Home repairs, easy as makeup

Philadelphia Inquirer, The, December, 2006 by Mary Beth Breckenridge

The tools for your next home-improvement project might be waiting in your makeup bag. Here are some suggestions for using cosmetics and grooming tools for jobs around the house, from the This Old House Web site (www.thisoldhouse.com): To know where to make cutouts for electrical outlets when you're installing drywall or paneling, rub lipstick onto the edges of the outlet box.

Lipstick, unlike chalk, will stick to plastic boxes. When you push the panel into position against the box, the mark will transfer. Unstick a stubborn drawer by rubbing beeswax lip balm on wooden glides. Clean up insulating-foam sealant before it dries with acetone nail-polish remover on a rag. After you've cut pipe with a hacksaw,...