Are you an independent, career-driven and a self-reliant woman? Yes, yes, and yes! Can you fix that clogged sink you got there? No, no, and no!
I remember the thrill it gave me to finally be considered self-sufficient after I moved into my own apartment for the first time. However, I also remember the time I encountered my first backed-up pipe in the apartment. Despite how high my resume stacked up, home repair definitely wasn’t my strong suit. Trust me, it was not a pretty sight.
As an independent woman, you may loathe the idea of stepping aside to let a man handle this job, but who has the time to get rid of that stubborn bathroom stain when you have your next career move to think about?
According to The Economist, more women are spending their time trying to stabilize their career in the current receding economy. As a result, the average number of unmarried Asian women in their 30s has increased to 78.3%.
Well, we have good news– there is still no need to rely on a man for this! Check out our list of quick home repair hacks every woman should know:
1. Clogged Toilet
It may be obvious to use a plunger for a clog, but did you know there’s a difference in plungers? There’s a plunger made specifically for the toilet, and another for the sink. From the outside, it may not seem like there’s a big difference between the two, but once you use the plunger in the correct (or incorrect) way, you’ll definitely notice.
2. Clogged Sink
If you don’t have a sink plunger around (or if you used it as a toilet plunger), simply use baking soda and vinegar. Remember that volcano experiment you did in grade school? This is just like that, minus the paper-mache volcano. Pour 1-2 tablespoons baking soda into the pipe, then slowly pour the vinegar and watch the “lava” rise. Let the mixture sit for at least an hour, and repeat if necessary.
3. Patch Up A Wall
Walls aren’t invincible. Luckily, if you find a hole in your wall, you can easily patch it up with a putty knife and a DIY solution. If the hole is the size of a nail, you’ll only need spackling paste; but if it’s a larger hole, you’ll also need joint tape/drywall tape. Lay down the tape across the hole, then spackle away. Smooth out the patch with sandpaper and paint over it.
4. Whitening Bathtub Stains
Got super stubborn stains? Mix 1:1 of cream of tartar and baking soda, then add enough lemon juice until it makes a paste. Rub the mixture into the stain and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Rinse away and watch it sparkle.
5. Wall Decal Disasters
In some cases, landlords won’t let renters paint their walls. The next best thing are wall decals, but they’re also a pain to take off. If the adhesive starts peeling off the wall when you try to remove the decal, bust out the steamer. The heat from the steam will loosen the decal enough to avoid any paint peelings.
6. Hide Those Scratches in the Wood
Living on your own also means living on a budget, and that could involve some thrifting. Which also means purchasing second-hand furniture with scratches galore. If you have scratched up furniture, just apply a coat of pigmented wax, or a pigmented polishing fluid, and it will look practically brand new.
7. Shut That Cupboard
Again, second-hand furniture isn’t always in the greatest of shape. If your cabinet door that doesn’t feel like closing, install a heavy duty magnet catch and BAM–those doors shut close without protest.
8. Decalcify the Shower Head
I can hear my grandmother preach, “Vinegar works for everything.” She wasn’t kidding. If your shower head starts to build up calcium deposits, get a pot filled with half water and half vinegar boiling. Unscrew the head from the pipe and let it soak in the pot overnight. Then, re-install the shower head and go wash up.
Good luck with your next home repair! And whatever you do, don’t use the sink plunger for the toilet.
