screw holes can cause loose, wobbly hardware.

What You’ll Need:

1) Toothpicks or wood dowels

2) Wood glue

3) A utility knife

How to Fix It:

Fill the hole with glue and insert several toothpicks or a dowel. Let it dry. Cut off any excess and reinsert the screw—it should now grip firmly.

Tip from Barnaby: This is one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” hacks every DIYer should know.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a full workshop or a ton of experience to fix these everyday problems. With a few basic tools and a bit of confidence, you can save money, reduce waste, and take pride in your home.

Stick around Barnaby’s DIY Hacks for more simple, satisfying projects anyone can tackle. Have a question or a fix you’re proud of? I’d love to hear from you—drop a comment or shoot me a message!

Let’s keep fixing, building, and learning together.

—Barnaby Brooks

FB Comments Will Be Here (placeholder)
Types of Woodworking Jigs
5 Everyday Items You Didn’t Know You Could Fix Yourself (And How to Do It Right)
Written by Barnaby Brooks on Jan 17th 2025
If you're like most people, you’ve probably tossed out a wobbly chair or lived with a jammed drawer just because you figured the fix was too complicated—or not worth the hassle.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be a pro to fix most of the everyday issues around your home. With a few basic tools and a little guidance, you can tackle these repairs yourself—quickly and cheaply.

Let’s take a look at five common household problems that are easier to fix than you might think.

1. Wobbly Chairs

Loose chair legs are usually caused by worn-out joints or dried glue. Luckily, this is a simple fix.

What You’ll Need:

1) Wood glue

2) Clamps

3) A rubber mallet

How to Fix It:

Take the chair apart at the loose joints. Clean off any old glue. Apply fresh wood glue, reassemble, and clamp the parts tight for at least 24 hours. That’s it—your chair’s as good as new.

Tip from Barnaby: Use painter’s tape to label where each leg or rung fits—saves a headache when reassembling!

2. Jammed Drawers

Drawers that stick or won’t slide smoothly can be incredibly frustrating.

What You’ll Need:

1) Sandpaper (fine grit)

2) Paraffin wax or a bar of soap

3) A screwdriver

How to Fix It:

Remove the drawer. Sand down any rough spots or areas that show wear. Rub the runners and edges with wax or soap to reduce friction. If the slides are misaligned, tighten the screws or adjust them slightly.

Tip from Barnaby: Avoid oil-based lubricants—they attract dust. Stick with dry solutions like wax.

3. Squeaky Door Hinges

That annoying squeak every time you open the door? Gone in 5 minutes.

What You’ll Need:

1) WD-40 or a silicone spray

2) A rag

3) Optional: hammer and nail

How to Fix It:

Spray a little lubricant into the hinge. Open and close the door a few times to work it in. If the squeak persists, tap the hinge pin out slightly and apply the lubricant directly to the pin before reinserting.

Tip from Barnaby: Place a rag under the hinge to catch any drips and keep your floors clean.

4. Worn Power Cords (Non-Critical Appliances Only)

A frayed cord doesn’t always mean you have to replace the whole device.

What You’ll Need:

1) Heat shrink tubing or electrical tape

2) Scissors

3) A heat source (like a hair dryer or heat gun)

How to Fix It:

Unplug the appliance. Cut a piece of shrink tubing slightly longer than the damaged area. Slide it over the fray, heat it gently until it shrinks, and you're done.

Warning: Never attempt this fix on high-voltage or essential appliances. When in doubt, replace the cord or consult a pro.

5. Stripped Screw Holes

Whether it's a cabinet hinge or a towel rack, stripped screw holes can cause loose, wobbly hardware.

What You’ll Need:

1) Toothpicks or wood dowels

2) Wood glue

3) A utility knife

How to Fix It:

Fill the hole with glue and insert several toothpicks or a dowel. Let it dry. Cut off any excess and reinsert the screw—it should now grip firmly.

Tip from Barnaby: This is one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” hacks every DIYer should know.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a full workshop or a ton of experience to fix these everyday problems. With a few basic tools and a bit of confidence, you can save money, reduce waste, and take pride in your home.

Stick around Barnaby’s DIY Hacks for more simple, satisfying projects anyone can tackle. Have a question or a fix you’re proud of? I’d love to hear from you—drop a comment or shoot me a message!

Let’s keep fixing, building, and learning together.

—Barnaby Brooks

FB Comments Will Be Here (placeholder)

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Additionally, this site is NOT endorsed by Facebook in any way.
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