QUICK MONEY-SAVING TRICKS

Many times in a fixer property, the cabinets look like they need to be refinished. If you need to paint them, please refer to my article, Giving Kitchens and Bathrooms an Inexpensive Facelift, that was run in a previous REAP magazine. But if the stained cabinets just need to be freshened up, then I follow these steps. First I wipe them down with full strength white vinegar. This will remove the greasy buildup and give you a clean surface to work with. Then I get a soft cloth and wipe the entire cabinet surfaces with a product called Old English. It’s a dark brown liquid that really makes the cabinets look like they have been refinished and it only costs $5.00 and the job can be completed in minutes. This quick tip can save thousands over refinishing the cabinets. There is also amber-colored Old English for light-colored cabinets. You can use it to restore the paneling in older houses for a new look.

To repair holes in sheetrock, you can use a drywall repair patch. These are thin metal squares ranging from doorknob-size to basketball-size. They have a sticky back that adheres to the wall around holes. Smooth a little joint compound on them and once it dries, sand it smooth and paint it and your hole is fixed like a pro for under $10 bucks.

Hollow core doors with holes in them can be repaired by filling the hole with tin foil and spreading Bondo body filler on them. Then sand the Bondo smooth and repaint the door. This quick fix costs about $12 from start to finish. Replacing the doorknobs is an inexpensive way to spruce up freshly painted doors. A nice doorknocker set on the front door adds character to any house. You may want to add a brass kick plate to the bottom too.

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