Meet Family Handyman’s Creators: 4 DIYers Share Their Journey

The DIY community is built on people who love making things and sharing with other DIYers along the way. That’s why Family Handyman launched our Creator Program. Over the next three months, four DIY creators will bring their projects, skills and everything they’ve learned along the way to our channels. We talked to each of them to get a little taste of who they are, what they build and what they’re still learning.

When and How Did You Get Into DIY?

Steve (@sdotdiy): I’ve always loved building and making things, but the real excitement happened when I got my own place. I quickly realized I was broke, and if I wanted the things I envisioned for my home on my budget (or lack thereof), I had to learn how to do it myself.

Carissa (@houseonravine): In 2021, I was still feeling cabin fever from COVID, and I started to get a little antsy. I had always hated the green marble slabs covering our fireplace surround and knew they were anything but original. We had never done anything more than a paint job when one day, while Larry (my spouse) was out, I grabbed a sledgehammer and started whacking at it to see what was underneath, knowing we’d have no choice but to fix it. That ended up being the start of our DIY journey. We did uncover the original brick and tile, but it wasn’t in great shape, and the tile probably contained asbestos, so we had to learn how to fix it all. So, really, everything went according to plan. It’s still a strategy I use to this day, much to Larry’s dismay!

Dustin and Chi (@_scarletoakhomes): We abruptly got into DIY back at the end of 2014 when we were looking for our first house to buy. We were both 21 at the time and, for some crazy reason, decided to buy a fixer-upper and flip it. I was an engineer and still in school at the time, and Chi was still in nursing school. What I thought would be an easy house to fix ended up being a ton of work that literally needed everything done. We had more time than money at the time, so we got to learning so we could do as much as we could ourselves, which is where the DIY came in. I wouldn’t call it a nice or peaceful entry into DIY, but the intensity of it made us learn so much and really love construction all around.

What’s Your Favorite Part of the DIY Process?

Carissa: I love the planning process because it’s where you get to be the most creative. But honestly, I love it all – during the process we learn so much (often the hard way!), and afterward we get to see how the hard work paid off. You don’t get that when you hire it out. But the very best part is having the stories and memories tied to the projects you’ve done. Those stay with you forever. And they’re something our kids will remember too, I hope.

Steve: The idea phase. I love the challenge of taking a concept and figuring out, “How does this fit my space?” It’s like a puzzle of making your thoughts a reality.

Dustin and Chi: We can’t say together we have a favorite; we genuinely love all of it. We love being able to walk into a house, space, or project, and just have or create an idea or vision. I love the actual “doing” it part because I get to do something with my hands. I love the learning and the challenges. I believe you should always be learning, for the rest of your life, there is always more to know. Then, of course, the completion, which consists of getting to see it, enjoy it and being proud of it.

What’s One Project You Wish You Could Redo?

Dustin and Chi: The first house we flipped. We’ve learned so much since then and are so much more experienced now. We’d love to buy back that house one day, see everything we did, maybe make a little fun of how much of amateurs we were back then, and then redo it all again. Getting to redo that house with all of the experience we have now would just be such a crazy experience, and with that experience, we would be able to do everything more correctly with even better functionality and style.

Steve: I’d love to take another crack at the playhouse I made for my daughter. I’ve learned so much since then, and I know I could add some really unique features now. Plus, my daughter is already asking for a new one, so that’s definitely a possibility for a future build. I’m sure I would get carried away quickly and need a massive budget for that one!

Carissa: Our primary bathroom was the first “big” project we completed, and we learned a lot that I wish we could go back and apply now. It doesn’t look bad, but the tile —particularly the floor tile — could definitely look much better if we had known then what we know now (e.g., use self-leveling cement!).

Also, we had no idea we were taking tiles off the wall individually when we could have just torn it down to the studs and saved ourselves weeks of work. The internet had a lot of fun commenting on that one.

What’s the Favorite Skill You Learned on the Fly?

Steve: It’s not so much a technical skill as it is a mindset. Through all these projects, I’ve developed the confidence that no matter what problem pops up, I can solve it. That shift in perspective has really changed not only my projects, but how I deal with the joys of home ownership (aka, everything randomly breaking).

Dustin and Chi: All of my skills were originally learned from a DIY project, they just improved over time and with practice is all. I’d say my favorite skill is general carpentry, from rough framing to more of the finer finish. As you can see in our videos, we love building decks, which is a lot of rough framing, but I also enjoy the more intricate finish wood projects like those custom entry roofs we do where we make all of those wood pieces from scratch.

Carissa: When we redid the fireplace at our old house, we ended up listing the house a week later, so we had no choice but to learn how to lay bricks quickly. And funny enough, when redoing the hearth and surround recently in our new (old) home, we messed up laying the mortar bed and had to quickly rent a demolition hammer to rip it out before it got too hard. Nothing quite like learning how to jackhammer in the middle of your own living room!

Is There Anything You Still Find Intimidating?

Steve: Heavy-duty electrical. Anything involving the breaker box still makes me slow down and respect the process. I definitely don’t want to blow up my house because I feel like my wife may be a little tiny bit upset with me.

Carissa: We know our limits pretty well, and while we push ourselves, we won’t take it too far when it comes to structural work. We’re not trying to take down walls and accidentally have the house fall down. We’ll get a professional opinion on that first!

Dustin and Chi: I wouldn’t say intimidating, I’d more say irritating or tedious. As an example, I’d much rather hire out drywall work. I can do drywall, and it’ll even look perfect. But it’ll probably take me 20x longer than the professionals because they do it all the time and are so quick. I do drywall work for small stuff, but for larger projects I feel like it’s just not worth the crazy amount of time it’ll take me versus just paying for it.

I would say roofing and painting fall in the same line for me, not intimidating and definitely doable, but we only have so much life left, and I refuse to use it being the slowest drywaller of my generation.

What DIY Skill Do You Still Want to Learn and Why?

Steve: I’m really interested in 3D printing and epoxy builds. 3D printing is so practical for creating custom jigs or toys for the kids, while epoxy is such a unique, creative niche. Both allow for a level of customization that is really exciting.

Carissa: Our attic is large and unfinished, so we’re hoping to learn how to insulate and hang drywall one day. That project is waiting for the right mix of courage, dollars, and free time.

Dustin and Chi: At this point, I feel like I’ve done or tried everything at least once. It would be easier to say which projects I’d like to try that would take some learning. I’d like to DIY a fancy greenhouse, which would be fun to learn. Then Chi can enjoy her plants through the winter without having to bring all 10 million of them inside. Another project that would be awesome to try would be building a quality chicken coop.

Tell Us About the DIY Project You’re Most Proud Of

Dustin and Chi: I’d say the one I’m most proud of is our first house we flipped, and that’s from the standpoint of literally everyone we knew thinking we were crazy and wouldn’t be able to pull it off. I’m proud of it because we were scared to do it but determined, and without it, we wouldn’t be where we are today. That one project was genuinely life-changing and helped us find our passion.

Steve: It sounds funny, but it’s the wine rack I made for my now wife (that no one will ever see). I had zero experience and almost no tools, but I made it work. Seeing it come out so well was the spark that really got my wheels turning to take on bigger projects.

Carissa: We turned our run-of-the-mill bi-fold door closet in our primary bedroom into a built-in wardrobe that looks original to our 1913 home. We found an old wood dresser on Facebook Marketplace and framed it into the space. It looks so much better and is such a better use of the space.

What Made You Want to Share Your Projects on Social Media?

Carissa: A couple of years after moving into our current 1913 home, we realized we had no photos of the before or any progress. I initially started documenting things on social media, so we’d have a place to see the work we’d done and share our ups and downs (lots!) with others. Eventually, it became a really fun, creative outlet.

I love sharing our progress through reels, and we also love sharing (and making fun of) the realities of DIYing with your spouse. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart and is the truest test of a marriage. But we keep it very real, and I think that is what resonates with people. I love sharing laughs with our community while creating beautifully and functionally designed spaces that stay true to the history of our home and our family’s story.

Steve: I noticed so many people were “house poor.” I wanted to show them that you can still have the home you want even if you don’t have a massive bank account. I also genuinely enjoy helping people learn in an easy, digestible way. It’s not just about saving money; it’s about the “how.” I want to give people the confidence to realize they are capable of so much more than they think. Every project doesn’t have to be perfect to be a success. Trying is literally half the battle.

Dustin and Chi: We actually weren’t that into social media back when we started. Chi was in grad school for her nurse practitioner career, and had some semesters where she wasn’t allowed to work because it was restricted during intense clinical rotations. With the time she had free from school but wasn’t allowed to work, she randomly decided to film some of our projects and post them. Our pages started to create some really interesting conversations and engagement that even we learned from, and it just kept building from there.

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When Should I Replace My Toilet Seat? Major Signs It’s Time

If you rarely think about your toilet seat, you’re not alone. Most of us assume that as long as it doesn’t look gross, it doesn’t need to be replaced. But that’s not necessarily true.

“Toilet seats are one of the most used but most overlooked items in the bathroom when it comes to routine replacement,” says cleaning expert Stephanie Leichtweis. “But even small cracks or surface wear can make the seat harder to fully clean over time.”

That’s because those cracks encourage bacterial and mold growth, creating unsanitary conditions.

Here’s how to know when it’s time to change your toilet seat, pick a replacement and install it.

How Long Do Toilet Seats Last?

How long a toilet seat lasts depends on the material it’s made from and how often it’s used. The most common plastic-type seats — those made from polypropylene or thermoplastic — generally last five to seven years before the surface starts to look worn, and micro-cracks become a breeding ground for bacteria.

Ceramic seats and those made from harder plastic, such as Duroplast, can last for up to 10 years. Wooden seats, however, are usually only good for two or three years.

“Foam or cushioned toilet seats are the most hygienically compromised,” says home cleaning expert Isabella Flores. You might not see visible deterioration for a few years, but to be safe, they should be replaced before that happens.

Other factors that reduce the lifespan of toilet seats include:

• Prolonged exposure to sunlight;
• Bleach or other harsh cleaners, which degrade coatings;
• Seats without slow-close hinges, which develop microcracks when slammed shut;
• Frequent use, such as in large households.

“Lower-priced plastic toilet seats also have a shorter life span compared to middle and upper tier options,” says Flores.

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Toilet Seat

Visible Wear

Once a seat has cracks, chips or a worn-down finish, it should be replaced regardless of its age or material. That’s because those imperfections create pathways for bacteria, urine and moisture, which cleaning products typically can’t penetrate.

Yellowing or Discoloration

If stains or yellowing remain even after extensive cleaning, that usually means the surface coating has deteriorated, which poses a hygienic risk.

Wobbly and Shifting Lids

Loose and ill-fitting lids create safety hazards. If the problem persists after tightening the hinge bolts, or if the hardware looks rusted or cracked, it’s time to replace the seat. “Plastic hinges tend to become brittle with time, causing sudden cracking versus gradual deterioration,” says Flores.

Can You Repair a Toilet Seat Instead of Replacing It?

Usually not. Once a surface is cracked or worn, it’s better to just replace the seat for hygienic reasons. Flores also recommends against adding sealants, as they still allow bacteria and moisture to accumulate underneath. “Given the cost of a new toilet seat, the potential savings from attempting repairs are rarely justified,” says Flores.

The exception, however, is loose hardware, which can often be tightened to solve the problem of a shifting, loose or unstable lid.

How Often Should You Replace a Toilet Seat?

The industry standard for replacing a plastic toilet seat with active daily use is every five years. That drops to two or three years for wood and foam-cushioned seats.

But if you notice cracks or discoloration, replace it sooner rather than later. “It’s also smart to replace a toilet seat when moving into a new home to ensure a fresh, clean starting point,” says Leichtweis.

How to Choose a Replacement Toilet Seat

• Determine the size by measuring the diameter of your bowl, from the bolt hole centerline to the front edge. Round seats are 16.5”, and elongated seats are 18.5”.
• Choose a material. “Many homeowners prefer plastic seats because they are low-maintenance and easy to keep clean,” says Leichtweis.
• Consider other features, such as non-porous surfaces, secure-fit systems, antimicrobial protection and metal hinges.
• Choose soft-close hinges, which can prolong the life of the toilet seat, plus add convenience.

“Also consider quick-release hinges that allow complete removal of the lid for deeper cleaning underneath,” says Flores. “This feature is lacking in most standard toilet lids, yet provides additional sanitation benefits.”

How to Replace a Toilet Seat Yourself

Even if you are a DIY beginner, you’ll likely be able to replace your old toilet seat in less than 15 minutes. All you need is a flathead screwdriver, pliers and some cleaning supplies.

• Clean the toilet bowl rim area, including behind the bolt holes and under the hinges.
• Flip up or unsnap the hinge caps (the plastic pieces that cover the bolt heads).
• Use pliers to hold the bottom nut in place while screwing out the top bolt.
• Remove the old seat, then clean the area again, including the bolt holes.
• Install the new seat. Do not over-tighten, or you’ll risk creating micro-cracks.
• Snap hinge caps closed. Adjust the alignment as necessary.

About the Experts

• Isabella Flores, is a cleaning expert and professional organizer at Sparkly Maid San Diego.
• Stephanie Leichtweis is CEO of Ginsey Home Solutions, an online retailer of bath, kitchen and laundry accessories.

RELATED:

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• If You Get a USPS Scam Text, You Need To Do This Immediately
• This Is How Often You Should Restart Your Phone

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The Truth Behind Why Some Coins Have Grooves And Others Don’t

Digital currency is becoming increasingly important as apps, digital wallets, and access to debit and credit card readers evolve. However, physical currency still plays an important role in our lives.

Still, coins pass through our hands all the time with not so much as a second thought. One design you might not have even noticed to this point. But anyone who has sorted loose change or rolled coins for a bank has likely felt the difference between a smooth edge and a ridged one.

This isn’t a minting mistake or some small detail. Ridged coins date back centuries and are important to modern U.S. currency. Learn why some coins have ridges and others don’t, how coin design has evolved, and modern use of ridged coins.

Why Do Some Coins Have Ridges?

Coin ridges, more commonly referred to as “reeding,” are small grooves along the edge of coins. They’re added during the minting process, originally to prevent metal thieves from tampering with coins.

Early designed coins were made of expensive metals like gold and silver, making them targets for “shaving.” Tiny amounts of metal were scraped from the edges of the coins. Thieves would keep the material they shaved off and still spend the smaller coin at full value.

But with reeding, it would be obvious if a coin was tampered with, as shaving even a small portion of a ridged coin would make it immediately apparent if it had been tampered with. No ridges, no good.

Coins are no longer made of extremely valuable metals like gold and silver. However, the U.S. Mint continues reeding on some coins.

Quarters and dimes, which are more valuable, have ridges. Lower-value coins, like pennies and nickels, do not. Why?

Historically, less valuable coins used less valuable materials. Makes sense, right? Because these coins were made of cheaper material, shaving was less appealing to thieves. The cost and effort outweighed the potential gain, so the ridges weren’t added.

How The U.S. Mint Adds Ridges To Coins

Ridges are added to coins during the striking stage of mint production when large metal coils are cut into flat discs, called “blanks.” Heat softens the blanks, then they are cleaned and prepped for shaping, passing through an “upsetting mill” to raise a rim around the edge.

The blank becomes a planchet, and ridges are formed during the final striking stage. The planchet is placed into a press to imprint the coin’s front and back designs, and ridged edge via a collar that gives it the shape.

Dimes have 118 reeds, and quarters have 119.

Do Ridges Still Serve A Purpose Today?

Yes, ridges, or reeding, still are valuable. Ridges help identify coins by touch, so someone, or something, sorting change without looking can quickly tell a dime from a penny or a quarter from a nickel based on the edge alone.

The most obvious benefit is for individuals with visual impairments and anyone handling coins quickly. Cashiers, collectors, and everyday users benefit from the ability to distinguish coins without relying on visual inspection.

Consistency is also important as coins carry historical elements. Reeding maintains continuity and trust in the system and keeps coin design familiar across generations.

Sources

• United States Mint, “Coin Specifications,” official U.S. Mint website
• United States Mint, “How Coins Are Made,” official U.S. Mint website

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Faulty Air Bags Found in Hyundai and Chevrolet Cars Banned After Deadly Explosions

If you’ve been in a bad accident, you know firsthand that airbags can save lives. However, this is only true when they’re functioning properly. Unfortunately, there have been several fatal crashes recently in which a specific type of airbag malfunctioned. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) put out a statement warning drivers. The organization has also said that they’re looking to ban these airbags.

Why Does the NHTSA Want to Ban These Air Bags?

According to the most recent brief, the NHTSA reports 12 crashes where “substandard Chinese air bag inflators” played a role. Per the report, “all 12 crashes involved Chinese frontal driver air bag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Safety Technology Co., Ltd. (DTN) that ruptured during a crash.” The accidents resulted in ten fatalities and two severe injuries.

Typically, if you’re in an accident bad enough that it triggers your airbags, they inflate to protect you. However, in these crashes, the “inflators exploded, sending large metal fragments into drivers’ chests, necks, eyes and faces.”

How to Know If Your Vehicle Is Safe?

Thus far, “all known crashes have occurred in Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata vehicles.” However, the NHTSA “does not have information to confirm the risk is limited to these makes and models.”

In order to protect yourself, the NHTSA “urges used vehicle owners and buyers to learn their vehicle’s history and ensure the vehicle has genuine air bag inflators.” If you don’t know your vehicle’s history, the organization says you should get a history report.

Additionally, your vehicle “should be inspected if it was in a previous crash with an air bag deployment since 2020 and was not repaired by one of the manufacturer’s dealerships.” Take your vehicle to a “reputable mechanic immediately to ensure the air bag is a legitimate replacement equivalent to the original.”

Is There a Fix Yet?

Per the NHTSA, “if a vehicle is found to have one of these DTN inflators, it should not be driven until the inflator is replaced with genuine parts.” The organization also says that owners who have “a vehicle with one of these suspect inflators…should contact their local Homeland Security Investigations office or FBI field office to report it or submit an online complaint to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center.”

When it comes to the big picture, the “NHTSA is still investigating how many of these inflators have illegally entered the United States.” Based on those findings, the organization “will determine whether a permanent ban on U.S. sales of the inflator is required.”

Source

Trump’s Transportation Department Weighs Permanent Ban on U.S. Sale of Chinese Air Bag Inflators Involved in Fatal Crashes, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2026.

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All the Auto Maintenance Tasks You Can & Should DIY

Check Fluid Levels

The attendant at a full-service gas station might check your oil, but if you mostly go to self-serve stations, that’s something you can and should do yourself. Besides that, it’s not a bad idea to check the transmission fluid if your vehicle has automatic transmission. Look under the hood, and you’ll find clearly marked dipsticks for each fluid.

It’s best to do these inspections when the engine is cool and the car is parked on a level surface. Pull the dipstick, clean it with a rag, re-insert it all the way and pull it out again. If the level is below the bottom notch, or the fluid has a strange color (unusually dark or light), it’s time for a fluid change and/or a possible date with a mechanic to diagnose malfunctions.

Change the Oil

“Changing your own oil sounds intimidating,” says long-time mechanic Steve Haney. “But it’s really just a few tools and an hour of your time. Using good oil and a quality filter, you can skip the shop’s labor charge and keep your engine healthy for less.”

This job does require you to get under the vehicle to access the oil drain plug and, on older models, the oil filter (on newer models, the filter is in the engine compartment). If there isn’t enough clearance, you may have to block up the front wheels, and for this, Haney advises using a jack from a reputable manufacturer or drive-on ramps that are rated for the weight of your vehicle, plus a “chock block” for the rear wheels once the vehicle is on the ramps. Always replace the filter when you change the oil (you’ll need a filter wrench to unscrew it), and collect the old oil so you can take it to a disposal station.

Check Tire Pressure and Inflate the Tires

Every car should carry a gauge for checking tire pressure, but if yours doesn’t, you can use the gauge on the air dispenser at any gas station. You’ll find the recommended tire pressure on a label affixed to the side of the driver’s side door. “Properly inflated tires improve fuel economy, extend tire life, and help the car drive better,” says Haney.

If the pressure is low, you can inflate the tires at the gas station, but an even better idea is to carry a portable inflator that plugs into the vehicle’s lighter socket. That way, you won’t get stuck if your tires lose pressure while you’re driving out in the country.

Check Tire Tread Depth

Tread depth is just as important as air pressure to a tire’s performance, and while you can buy a tool to measure this accurately, the spare change in your pocket can tell you all you need to know. Take out a penny and insert it into the tread with Lincoln’s head upside down. The top of his head is 2/32″ from the edge of the coin, so if the tread covers that, you’re fine. If you can see the top of his head, however, it’s time for new tires.

You might not even need to do the penny test, and in a few years, you might not be able to, since penny production has been discontinued. Many tires have wear indicators that are small raised strips inserted inside the treads. When the surface of the tire aligns with the strip, the tire is worn out.

Replace Wiper Blades

Wiper blades wear out more quickly than you’d expect, especially during the summer when sun and heat degrade the rubber. The best time to replace them is in the fall, before the snow starts to fly and the roads become slushy, but if you see streaks on your windshield when the wipers are working, don’t wait. Do it now.

You don’t need tools to change the wiper blades; most have a self-release lever that you can depress with your fingers. The most important thing is to make sure you purchase the right replacement blades, which is why I usually take an old blade with me to the auto parts store to make sure I get an identical match.

Replace Air Filters

“Air filters play a very important role in keeping our engines and our lungs healthy,” advises Haney. “If you’ve seen your filters get replaced before, you know how dirty they can get. Cabin air filters are very easy and straightforward to replace. It’s a task anyone can do in about five to 10 minutes.”

The most challenging part of this task is knowing where the filters are and how to access them, and that information is in your owner’s manual. You’ll also have to buy new filters, but they cost a fraction of what it does to have a service pro do this job.

Diagnose “Check Engine” Light Faults

When the dreaded Check Engine light comes on, do you immediately have to take the car in for service? Maybe not. It may have come on because of something small and easily repaired, says Haney, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore it, or he warns that it could turn into something much bigger and more expensive. On the other hand, the light could signal a condition that will result in serious damage if you keep driving the car.

Rather than taking chances, consider purchasing an inexpensive OBD-II reader (about $25). Plug it into the port located behind the dashboard under the steering wheel with the engine running, and it will display a code that will tell you what the problem is. If it’s a small issue like a plug misfire or a sensor failure, you can take the car in when you have time, rather than having to drop everything and drive directly to the service center.

Replace Brake Pads

This maintenance task isn’t quite as simple as the others, but it can save you hundreds. Ryan Salata, who markets specialty auto parts, says: “One customer cut the cost of brake pads on three cars to under $300 through a combination of YouTube tutorials.” The normal service charge would have been $350 to $500 for each vehicle, he says.

Depending on the vehicle and your skill level, this job will take two to four hours. You need to jack up each wheel in turn, remove the wheel and release the brake caliper so you can lift it. For this last part, you may need to consult YouTube or your owner’s manual for the location of the bolt that holds it. Once you’ve lifted the caliper, simply pop out the old pads, spread anti-squeal paste on the new ones and install them. Retract the caliper piston so you can lower the caliper (I use a C-clamp for this), and put everything back together.

About the Experts

• Steve Haney is the corporate technical sales trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket. He has more than 35 years of hands-on automotive repair experience.
• Ryan Salata is the marketing director at Proform Parts (Specialty Auto Parts USA, Inc.), a company that manufactures high-performance automotive aftermarket components.

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Clean Your Saw Blades and Router Bits Like a Pro: A Guide

Disassemble the router bits

Before cleaning your router bits, it is very important to remove and separate all moving parts. Router bits with bearings require you to unscrew and remove bearings, screws, and collars. Set these small parts aside in a safe place where they won’t get lost. Buildup often accumulates around bearings and screw threads, so separating these components allows for thorough cleaning and helps prevent rust.

Note: Not all router bits have removable parts. Solid carbide bits can be cleaned as a single piece.

Prepare the cleaning solution

In a shallow plastic container large enough to lay your saw blades flat, prepare one of the following cleaning solutions:

• Option 1: Mix one part Simple Green with three parts water. Do not use Simple Green at full strength, as it can be too harsh on some blade coatings.
• Option 2: Mix one teaspoon dish soap to one quart of water.

Stir to mix well.

Submerge in the cleaning solution

Place the saw blades and/or router bits into the cleaning solution, so they are fully submerged. Let them soak for about 15 minutes to allow the solution to break down the dirt, pitch, sap, and gunk buildup.

Remove buildup

While still in the solution, scrub the saw blades and/or router bits with a nylon or brass stiff-bristle brush to remove buildup. If that’s not enough, switch to a steel scouring pad or a Scotch-Brite pad to remove stubborn buildup. For extremely tough pitch, use a small putty knife to carefully scrape it away, taking care not to damage the carbide tips.

Avoid steel brushes or harsh abrasives as they can damage the cutting edges.

If the buildup of sawdust and pitch is tough to remove, feel free to give it a few sprays of full-strength Simple Green, then scrub with a brass bristle brush or a Scotch-Brite pad.

Rinse and dry well

Remove the blades and/or router bits from the cleaning solution. Rinse them well with water to ensure all residual cleaning solution has been removed. Pat dry with a paper towel or shop rag. To ensure all moisture has been removed, use a hair dryer to fully dry all surfaces of the saw blades and router bits. Pay special attention to router bit bearing holes and threaded areas where moisture can hide.

All parts must be thoroughly dried before reassembly or storage to prevent rust.

Lubricate

When putting router bits back together, apply a drop of lubricating oil to the bearing hole before reinserting the bearing, and to the screw threads before reassembling. This will give your router bit and moving pieces longer life and prevent binding in the future. Wipe away any excess oil with a clean cloth to prevent dust buildup during storage.

Store cleaned and lubricated blades and router bits in a dry place to prevent rust.

FAQ

How often should I clean a saw blade or router bit?

How often you clean your saw blade and router bit depends on how much you use it. Blades and router bits will give you visual cues in the form of dark burn marks on the teeth and the blade plate.

How to know when a saw blade is dull vs dirty?

Dull saw blades require more force to feed, burn/smoke as they cut, and make loud noises. Dirty blades, on the other hand, have visible, sticky pitch buildup on teeth that causes burning. If cleaning the blade doesn’t restore performance, it’s likely the carbide tips are worn or chipped and need sharpening.

What does carbide-tipped mean?

Carbide tips are small, durable tungsten carbide pieces attached to the cutting edges of saw blades and router bits to enhance strength, heat resistance, and sharpness.

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The Only Toilet Broke on the Artemis II Spaceship— Here’s How They Fixed It

We’ve all been there. A friend’s house party. Dinner with the in-laws. A busy gas station. You go to use the toilet, and it just… doesn’t… flush. This level of dread can only be described as a nightmare scenario—one that would instantly have me breaking out in a cold sweat and racing to my phone to panic-search Google for “what to do if your toilet won’t flush” quicker than you could say, “We have lift off!”

Now imagine the same situation happening when you’re hundreds of thousands of miles away from not only the nearest plumber, but the nearest human being. That’s exactly what happened to the astronauts on the Artemis II during their historic lunar flyby this past weekend.

Here at Family Handyman, we’ve seen our fair share of plumbing mishaps, but this is truly out of this world.

What Happened to the Toilet on Artemis II?

On Day 3 onboard the Artemis II’s Orion space capsule, mission specialist Christina Koch reported “a kind of burning heater smell” emitting from the ship’s toilet. As a precaution, ground control asked the crew to limit their toilet use while the cause was investigated. Yes, that meant the crew had to go back to using an old-school method of relieving themselves while they waited for a fix, which involved a diaper/waste bag contraption I would rather not describe in detail.

Artemis II flight director Judd Frieling told reporters on Saturday that there was an issue with dumping waste from the toilet. He stated, “It appears to me that we probably have some frozen urine in the vent line.”

Similar to plumbing in our own homes, frozen pipes can be no joke and cause a myriad of plumbing issues. With the temperature of outer space hovering around -455 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s easy to see how this could happen.

When you find out that you blocked the toilets 200000km away from the nearest plumber pic.twitter.com/8vQDFsVMXJ

— G_Sithole (@GJIVANI) April 4, 2026

How Did They Fix It?

By Day 4 of the flight, mission control devised a somewhat brilliant solution. They proposed rotating the capsule so that the frozen urine faced the sun—much like when I’m too lazy to scrape frost off my car in the morning, so I park it in a sunny spot and wait for it to melt.

This fix appeared to work, partially unclogging the pipe and allowing the toilet to expel some of the stuck urine from the system into space. Ground control and the crew onboard worked together to fully clear the system.

Around midnight, Houston called with a much-anticipated update. “Breaking news—you are go for all types of uses of the toilet,” announced Artemis II’s chief training officer Jacki Mahaffey. Koch replied in excitement, “And the crew rejoices!”

“I’m proud to call myself the space plumber,” Koch joked in a live interview with Fox. Koch added that it may have been an issue with the toilet simply sitting idle for too long and needing some time to warm up.

What Can We Learn

I, for one, am totally inspired by NASA’s response to this issue and the crew’s ability to stay calm and cool under pressure. While I hope to never experience a toilet failure in outer space, it’s a good reminder for what to check if you have toilet issues of your own here on Earth:

• Check for any clogs—something a simple plunger may help fix
• Adjust the float arm in the tank to ensure it doesn’t prematurely cut off the fill valve
• Double-check that the chain hasn’t disconnected and is properly adjusted
• See if the flapper is making a solid connection and isn’t leaking or forming any air bubbles.

And I think we can all agree that keeping calm under pressure when something around the house breaks is key. As Koch put it, “It’s probably the most important piece of equipment onboard, so we were all breathing a sigh of relief when it turned out to be just fine.”

Because at the end of the day, whether you’re in your own bathroom or orbiting the moon—sh*t happens.

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