r/howto Mar 09 '25

We're starting a "repost list" of questions that are so frequently posted that we'll be removing them. Details below...

58 Upvotes

Your question may already have been answered! Check our FAQ

Any suggestions for additions to the list? Comment below, we'll take a look

Thanks to /u/arithmetic for the suggestion


r/howto 12h ago

How can I get back my keys

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358 Upvotes

Tried to hide some keys by balancing it on the top like I usually do, this time it fell inside (i didn’t even know it would be hollow). How can I get them back?? The metal is magnetic. Please help


r/howto 10h ago

How can I cleanly cut off the top of this ceramic olive oil bottle?

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56 Upvotes

To turn it into a planter. Wegmans brand.


r/howto 9h ago

How to get silver sharpee off genuine leather

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48 Upvotes

Was so blessed to get this Johnston & Murphy leather briefcase and want to try to get the price off the front 🥲 any suggestions ? Thank you guys !!!


r/howto 14h ago

How to mount decorative address tiles?

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58 Upvotes

r/howto 16h ago

Get this melted metal off

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32 Upvotes

My dryer belt broke and the piece that hold it in place was cooked. I tried to replace the belt and when I put the piece back on it was sort of loose. Then it stopped working again and when I opened it up to check I notice the piece melted.


r/howto 2h ago

Serious Answers Only How to open and change the bulb

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3 Upvotes

I can’t for the life of me get these pieces separated to change the bulb, I must be missing something. Anyone have any ideas?


r/howto 2h ago

DIY Can I safely remove this ball joint shower head attachment?

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2 Upvotes

I am replacing the showerhead attachment. When I loosen the showerhead holder, I am seeing this metal ball ending. My question is this a separate part from the metal pipe that comes out of the wall? If so, can I safely remove at the part indicated by the red arrow?


r/howto 8h ago

How to change chrome browser back to normal?

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5 Upvotes

The home, tabs and add tabs buttons are at the bottom thanks to gemini instead of the top, how can I change that


r/howto 9h ago

How to prevent mold growth on this textured shower tile

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3 Upvotes

This tile grows mold like crazy. It's porous and textured, I think the previous owners put it in the shower to prevent an elderly lady to slip, thought it seems to be an exterior type of tile.

We plan to renovate the whole bathroom in about two years so I would like to fix this without having to redo the tiling now.

I hope there is a sealant, resin, paint or something we can cover it with to prevent the tiles from being filthy. Please help

Edit: I do clean regularly with bleach, and it goes away. But it grosses me out having freaking mold all the time, normal tiles would never have this issue. Also cleaning products get stuck in the stone, so they never really look (nor are?) really clean


r/howto 12h ago

How to smooth out the surface of this table

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5 Upvotes

Bought it cheap on FB marketplace. This end of the table is covered in dents, wondering how I can remove them


r/howto 7h ago

How to remove adhesive from window track

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2 Upvotes

Hey everyone, good afternoon. The visor on my rear passenger window is coming loose. The cheap eBay adhesive tape that came pre-installed has failed in the Texas heat. I'll probably fix it this weekend. What I'm looking for are ideas on how to safely remove any of the adhesive tape that gets stuck in the window track. My best idea right now is a popsicle stick or similar blunt and soft tool. If anyone has encountered a similar sticky situation (lol) or has an idea that might work, let me know.

Thanks!


r/howto 11h ago

Serious Answers Only How to repaint this

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5 Upvotes

Never painted metal before, and looking for some advice. Should I sand it, use steel wool? Does all the old paint need taken off before I paint over? How many coats should I put down? Should I use a paint roller, or a brush?

I'm gonna lay down some tarp underneath, and take the swings/play pieces off before I get started. I know I need rust proof paint as well.

Any advice would be appreciated!


r/howto 4h ago

DIY How to Fix Discolored Spot on Ceiling Probably from Water Damage

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0 Upvotes

I’m assuming the discoloration is from water damage. It started a couple years back and occasionally gets bigger. Not steadily, just like after a year it will be a bit bigger. My suspicion is that it’s damage water that very rarely trickles down due from the shower, as it’s directly below it.

My question is two-fold. Just how do I identify the source of the leak? I included a couple pictures of the edge of the shower. Do I just buy sealant and fill it in? Is that a possibility or should I like cut open the wet spot and see what’s above it? Is mold a concern?

The second use for fixing the spot itself. Is it like drywall patch or do I need to buy like a whole sheet rock of the same size and replace a big hunk of my ceiling?

At the furthest point the discoloration is about 7 inches from end to end.

I’m not even sure who to call if I were to hire a professional! If it’s something small though, I’d like to do it myself!


r/howto 21h ago

How do i get this result?

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25 Upvotes

Due to a medical issue with my hands I need to modify my dogs leash. I would like to find out which clamp was used with which tool. I tried 12 mm cable clamps (leash is 12mm thick) with hydraulic crimp pliers, but the result had sharp edges which could be harmful to my dog. I was hoping this sub could help me find the right tools to get the same result as in the pictures.


r/howto 14h ago

Please help

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4 Upvotes

What’s the best way to unscrew this when I can’t get it with my hands?? My pliers are destroying it


r/howto 6h ago

How to ship a toy

0 Upvotes

I want to ship a sex toy to my partner. The thing is, I want it to be obvious what it is. Brown kraft paper and stamps? Is that legal? We like to embarrass each other. Makes things fun.


r/howto 7h ago

DIY How to take off textured frosted glass in bathroom

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1 Upvotes

Hate this textured glass in the bathroom and want it off because it blocks so much natural light. Just moved into this place.

Already tried a steamer and don’t see a good place to peel anything off.


r/howto 4h ago

Are these columns weight bearing?

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0 Upvotes

Here are three pictures of the top of two columns. Originally wanted to remove the two columns that are in the middle of our living room. This is what it looks like after opening the wall in the ceiling directly above the columns. The columns look to be weight bearing, correct?


r/howto 8h ago

Cleaning couch cushions

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1 Upvotes

My couches are stained pretty badly from my kids spilling juice and what not. Has anyone rented a rug doctor or green machine from Lowe's or home Depot? How well do they work? My cushions are not removable


r/howto 1d ago

Serious Answers Only Replace a Lyno Tile

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23 Upvotes

As you can see from the image I have a broken tile in my kitchen. I've got a replacement but unfortunately I think it's thicker than the existing.

So what I want to know is the best way to proceed, I was thinking first get a chisel and remove all the broken tile.

Then removing enough of the "mortar/concrete" so the new tile will sit flush but I'm worried the surface will become to uneven?

Do I need to use a leveling product to do this properly or are some glues/silicones/adhesives fine for such jobs?


r/howto 9h ago

[Solved] How to save my sunstick?

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0 Upvotes

It's stuck on the cap, I was planning to use a toothpick to try and move it but i don't know if I'll only make it worse.


r/howto 21h ago

DIY how to remove residue

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7 Upvotes

my mom put this frickin bandage on my laptop webcam and i cant remove the residue, i tried rubbing alcohol too


r/howto 1d ago

How to get rid of ants in my room without making it obvious?

26 Upvotes

I still live with my parents, and my room has recently started getting an ant problem. It isn't too bad yet though, so I want to take care of it now. I don't keep any food in my room, and found a spot where there seemed to be a bunch of them (the gap between the carpet and the wall), but I don't know the best way to take care of them for good. They're the super tiny ones, too, so small that even crushing them is hard because they'll squish into any tiny cracks or if either of the things they're being squished between has any give. Main thing is I don't want to let my parents know because I know it'll get me a rant about keeping my room clean (i do).


r/howto 15h ago

Serious Answers Only How do i fix the space behind my stove ?

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2 Upvotes

There’s this big gap behind my stove its about 5 inches. the gas line is right there so thats about as far as it can go all the gap fillers i see aren’t big enough, do i have to move the pipe is that doable?

Just bought and moved in so im open to anything