Having the right tools for the jobs you will encounter as a homeowner, will ensure your home always looks it's best and it isn't a big ordeal to keep it that way. Below are the essentials for Curb Appeal, General Repair & Maintenance, Cleaning and Painting.
TOOLS FOR CURB APPEAL
For Maintenance & Planting
- Good Pair of Secateurs (aka hand pruners)
- Weed Tool, for prying up pesky dandelions
- Hard Rake, for raking gravel or turning hard garden soil
- Flat Edge Shovel, for use as an edger or for scraping
- Round Shovel, for digging and general use
- Pump Sprayer, for misting hanging plants or applying herbicide/ pesticide
- Snow Shovel, for keeping driveway and pathways clear
For Grass Care
- Lawn Mower, available in gas, electric or push mower options
- Spreader, for seed and fertilizer
- Trimmer, for keeping grass and weeds trimmed along fences, edges and in hard to reach areas
- Thatching Rake, for seasonal removal of dead, thatched grass
- Fan Rake, for cleaning up leaves
- Stiff Broom, for keeping surfaces clear of dirt and debris
For Watering Grass & Gardens
- Good Quality Hose (lead free if ever used for drinking or filling up pet bowls)
- Multi Pattern Hose Nozzle
- Oscillating Sprinkler, for watering large areas
TOOLS FOR THE TOOLBOX
Having the right tool where you need it when you need to fix a leaky faucet or want to hang a favourite piece of art. Here are the essentials every toolbox should have...including the box!
- Toolbox, bag or box options are available. Metal boxes are classic, but can get heavy
- Hammer
- Flat Screwdriver
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Robertson Screwdriver (Laura's favourite)
- Pliers
- Needle-nose Pliers
- Ratchet set
- Drill with bits, regular and masonry
- Hand Saw
- Utility Knife
- Measuring Tape
- Level
- Allen Key set
- Safety Goggles
- Dust Mask, such as N95
- Bandaids
- Roll of Electrical Tape
- Roll of Gorilla Tape
- Carpenters Glue
- Krazy Glue, single use tubes
- A sturdy multi-purpose ladder (ok, that won't fit in your toolbox)
TOOLS FOR CLEANING
I never (NEVER) used to love cleaning my house. Now, thanks to @gocleanco, I can't get enough of that elbow grease satisfaction from cleaning my home's dirty bits (and oh boy are they dirty)!
If you haven't checked them out, DO!
- Bucket such as Vileda Spin Bucket (and microfiber mop)
- Mop (comes with above)
- A Really Good Vacuum Cleaner - Presently I use the Bissell® Pet Hair Eraser® Pet Pro Upright Vacuum and I love it!
- Magic window cloths, such as Molly's Marvellous Cloths
- Microfibre Cleaning Cloths
- Broom & Dustpan (only for garage and exterior areas) Vacuum everything else!
- Good Quality Sponges
- Spray Bottle
- Squeegee
- White Linen Dish towels won't transfer any colour
- Stiff Bristle Brush & Toothbrush for cleaning the grout and hard to reach places
MUST HAVE CLEANING PRODUCTS
There are so many options on the cleaning isle shelves. Green ones, clean ones, good, better, best ones!!! But which ones work best and which ones are safe for my family and my dog? This short list has changed my life. When used with care and as directed, it might just change your life... mind blown right?! lol
- Tide Original Powder for cleaning (almost everything). 1 tsp is all you ever really need (Huge shout out to Go Clean Co. www.gocleancoyyc.com for changing my life with Tide!)
- Dawn Dish Liquid
- Bleach: 1/4 cup to 32oz water in a spray bottle - !! NEVER MIX BLEACH WITH ANYTHING BUT WATER AND TIDE!
- Dish Washer tabs
- Mr.Clean (the yellow kind)
- Magic Erasers
- Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Oxy Stain Stick
- Borax, kills all insects and insect stages. Great for dog beds
- Rubbing Alcohol or Vodka
TOOLS FOR PAINTING
- Brushes:
2” Angle Brush with flex handle, such as Wooster Shortcut
3” Synthetic Brush
1” Detail Brush
- 1” Painters Tape
- Roller
- Roller pads
- Roller tray
- Roller tray liner
- Painters ladder or step stool
- Stir sticks
- Container or cup to hold paint in small amounts
- Drop cloths
- Rags
- ...and of course paint!
Tackling a job that requires special tools? You don't have to spend a fortune on buying them. Most home building stores have rental programs so you can use the tool and return it without having to an expensive purchase. That said, however, it is sometimes cheaper to buy the tool, if you are planning to use it for more than one or two days. Things like hardwood floor nailers or tile cutters are often cost effective to buy instead of rent. So do the math before you decide on either.
Have questions? I'd love to answer all of them! Please send me a message HERE
