22 cheap ways to make stuff last longer

When a paint can is stored upside down, the paint creates an absolutely airtight seal, which will make your paint last longer.

The obvious caveat to this tip is to make sure the lids are sealed tightly.

Follow these five essential steps to achieve a professional-looking paint job.

Scratched eyeglasses are a real nuisance and make it hard to see.

If your glasses don’t have antiglare or scratch coating on them, here’s how to get minor scratches out.

Put a drop of Brasso on a 100 per cent cotton cloth (the softer the better).

Apply the product to the lenses, let it dry completely, and then polish out the scratches.

While you are repairing scratches, easily repair nicks on wooden furniture by following these expert tips.

When you turn off a frost-proof tap, water continues to trickle out of the long pipe even after the valve is closed.

When people see that water, they often assume the valve didn’t close, so they crank down harder, which over-compresses the washer, greatly reducing its life.

Patience is the key. Wait a second or two after closing the valve.

The water should eventually stop (unless you’ve already destroyed the washer).

If the tap’s dripping it probably needs a new washer. Here’s how to replace it.

“In a pinch, a vacuum cleaner bag is actually reusable. The bottom end of the bag is usually folded over a few times and glued shut. To reuse a bag, unroll its end, being careful not to tear it, and then empty the contents into the trash. Refold the end and staple it back together. This hint definitely deserves a cheapskate award, but it works when you need it to.” — Travis Larson

Using a vacuum regularly is key to keeping a neat and clean workbench like this one.

Band saw blades that are always under pressure can break prematurely from metal fatigue.

Extend the life of your blades by releasing the blade tension whenever your saw will sit idle for three days or longer.

Some saws have a quick-release mechanism, which makes this a cinch.

Otherwise, make your saw blades last longer by rotating the tensioning knob two or three complete turns.

“Washing a paint roller cover between coats of paint is a waste of time – and paint. So one of my painting necessities is a can of chips; preferably the plastic cans. Before I start painting, I eat the chips and then clean out the can. I don’t want any unintended texture on my walls! Between coats, I slip the wet roller cover in the empty chip can and pop on the lid to keep it from drying out.” — Thomas Nolan

Follow these five essential steps to achieve a professional-looking paint job.

UV light from the sun slowly destroys plastics, so if you can’t keep your garden hose out of the sun, wipe it down with some Armor All or similar protectant in the spring and again midsummer.

Set the hose on plastic or cardboard, spray the whole thing down and then wipe it with a rag.

Build a latticed structure from treated pine to store a garden hose and reel, using it as a trellis to grow screening plants.

Got screws that won’t stay put in your favourite spectacles?

Paint a thin coat of nail polish on screws to keep them from coming loose.

Remove the screw, paint it with the nail polish and screw it back in.

The nail polish keeps it in place as it gets in all the cracks and spaces.

Leaves and moss can trap water and cause your roof to deteriorate prematurely.

You can blow the leaves off a low-pitched roof with a leaf blower.

On steeper roofs, you can pull them off with a broom on an extension pole.

And it’s wise to trim back all branches that are close to or touching the shingles.

Chemically treat mould, then sweep it off with a soft broom.

A diluted bleach solution will kill mold but could also kill the plants on the ground below, so be careful to spray just enough to soak the mould itself.

Specific roof cleaners containing fungicide are also available.

Installing zinc strips at the peak of the roof can help keep mould at bay.

All you need is an old toothbrush and a little toothpaste to get your old sneakers looking like new!

Non-gel white toothpaste works great for cleaning white-soled sneakers (coloured toothpaste may stain rather than clean sneakers).

Apply toothpaste to an old toothbrush and then work the paste into the dirty spots.

Leave the toothpaste on the shoes for about ten minutes, and then wipe it off with a damp towel.

Repeat the process if necessary.