To get wood stain out of clothes, first check the can. For water-based stain, flush from the back with cold water and scrub in dish soap. For oil-based or gel stain, blot, dab mineral spirits from the back, then work in dish soap and detergent. Wash warm and air-dry.
To get bike grease out of jeans, scrape off excess grease, then work liquid dish soap into both sides of the stain and let it sit 15 minutes. For black chain grease, loosen it first with a few drops of mineral oil or a prewash stain remover. Wash warm and air-dry.
To stop water coming in under a garage door, replace a worn bottom seal, then add a rubber threshold seal glued to the floor so the door closes against a raised barrier. Check that the door closes fully and that downspouts and the driveway do not send water toward the opening.
To level a house on piers yourself, map the low spots, then raise each low beam slowly with a rated bottle jack on solid cribbing and add steel or treated hardwood shims between pier and beam. Lift in small increments over days or weeks, and call an engineer if piers are sinking.
To tell if a sump pump check valve is bad, watch the pit right after the pump shuts off. If water rushes back down the discharge pipe and the pit level jumps several inches, the valve is not sealing. Rapid cycling, or no discharge while the motor runs, are other signs.
To fix low water pressure in only one faucet, unscrew the aerator at the spout tip and clean it, because a clogged aerator is the most common cause. If flow is still weak, make sure the shutoff valves under the sink are fully open, then clean or replace the faucet cartridge.
To remove a kitchen faucet nut that won’t budge, shut off the water, soak the nut with penetrating oil for 15 to 30 minutes, then turn it counterclockwise with a basin wrench while a helper holds the faucet still. If it still will not move, cut the nut with an oscillating tool.
To fix a kitchen sink sprayer that won’t retract, look under the sink first. Most pull-down sprayers stop retracting because the hose snags on stored items or valves, or because the counterweight slid out of place. Clear the cabinet, move the weight to the low point of the hose loop, and straighten kinks.
To unclog a shower drain full of hair without chemicals, remove the drain cover and pull the hair out with gloved fingers, needle-nose pliers, or a plastic barbed drain tool. If water still drains slowly, plunge with a cup plunger or run a 1/4-inch hand drain snake. Avoid boiling water in PVC pipes.
To caulk a fiberglass tub to a tile wall, remove all old caulk, clean the joint with isopropyl alcohol, and let it dry. Fill the tub with water, tape both edges, run a bead of 100% silicone, and smooth it. Leave the water in until the caulk cures, usually 24 hours.