From BuzzFeed · · 3m
23 Under-$10 Home Fixes for October
Quick home fixes under $10 to prepare for colder weather.
In brief
Quick home fixes under $10 to prepare for colder weather. 23 affordable home improvements to make before winter gets cold. Originally reported by BuzzFeed.
Magnetic Air Vent Deflector
Stick on a magnetic air vent deflector to direct warm air where you need it, saving energy when heating.
“Works just as intended. Strong magnet, and it does not rattle. I was concerned that it wouldn't work well because the deflector only covers the vent a little more than halfway. I was wrong. All air deflects in the intended direction.”
Door Draft Stopper
Swap long pillows for a streamlined door draft stopper to keep temps in your home and hide it in your decor.
“So easy to set up! All you do is peel tape and adhere to a CLEAN and DRY door. Also looks great, I don't even notice it. I had a huge gap under my door. I could smell and hear everything from the hallway. Smells, drafts, and sound all are less of an issue now.”
Weather Stripping
Add weather stripping to door edges to block cold air and save energy by preventing heat loss.
“Very strong adhesive holds in place. Very good draft/leak stopping. My door faces the breezeway and it tends to seep into the cracks and blows hot or cold air along the floor making it awful in the winter. This stopped that as soon as I put it on.”
Rust-Stopping Spray Paint
Refresh outdoor furniture with rust-stopping spray paint for a weekend project that lasts through winter.
“I used this Gloss White to paint an old garden arch, gate and a trellis over a garden bench. It was just a dreary, tired black; the white changed the look and feel instantly. Definitely get the trigger grip accessory if your project takes more than one can, mine was eight cans and that grip was a great idea.”
Dryer Lint Brush
Clean dryer lint trap with a brush to prevent fire hazards and improve dryer efficiency.
“This brush is stiff but flexible enough to feed under my dryer's lint filter. Several weeks ago, a trouble light came on that indicated the airflow in my dryer was becoming obstructed. I had the dryer vent and area under the lint filter cleaned. (Not much lint was pulled out, so maybe the dryer sensor gave a false alarm.) I felt a small investment in a brush such as this is better than paying for a future vent cleaning.”
Vent Cleaner Hose
Use a vent cleaner hose attached to your vacuum to clear dryer lint traps easily.
“When my vent cleaner arrived, I was so excited to use it! It sucked up so much lint that my vacuum container was filled. I was shocked to see how much hidden lint was in my dryer. The lint wand came with a guide attachment, which is an added bonus, and makes it very easy to move around those small, deep spaces.”
Shoe Organizer
Use a hanging shoe organizer to store cold-weather accessories and seasonal items.
“I used this in my guest closet to put hats/gloves/mittens so you could see all the pairs of winter gear and get to pieces easily. It's so neat and organized. I love it.”
Wood Polish and Conditioner
Apply wood polish and conditioner to cabinets and floors to enhance their natural beauty before winter.
“This product is AMAZING! The kitchen cabinets in my new rental were quite old and needed lots of love. Some had big areas that had almost no finish left. We used steel wool, Feed-N-Wax, and they are BEAUTIFUL. They look almost like they would have in the mid '50s when they were new.”
Stacking Shoe Organizer
Double up footwear storage with a stacking shoe organizer for seasonal closet switchover.
“Great shoe holder. Love these for shoe storage as they are sturdy and tall enough for chunky shoes.”
Flameless LED Candles
Create mood lighting with flameless LED candles that flicker like real candles without fire risk.
“One of my new favorite decor pieces. I put these on the mantel, and they immediately enhanced the space. They look great on or off, and I'll definitely be purchasing more for a few other spaces in my home!”
Cross-Hatch Tissue Holder
Cover up a Kleenex decorative box with a cross-hatch tissue holder for a chic touch.
“This product is exactly what I was hoping for. It’s great quality. Looks so chic. Such a nice way to dress up a household necessity. Definitely worth it.”
Fabric Shaver for Upholstery
Use a fabric shaver on hand-me-down couches to refresh upholstery without major cost.
“HOLY COW! If I could give this 11 stars out of 10, I would. I have these beautiful fabric recliners that I love that our new kitty got her claws on. I was ready to sell these and call it a day, I was so tired of looking at them. Then I remembered this fabric shaver, and I thought, 'For $10, I’ll see what happens.'”
Motion Sensor Lights
Place motion sensor under-cabinet lights for bathroom and kitchen use without turning on lights at night.
“I bought several sets of these lights. I like them when used in places like closets that I do not enter a ton, or my laundry room that is not adequately lit, the charge will last several weeks. But under the kitchen cabinets, we walk by there so much that you have to charge them all the time, every couple of days.”
Chenille Throw Pillow Covers
Swap to chenille throw pillow covers with farmhouse stitching for a quick couch refresh.
“This is my third set of these pillow covers. They are a great economical way to change up the decor in your living room without having to spend a fortune on new pillows.”
Satin Pillowcases
Use satin pillowcases for smoother hair and skin in dry winter weather.
“My hair has never been better! I got this because of TikTok and it has done wonders for my hair. My hair isn’t frizzy or dull looking when I get up in the morning.”
Dishwasher Magnet
Add a dishwasher magnet to keep everyone on the same page about plate usage.
“I got this because my mother has dementia and she kept putting away dirty dishes. 🤦🏽♀️ And believe it or not she has actually been using it and it definitely has been working! So I highly suggest buying this for parents or someone you know who has a similar problem!”
Clip-On Patio Light
Invest in a clip-on light for patio umbrellas to extend evening use after sunset.
“This light is great!!! It has three settings, to adjust the amount of brightness you need. Lowest level is great for just sitting around your patio table and having a couple of drinks with friends. Brightest setting is PERFECT for playing cards!”
Pikk-It Tool
Un-ensnare tangled hair from vacuum cleaners, hairbrushes, and round brush dryers with a Pikk-It tool.
“Cleaned three items in less than five minutes. Vacuum brush head and two hair brushes that have three girls' long hair. I can’t wait to get the whole vacuum and rug cleaner bristles cleaned.”
Magnetic Curtain Tiebacks
Use magnetic curtain tiebacks to let in more natural light and fresh air.
“Good quality item, matches with my bedroom decor and curtains. I love the color and each magmatic clasp. I’m ordering another set of two.”
Humidifier Tank Cleaner
Add a humidifier tank cleaner to maintain your humidifier's water tank and prevent mold growth.
“Just drop this in your humidifier and it keeps the water pretty darn mildew and mold free. Super easy to use, no smell, and safe.”
What matters most
23 affordable home improvements to make before winter gets cold.
