Hot and Handy

Pump It Up! How To Fix Your Flat Tire

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:28:57 -0800

Most cars carry a tire changing kit, if yours doesn't, here's what you need to buy:
Tools - For this roadside repair you'll need:

a jack
a tire iron or lug wrench
a spare tire

Disclaimer-

Make sure to park you car on a level surface and try to avoid doing this on the side of a freeway.
Put your car in park, apply the E brake and turn your hazard lights on.
Open the hood of your car to indicate to driver's that you're there repairing the vehicle.

Step 1- Be sure no one is in the car. Place the jack near the tire where it meets the metal portion of the frame, there should be a well dedicated for this task specifically. Check the owner's manual if you're unsure. Raise the jack until it is supporting but not lifting the car.
Step 2- Crack all the lug nuts with your wrench but do not remove them. Remember, lefty loosey, righty tighty.
Step 3- Now raise the jack so your tire is completely lifted off the ground.
Step 4- Remove all lug nuts and then remove the flat tire.
Step 5 - Place the spare tire onto the hub. Aligning the rim of the spare with the wheel bolts will make it easier to put the lug nuts back on.
2 Cent tip: Some cars have a full size spare, in this case, you don't have a mileage cap on it.
Step 6 - Once the vehicle is almost down, tighten bolts completely then drop the car to the ground.
Step 7 - Tighten the lug nuts in a star formation to ensure that the tire is balanced. Don't tighten all the way, you could upset the jack.
Step 8 - Lower the car to the ground but not all the way, tighten lug nuts again then lower your car completely and tighten the nuts one last time.

Any questions please email us at hotandhandy@mevio.com or Tweet us @hotandhandy

Turn It On! How To Change Out Your Light Fixture

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:18:43 -0800

Welcome back to Hot and Handy, your go-to, how-to empowering you towards a self sufficient lifestyle. Olivia's light fixture lacks functionality and style making it hard to see anything! Imagine trying to do your makeup :)... So today we are going to fix this dark problem and learn how to change light fixtures...

Tools You Need:

-A screw driver (We recommend an electric screw driver to save time and man power)

-The light fixture of your choice

WARNING! Before you do ANYTHING, you MUST begin by cutting all power in the area that you're working by turning off the circuit breaker or removing the fuse. A sure-fire way to test if the power is cut is: testing light switches in the area you will be working in. If they stay off... you're good to go.

Step 1- Remove the old fixture by unscrewing it from the wall. White, black and green or copper wires will become exposed. Disconnect each at their point of contact which will either be twisted exposed or capped copper, then remove the old light fixture.
Step 2- Fasten the back mounting plate of the new fixture to the outlet box by screwing in both sides.
Step 3- Connect the white (neutral) wires from the fixture to the white wire of the supply circuit. Do the same with the black (hot) wires, the green (these may be bare copper) to the grounding conductor of the supply circuit. NO loose wires should be exposed. Fasten all connections with the U.L. connectors.
Step 4- Screw in your lights..

Last - Flip the power back on and see the light!

A Quick Lighting Tip- Clear bulbs v. White Bulbs: Clear bulbs will give you more light for the same wattage

Questions? Comments? Write us at hotandhandy@mevio.com

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The Urinator

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:17:38 -0800

When you bring a stray cat into your house you have to expect something may go wrong... unfortunately for Olivia the ungrateful scraggle cat urinated on her nice microfiber sofa. But lucky fo you she's found an effective way to clean the stink... Forget spending tons of money on cat pee cleansers or professional upholstery cleaners and learn how to rid odor and stains with ordinay household items!! Here is how:

Before trying any cleansing methods check the fabric label for specific instructions, or test a small inconspicuous area for color bleeding and shrinkage. Use a clean white cloth. If any amount of color transfers from the upholstery to the cloth or if the fabric becomes damaged, seek professional help in removing the odor.

What you are going to need: White Rag, White Vinegar, Baking Soda, Hydrogen Peroxide, Deft Baby detergent, rubber gloves and some sort of dryer.

Step 1 . If possible, soak up the urine asap while it's still wet. If the kitty pee has already dried, then you get a free pass to step 2!
Step 2 . Mix a solution of half vinegar and half water. Pour a small amount of this solution over the cat urine, about 50 ml or 4 tables spoons. Make sure you cover several inches outside of the pee zone since the urine will be in areas you can't see. DO NOT wipe up at first. Allow the solutions to soak in completely then begin blotting with your rag to absorb. Get AS MUCH of the moisture out as you possibly can.
Step 3 . Sprinkle a good handful of baking soda over the stain.
Step 4. Mix a quarter of a cup of hydrogen peroxide with a teaspoon of baby detergent and drizzle it over the area where you have sprinkled the baking soda. Now, massage this in using your fingers; make sure you wear rubber gloves or use a brush. Leave it to work for 15 minutes then begin the blotting ritual again.

Step 5. With a couch or a mattress it is very important to make sure it is thoroughly dry. If you live in a sunny climate, put it in direct sunlight... if not, remove it from the bed and stick a heater or fan next to it to help the drying process along. Hair dryers work just as well.
Step 6. Finally, When the area is dry, vacuum it thoroughly. A wet/dry vac is best, but a regular old Hoover will do the trick just fine.

Be sure to keep even the most disobedient of kitties happy at PetCo ... Use code WOMEN and we'll give you 10% off your order on anything over $65.

Snake It Baby!

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:01:57 -0800

If you have hair, at just about any length, eventually and inevitably it's going to clog your bathtub drain. This problem is actually a really quick fix that will take you all of 15 minutes and you don't have to pay a plumber to do it!

A liquid clog remover has the potential of fixing the problem temporarily, but if you want a clear drain for more than a few weeks, you've got to snake it. This can sound pretty scary and gross and difficult, but guess what, it's really none of those.

This easy repair is going to cost you only a few bucks. Here's what you need:
1. Plastic drain snake (Wal-Mart, Wal-Greens) $3.00
2. Pliers $3.00
3. Screw driver $2.00
4. Liquid clog remover $4.00
5. Hair trapper
6. Plastic grocery bag FREE

Step 1. start with removing the drain cover by unscrewing it. You need full access to the pipe so you can get everything that's congesting it out.
Step 2 . if there is any obstruction at the surface, remove it with your pliers and put it into your plastic bag.
Step 3. Now for the snake. Insert the snake into the drain and twist it while you're pushing it into the pipe. Twisting the snake back and forth will break up the clog and cause the teeth on your snake to grab hold of anything in its way.
Step 4 . Once you've reached a point where your snake will no longer descend into the pipe, pull the snake out and repeat the back and forth twisting motions.

(Show the hairball) That's what's been causing your daily headaches! Now, I know it looks icky, but remember, it's just hair and soap scum, not malaria. It's not that serious. Take the hair off with your pliers, stick it in your grocery bag, tie it shut and throw it out. Too easy.

If you had a gnarly clog and you think there's more of those pesky little guys hanging out even further down in your drain, then pour the liquid clog remover into your pipe, wait for 15 minute, flush it with hot water and you'll definitely be good to go.

In the future, a good way to avoid having to do this fun exercise too often, just cover your drain with a hair catcher like this (show hair catcher). It'll cost you around 2 bucks and will save you from having to throw on a pair of overalls and excavate your own hair from the bathroom piping.

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