Mostdrain clogsdue to soft debris can be snagged and pulled out with a drain snake. This simple, low-cost rig saves time and money by eliminating the need to call a plumber. What Is a Drain Snake? The Spruce / Kevin Norris The end of the cable has a corkscrew-bang out spring that removes clogs in drains. Pushed by hand, the cable uncoils from the drum and advances through the drain....

Drills are also the standard tool for driving screws. How to Buy a Drill Power drills come in eithercordedorcordlessversions. Cordless drills, powered by onboard, rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs, free the user from the power cord. The Spruce / Jacob Fox However, battery packs are expensive and are prone to failure. Choose a power drill based on your needs and your abilities. Larger and smaller bits are available separately. The Spruce / Michela Buttignol...

Also known as a dry mop, a dust mop is meant to be used dry, never wet. Dust mopping can extend the time between whenmore thorough floor cleaningis necessary. The head was covered with cotton or wool yarn strings that picked up dust, lint, and hair. urbazon / Getty Images Plus Some handles are adjustable to make using the mop more comfortable. The introduction in the mid-1990s of disposable electrostatic cloths for dry mops, likeSwiffer, revolutionized dust mopping....

Front-load washers have long been the standard washing machine in Europe and Asia. The four lessons below will have you set in no time. Lesson One: Water Usage One of theadvantages of a front load washerisenergy efficiency. The Spruce / Ran Zheng The washer uses significantly less water-only around 13 gallons-than a standardtop load washerthat uses about twice as much. But for many first time users, the very low level of water is disturbing....

Mostgarbage disposalshave a reset button that operates like a mini circuit breaker. If thedisposal clogs, jams, or overheats, the button pops out. Pressing the reset button often makes the disposal work again. The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala Learn how to reset a garbage disposal and save money on professionalgarbage disposal repair. Some garbage disposals are hard-wired (the wire goes directly into the wall and isn’t plugged in). In this case, turn off the circuit breaker only....

What Is a Hacksaw? A hacksaw is a hand tool with a removable blade used for cutting metal and plastic. Hacksaw Frame A hacksaw frame is C-shaped with a handle at one end. The Spruce / Jacob Fox The hacksaw blade runs across the open end of the frame. Most hacksaw frames are 6, 10, or 12 inches in length. The blade mounts to the frame on pins. After it has dulled, a hacksaw blade is difficult to sharpen....

Vasily Pindyurin/Getty Images If ahand planeisn’t part of yourtool chest, it should be. When the plane is pushed forward, the blade cuts off a very thin shaving of the work material. Longer jack planes provide a smoother surface by bridging the gaps and shaving off the humps. Vasily Pindyurin/Getty Images Safety Considerations A hand plane is razor-sharp. Never place a hand or any part of your body in front of the plane during use....

The higher the acetic acid percentage of the vinegar, the deadlier it will be. Read on to learn a simple and effective vinegar weed killer recipe and tool method for this strong mixture. Depending on the weed, this can be in the spring or summer. The Spruce / Sarah Crowley Perennial Weeds Perennial weeds, such as dandelions, are not as easy to defeat. However, while their leaves die back in the winter, they typically live on through their roots....

A manual sod cutter can clear about 500 square feet in a few hours without too much exertion. It is noise-free and does not require gasoline, engine maintenance, or winterization. Read on for our guide on how to use a sod-cutting kicker. The Spruce / Jason Donnelly What Is a Manual Sod Cutter? A kick sod cutter has two long handles anchored with a crossbar. It includes a roller and an adjustable flat blade at ground level....

Take the guesswork out of watering your plants! What Is a Moisture Meter? A moisture meter is a small hygrometer that measures how much moisture is present in soil. The Spruce / Cori Sears Why Use a Moisture Meter? Plus, a moisture meter reads more than just the top few inches of soil. The reading given is accurate for up to a foot below the surface. The Spruce / Cori Sears...

This is similar to the way sandpaper loses its effectiveness after several uses. Check out this list of effective ways to use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser around your home. Dampen a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to gently scrub it off the surface. The Spruce / Anastasiia Tretiak Dampen a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser with water. Gently scrub the interior, rim, and stained exterior of the drinkware. Rinse the mug and wash as usual....

But what is a multimeter, and how do you use this tool? A multimeter is anelectrical testerused to test whether wires, cords, circuits, and batteries are working correctly. Not every multimeter has continuity tests, but a resistance test can be used to find the same information. The Spruce / Adrienne Legault What Is a Multimeter? Parts of a Multimeter Tip Some multimeter models may have an auto-ranging feature. Each of these devices has a component called a resistor, which has an assigned resistance value....

Check often to ensure your pool has the best water quality The beginning of warm weather means pool season. That means it’s time to startchecking your water quality. Working With Test Kits Standard kits for testing water chemistry come in several different types. ​The Spruce / Ana Cadena Some people test all components daily, which is a perfectly acceptable schedule. Water chemistry near the pool’s surface may not be typical of the water deeper in the pool....