Handyman Tips: 8 Home Improvement Hacks to Make Your Life Easier

From perfectly poured paint to fixing a leaky toilet, these 8 tips and tricks are easy to follow and will have your home looking and functioning at its best in no time.

1. Pouring Paint Hack

When painting your home, it's important to avoid spilling paint all around the edge of the can. To prevent this, I have a clever painting tip to make your job easier. Grab a clear plastic bottle and cut off the top. 

Slip the bottle over the paint can, and use a hairdryer or heat gun to heat it up all around the side. 

Once it's cooled down, the bottle will have sealed itself to the edge of the can, allowing for a perfect pour every time.

The lid can then be used to keep the paint fresh.

2. Crisp Paint Lines

Next, I am going to show you a hack for wall painting that will ensure you get that flawless, crisp line where two walls meet. 

Grab some painter's tape and lay it down exactly where you want that line to be. 

Now, here's the catch: whip out your caulk and apply a generous amount right along the edge of the tape using your finger. The caulk will fill in pesky gaps, even on textured walls.

Grab a damp cloth and gently wipe off the excess caulk. 

Now, it's time to paint. Remember, paint from the tape towards the wall, making sure to cover the caulk. 

When you finally peel off that tape, there will be a straight, crisp edge with no bleed under. It's like a pro-level makeover for your room, and you did it yourself! 

3. Drip-Free Painting

If you've ever tackled a big paint project that requires a ton of brushing, I've got a game-changing painting technique for you. Grab a paintbrush and your drill and make a hole at the top of the brush at an angle, big enough to fit a cap inside. 

Find a plastic water bottle with a squeeze lid. Now apply hot glue around the edge of your drilled hole and secure the cap in place. Let it dry.

Then fill the water bottle with your paint and screw it onto the cap. 

Now, when you flip the brush over, you'll notice that the paint drips out slowly, just enough to keep you painting without constantly dipping the brush. It's a game-changer for those long projects, trust me! 

When you're done, it's a breeze to clean. Just run some water through the cap edge that stays on the brush, and it cleans up like a dream, inside and out. 

4. Never Forget a Paint Color

Have you ever painted a wall, only to forget the color, brand, or type of paint you used? Well, fear not, because I've got the perfect solution for you. 

When you're pulling off the covers of your outlets or switches to repaint your walls, take a moment to grab a marker and write down the color, brand, and type of gloss on the inside. Then, dab a little sample paint with your finger right there on the inside of the outlet too. 

Now, you've got an instant reference point for touch-up painting anytime you need it. It's a simple and effective way to keep track of your paint choices and make future touch-ups easy.

5. Vaseline for No Drip Marks

Another annoying challenge when painting is those pesky drip marks that end up on door knobs and hinges. I have a clever handyman hack for this issue . . . Vaseline.

All you need to do is apply a small amount of Vaseline onto the door knob or hinge and if there are any accidental drips, you just wipe it off with a paper towel. No need to spend time applying painter’s tape!

6. Perfect Caulk Lines

Now, a home hack for caulking! 

For perfect caulk lines, especially around a tub, first, apply the caulk with your caulk gun.

Then run a Popsicle stick at an angle along the caulk line to create a curve.

You’ll get a perfect caulk line every time!

7. Fix a Leaky Toilet

If you are the family handyman, here's a handy trick to prevent water wastage from a leaky toilet. First, remove the lid from the tank and add a few drops of food dye. 

Then, open up the lid and observe the water in the bowl. If you notice the water in the bowl changing color, it's a sign of a leak, most likely from the flapper inside.

Go ahead and replace the flapper, and you'll not only fix the leak but also save water, which will eventually offset the cost of the new flapper. 

It's a win-win solution for both your wallet and the environment!

8. Clean Your Dryer

Last but not least, is your dryer not performing up to par? It might be due to a buildup of lint. Don't worry, this tip will help you get rid of that lint easily.

There's an area in your dryer that's hard to reach and even a vacuum can't quite get to those tight grooves. 

All you need to do is grab a cardboard tube from a paper towel roll and gently squeeze along its edges to create a narrow slot. Not too tight, just enough to fit through. Attach your vacuum to one end, and turn it on. 

Use it to reach in and extract all that lint that has likely been trapped there for years. It's a simple yet effective trick that will keep your dryer running smoothly and efficiently. 

Handyman Tips: 8 Home Improvement Hacks to Make Your Life Easier

There you have it, eight painting tips and tricks and clever hacks to make your home improvement projects easier, more efficient, and cost-effective. 

Now you don't have to let a leaky faucet or dingy walls ruin your spring season. With these handyman tips, you'll be able to tackle any home improvement project that comes your way.

So go ahead and give them a try and let me know in the comments if you have any of your own home improvement hacks to share!