Home Hacks on a Dime
Think saving money means skipping out on home improvements? That’s not the case always. Sometimes all you need is a little creativity to use household items to tackle cleaning to repair projects.
This collection of easy, DIY home hacks will show you how to repurpose, refresh, and even repair without the need for expensive products or services.
From homemade all-purpose cleaners to budget-friendly air fresheners, these slideshows contain clever tips that will save you some money.
Vinegar for All-Purpose Cleaning
Ditch the expensive cleaning solutions when you have vinegar at home. It is an all-rounder when it comes to cleaning. Its acidic nature helps dissolve grease, remove stains, and kill bacteria. Just mix equal parts vinegar and water, pour into a spray bottle, and start cleaning.
This natural cleaner can be used on most surfaces, like granite or quartz countertops, tile floors and walls, and stainless steel appliances.
However, vinegar can damage certain surfaces, including wood, electronics, limestone, or travertine. So avoid using it on them.
Weatherproof Doors with DIY Draft Stoppers
Draft stoppers are a cost-effective way to keep warm air inside during winter, reducing energy costs. Fill a fabric tube with rice, beans, or foam, and place it along the bottom of draft doors and windows.
This simple hack can help prevent heat from escaping, meaning your heater doesn’t need to work as hard.
Make Your Own Reusable Dryer Sheets
Commercial dryer sheets are costly and also contain chemicals.
Create DIY chemical-free reusable dryer sheets at home by soaking fabric squares in a mixture of vinegar and essential oils. Wring them out and let them dry. Place one in your dryer with each load to reduce static and add a fresh scent.
This hack keeps laundry costs down by making each sheet last for multiple uses. You can also make non-toxic wool dryer balls by tightly wrapping 100% wool yarn into balls, securing them, and felting them in hot water and high heat.
Seal Window Leaks with Caulk
Drafty windows let out warm or cool air, raising your energy bill. Instead of replacing them with new windows, choose a cost-effective option.
Fix the leaks by sealing them with caulk. The best part is there is no professional help needed.
Caulk is cheap and simple to apply. Just run a bead along gaps to create an airtight seal.
This hack is an easy way to cut heating or cooling costs. Plus, it’s a quick and inexpensive fix with a big impact on comfort and savings.
Make a Showerhead Filter with Coffee Filters
Does your shower have a weak water flow and pressure? If yes, it’s due to the hard water and mineral buildup in your showerhead. There’s a super simple fix for this—no pricey water softener required.
Use a coffee filter inside the showerhead to catch these particles. This hack gives you back your water pressure and saves you from hair disasters. Don’t forget to swap out the filter every couple of months.
Clean Grout with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Let’s be real; cleaning grout can be a tough job. However, a homemade mixture of baking soda and vinegar can make it easier and cheaper.
Sprinkle baking soda on the grout lines, spray with vinegar, and let it fizz for a few minutes before scrubbing. This DIY solution effectively removes dirt and stains. Plus, it brightens grout lines without the need for expensive grout cleaners.
Freshen Carpets and Mattresses with Baking Soda
Feeling annoyed by lingering odors in your carpets and mattresses?
Grab some baking soda instead of splurging on expensive carpet and mattress deodorizers. Sprinkle it generously on your carpets and mattresses, let it sit for a few hours, and then vacuum it up.
This magic powder naturally absorbs odors, leaving your carpets and mattresses smelling fresh and inviting. It’s a fantastic budget-friendly and chemical-free solution to keep your home smelling great.
Revive Furniture with DIY Wood Polish
Are you worried about your precious piece of furniture whose finish has dulled over time? No worries, mix equal parts vinegar and olive oil, then apply to wooden surfaces with a soft cloth.
The vinegar cleans while the oil conditions, leaving your furniture shiny and restored. Say no to costly wood polishes and keep your furniture in top shape with this cost-effective hack.
Use Cloth Rags Instead of Paper Towels
Paper towels are an essential part of every home. Switching from paper towels to cloth rags can significantly reduce household costs.
Gather old t-shirts, towels, or linens and cut them into manageable sizes. Use these rags for cleaning, drying dishes, or wiping surfaces.
Simply toss the used rags into the washing machine, and you’ll have a reusable cleaning option that lasts for years.
Use Pool Noodles to Protect Your Car
Does your garage door frame leave scrapes on your car’s doors due to tight space? If yes, let me introduce you to pool noodles.
It’s a cylindrical piece of flexible, buoyant polyethylene foam. Easily available, and also inexpensive.
Attach it to garage walls to cushion your car doors when you park. Cut the noodles in half lengthwise and screw them to the wall where the door might hit.
It’s a low-cost solution that prevents unsightly scratches, saving you potential repair expenses.
Create a Homemade Air Freshener
Tired of the smells coming from your home? Create a natural ingredients air freshener. Pick your favorite essential oil, combine it with water in a spray bottle, and shake well.
You can also use fresh or dried citrus fruits (like oranges, lemons, or limes).
Add your chosen ingredients to a pot of water and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer. The longer you simmer, the stronger the scent will be.
Cool it and add it to a bottle and it’s ready to use. Spray this mixture in any room for a refreshing scent without harmful chemicals.
Make Your Own Plant Fertilizer
Instead of buying expensive plant fertilizers, make your own with kitchen scraps. Banana peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells can be used to create a nutrient-rich compost for your plants.
Chop the scraps into small pieces, mix them into your soil, or steep them in water to make a natural fertilizer. This budget-friendly hack nourishes your plants while reducing kitchen waste.
Save Water with a DIY Greywater System
In this economy, bills are the new stressors for everyone. However, with a DIY greywater system, you can save on water bills.
This system collects water from sinks, showers, or washing machines and redirects it to water your garden. To set it up, connect a hose to the drainage pipes of your sinks, showers, or washing machine, and direct it towards a storage container or directly to your garden.
The best part? This hack promotes eco-friendly practices and helps to conserve resources in your household.
DIY Furniture Sliders from Bottle Caps
Every season demands a festive retouch to your home decor. This means constantly rearranging furniture for fresh and new looks. However, moving furniture can leave scratches on your floors.
Use plastic bottle caps to avoid this mess. Simply glue or stick felt pads to the bottom of bottle caps and place them under heavy furniture legs. Now slide furniture without damaging your floors.
Smart Storage Hacks For a Clutter-Free Space
No need to buy various kinds of storage boxes and organizers when all you need is already at home. For instance, you can use empty cereal boxes to create custom drawer dividers, perfect for sorting small items like socks, office supplies, or kitchen tools.
Moreover, turn old shoe boxes into decorative storage bins by covering them with fabric or wrapping paper. If you’re short on closet space, mount tension rods or PVC pipes in cabinets or closets to hang spray bottles or scarves.
For more clever storage ideas, give this piece a read: Bedroom Storage Hacks For A Clutter-Free Space.
Repair Minor Wall Damage with DIY Spackle
Frustrated due to those pesky little holes and cracks in your walls? Instead of calling in a pro (who might charge you an arm and a leg), why not whip up your DIY spackle?
Just mix some baking soda and white glue into a paste. Apply it with a putty knife, let it dry, and then sand it smooth like you’re giving your walls a little DIY treatment.
And for a stylish finish, check out Renters’ Guide to Nail-Free Wall Decor—because great style shouldn’t come with a hefty price tag.