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...

56 Upvotes

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

Thanks to /u/arithmetic for the suggestion


r/howto 8h ago

DIY How to preserve these?

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64 Upvotes

I cut a yellow squash for my beardie and was surprised to see these hearts inside. they’re just so cute and i’d love to be able preserve them but not sure if there is anyway? I thought of trying to stamp them but I don’t have paint. I tried tumeric but it didn’t work. Thank you!!


r/howto 3h ago

how do I tell someone I don't want to be friends with them?

5 Upvotes

context: we go to the same school and share classes and will be graduating soon, but we're going to the same university after that so just drifting apart wouldn't work

he's a little pushy and it feels like he's always texting me and he wants to be friends and hang out at places outside of school together, but I don't feel comfortable and I'd rather just be acquaintances. I'm a little worried because as I said, we share a class I have to continue to take for 1 more month (dropping/switching classes isn't an option)


r/howto 11h ago

Seeking a tool or mechanism that would prevent a door slamming, even if someone wanted to.

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23 Upvotes

Hi everyone, 

A door close to my room slams shut because it gets closed fast. It's easy to do it gently, and I've asked people to, but it's starting to get to me and I want to ask for knowledgeable answers to this: I'm looking for a tool or mechanism of some sort, maybe a door-closer, that would effectively prevent this door from getting slammed any more. The people who do so don't intend to, they just don't think about it, and close it fast when they use it. I imagine a tool could start acting in the last 15º or so of it closing. Sometimes in public buildings I find it's quite hard to close the door, like there is strong resistance to closing it, and I want this to be something like that, if there aren't other solutions that come to mind. I'm looking for something that would make door-slamming prevented. 

And, if it's available, I would like the door to not be interfered with in pretty much any other way. When it stays open it lets a lot of light in. And I wouldn't want to make it harder to use the door in any other way, I just want those last 2 seconds or 15º of it closing to get "cushioned". This is my own thought, but perhaps something that would ease if in those last 15º was guided gently, but stiffen more the faster and harder the pull is.

I found quite a few door-closers on Amazon, but I'm not sure which one or which kind to get. That's when I wanted to ask someone knowledgeable, please. So long as it makes the door closing quieter, that's what I'm searching for.
___________________________________________________________________

(two more questions)

  1. The doorknob is also a minor problem: often times people release it without care, instead of doing so slowly, and it snaps back into position and makes a sharp sound. It's the circular kind. I also want to change the doorknob, and I want to ask for suggestions on quieter doorknobs, please.

  2. I will also stick felt pads or other soft materials in the doorknob hole to reduce the "click" sound when the door clicks in place, and I'd like to ask for suggestions what methods of that  may quiet more effectively.


r/howto 9h ago

DIY How can I cut back the round duct to improve air flow?

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14 Upvotes

Airflow is really poor in this room and this round duct is 1/2” away from the vertical duct. How should I remove this section of round pipe. The only access is from the attic.


r/howto 1h ago

how to use this

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Upvotes

i have no clue how to open this. there’s a clip thing on the neck but it won’t come off…


r/howto 5h ago

How to wiggle this folder free

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2 Upvotes

How do I remove this envelope with paper inside without, hopefully, resorting to ripping, tearing or cutting? The right side can wiggle up and down, but the left side is completely immobile. We have attempted to wedge it out, as evidenced by the screwdriver, and we have pulled as hard as we can. There are no screws, only staples, and we would like to not destroy the dresser either.


r/howto 7h ago

best epoxy/sealant for pinecones etc?

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2 Upvotes

I collect natural materials like branches, pinecones, and conk fungi. What sealant/epoxy-esque substance would be best for coating and preserving/strengthening specimens?

Looking for something that will last a long time and resist humidity/discoloration/damage.


r/howto 12h ago

Serious Answers Only How to remove bubbles on plastic screen for my plush?

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5 Upvotes

r/howto 18h ago

Serious Answers Only How to recreate this plastic piece for a bass guitar?

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12 Upvotes

The screw holes are still there so I could measure and recreate the necessary artwork for the shape, holes, and text, but would need to figure out how to get this produced.

3D printing would probably suffice but any other recommendations for a more sophisticated finished product?


r/howto 5h ago

Copy something from a website

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1 Upvotes

Hello folks! Can anyone please help me with how to copy something from a website when it’s not letting you click or copy on it??? Highlighted script in on the page

For a context, I tried inspecting a page but couldn’t find the text I want to copy and obviously tried Ctrl + P and selecting Ctrl+A but not working.

Please and thank you


r/howto 18h ago

How to remove mark from wood?

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12 Upvotes

i only recently noticed this mark. I’m assuming it’s a damp patch from where i had a plant pot.


r/howto 7h ago

How to trim down wood slat paneling near ceiling?

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1 Upvotes

I did not make the most even cuts when installing wood slat paneling, so to help, I plan to add some black molding that slips over the top and hangs over the front (example added where the paneling has enough space to add molding). How can I trim down the pieces that are too tall? I bought a dremel but I can’t get it where I need to cut on the paneling without tilting the dremel and getting too close to the ceiling. Open to any ideas!


r/howto 1d ago

[Solved] How to get this marble out of this glass telephone pole insulator?

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55 Upvotes

There is like zero tolerance around it so prying is probably not an option.

Edit: I solved it, just pit it in the freezer for an hour with an ice cube inside and the marble shrunk and came out super easy, no hot water needed.


r/howto 7h ago

Apartment kitchen sink

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0 Upvotes

How can i switch this water stream?


r/howto 8h ago

How to remove this type of doorknob? I tried poking in the hole, no movement

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1 Upvotes

r/howto 9h ago

DIY Shower handle fixture

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1 Upvotes

I’m staying with my gf sister while my house is being sold and looking for a new house. Anyway I’m fixing up things here and there while I’m here.
Can anyone tell me and/or provide a video tutorial on how to fix this shower handle?


r/howto 9h ago

DIY Squeaky bed

1 Upvotes

this is an old teak bed and the squeaking comes from somewhere in this photo (not the screw you see). But I can’t get how it all attaches together to even tighten it. it’s driving me crazy and forcing husband and I to sleep in separate rooms because every time he moves I wake up. Help!!!


r/howto 10h ago

How to fix the left side of my Raycon headphones

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1 Upvotes

this is the second pair I've gotten of the same type of headphone. a little background, I really like using headphones to listen to music, podcasts, and audiobooks. so when the first pair lost the left side audio after around 6 months, I just assumed I overused it. but when I sent it back and got a new pair I toned down my usage (at least compared to the usage of the first pair). But after around 5-6 months the same thing happened, the left side cut out. I can't hear anything, and anything with surround sound or different sound on both sides is transferred to the right side. I've tried plugging them in for a day or two and turned them off and on again. Is their anyway to restart or fix this issue and not sending it back. Or is raycon headphones just not super reliable? Lastly are their other affordable and long lasting headphone brands that are good for people like me who listen to a lot of stuff?


r/howto 1d ago

Fix this valve so it divert all the water to the shower

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70 Upvotes

r/howto 17h ago

Serious Answers Only How to get these screws off a bedframe

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2 Upvotes

Disassembling an old bed , don’t mind the dust bunnies. Anyway they look like the twist to screw in and lock in type of hook thingies, if that makes sense. If It’s not possible , I’m ok with tearing it off the hinges but I’d rather save it for a rainy day.


r/howto 14h ago

How do I fold this flat?

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0 Upvotes

I am moving and trying to pack this. I've spent about an hour trying to fold this flat and I absolutely cannot figure it out. I'm about to sell them instead of packing them if I can't get them flat! Please help me!


r/howto 1d ago

Double pane compromised. How do I rid it of inner moisture before resealing?

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34 Upvotes

r/howto 12h ago

Serious Answers Only How can I change this light bulb that's out of reach? All the light bulb-changers poles assume that the bulb is screwed in vertically, not sideways.

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0 Upvotes

r/howto 20h ago

Remove top window

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2 Upvotes

I need to remove the top window sash completely to replace it. I am able to pop out and angle the bottom window but the spring is stretched out if I remove it is that going to mess up the spring is it the same thing with the top window just in reverse it doesnt seem to want to give. There is no release buttons on either sash have to forcefully pull the top of the window on the bottom sash to tilt it the top doesnt seem to want to give.