Home maintenance can be a mystery for the best of us. You might be overlooking something that needs regular upkeep or not realize that the way you store certain items may be causing unnecessary wear and tear. To help you fend off future repairs (and the costs that come with them), I’ve rounded up some of the most common mistakes that might be damaging your home, along with cheap, easy fixes. Whether you’re renting or owning, maintenance oversights are understandable — but once you pay attention to what you’ve been ignoring, you can pat yourself on the back for saving your future self money.
Mistake: You’re ruining your walls by hammering in nails for pictures
Fix: These claw picture hangers that you just push in
A trusted brand for all your home hanging needs, 3M has done it again with these claw picture hangers that lock right into your wall. They’re made from hardened steel for use on any drywall, so you don’t need to waste time finding studs and instead can just push them in with your thumbs. They come in options for hanging items ranging from 15 pounds to 65 pounds.
Mistake: You’re not maximizing your outlet space
Fix: This outlet extender & surge protector in one
With six standard AC sockets, two USB-A ports, and one USB-C port, this outlet extender and surge protector turns any wall into an all-in-one power station. It also features a built-in-night light with a dusk-to-dawn light sensor, and it’s brightness adjustable between three levels — no wonder it’s earned a fan following on Amazon.
Mistake: You’re not patching window screen rips
Fix: This screen repair tape that fixes things on the cheap
Fix up tears in your window and sliding door screens on the spot with this three-layer repair tape that securely sticks in place without requiring tools or significant effort. Just cut, place it over any holes, and your screen will be as good as new. You can also use it on tents, pool screens, and more.
- Available colors: 2
Mistake: You’re tracking in water & mud from outside
Fix: This washable entryway mat that’s extra absorbent
Rainy and muddy seasons call for this front doormat that’s extra absorbent to soak up water before you get a chance to track it inside. It’s perfect for right inside your entryway, since it boasts a thin profile that won’t interfere with door clearance. When it needs a refresh, just toss it in the washing machine.
- Available sizes: 3
- Available colors: 3
Mistake: Your sink area is a wet mess that’s prone to mold
Fix: This absorbent faucet mat that keeps things dry
Made perfectly to fit single-fixture faucets, this sink mat and splash guard is super absorbent to prevent puddles, pooling, and mold. A durable snap provides security around the base of the faucet, and the bottom layer is nonslip, keeping everything in place. It also has seams on either side of the opening, which allow for protection of a wall or ledge behind the sink, if needed.
- Available colors: 3
- Available sizes: 3
Mistake: Your under-sink area is vulnerable to leaks & spills
Fix: This protective mat with raised sides
The cabinet under the sink can be prone to water damage if any pipe leaks should occur — and it can also become a soggy mess if a bottle of cleaning fluid should tip over. To keep everything contained, place this under-sink mat down. The durable waterproof construction protects wood surfaces and the raised sides help prevent any spillover.
Mistake: You’re not filling in small holes in your walls
Fix: This repair solution that’s super easy to use
This small hole repair kit by 3M is an all-in-one solution to filling nail holes and small nicks in your walls. Just squeeze the spackle and primer out of the bottle, then use the bottom end of the bottle as a putty knife to smooth out the application. Then put the cap back on — it has an affixed sanding pad, so you can smooth out the surface in just a few seconds.
Mistake: You’re not cleaning your washing machine
Fix: These tablets that whisk away residue
It only makes sense that you actually have to clean the machine you use to clean your clothes. These washing machine tablets make it easy, working pretty much effortlessly to clean both top- and front-loaders efficiently and quickly, helping to upgrade the efficiency of your appliance. Just pop in a tablet, run a regular washing cycle, and clean away any residue left behind and voilà — a clean machine.
Mistake: Your pantry & closets are damp & musty
Fix: A mini dehumidifier that keeps things dry
Get easy and efficient moisture control in your home with this wireless mini dehumidifier. Safe for use around children and pets, this little device eliminates humidity in rooms up to 333 cubic feet — perfect for pantries, closets, and other small spaces. On one charge, the unit can last about 20 to 30 days before needing to be plugged in again.
Mistake: Your shelves are getting damaged by cookware
Fix: This shelf & drawer liner that resists scratches
Give your shelves an instant makeover and protect them at the same time with these removable, non-adhesive drawer and shelf liners. They stay put while keeping your dishes and glassware from slipping, sliding, and scratching up the surfaces. Choose from 12 prints to suit your style and simply cut to fit.
- Available colors and prints: 12
- Available options: 11
Mistake: You’re using metal utensils on nonstick cookware
Fix: These silicone tools that are gentle on surfaces
Specially crafted for nonstick cookware, this five-piece set of kitchen utensils includes a soup ladle, slotted spoon, serving spoon, solid spatula, and a slotted turner, all designed to keep delicate surfaces scratch-free. They’re made from food-grade silicone with a heat resistance of up to 464 degrees Fahrenheit, and have acacia hardwood handles for durability.
- Available colors: 9
Mistake: You’re wearing muddy shoes into the house
Fix: This boot tray that’s easy to wipe clean
Keep the high-traffic areas in your home free of mud and dirt with this boot tray that serves as a handy, contained home for your outside footwear. Crafted from durable, all-weather rubber, it has a nonslip backing to ensures stability and longevity while being stain-, water-, and wear-resistant. It’s an effortless way to keep front entryways spotless.
- Available colors: 8
- Available sizes: 7
Mistake: Your chairs are scratching up the floors
Fix: These furniture leg covers with soft felt bottoms
Keep your floors and furniture protected with these chair leg covers crafted from strong elastic silicone with felt bottoms. Thanks to the stretchy design, they’re easy to install without any messy gel adhesives or residues, and you can easily match the color to your furniture for a camouflaged effect.
- Available sizes: 5
Mistake: You’re not monitoring for potential water damage
Fix: These leak detectors that alert you of any issues
Stay ahead of water damage in your home and be alerted at the first sign of trouble with these water leak detectors. With back and front probes to detect pipe drips and leaks, the detectors are wire-free and compact, so you can place them anywhere you’re worried about water damage. Just adjust the volume of the alarm to your desired level, and you’ll be notified of any potential issues before it’s too late.
Mistake: Your dryer vent is clogged with lint
Fix: This long brush that removes lint to help prevent fires
Maintaining your dryer is essential for both safety and efficiency, and this dryer vent cleaner kit makes it much easier to stay on top of. The kit includes a high-quality synthetic brush head and durable, flexible rods that extend up to 40 feet for a thorough, deep clean that goes far beyond your lint screen. You can use the pieces with or without a power drill to improve dryer efficiency and prevent potential fire risks at the same time.
Mistake: You’re pouring harsh liquid dissolvers down the pipes
Fix: These drain sticks that remove clogs fast
Ditch the harsh liquids and expensive plumbing services and use these drain clog removers instead. The set includes three flexible 20-inch tools with barbs that hook and remove hair and debris from your drains. Use them on sinks, toilets, and tubs for an economical and environmentally friendly way to tackle tough clogs.
Mistake: You’re needing to clean your oven every time you cook
Fix: These nonstick liners that catch the drips & drops
Give your scrubbing hands a break and get this two-piece set of nonstick oven liners that offer heavy-duty protection against baked-on spills. They’re heat-resistant up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and save you valuable time and energy by keeping your oven clean — just wipe them down or throw them in the dishwasher. Just place them on the floor of the oven, and be assured knowing they’re easy to clean, and BPA- and PFOA-free.
- Available colors: 3
Mistake: You’re sacrificing your pantry to moths
Fix: These hanging moth traps to catch pantry invaders
Greener Mindset Pantry Moth Traps for House - 7 Pack, Indoor Pheromone, with Convenient Hook for Home Infestation Prevention
Amazon -Protect your food and home with these pantry moth traps that keep the flying pests away and out of your food staples. The traps use pheromones to attract and capture moths (including the pesky Indian meal moths) and are designed with innovative hooks, so they can be easily hung wherever you need them most. Just open, peel, fold, and hang for pantry moth protection.
Mistake: Your decor items are scratching up surfaces
Fix: These self-adhesive bumpers that are protective
It’s easy for picture frames to scratch up walls, as well as for vases and other decor items to damage coffee tables and dressers. To keep that from happening, use these jelly bumpers to create a subtle barrier. The self-adhesive bumpers stick to any surface, creating a soft landing surface. Use them on cabinet doors to prevent slamming, too.
Mistake: You keep forgetting to water your plants
Fix: This set of watering globes that will do it for you
Give your plants a fighting chance with these self-watering plant globes that take the watering duty off your plate by automating it instead. Each globe provides five days of hydration for your houseplants while also being quite beautiful to look at (they’re crafted from real glass). Just fill with water, insert at an angle, and refill every five days for plants that will thrive.
Mistake: You’re not protecting your mattress
Fix: This waterproof cover that also keeps out dust mites
Keep your mattresses dry and protected with this waterproof mattress protector that’s earned a 4.6-star overall rating after more than a quarter-million reviews. It guards against fluids, while also keeping allergy-causing dust mites at bay. It fits mattresses up to 18 inches in depth, while being machine washable for an easy refresh.
- Available sizes: 7
Mistake: Your cutting board is drying out
Fix: This oil that will restore & protect it
Here’s something you might not know existed but is a kitchen must-have — mineral oil for your cutting board and other wood surfaces. This colorless, odorless, and tasteless oil helps to prevent cracking and drying and can also help bring new life to your knives and appliances, too. With a push-button cap and squeeze-bottle design, it’s easy to apply — just use it once every three months.
- Available options: 3
Mistake: You’re not cleaning your gutters
Fix: This handy scoop that makes it easy & efficient
Gutters can be hard (or expensive) to clean, and if you don’t do it, it can lead to unintended water damage. Luckily, this gutter scoop makes it easy. It’s designed with an extended tongue that reaches deep to collect debris, along with an elevated handle, so you can scoop while keeping your hand out of the way and protected.
Mistake: Your furniture is your cat’s favorite scratching post
Fix: These shields that will deter them & save your upholstery
If you’ve repeatedly explained to your cat that the sofa is not a scratching post, but they just won’t listen, these furniture protectors are for you. You can cut each one to secure a custom fit on your couch or armchair, and it will protect the upholstery while the slippery surface will also deter your four-legged friend from scratching on it in the first place.
Mistake: You’re rebuying items that you’ve accidentally stained
Fix: This stain remover that works on the spot (literally)
This emergency stain remover spray uses a commercial-grade formula that’s safe around kids and pets. It quickly and effectively removes stains from clothing, couches, and furniture — both fresh and dry stains —and works on most fabrics, too. Tough on spots but gentle on the environment, the pH-neutral formula is free from perfumes and dyes.
Mistake: Your floors are wet & dirty after your pet eats
Fix: This splash mat that protects your floors
Prevent pet messes before they start with this pet food splash mat that helps keep everything clean while your furry friend eats and drinks. It’s designed with raised edges to keep spills off your floor and stays in place thanks to a nonslip diamond pattern. Made of food-grade silicone, it’s BPA-, PVC-, and phthalate-free.
- Available colors: 5
- Available sizes: 5
Mistake: You aren’t shielding furniture from pet mishaps
Fix: This waterproof blanket that’s also snuggle-worthy
Accidents, drool, and tumbleweeds of fur are inevitable, but this pet blanket protects your furniture from all of it. It features soft fleece on one side and fuzzy sherpa on the other — so your four-legged friend will be tempted to cuddle up on it — but a waterproof middle layer provides lots of protection. It comes in a range of sizes, so you can find one for your petite kitty or one that covers your entire bed.
- Available sizes: 7
- Available colors: 8
Mistake: You’re damaging cords & hoses by storing them improperly
Fix: These storage straps that keep things orderly
Keep your cords effortlessly organized with these heavy-duty storage wraps. Great for the garage, shed, home, boat, camper, or anywhere else you might need them, they’re weatherproof and have industrial-strength loops that can support up to 50 pounds. You get six heavy-duty storage straps in one pack, so you can organize multiple spaces.
- Available options: 9
Mistake: You keep forgetting to turn off appliances
Fix: This auto-shutoff outlet that does it for you
Save money on energy costs and end the question of “Did I turn that off?” with this plug-in auto-shutoff outlet . Just push the button to set the timer for 30 minutes and when the time is up, it will cut power, automatically shutting down whatever is plugged in, like curling irons, clothes steamers, coffee makers, and more.
Mistake: Your grill is exposed to the elements 24/7
Fix: This protective cover that can withstand any weather
Protect your grill from the elements with this grill cover that’s available in five colors and three sizes. It’s designed to stand up to storms as it’s completely waterproof, making sure rain, snow, ice, and sleet slide right off. It’s made with sturdy Oxford fabric and has a UV-protective coating to fend off fading.
- Available colors: 5
- Available sizes: 3
Mistake: Your fridge shelves are prone to sticky messes
Fix: These shelf liners that keep things clean & tidy
These simple refrigerator shelf liners protect your fridge surfaces from spills and drips, keeping them in pristine condition — and when it is time to clean, they wipe off way more easily than your glass shelves. The textured design keeps them securely in place without the use of adhesive, and they can be cut to size, so you can personalize them for your needs.
- Available colors: 5
Mistake: You’re cleaning stainless steel with regular surface cleaner
Fix: The fan-favorite cleaner kit designed specifically for the job
This stainless steel cleaning set comes with a tub of pre-dampened wipes and a spray bottle of cleaner and polish — two effective options for removing dirt, grime, and streaks from your home appliances. The pH-neutral formula goes to work quickly and even protects surfaces from future smudges. The kit also comes with a microfiber cloth, so you can polish everything to a shine.
Mistake: You haven’t stopped rust in its tracks
Fix: This enamel spray that provides next-level rust protection
Shield indoor and outdoor surfaces from rust with this spray enamel. Safe for use on metal, concrete, masonry, and wood, it provides excellent rust protection that’s resistant to abrasion, fading, and chipping over time. The oil-based formula dries to the touch in just two to four hours, and is available in several finish options: satin, glossy, and flat.
Mistake: There’s moisture & mold in your front-load washer
Fix: This door prop that helps keep airflow going
This nifty front-load washer door prop helps you keep your washing machine door slightly open to prevent moisture buildup and keep it clean and fresh. Encased in rubber, the base features a strong magnet, which attaches to the washing machine, and the hose is ultra-flexible, so you can fit it to your specifications. Just stick on and set the hose to your desired distance.
- Available colors: 2
Mistake: You don’t have the right tools to clean hard-to-reach spaces
Fix: This power scrubber that’s amazing for detail work
Stop ruining toothbrushes and opt for this versatile power scrubber that’s actually tough enough to get the job done. Battery operated, it comes with a multipurpose head and a special grout cleaning head. The oscillating bristles scrub 60 times per second, doing hard removal work for you. It’s ideal for grout, fixtures, and even car wheels.
Mistake: Lime scale has built up on fixtures & appliances
Fix: This descaling solution that works like a charm
This multipurpose descaler removes lime scale, calcium deposits, and other mineral buildup on coffee makers, kettles, showerheads, faucets and more. Food-safe and gentle on surfaces, this liquid won’t harm your appliances at all while working quickly to remove hard water stains — seven times faster than citric acid.
Mistake: You’re scratching up your sink each time you do the dishes
Fix: This sink mat that provides protection
This sink mat is made from durable silicone that protects sinks from scratches and chips caused by heavy cookware. At 11.5 by 12.25 inches, it fits small sinks perfectly, and features four small feet on the bottom to elevate for drainage. Plus, the slotted design helps promote airflow for quicker drying.
Mistake: You’re not caring for your wooden pieces
Fix: This polish & conditioner that restores shine
This cult-favorite wood polisher and conditioner creates a soft luster on all wood surfaces, while also providing a protective coating of beeswax and carnauba wax. The conditioning oils feed the wood to help prevent further drying, while maintaining the natural beauty and depth of the grain. Just slather it on, wait at least 20 minutes, and then wipe off the excess.
Mistake: You’re leaving water rings on your table
Fix: These rope coasters that add good-looking protection
These absorbent coasters fit all standard-size cups, glasses, and bottles, working to create a barrier between your beverages and furniture. Woven from 100% cotton and linen, the coasters have a natural, minimalist design that would work with every type of style, from modern minimalism to French country. Plus — at about the price of a latte — they’re a cheap way to protect wooden surfaces.
- Available colors: 9
Mistake: You’re eating in bed & spilling on your sheets
Fix: This foldable breakfast tray so you can indulge without a mess
Made from durable, natural bamboo wood, this folding breakfast tray helps you enjoy a meal anywhere with minimal mess. At nearly 12 by 20 inches, it has ample space for multiple dishes, so you can pile on the pancakes and coffee. The legs fold in, so you can also use this as a standard tray.
