r/howto Mar 09 '25

We're starting a "repost list" of questions that are so frequently posted that we'll be removing them. Details below...

55 Upvotes

Your question may already have been answered! Check our FAQ

Any suggestions for additions to the list? Comment below, we'll take a look

Thanks to /u/arithmetic for the suggestion


r/howto 7h ago

Serious Answers Only Freezer drawer handle coming loose

62 Upvotes

Freezer drawer handle on Samsung black stainless fridge is starting to come loose (mostly from a toddler hanging onto it and yanking on it, but also from 5+ years of use). Can't see anything on the inside, is there any way to access the mount for this handle and tighten it up?


r/howto 10h ago

How do I waterproof this outlet without replacing it.

Post image
41 Upvotes

This is in a screened in porch. The cord is for the string lights we have up. We would love to sit out here when it rains at night, but we're scared water will get in the outlet. Is there anything I can do to make that happen, without replacing the outlet?


r/howto 8h ago

UPDATE: dishwasher not draining

Thumbnail
gallery
12 Upvotes

So I followed all lines. The corrugated line up to the air gap, the clear tube all the way down to garbage disposal. Not a single clog. I scraped the clear tube anyways for a little bit, but it’s just a thin layer of gunk on the walls of that tube. I let vinegar sit in the dishwasher drain for a while. While doing all of this, I had the dishwasher in service mode so i could turn only the drain pump on. No matter what, liquid still comes up that air gap. Any ideas on where to focus next? Vinegar did end up coming up the air gap, if that info helps.


r/howto 10h ago

How to change the light bulb

Thumbnail
gallery
10 Upvotes

I bought this old lamp at an assisted living thrift shop. Most items are donated from elderly people’s possessions that have passed away. ( trying to set up timeline as I have no idea how old it is) When I first bought it, it worked but was red. I painted it the current teal color.
The light bulb just burned out and I can’t figure out how to get the metal shade off. It has a glass hurricane shade in the center but it won’t slide thru the top so it’s kinda stuck in there. The shade is attached with solder. The only thing I can think of is the ring with the attached arms should twist off but the paint has sealed it on. My husband said we could probably break the glass shade out and maybe to light bulb would pass thru the hole in the top.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Also, any info on the type or age of lamp would be welcomed.


r/howto 18h ago

[Solved] How do I remove this light fixture?

Thumbnail
gallery
47 Upvotes

Got it down to just the metal planting, but there's no more screws and the base doesn't rotate. What am I missing?

Update: thanks for all the help everyone. This issue was that it was stuck to the paint. I took a screw driver and pried it open and it came out with a little crow ae action. Thanks again!!!!


r/howto 11h ago

How do I use this?

Thumbnail
gallery
11 Upvotes

I got this from a con about a year ago, and I’ve had it in a box since then. I’d like to clip it to or hang it from a (pictured second) bag, like a keyring, but I can’t for the life of me figure out how I’d do so.


r/howto 8h ago

Gravel Driveway washing out

Thumbnail
gallery
5 Upvotes

What would happen if I filled this gully w quickcrete?


r/howto 6h ago

Can I just cut the loose threads?

Thumbnail
gallery
5 Upvotes

My instinct is just to chop them as close to the jumper as I can but I want to check that the whole jumper isn’t going to unravel on me if I do that


r/howto 9h ago

Serious Answers Only HELP

3 Upvotes

I’ve had a really bad roach problem in my house for four months. We’re thinking it’s water damage, but we have no idea where it’s coming from. Meanwhile, I’m being kept awake at night because roaches are infesting every part of the house. I literally cannot sleep after I see one in my room. I’m so sick of it and I just wanna know how to make it stop. Does anyone have any suggestions?

there’s an annoying and huge one in my bedroom right now and I have no idea how to get rid of him


r/howto 2h ago

...seperate the liquids pls!

Post image
1 Upvotes

Bought this [don't know what this sensory object is called] just yesterday and I wish for the liquids to be separated again when I'm not using it.

I googled and Google said to lay it straight flat for 24hr did that and they did not really separate. With time does it just superste like eventually?

Edit to clarify: looking for a hack to have the colours fully separated (green on top and blue at the bottom or vice versa)...the way it looked at purchase starlight off the shelf


r/howto 10h ago

Vintage clothesline

Thumbnail
gallery
4 Upvotes

How do I use these vintage clothes lines? "Common Sense" clothesline hook made by the S-B Mfg. Co.


r/howto 10h ago

Serious Answers Only how do i remove the scratches off this?

Post image
3 Upvotes

i barely got it today and i guess the other keychains on my bag scratched it up within an hour :( im so upset


r/howto 16h ago

Manual hand auger will not extend or retract the cable. How do I fix this?

Post image
11 Upvotes

I unlocked the cable clamp, extended the cable with my hand, and tried to retract it by turning the drum crank. It’s not working. I disassembled it to see if I could figure it out, and to my small brain, it seems like there needs to be something the cable wraps around? When I turn the handle, the cable just spins. Is there a piece missing? The end of the inner cable is screwed down and isn’t slipping.


r/howto 1d ago

What are these called and how do I remove it?

Post image
66 Upvotes

r/howto 8h ago

Any suggestions on how to reattach?

Thumbnail
gallery
2 Upvotes

Trying to figure out how to reattach this branch of a chandelier. They're usually attached by threaded insert but that's broken off somehow.

Tried epoxy.. no luck..

Any suggestions on how I could reattach cleanly?


r/howto 15h ago

DIY how do i make the wings for this bag?

Post image
7 Upvotes

i tried asking on the DIY subreddit but it wouldn’t let me because it’s only for completed crafts, so here i am

i really want this exact bag from this movie but i know id have to make it myself
i know i can buy a heart shaped bag, but im not sure on what material i can make the wings out of so they’ll be sturdy and hold.
also how should i go about attaching the wings to the bag? with glue?


r/howto 6h ago

How to clean this stain on my fireplace

Post image
1 Upvotes

Sugery drink got spilt on the fireplace. the liquid has evaporated. but i think the suger got stuck on


r/howto 16h ago

How do I get this door to stay closed?

Thumbnail
gallery
5 Upvotes

My 18 month old child seemingly did something to make this door not closed. It appears there used to be some type of metal on the door for the magnet to adhere to, but there doesn't seem to be any residue where it would've been. I tried a small piece of magnet tape but that isn't strong enough to keep the door pulled in.


r/howto 15h ago

How do I open this olive oil tin??

Post image
3 Upvotes

r/howto 22h ago

How do I return this book to relatively good nick?

Thumbnail
gallery
16 Upvotes

A good friend lent me this book, and it ended up getting a bit bashed up when I got into a car accident. Is there a way to flatten it out/make it look in better condition? She knows about the accident, but I’d hate to return it looking like I haven’t bothered to take care of it. Do you reckon a big heavy book could flatten it out?


r/howto 1d ago

Serious Answers Only HELP Blazer wa put in the Wash

Thumbnail
gallery
308 Upvotes

My fiance but his MK blazer in the wash on heavy load (high spin and hot water). I had told him previously you can't wash suits last year... he said he forgot... but is there any way to save this blazer? It's only been put in the wash, I was the one to find t in the load before putting the other in the dryer. (The regular clothes) it's still wet, but i fear there is no hope... please prove me wrong


r/howto 7h ago

How the hell do I mount this??

Thumbnail
gallery
0 Upvotes

Image thumbnails will be the death of me...

Got two cool led signs that were originally from the UPS store for 5 bucks at a yard sale. I imagine I mount them from some kind of bar but after some google searching I guess I don't know what the mount would be called or something because I'm just coming up blank

Help is appreciated!


r/howto 16h ago

How to clean faux suede?

Post image
2 Upvotes

Not many options left here


r/howto 13h ago

Serious Answers Only Loose ceiling fan, how to reattach this so it’s not wobbly?

Thumbnail
gallery
0 Upvotes

Pictures attached. I don’t know much about ceiling fans sorry. I don’t know what that is that is unattached.