Drilling also comes into play when large holes are needed for installing outdoor outlets or light fixtures. With the right tools and techniques, this job is quicker and far less frustrating. Should You Drill Into the Brick or the Mortar? The Spruce / Sanja Kostic Mortar’s softness does make it easier to drill into. Plus, patches to mortar are less noticeable than patches to brick. But mortar is too soft and unpredictable for hanging or attaching heavy,fragile, or valuable items....

The indent will help to keep the drill bit in place while it is turning. Wrap painter’s tape on the bit to indicate where you should stopdrilling. implement the Drill Bit Place the masonry drill bit in the drill. The Spruce / Jacob Fox For drilling into concrete floors, place a heavy object over the nozzle to stabilize it. Turn on the vacuum. Drill Slowly Squeeze the trigger gently to rotate the bit at a slow speed....

Tile is brittle, slippery, and can crackqualities that make this a tricky project. If you find yourself avoiding drilling into tile, have no fear. Before You Begin When drilling into tile, theright toolsmake all the difference. Uladzislau Salikhau / EyeEm / Getty Images First, you must determinewhich punch in of tileyou have. This will factor into your choice of drill bit. Know the Tile jot down Two commonly confused tile types are porcelain and ceramic....

To do this, you will need concrete nails. The Spruce / Liz Moskowitz What Are Concrete Nails? Concrete nails are made of high-grade carbonated steel. The Spruce / Liz Moskowitz They are used in projects that requirenailingor hanging objects on concrete, brick, or other hard materials. If you expect to do a lot of concrete nailing, consider investing in a powder-actuated nailer. The categories are: electro-galvanized, hot-dip galvanized nails, acid-resistant, stainless steel, and copper nails....

The biggest challenge when it comes to drying hydrangeas is knowing the right time to cut the blossoms. Remove all leaves from the stem. Allow the water to evaporate completely from the vase. The Spruce At this point, they are ready to use. Use Your Dried Hydrangeas There are many decorative ways to display your dried hydrangeas. Getting married in the fall? The Spruce / Melina Hammer you’ve got the option to even use them in your weddingfloral arrangements....

That’s where learning how to dry herbs comes in. Use these appliances only as a last resort. It’s easy to do and even quicker than drying. The Spruce / Melina Hammer Shake the Branches Shake the branches gently to remove any insects. Rinse with cool water only if necessary and pat dry with paper towels. Wet herbs will mold and rot. The Spruce you’re able to use these leaves fresh or dry them separately....

Most dry-clean-only clothes can be dry-cleaned at home using the right methods. Use our simple guide for dry cleaning at home with a kit or using homemade cleaners. Before You Begin double-check to read the item’s label before proceeding. The Spruce / Meg MacDonald Here are some basic guidelines. The basic method includestreating any stainsbefore the cleaning. Take the time to read the steps and follow them carefully. The Spruce / Meg MacDonald...

Never shrink your favorite jeans again! The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska Should You Machine Dry Your Jeans? Its true that the high heat of dryers can damage and fade the fabric, which can ruin jeans. The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska That’s why air drying is the preferred method for drying jeans. However, if you take the proper precautions, a machine dryer can be used without destroying your denim. Turn jeans inside out to avoid fading from the sun or soggy pockets....

Here’s how to dry rose petals. No matter what your florist says, those roses are just for viewing, never ingesting. If you want to dry florist rose petals, they should be used for decorative purposesonly. The Spruce / Meg MacDonald Use your fingers to gently pluck off petals, one at a time. Keep an eye on thorns to avoid pricks. Want more gardening tips? The Spruce / Meg MacDonald A screen also works well....

Plus, dyeing your sofa a new color can transform your room, giving your space a brand-new vibe. The color of your leather doesnt matter much here. it’s possible for you to transform a black sofa to a white one, or vice versa. KatarzynaBialasiewicz/ Getty Images Just be sure to wear gloves and follow other important safety guidelines along the way. You’ll be amazed by the before and after results of dyeing your leather couch....

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska Jeans are a wardrobe staple. And while blue remains the most popular color, today jeans are every color fromblackto white to orange. The blue pigment tricks the eye making the fabric look whiter. The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska Fill the Container Fill the sink or washer with enough water to completely submerge the blue jeans. They should be totally wet before adding the bluing. The blue pigment will be too concentrated and can result in a nearly permanent stain on fabrics or basin....

As a bonus, vinegar is inexpensive, has no harsh chemicals, and sanitizes the microwave. Or, add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil to create a customized scent. The boiling solution will create steam to loosen the stuck-on food. The Spruce / Jenelle Botts Wipe Down the Microwave After five minutes, carefully remove the bowl. Dip a clean sponge in the solution and wipe down the exterior. Dry controls and door handles with a microfiber cloth to prevent streaking....

Scrub the Dried Paint Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and wring until just damp. Working in the direction of the wood grain, scrub the paint-splattered area. As the paint loosens, wipe it away with a dry rag. The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska But don’t use too much pressure, or you’re able to scratch the floor. The vinegar can soften water-based paint splatters so it’s possible for you to scrape them away....