5 Secret Weapons You Already Have For DIY Projects

As we enter into the second week of social distancing, if you are like me you may be going a little stir crazy trying to figure out what to do next to make productive use of your time at home. You may be thinking of some at home projects you have been meaning to tackle but keep putting off. This weekend I spent some time redoing my closet installing a new shelf and bar. However, I had the materials already, so a trip to Home Depot was not necessary.

Right now, you may have a home maintenance project that’s been lingering on your to-do list that you finally want to tackle, but you can't make the trip to your local hardware store or craft store because you're under a shelter in place order or the stores are closed. There are some projects you can tackle with items that are almost certainly already in your home.

1. Vinegar: There’s probably a jug of vinegar in your pantry right now. You can soak items in vinegar to remove mineral deposits (like in a clogged showerhead), and you can boil vinegar in your microwave to remove odors and make it easier to clean.

2. Cola: A can of Coke or Pepsi can be used to clean many surfaces, including your glass windows, porcelain toilet, or chrome fixtures. Just do some research before using it on metal surfaces, as it can be corrosive.

3. Baking soda: This item may actually be more useful for applications other than baking. A baking soda-vinegar paste is great for cleaning bathrooms and kitchens. Baking soda can also be used to absorb odors.

4. Butter knife: Screwdrivers are easy to misplace. If can’t find a screwdriver when you need one, a butter knife—preferably an older one that you no longer need for table setting—is pretty effective for both Phillips- and flat-head screws.

5. Toothpaste: Is there an unsightly scratch on your car or bike? The grit in tarter-control toothpastes makes for an effective scratch remover. Clean the scratch, apply some toothpaste, let it sit for a few minutes, and then buff it out with paper towel.