Over time, fiberglass and acrylic surfaces can get dented or cracked, often because of the flexing of the walls or of impact that can dent, crack, or punch holes. A variety of options are available at this point, including outright replacement of the bathtub or shower or installing a new liner inside the old tub or shower. But one fast and cost-effective fix is to fill the crack or hole using a fiberglass/acrylic repair kit....

Create a Toilet Paper Cutworm Collar for Organic Gardening You can make a simple “cutworm collar” to place around your seedlings from a toilet paper tube. Save a few toilet paper or paper towel tubes, and cut them into two- to three-inch lengths. When you plant your seedlings, put a section of the toilet paper roll around each plant, pushing it at least a half an inch into the surface of the soil, so the collar stands on its own....

1. Don’t Clutter It Up A bookshelf should not become a dumping ground for items that belong in other rooms of your home. For example, trays filled with loose change, baskets holding receipts, and piles of junk mail do not belong on the bookshelf. Attend to these items as you accumulate them so that they do not pile up or tuck them away in a desk drawer so that they are out of site....

If you have remodeling plans that include removing or altering a wall, you must determine whether the wall is load-bearing or non-load-bearing. Any part of a load-bearing wall that is removed must be replaced with suitable structural support, such as a beam and/or columns to bear the same load that was supported by the wall. Several clues can help you can check on a wall’s load-bearing status preliminary to having a professional check on it....

Say No to Spoiled Birdseed Birds may not be picky eaters, but spoiled birdseed can be unhealthy and unappetizing. Not only will bad birdseed be less nutritionally wholesome for birds, but also if the seed is contaminated with mold, feces, fungus, chemicals or other substances, it can actually be fatal to birds. Some types of mold and fungus can lead to different bird diseases, while other diseases are spread through contaminated feces....

Screwdrivers are now available in a wide range of sizes, shapes, styles, and types, though basic Robinson, Phillips, and flat head screwdrivers remain the most common. Flat head screwdrivers, which are also known as slotted screwdrivers, have a thick handle for the user to grip, a long, rigid shafts, and a wedge-shaped flat tip, allowing it to fit into the narrow crevices of a flat head fastener. Keep reading to find out how to use a flat head screwdriver to complete projects or simple repairs around the home....

If you release your grip on the bar, the mower stops moving, and its blades stop spinning. You may be familiar with this type of device if you have a hand-guided self-propelling vacuum cleaner; it has its drive doing a lot of the moving for you. If you’ve ever wondered how self-propelled lawn mowers work and if they’re worth considering for your lawn, read on to learn more. Self-Propelled Lawn Mower vs....

Unfortunately, these items get dirty with spilled food, sticky candy hands, pet stains, and dust. With a bit of special care, most can be cleaned and treasured for years to come. Velvet: Stockings made from velvet should be dry cleaned by a professional cleaner. If they are wrinkled, never press with an iron, or you’ll have the imprint of the iron’s soleplate left as a permanent decoration. Use steam to lift the fibers and a soft brush to leave them silky smooth....

Aries (March 21 – April 20) When it comes to laundry, like anything in life, you’re full throttle. As a high energy person, you often have a pre-set plan of how and when you’re going to things done, and nothing is going to get in your way. Although you don’t particularly like laundry (does anyone, though?), you tend to do it with tenacity. For you, it’s not just about the laundry, it’s about checking off that item on your list....

Cause of Leaf Spot on Magnolia Leaves Insect damage, bacterial, or viral diseases can also cause some types of spots to appear on magnolia leaves. According to the Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Management Handbook, a bacterium can also be the culprit: namely, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae. In most cases, though, leaf spots on magnolia are caused by one of four common fungi: Cladosporium spp.Coniothyrium spp.Phyllosticta magnoliaeSeptoria spp. The actual spots are not always black, by the way....

Dyed Mulch Can Be Safe to Use, Depending on Source of Wood Specifically, many homeowners ask if dyed mulch (also called “colored mulch”) is safe to handle when mulching plants or safe to use around food crops. But the dye on colored mulch is less of an issue than the type of wood on which the dye is applied. Dyes used in making colored mulch have three different origins, and all three are harmless:...

Is DIY Electrical Work Legal? The legality of do-it-yourself electrical work varies from state to state and from one municipality to another. Always call your local permit office for the answer that pertains to you. One scenario found in many communities is that you can legally do your own electrical work as long as you can attest to being the owner-occupant and that this work is being done for your benefit, as opposed to commercially....

Planting the Cornus kousa can do wonders for a landscape design by adding four-season interest, extending the bloom time in the spring, and attracting plenty of wildlife, all while having a form and traits that add to its versatility. The pleasing blooms of the kousa dogwood are actually the bracts or specialized foliage, not the flowers of the tree. The bracts come in a star-shaped pattern of four leaves in various colors of white, pinks, and hybridized reds....

Whether you love a classic gallery wall or are looking for something a little more off-the-wall (see what we did there?), we’ve rounded up 15 awesome ways to decorate a large space. Just remember to remove the plants from your wall before their weekly waterings. The last thing anyone wants is mud dripping down a pristinely painted wall!

The Problems With Mothballs Mothballs have been used for generations to prevent infestations of moths and insects in stored clothing. However, mothballs, which are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA,) contain strong chemicals like naphthalene or 1,4-dichlorobenzene that can be harmful to humans. Lung tissue can be damaged if the fumes are breathed in or skin can become irritated if moth ball-stored clothing comes in direct contact with skin....

Donate items such as furniture that is too large or outdated. Next, buy only the necessary organizational items such as baskets, cubbies, install hooks and shelves where there is room. Some families have individual organizers for each member, but these can clutter a small foyer. If the place is filled with shoes, get low shelving; if coats and backpacks are the culprits, get a coat rack or hooks. Remember that you are organizing the space for buyers and not for your family....