The first couple of months of moving into your own home can be the most difficult. You're responsible for everything, from paying the bills to unclogging the toilet. Sure, you're free to ring your mom for emergency help in the kitchen, but you need to learn to step up your adulting game and do things on your own. Knowing DIY fixes is a must when you're alone in your condo for lease.
Condo renting in the Philippines offers comfort and convenience any other types of accommodations do not. Condo communities are strategically situated near transportation networks, equipped with 24/7 security and provides on-call maintenance assistance. These simple luxuries are reasons enough to consider condo for rent in Metro Manila.
Although you have the condo maintenance team on speed dial, you're still obliged to know about proper housekeeping. Keeping your bathroom tiles squeaky clean is just out of their jurisdiction. Here are 9 DIY fixes you need to learn.
1: Unclogging the toilet with simple tools
A clogged toilet is a common housekeeping issue that requires immediate action. You don't need to call a plumber right away because most minor clogs can easily be solved with a toilet plunger. Pour enough water into the toilet to submerge the head of the plunger. Thrust the plunger for 8 to 10 times until the water starts flowing freely. For tougher clogs, you will need a toilet auger. Thrust the auger into the toilet until it reaches the clog. Turn the crank and pull the clog out.
2: Clogged kitchen sink no more!
If you haven't dealt with a clogged kitchen sink before, you'll soon discover its immense inconveniences. Your sink is likely clogged if it's draining slower than usual. Before calling in for help, try fixing this problem with available items in your kitchen. First, drain any water from the sink to ensure that your drain-clearing mixture will work effectively. Then, pour in a mixture of ½ cup of baking soda and ½ cup of white vinegar. You can also combine 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of lemon juice. Cover the drain for 30 minutes to allow the mixture to wear down the clog. Then, agitate the clog using a sink-sized plunger and a wire to pull up the clogged-up material. Finally, pour six cups of hot water to flush the drain.
3: Simple electric repairs for non-electricians
Most electrical works in your condo home should be handled by an electrician. Your condo admin may also prohibit you from doing electrical repairs without their consent. However, you can do minor tasks such as replacing light switches. Remove the faceplate covering the switch using a flathead screwdriver. Then, dismount the switch from the wall using a head screwdriver. Test whether the two wires connected to the switch are live wires before disconnecting them. After disconnecting, attach them to the new switch. You may also watch some how-to videos online on how to do this properly.
4: Open a stuck window with ease
One manifestation of an ill-maintained home is stuck windows. Windows mucked with dirt unattended for too long may require a proper lubricating agent. Spray the window channels with a lubricant such as WD-40, then run a pizza cutter all the way around the window. Do this carefully to avoid ruining the wood and paint. You can use a less sharp tool if you want. Free open the window. Clean all the moving parts with a toothbrush, paint thinner and a cleaning solution.
5: No-sweat carpet cleaning trick
Most of the time, the DIY fixes you need in your home don't require items in a tool box. These may include hacks in cleaning gunk, condensation on tables, or carpet stains. The purpose is the same: recondition the appliances, furniture, or other home items.
You don't need to bring your stained carpet to a carpet cleaning shop. To get rid of obnoxious stains, follow these steps:
- Mix water and vinegar in a spray bottle with a 2:1 ratio.
- Spray the mixture on the stained spot.
- Dampen a clean rag and lay it over the spot.
- Iron the rag on the steam setting for 30 seconds.
- Pull up the rag.
The stain should be pulled up with the rag. If you're against a stubborn stain, iron for a few more seconds.
6: Make your cleaning mixture for the bathroom
Cleaning the bathroom is no fun. It's real work that you need to take seriously, otherwise ugly stains may remain permanently. You can use kitchen items to get rid of tough stains and messes lurking in every corner of the bathroom. Spray a mixture of 50/50 white vinegar and water on an old rag and wipe off tiles, counters, windows, and mirrors. You can also add lemon essential oil for scent. Aside from rags, you can also use newspapers or microfiber cloth, which is preferred. To rid of molds in the shower head, you can use baking soda-vinegar paste as cleaning mixture.
You can make a non-toxic scouring powder to clean off bathroom tiles by mixing the following ingredients:
- 1 cup baking soda
- ½ cup sea salt
- ½ cup washing soda
- 5 drops lemon essential oil (optional)
7: Keep your stovetop squeaky clean
Keeping your appliances clean can help extend their lifespan. Grease and gunk can ruin the surface of stove tops, especially electric models. To remove greasy buildup, pour a couple of drops of mineral oil or vegetable oil onto a paper towel and rub it across the gunk. You can leave it shiny or wipe off the residue completely. You can keep your stovetop in a “brand new” look by applying a thin layer of car wax on the surface with a soft rag. The wax can make future cleaning easy.
8: Recondition wooden tables with ugly water rings
Why is it so hard for people to use coasters with their glasses and bottles? The little water rings are eyesores on otherwise stunning table tops. Before repainting, refinishing or throwing away your water ring-infested table, you can clean it off with a simple tool: a blow dryer. Simply hold a blow dryer close to a water ring until it disappears. Put the heat on high to help the condensation evaporate easily. Finish by rubbing a rag with drops of olive oil on the wood.
9: Explore the cleaning wonders of lemons
Lemon is an all-purpose fruit. It can be used to get rid of foul indoor smell and stains on tiles, and clean stainless steel. Keep your faucet, door knobs, and other steel items clean and shiny by cutting a lemon into half and rubbing it on surfaces. This citric fruit can also be used to clean off hard water stains and rust from metals. What more, it gives off a wonderful lemony smell!
Living on your own can be tough at first. The adjustment period can truly test your readiness to be independent. Some people overcame the challenges while others went back to the comfort of their family home. Ultimately, it's your decision where you would want to be. Condo leasing, with all its benefits, can make this transition to adulthood a little less daunting.
