Foreword
A Note to Readers
EVERYDAY ANNOYANCES
  Remove a Ring That's Stuck on a Finger
  Fix a Drawer That Sticks
  Fix a Wobbly Table
  Repair a Torn Photo
  Untangle a Phone Cord
  Open a Stuck Jar Lid
  Peel Off a Bumper Sticker
  Remedy Sleep Problems
  Unstick a Stamp From an Envelope
  Straighten a Crooked Picture
  Unplug a Stuck Aerosol Can
  Give Barbie a Makeover
  Deal With a Stuck Wine Cork
  Repair a Book
  Restring Your Guitar
  Get Rid of Red-Eye in Photographs
  Reduce Puffiness Around Your Eyes
  Remove a Speck From Your Eye
  Stop Snoring
  Fix Bad Habits
  Repair a Broken Eyeglass Frame
  Reposition a Slipped Contact Lens
  Fix a Run in Stockings
  Jog Your Memory
  Fix an Electric Can Opener That Drops the Can
  Troubleshoot a Cell Phone
  Keep Mirrors From Fogging
  Zap an Acne Breakout
  Repair a Torn Fingernail
  Fix Chipped Nail Polish
  Fix a Stuck Zipper
  Find a Lost Contact Lens
  Eliminate Bad Breath
  Keep a Shaving Nick From Bleeding
  Get Rid of Split Ends
  Untangle Hair Snarls
  Fix Frizzy Hair
  Fix Bleeding Lipstick
  Fix a Piano Key That Sticks
  Stop Telemarketers and Junk Mail
OCCASIONAL DISASTERS
  Get Superglue Off Your Skin
  Extract a Splinter
  Soothe a Sunburn
  Fix a Sticky Social Situation
  Fix a Bad Reputation
  Clean Lipstick From a Collar
  Fix a Bad Relationship
  Salvage a Bad Date
  Get Rid of a Hangover
  Stop Hiccups
  Mend a Broken Heart
  Mend a Family Feud
  Treat a Small Cut or Scrape
  Fix Hair Disasters
  Treat a Bleeding Nose
  Beat the Monday Morning Blues
  Get Out of a Fix
  Extract a Broken Key
  Retrieve Keys Locked Inside a Car
  Get Better Seats
  Fix a Billing Mistake
  Fix a Bad Grade
  Fix Bad Credit
  Recover From Jet Lag
  Resuscitate an Unconscious Person
  Stop Someone From Choking
  Stop an Ant Invasion
  Stabilize a Christmas Tree
  Rescue an Item From the Drain
  Fix Improper Use of Pronouns
  Fix a Run-On Sentence
  Fix Misuse of the Word Good
  Fix Your Dog or Cat
  Correct Bad Behavior in Dogs
  Remove Skunk Odor From Your Dog
  Get a Cat Out of a Tree
  Correct Bad Behavior in Cats
  Treat a Cat for Matted Fur
CLOTHING
  Replace a Missing Button
  Remove Lint From Clothing
  Fix a Drawstring on Sweatpants
  Repair a Hem
  Repair Leather Goods
  Mend a Split Seam
  Treat Mildew Damage
  Get Static Out of Your Laundry
  Deal With a Clothes-Moth Infestation
  Fix a Separated Zipper
  Launder Your Cashmere
  Fix a Sweater That Has Shrunk
  Fix a Sweater That Has Stretched
  Fix a Hole in a Pocket
  Fix a Hole in Your Sock
  Treat Mixed-Wash Accidents
  Take Wrinkles Out of Clothing
  Fix a Hole in Jeans
  Repair a Snag in a Sweater
  Remove Pilling From Clothing
  Fix a Frayed Buttonhole
  Remove Dark Scuffs From Shoes
  Treat Stains on Leather
  Protect Suede From Stains
  Wash Sneakers
  Pick Up a Dropped Stitch in Knitting
  Restring Beads
  Freshen Smelly Shoes
HOME REPAIR
  Fix a Sagging Closet Rod
  Quiet Squeaky Hinges
  Troubleshoot Lock Problems
  Tighten a Loose Doorknob
  Tighten a Loose Door Hinge
  Fix a Binding Door
  Fix a Rubbing Door
  Fix a Drafty Door
  Tune Up Sliding Doors
  Fix a Shower Door
  Seal Wall Joints Around a Tub or Shower
  Replace Cracked Tile
  Troubleshoot Mold on Interior Walls
  Replace Cracked Tile Grout in a Tub
  Or Shower
  Fix a Drafty Window
  Repair a Faulty Window Crank
  Repair Vertical Blinds
  Repair Venetian Blinds or Miniblinds
  Repair Wood or Plastic Roll-Up Blinds
  Troubleshoot Window Shade Problems
  Fix Broken Glass in a Window
  Repair a Window Screen
  Repair Aluminum Storm/Screen Windows
  Install New Sash Cords in Windows
  Fix a Tight or Loose Window Sash
  Repair Minor Drywall Damage
  Repair Damaged Plaster
  Repair Wall Coverings
  Touch Up Painted Walls
  Troubleshoot Interior-Paint Problems
  Solve a Lead-Paint Problem
  Replace a Damaged Ceiling Tile
  Replace a Wood Floorboard
  Quiet Squeaking Floors
  Repair a Water-Damaged Hardwood Floor
  Restore a Dull, Worn Wood Floor
  Touch Up Wood-Floor Finishes
  Repair Damaged Sheet-Vinyl Flooring Repair a
  Vinyl-Tile Floor
  Silence Squeaky Stairs
  Repair a Loose or Broken Baluster
  Replace Caulking on the Outside of Your House
  Childproof Your Home
  Prevent Ice Dams
  Cure a Faulty Fireplace Draw
  Start a Fire in a Cold Chimney
  Fix a Wood-Burning Stove
  Repair and Prevent Wood Rot
  Fix Crumbling Chimney Mortar
  Patch a Gutter Leak
  Troubleshoot a Wet Basement
  Seal a Garage Floor
  Refinish a Garage or Basement Floor
  Control Roof Leaks
  Redirect Rainwater From a Downspout
  Fix a Sagging Gutter
  Unclog Gutters and Downspouts
  Repair a Leaking Skylight
  Repair a Cracked or Split Wood Shingle
  Replace a Damaged Asphalt Shingle
  Patch a Flat or Low-Pitched Roof
  Repair Roof Flashing
  Troubleshoot Exterior-Paint Problems
  Fix Garage-Door Tension
  Troubleshoot a Garage-Door Opener
  Get Rid of Termites
PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL
  Loosen a Rusty Nut or Bolt
  Troubleshoot Low Water Pressure
  Fix Leaking Pipes
  Stop a Toilet From Running
  Fix a Leaky Toilet Tank
  Fix a Stopped-Up Toilet
  Stop Toilet-Tank Sweating
  Fix Flushing Problems
  Clear a Clogged Plumbing Vent
  Fix a Faucet
  Fix a Stopper That Doesn't Seal
  Clear a Clogged Sink or Tub
  Repair a Tub-and-Shower Valve
  Repair Chipped Fixtures
  Quiet Noisy Pipes
  Defrost Your Pipes
  Diagnose Sump Pump Problems
  Troubleshoot Electrical Problems
  Replace a Blown Fuse
  Swap a Faulty Light Switch
  Reduce Energy Consumption
  Replace a Receptacle
  Fix an Electrical Plug
  Replace a Light Fixture
  Install a New Dimmer
  Fix a Lamp
  Troubleshoot Fluorescent Lighting
  Fix a Low-Voltage Thermostat
  Fix a Line-Voltage Thermostat
  Troubleshoot Holiday Lighting
  Fix a Doorbell
  Fix a Wobbly Overhead Fan
  Adjust Water-Heater Temperature
  Relight a Water-Heater Pilot Light
  Troubleshoot a Heating System
APPLIANCES
  Refresh a Smelly Refrigerator
  Diagnose Refrigerator Problems
  Fix a Leaking Refrigerator
  Repair a Clogged Ice Maker
  Get Rid of Microwave Smells
  Fix a Refrigerator That Cools Poorly
  Fix a Gas Oven That Heats Poorly
  Clean a Malfunctioning Gas Burner
  Repair a Range Hood
  Fix an Electric-Range Element
  Fix an Electric Oven That Heats Poorly
  Diagnose Dishwasher Problems
  Correct an Overflowing Dishwasher
  Fix a Leaky Dishwasher
  Fix a Dishwasher That Fills Slowly
  Touch Up Your Appliances
  Control Garbage Disposal Odors
  Fix a Jammed Garbage Disposal
  Diagnose Washing Machine Problems
  Fix a Washing Machine That Fills Slowly
  Fix a Washing Machine That ``Walks'' Across
  the Floor
  Fix a Clothes Dryer That Dries Slowly
  Fix a Hair Dryer
  Troubleshoot a Clothes Dryer
  Correct a Steam Iron That Sputters
  Fix an Iron That Leaves Spots on Fabric
  Fix Your Vacuum Cleaner
  Replace Vacuum Cleaner Brushes
  Troubleshoot a Portable Air Conditioner
  Fix a Window Air Conditioner
  Fix a Dehumidifier
  Repair a Console Humidifier
  Troubleshoot a Blender
  Handle a Mixer That Overheats
  Repair a Food Processor
  Fix a Toaster
  Diagnose Microwave Oven Problems
  Troubleshoot a Gas Grill
  Fix a Trash Compactor
  Repair a Sewing Machine
  Troubleshoot Smoke Alarms
COMPUTERS & HOME ELECTRONICS
  Fix Date and Time
  Clean Up Keyboard Spills
  Troubleshoot a Computer That Won't Start
  Troubleshoot a Crashing Computer
  Clean Up Laptop Spills
  Fix Bad Sectors on a Hard Disk
  Quit a Frozen PC Application
  Remove a Windows Program
  Speed Up a Hard-Disk Drive
  Clean and Fix a Mouse
  Replace Your PC's Battery
  Clean a Virus-Infected Computer
  Improve Your Computer's Memory
  Get Rid of E-mail Spam
  Change a Laser Printer Cartridge
  Fix a Printer That Fails Its Self-Test
  Correct Monitor Resolution on PCs
  Clear a Printer Paper Jam
  Troubleshoot a Recurring Printer Jam
  Figure Out Why a Windows Printer Won't Print
  Fix Spelling and Grammar Errors
  Recall an E-mail in Microsoft Outlook
  Diagnose Telephone Modem Problems
  Troubleshoot an Internet Connection
  Get Rid of Screen Glare
  Get Top-Notch Scans
  Recover Lost Files
  Troubleshoot a Palm OS PDA
  Reset a Palm OS PDA
  Remove Fingerprints From a Camera Lens
  Troubleshoot a CD-R Drive
  Restore a CD
  Repair a Warped CD
  Clean VCR Heads
  Diagnose VCR Problems
  Extract a Jammed Videotape
  Adjust VCR Tracking
  Salvage a Videocassette
  Troubleshoot a DVD Player
  Strengthen FM Radio Reception
  Strengthen AM Radio Reception
  Fix a Remote Control
  Fix Audiocassettes
  Fix a VCR Cable Connection
  Troubleshoot a Cassette Deck
  Replace Broken Rabbit Ears
  Fix a Jammed Slide Projector
  Get Better Speaker Sound
  Troubleshoot a Digital Camcorder
  Troubleshoot a Digital Camera
  Troubleshoot a CD Player
  Replace a Headphone Plug
FURNITURE & HOUSEWARES
  Rejuvenate Tarnished Brass
  Shine Silver Safely
  Remove a Broken Lightbulb
  Fix a Broken Wineglass Stem
  Fix Blemished Wood Furniture
  Repair Gouges in Furniture
  Restore Furniture Finish
  Replace a Broken Towel Rod
  Remove Stuck Shelf Paper
  Prepare Your House for Natural Disasters
  Fix a Frayed Carpet
  Camouflage a Dog-Scratched Door
  Repair a Split Carpet Seam
  Rid Carpets of Pet Odors
  Reinforce a Sagging Shelf
  Brighten a Boring Bathroom
  Replace a Shower-Door Sweep
  Clean or Replace a Furnace Filter
  Repair a Broken Sliding Drawer
  Reglue Joints of Chairs and Tables
  Reupholster a Drop-In Chair Seat
  Revive a Cane Seat
  Reinforce a Weak Bed Frame
  Fix Up an Old Wood Chair
  Fix a Wobbly Wood Chair
  Spruce Up Your Decor
  Repair Chipped or Cracked Porcelain
  Repair Chipped or Cracked Pottery
  Repair Chipped or Cracked China
  Unclutter Your Home
CLEANING
  Clean Crayon From a Wall
  Get Wax Off a Tablecloth
  Remove Wax From Carpeting
  Get Rid of Ceiling Stains
  Remove Clothing Stains
  Remove Mystery Stains From Clothing
  Remove Carpet Stains
  Remove Chewing Gum From Carpeting
  Remove Bleach Spots From Carpeting
  Remove Pet Stains
  Eliminate Wine Stains From a Rug or Tablecloth
  Remove Burn Marks on Rugs
  Clean Stains From Furniture
  Strip Wax Buildup From Floors
  Remove Stains From Tile Grout
  Remove Mildew From Walls and Ceilings
  Disinfect a Toilet Bowl
  Remove Fireplace Grime
  Get Rid of Deodorant Stains
  Eliminate Cigarette Odor
  Restore Shine to Your Jewelry
  Wash Dirty Windows
  Remove Grime From Miniblinds
  Clean Oil Spots From a Garage or Driveway
  Remove Stains From Brick
  Wash an Outdoor Grill
COOKING
  Fix a Fallen Souffle
  Rescue a Crumbled Cake
  Fix a Perfect Cup of Tea
  Patch a Torn Pie Crust
  Keep a Pie Crust From Getting Soggy
  Fix Dough That Won't Rise
  Rescue Overproofed Yeast Dough
  Fix Your Kid Lunch
  Get Rid of Tap-Water Mineral Deposits
  Calibrate a Meat Thermometer
  Fix a Dull Knife
  Remove Rust From a Cast-Iron Pan
  Repair Laminate Countertops
  Remove Stains From a Stone Countertop
  Fix a Sauce
  Rescue a Broken Sauce
  Remove Fat From Soups and Sauces
  Fix Lumpy Gravy
  Substitute Missing Ingredients
  Reduce Your Cholesterol
  Treat Burned Pots and Pans
  Rescue a Burned Cake or Pie
  Put Out a Kitchen Fire
  Remove the Bitterness in Burned Rice
  Remove Cooking Odors
  Finish Undercooked Meat
  Salvage an Undercooked Turkey
  Fix an Overseasoned Dish
  Fix an Underseasoned Dish
  Remove Oven Spills
  Clean Up Oil Spills
  Fix a Drink for Any Occasion
  Disentangle Pasta
  Refresh Stale Bread
  Smooth Seized Chocolate
  Soften Hardened Sugars or Cookies
  Fix Breakfast for Your Sweetheart
  Mend a Wooden Cutting Board
  Keep a Mixing Bowl Steady
YARD & GARDEN
  Fix Garden Tool Handles
  Repair a Leaky Hose Nozzle
  Mend a Leaky Hose
  Fix Dull Digging Tools
  Restore a Broken Flowerpot
  Sharpen Pruning Clippers
  Remove Rust From Tools
  Revive Wilting Cut Flowers
  Sharpen a Power Mower Blade
  Sharpen Push Mower Blades
  Repair Bald Spots on Grass
  Rid Your Grass of Dog Urine Spots
  Get Rid of Rampant Brambles
  Troubleshoot Brown Spots on a Lawn
  Control Major Garden Pests
  Rid Your Garden of Pests
  Troubleshoot Herbs
  Troubleshoot Houseplants
  Overcome Shade Problems
  Rid Soil of Pests and Diseases
  Revive a Nonperforming Compost Pile
  Fix Bad Soil
  Shore Up a Raised Garden Bed
  Remove a Dead or Diseased Tree Limb
  Troubleshoot Trees and Shrubs
  Repair a Leaking Irrigation System
  Unclog a Sprinkler System
  Clean a Clogged Drip System
  Fix Poor Soil Drainage
  Troubleshoot Rose Diseases
  Identify and Correct Soil Deficiencies in
  Roses
  Troubleshoot Rose Pests
  Overcome Fungus Diseases in Roses
  Repair Deck Steps
  Renovate a Weathered Deck
  Tighten Loose Decking
  Remove Deck Stains
  Replace Damaged Deck Boards
  Repair Deck Railings
  Strengthen Deck Joists
  Fix a Rusty Iron Railing
  Repair a Gate
  Repair a Picket Fence
  Level and Smooth a Gravel Path
  Fix a Pothole in a Dirt or Gravel Driveway
  Replace Patio Stones, Tiles and Pavers
  Fix Cracked or Damaged Concrete
  Improve the Look of Repaired Concrete
  Repair an Asphalt Driveway
  Revive Wooden Outdoor Furniture
  Restore Weathered Metal Furniture
  Repair Chair Straps and Webbing
  Revive Rusted Iron Furniture
  Troubleshoot Garden Ponds
  Clean Swimming Pool Water
  Troubleshoot Hot Tubs and Spas
  Replace Bricks in Walkways and Patios
CARS
  Start a Stalled Car
  Shut Off a Jammed Horn
  Change Your Car's Battery
  Troubleshoot a Car That Won't Start
  Fix a Flat Tire
  Start a Car With Jumper Cables
  Shut Off a Car Alarm That Won't Quit
  Free a Car Stuck on Ice or Snow
  De-ice Your Windshield
  Fix a Burned-Out Signal Bulb
  Fix a Burned-Out Headlight
  Adjust Headlights
  Fix a Stuck Brake Light
  Replace a Broken Taillight or Turn-Signal
  Cover
  Fix a Car Fuse
  Fix Dashboard Lights That Won't Light
  Remove Car Smells
  Check Tire Pressure
  Inflate Your Tires
  Fix a Stuck Convertible Top
  Diagnose a Leak Inside Your Car
  Replace Your Air Filter
  Handle a Faulty Repair
  Fix an Improperly Installed Child Car Seat
  Troubleshoot Leaking Oil
  Check and Add Power-Steering Fluid
  Check and Add Coolant
  Cool an Overheated Engine
  Replace a Leaking Radiator Hose
  Change Your Wiper Blades
  Add Windshield-Washer Fluid
  Fix a Broken Exhaust Pipe
  Check and Add Engine Oil
  Check and Add Brake Fluid
  Check and Add Fluid to Your Automatic
  Transmission
  Troubleshoot Your Brakes
  Add Brake Fluid to the Clutch Master Cylinder
  Troubleshoot Dashboard Warning Lights
  Troubleshoot a Windshield-Washer Pump
  Repair Minor Dents
  Change a Hubcap
  Fix an Ignition Key That Won't Turn
  Change Your Spark-Plug Wires
  Diagnose Car Smells
  Clean the Outside of Your Car
  Restore Your Car's Shine
  Wash the Interior of Your Car
SPORTS & RECREATION
  Fix Your Basketball Free Throw
  Regrip a Golf Club
  Fix Your Golf Swing
  Fix Common Golf Problems
  Fix Your Snowboard Turn
  Fix a Slow Skateboard
  Improve Your Running Form
  Shape Up Your Physique
  Repair a Damaged Surfboard
  Get Rid of Swimmer's Ear
  Defog a Diving Mask
  Repair a Ripped Wetsuit
  Fix Your Bump Shot in Volleyball
  Fix Your Softball Swing
  Fix Your Curveball
  Fix Your Soccer Shot
  Fix a Punctured Bicycle Tire
  Fix a Bike Chain That Has Fallen Off
  Fix a Poorly Shifting Bicycle
  Tighten or Loosen Bicycle Brakes
  Change a Bicycle Tire
  Replace Mountain Bike Hand Grips
  Fix a Bicycle Spoke
  Fix a Rusty Bicycle Chain
  Fix a Hole in a Raft
  Fix a Hole in a Canoe
  Undo a Stuck Knot
  Fix Lumpy Down
  Fix a Fishing Rod Tip
  Untangle a Snarled Fishing Line
  Extract a Fish Hook From Skin
  Deal With a Blister While Hiking
  Unjam a Sleeping-Bag Zipper
  Fix a Torn Sleeping Bag
  Fix a Torn Tent
  Patch Leaking Boots
  Replace a Grommet in a Tent
  Replace Washers in a Lantern
  Replace a Mantle in a Lantern
  Fix Slow Skis
  Retape a Hockey Stick
  Repair a Gouged Ski
  Sharpen Your Poker Skills
  Fix a Poker Game
  Sharpen Your Blackjack Technique
  Improve Your Pool Game
  Straighten a Gutter Ball
  Change In-Line Skate Wheels
  Fix Your Tennis Serve
  Regrip Your Tennis Racket
  Relace a Baseball Glove
  Improve Your Photography Techniques
Index
Contributor Credits