99-Cent Store Solution: Scuffed Countertops

At HouseLogic, we love to find and share inexpensive solutions to household problems. Our five solutions this week — one a day — don’t even require a trip to your big-box home improvement store — not that we don’t love stocking up at Lowe’s or Home Depot. Instead, pay a call to your 99-cent store. Its aisles are crammed with the inexpensive (and multipurpose) wares to fix what’s ailing.

A crayon, a spatula knife, and a bowl are all you need to fix a countertop scratch. Image: Liz Foreman

Just watch out for the impulse to buy more than you intended at the 99-cent store. In all honesty, we couldn’t.

First up on the home repair list: Scuff marks on countertops.

If you’ve ever had a scuff mark on a colored countertop, you know that it sadly becomes the room’s focal point. But we found the right supplies to save you any embarrassment.

Supplies:

• Crayons, 99 cents

• Spatula knife, 99 cents

• A microwave-safe bowl, 99 cents (If you have one you’re willing to sacrifice to melt crayons, you just saved another 99 cents.)

Total: $2.97. $3.96 if you throw in a weak lemonade-type drink.

What you do:

• Pick the Crayon whose color comes closest to matching your countertop. Peel off the paper and place it in the bowl.

• Pop the crayon and bowl in the microwave.

• Pour the hot, melted crayon onto the scuff mark and work it into the indentation with the spatula knife.

• Scrape off the excess with the spatula knife.

The Crayon mixture will harden and dry quickly, erasing your countertop flaw.

Tomorrow’s 99-cent store solution: Fix a torn screen.

What other inexpensive home fixes have you found or tried? What minor home repair job have you neglected because of lack of time?

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/blog/repair-tips/99-cent-store-solution-1-scuffed-countertops/#ixzz38yeF8T4v