What's the best D.I.Y. advice you've ever received?

Hi everyone,

Whether it's a cherished lesson passed on from one generation to the next, a throwaway line from a mate, or something you've personally learned the hard way, please share your favourite D.I.Y. tips in the discussion below.

What is the best D.I.Y advice you've ever received?

Jason

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Renovation

Building and Construction

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Comments

Kermit

I've give you two tips for the price of one...

Always drill a small hole before using screws - this has saved a heap of frustration!

Wrap paintbrushes in plastic cling wrap between coats rather than washing in water.

cupofchloe

Give yourself longer than you need. unforseen circumstances often appear that you did not plan for, so with any renovation project or small job, give yourself some contingency, so you can deal with the surprises!

She_Skills

Measure once. Cut twice. Nope. That doesn't sound right 🙂

Measure twice. Cut once. I've learned this the hard way. A few times.

ProjectPete

'Just do it' - Nike

ProjectPete

"There's nothing that sticky tape cannot fix mate." -Guido Hatzis

Barker

Good one for this time of year - if you wrap your Christmas lights around a piece of cardboard when storing them, you'll never have trouble untangling them.

CathD

Use damp cotton gloves to clean venetian blinds.

Don't know if its the best tip ever but it's made life much easier for me!

stupidfish

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/110#Comment_110

NickM

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/56#Comment_56

I echo that @She_Skills - when will I learn 🙁

@She_Skills wrote:
Measure once. Cut twice. Nope. That doesn't sound right 🙂
Measure twice. Cut once. I've learned this the hard way. A few times.

Kellie

If you've got a sticker you need to remove, don't peel it off by hand. Use a hair dryer and it will just curl up and fall off.

MartyH

This is a good one I reckon. If you've ever stripped a screw, try using a rubber band for grip.

Joker

Clearly I've been doing gardening wrong. This is genius.

MartyH

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/328#Comment_328

101 uses for bulldog clips...

snichols

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/62516#Comment_62516

I just saw a video that recommended sprinkling a cup of baking soda on your mattress, waiting a couple of hours and then vacuuming off. I might try it!

Joker

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/93747#Comment_93747

I just read a great tip to put those silica sachets from shoeboxes in with your tools to keep them from rusting.

Joker

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113169#Comment_113169

Another good one:

Put electrical tape on a drill bit to avoid drilling all the way through a piece of timber.

MartyH

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124154#Comment_124154

Avoid getting unplugged when using extension leads by tying a loose knot. There's no strain on the plug ends using this technique. Great for when you need to go up and down ladders.

LukeBrowning

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131475#Comment_131475

One for the gardeners: try spraying weeds with white vinegar instead of nasty chemicals.

Kermit

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/135936#Comment_135936

This is a good idea when you don't have room to swing a hammer.

greygardener

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139007#Comment_139007

One for the gardeners... Freeze any excess herbs you have using ice cube trays. Very convenient for cooking and can save a lot of money compared to buying at the supermarket.

Goldmember

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141062#Comment_141062

Fix a squeaky door by sprinkling talcum powder on the hinges. Its also works for squeaky floorboards.

glcl

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/62441#Comment_62441

Best advice - always keep your Bunnings receipts so you can return what you bought the first time for the correct item the second time.

CathD

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141062#Comment_141062

Just read this one and thought it might be handy for Workshoppers.

To repel pantry moths, leave an opened box of Epsom Salts in your pantry.

Baz

Read a good tip today. When you are cleaning gutters, make sure you avoid using metal tools when scooping out muck and leaves as you can scratch the surface, leading to rust.

Jason

I would love to see some additions to this discussion from some of our new members of the Workshop community.