13 DIY Fixes Our Parents Used Instead of Calling a Pro
These creative, budget-friendly repairs from our parents' generation kept homes running long before YouTube tutorials and expensive contractors.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Before hiring a professional was the go-to solution, our parents leaned on creativity, grit, and a roll of duct tape. Their home fixes were sometimes odd, often brilliant, and almost always done with whatever was in the garage. Here are 13 classic DIY hacks our folks swore by to keep things working without breaking the bank.
1. Duct Tape on Everything
Ussama Azam on Unsplash
Leaky hose? Broken chair? Peeling linoleum? Duct tape was the universal fix, and no project was too big or small for a few well-placed strips.
2. WD-40 for Squeaks and Stuck Things
qulolup on Wikimedia Commons
That can with the red straw nozzle was their secret weapon for jammed locks, creaky doors, or rusty bolts. It seemed to work on just about anything that moved — or should’ve moved.
3. Coat Hanger TV Antennas
Gbleem on Wikmedia Commons
When the rabbit ears snapped or bent beyond saving, a bent metal hanger was the next best thing. Parents would adjust the angles until the picture came into clear focus — well, clear enough.
4. Toothpaste to Patch Nail Holes
Ron Lach on Pexels
Before spackling was a household word, white toothpaste filled nail holes in walls. Smooth it out, let it dry, and it blended with most white paint.
5. Rubber Bands for Stripped Screws
Andres Siimon on Unsplash
When a screw lost its grip, slipping a rubber band between the driver and the screw gave it traction. It was a little-known trick that often saved the day.
6. Nail Polish to Stop Runs in Stockings
Element5 Digital on Pexels
Clear polish wasn’t just for manicures — it stopped snags in pantyhose from turning into full-blown runs. A quick dab froze the damage in place.
7. Soap on Stubborn Drawers
Tabitha Mort on Pexels
Sticky wooden drawers slid like butter after a quick rub with a bar of soap. Just run it along the rails and let the waxy residue do the work.
8. Matchbooks to Level Wobbly Tables
Jamiecat * on Flickr
Uneven table? No problem. A matchbook — or 10 folded napkins — slid under the short leg instantly leveled things out. It wasn’t glamorous, but dinner no longer wobbled.
9. Baking Soda for Carpet Smells
Willis Lam on Flickr
Sprinkle it, let it sit, then vacuum — baking soda neutralized odors like magic. Great for pet smells, smoke, or that mysterious mustiness.
10. Aluminum Foil Behind Radiators
Kier in Sight Archives on Unsplash
Parents used foil to reflect heat back into the room instead of losing it to the wall. It cut energy costs and warmed up rooms faster.
11. Pencil Lead on Sticking Zippers
Nataliya Vaitkevich on Pexels
A graphite pencil made zippers glide smoothly again. Just rub it on the teeth and work it back and forth. No fancy zipper lube required.
12. Curtain Rods as Makeshift Closet Bars
Mizuno K on Pexels
Need more storage? A cheap curtain rod across a closet, basement, or laundry area instantly added hanging space. It sagged if overloaded, but it worked for light items.
13. Clothespins to Keep Bags Sealed
Loadmaster on Wikimedia Commons
Before chip clips, clothespins were the MVPs of bag sealing. Cereal, chips, or frozen veggies — if it came in a bag, it got clipped shut. Bonus: they doubled as cable organizers and makeshift clamps