8 tips for indoor home maintenance

Grease and grime build up when cooking on the stovetop because they are drawn under the hood by the exhaust fan. Keeping the hood clean maximizes its efficiency and makes the air healthier. To clean it, remove the filter and either soak it in soapy hot water or put it in the dishwasher. Wearing rubber gloves, clean the inside of the hood and the fan blades with a sponge soaked in a degreasing agent.

Hard-to-reach places can be sprayed with degreasing agent and then wiped with a rag wrapped around the end of a small spatula.

If your kitchen garbage disposal unit gives off an unpleasant odour, add about ten ice cubes and a few slices of lemon. That should do the trick!

Start by filling the bath with water so that the tub stretches. Next, dig out the old caulk with a putty knife and make sure the area is clean and dry. Apply the caulking at a 45° angle in an even bead (you might want to practice on a garage or basement wall). Smooth the caulk with a soapy finger or plastic spoon. Wait for the caulk to dry before emptying the tub.

To fix a wall crack, scrape off the surrounding paint with a putty knife. Use the same knife to spread on some spackle and knead it into the crack. Scrape off the excess, leave to dry, then sand smooth.

For wider cracks, push a strip of drywall tape into the spackle and smooth it out. Leave it to dry, then spread a thin layer of spackle over the tape. Let it dry and lightly sand. Make sure to smooth out the edges. Now you can prime and paint.

To learn all the steps for repairing a crack, see our DIY How to repair holes and dents in drywall.