Easy fixes for household problems

Easy fixes for household problems

Worn household items might need just a little TLC. Here are five easy (and cheap) fixes from the experts at Good Housekeeping.

"I'm embarrassed by my dingy dining-room chair seats."

The solution : Most fabric-covered seats unscrew from the frame, and the upholstery is just stapled on. Pry out the staples with pliers -- a flat-head screwdriver can help get under them -- and remove the old cloth (or skip this step if the material isn't too bulky or stained and won't show through).

Cut the new upholstery fabric to size, centering any pattern and adding two inches to all edges. Once it's aligned, turn the seat over and anchor the material with a staple gun at the midpoint of a straight edge (like the back).

Stretch tight and staple to the opposite edge; check that the pattern is still straight. Next, staple along that first edge about every 3/4 inch, stopping 2 inches before the corners. Repeat on the opposite edge, then along the two remaining ones. Fold the corners neatly as if you're wrapping a present (if the fabric becomes too thick, unfold, trim material, then refold); staple in place. Re-screw seat into the frame.

"My cast-iron pan went rusty."

The solution: Scour off the rust with a stiff nylon brush, hot water and a little salt (a natural abrasive). If that doesn't work, go with hot water and steel wool.

After drying, lightly coat the pan, inside and out, with vegetable

oil and place atop foil upside down in the oven at 350 F for one hour to re-season. Allow to cool before using or storing.

"Our couch sags -- even when no one's on it."

The solution : Open the zipper in the seat cushions and add polyester fiberfill (find it at any crafts or fabric store). Fluff loose handfuls of stuffing into tufts. Add a bit at a time until the dent is filled.

"Our gunky rubber tub mat grosses me out. "

The solution: The suction cups underneath, in particular, are magnets for grime. You can clean the mat in the washer, with detergent and bleach, in a short regular (warm or hot) cycle.

"The roll-up window shade refuses to roll."

The solution: Or maybe it won't come down? To repair, take it out of its brackets, unroll it completely flat on the floor, then roll it snugly about halfway up. Reinstall, and test it out. If it doesn't work, try again -- it usually requires just some finessing of the tightness of the shade around the rod.

"A seat-cushion tie came off"

The solution: Don't know a spool from a thimble? Try no-sew wicking tape (available at crafts stores). Cut tape to the length of the ripped seam. Place the tape along the inside of the seam, then tuck the tie ends in, beneath the tape, and align the tape atop the tie under the top layer of fabric. Iron the seam shut at the highest dry-heat setting for 20 seconds (use an old sheet between the iron and the pillow).

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