TikTok DIY Hacks - Tried, Tested and Rated

With TikTok DIY hacks becoming more popular, we decided to put the most-watched home improvement tricks to the test.

 

TikTok DIY hacks have been sweeping across the social media site in 2021, with the #DIY hashtag racking up 96.3 BILLION views as budding DIYers look for hints and tips for their home improvement projects.

 

But while there are clearly a number of tips and tricks out there, how many of them will actually help you with your DIY project, and how many could lead to costly mistakes?

 

In order to save you the hassle of trying out DIY hacks that may not be worthwhile, we decided to put seven of the most popular TikTok-recommended tricks to the test.

 

We ranked each on:

 

  • preparation time (whether it made the job take longer than it would have before the hack)
  • additional cost
  • ease of execution
  • ultimate effectiveness (whether it works or not)

 

 

Hack Experiment 1: Using Frog Tape Versus Masking Tape for a Much Neater (Paint) Edge / Line 

 

 

TikTok DIY experts have suggested using frog tape instead of masking tape when painting leads to a neater edge, and this test shows that they know what they’re talking about!

 

This hack is just as easy to execute and leads to a better finish. However, it should be noted that frog tape costs about three times as much as masking tape on average. 

 

Verdict: Success! 

 

Scores: 
Prep Time: 10 
Additional Cost: 5 
Ease of execution: 10 

 

Overall Effectiveness Score: 9 

 

Method: We placed a strip of masking tape and a strip of frog tape side by side, before painting alongside each one. We then removed the tape to see which line was neater. 

 


 

 

 

Hack Experiment 2: Storing Wet Paintbrushes in Foil in the Fridge to Stop Them Drying Out 

 

 

It’s a common problem - after putting a coat of paint onto a wall, you’ll return the following day to paint again, and the paintbrush is dry, and as stiff as a board. Savvy TikTok users have suggested storing wet paintbrushes in foil in the fridge to stop this happening, with this hack racking up 2.5 million views. 

 

We tested this hack across 48 hours and found that it worked very well. However, some DIY experts say that using clingfilm is just affective, and you don’t actually need to store it in the fridge,

 

Verdict: Success!

 

Method: A wet paintbrush was wrapped in foil and left it in the fridge for 48 hours 

 

Scores: 
Prep Time: 10 
Additional Cost: 9 
Ease of execution: 10 

 

Overall Effectiveness Score: 8 

 


 

 

 

Hack Experiment 3: Cleaning Rusty Tools by Soaking Them in a Salt and Vinegar Solution Overnight 

 

 

It is generally accepted that once tools are rusty, they are going to stay that way. TikTok has an answer for everything though, and some video makers suggested that a salt and vinegar solution could restore a rusty tool to its former glory. This hack has racked up a staggering 3.2 million views on TikTok, however while it had some effect on our rusty hammer, even after a good scrub, it was still far from rust-free. 

 

Verdict – Partial Success

 

Method: We used white wine vinegar and rock salt and left the hammer to soak for around 14 hours overnight). Using white vinegar and leaving items for longer could impact the outcome.

 

Scores: 
Prep Time: 8 
Additional Cost: 7 
Ease of execution: 9 

 

Overall Effectiveness Score: 5

 


 

 

 

Hack Experiment 4: Using Toothpaste to Help Mark Out Where to Put Up Picture Hooks

 

 

Getting a picture hung exactly where you want it on a wall can test the patience of even the calmest DIY veteran. This hack involves applying toothpaste to the back of the frame to mark where you to hang the hook, with a broadly positive result.

 

It helped to show roughly where to put the picture hook, but it wasn’t an exact result. It wouldn’t necessarily be very accurate for a full gallery wall but would work for a picture or two around the house.

 

Verdict – Success!

 

Method: We hung a single picture and marked the back of the frame with toothpaste to show the right level/height on the wall for the hook.

 

Scores: 
Prep Time: 8 
Additional Cost: 9 
Ease of execution: 8

 

Overall Effectiveness Score: 8

 


 

 

 

Hack Experiment 5: Using Making Tape to Stop Paint from Dripping Around Your Tin 

 

 

With 8.6 million views, this hack was one of the most popular of those we tested. The aim of this hack is to stop paint dripping around the tin. This experiment used both frog tape and masking tape and found a similar result – it stopped paint dripping down the side of the tin, though we did still end up with paint around the edge of the tin lid.

 

Verdict – Partial Success

 

Method: We applied masking tape and frog tape to the edge of the tin that had already been opened and was half full.

 

Scores: 
Prep Time: 9 
Additional Cost: 9 
Ease of execution: 9

 

Overall Effectiveness Score: 6

 


 

 

 

Hack Experiment 6: Using a Peg / Clip to Help you Hammer a Nail in Straight 

 

 

TikTok DIY boffins suggest using a wooden peg or a clip to hold a nail straight as you hammer it in. Our test found that the method definitely helped but wasn’t perfect. A wooden peg with a tighter grip could be better than the clip we used.

 

Verdict – Partial Success

 

Method: We used a clip to hold the nail in the right position so that it would be more likely to be hammered in straight.

 

Scores: 
Prep Time: 9 
Additional Cost: 9 
Ease of execution: 9 

 

Overall Effectiveness Score: 8

 


 

 

 

Hack Experiment 7: Using a Rubber Band to Stop Your Screwdriver from Slipping 

 

 

Sorry TikTok, but with this hack you’ve got it wrong! Our experiment found that using an elastic band didn’t help us to get the screw out. All in all it would only be useful for someone who doesn’t have the right sized screwdriver ‘bit’, but even then, it doesn’t seem to be a fool proof method.

 

Verdict – Fail

 

Method: Theoretically, the screwdriver is supposed to grip to the elastic band so that the screwdriver doesn’t slip from the screw, but we found that it didn’t really make any difference.

 

Scores: 
Prep Time: 9 
Additional Cost: 9 
Ease of execution: 9 

 

Overall Effectiveness Score: 3 

 

While the hacks tested in study had varying levels of success, if you’re ever unsure of how to best go about your home improvement project we recommend that you chat to a qualified tradesperson.

 

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