Henry Brook, a professional handyman and founder of The Page, reminds everyone that some plants may be unsafe for certain family members. "Having indoor plants that are potentially dangerous is a common mistake at home,” he says. “Plants like snake plants, Dieffenbachia, and Philodendron are toxic and can be a hazard to curious pets and small children. Seasonal plants such as amaryllis, mistletoe, balsam, pine, cedar, holly, and poinsettias can also harm pets.”

He recommends choosing faux foliage, like this small fake plant, around the house instead. It measures 16 inches tall and comes in a paper pulp pot, offering an easy way to add greenery to any table or shelf.

If you want to keep real plants in your home, Brook recommends placing them out of the reach of kids and pets. One clever solution? These floating shelves which you can install at any level on a wall. This will allow you to display the plants and all their beauty without curious hands and paws getting involved.

Brook highly recommends cleaning your carpets and upholstery regularly, emphasizing that this time-consuming task is worth the effort. "Carpets, rugs, mats, and upholstery can harbor microorganisms and pests. [...] To mitigate this, reduce the number of these items in your home and ensure they are regularly cleaned, vacuumed, and aired,” he says.

Make cleaning easier with this stick vacuum which offers three tools in one: a stick vacuum, a hand vacuum, and a stair vacuum. It’s lightweight, easy to empty, and under $40. Plus, it’s backed by over 70,000 five-star reviews from Amazon shoppers.

If you want a compact yet powerful vacuum to help you clean upholstery and carpet, the Bissell Little Green cleaner is a popular pick. Highly rated on Amazon, it boasts the ability to clean just about any fabric, whether it’s the carpet, a car seat, or a couch. Powerful suction pulls up all sorts of dirt and stains while the portable design means you can easily take it from room to room.

Whether you’re trying to stay organized or just like the aesthetic, you’re not alone if you transfer cleaning products to different bottles before using them. However, if you do this, Brook recommends making sure they're clearly labeled.

These home spray bottles are designed for cleaning solutions and come with 18 waterproof labels, so you know exactly what you’re using every time. A silicone funnel is also included to make transferring the products easier.

Brook also recommends keeping cleaning products on a high shelf, out of reach from kids and pets. These clear plastic storage bins make it easy to see everything inside, so you don’t have to worry about fumbling around for the right bottle. They’re also super sturdy and strong enough to hold plenty of bottles, sponges, and more.

According to Shlomo Cherniak, owner of Cherniak Home Services, you shouldn’t let ivy take up residence on your home. "Ivy can damage brickwork, siding, and lead to moisture problems. Remove ivy gently from walls,” he advises.

These pruning shears can help with the task. Well-regarded with over 30,000 positive reviews, the tool features sharp stainless steel blades that cut through stems with ease. Nonslip grips help ensure a comfortable hold.

Following Cherniak’s advice to protect the brickwork in your home, these brick clips are another way to avoid damage. These allow you to hang plants, wreaths, and decor on brick walls and fireplace mantels without drilling into the surface. Each hanger can hold up to 25 pounds.

Cherniak urges that everyone deal with pest infestations as soon as possible. "Not addressing pest infestations early can lead to structural damage from termites, rodents, or other pests."

To keep the critters at bay, place these pest control pouches in enclosed areas around the house. Made with essential oils, the pouches release their scent for up to 90 days to repel mice, roaches, spiders, and more. They’re safe for people and pets and one pouch covers up to 120 square feet.

"Clean your dryer vent regularly, and vacuum refrigerator coils for optimal performance,” says Cherniak. You can easily follow that advice with this dryer vent cleaner kit which helps your appliance work more efficiently and reduces fire hazards caused by lint buildup. It comes with an adapter to fit most vacuum cleaners and includes a long hose and a brush to help you remove dust, lint, and dirt. Reviewers use it to clean under the fridge too.

It can be tempting to use harsh cleaning products on messes, but Cherniak cautions against this. “Excessive use of bleach can corrode fixtures and damage surfaces. Opt for gentler cleaning solutions and use bleach sparingly only when necessary,” he advises.

This all-purpose cleaner is a great option, made without bleach, alcohol, sulfates, perfumes, or dyes. Use the plant-based, pomegranate-scented formula to clean up spills, scuff marks, and grime on any surface in your home.

When you have a clogged drain, your first thought may be to pour a strong drain cleaner into the sink or tub. Cherniak says this isn’t a great idea. “Chemical drain cleaners can corrode pipes and harm the environment. Use a drain snake or a plunger for clogs,” he explains.

This flexible drain snake is easy to use — simply insert it into the drain, twist, and pull it out to remove hair and debris. It comes in a pack of four, so you can always have one on hand for emergencies.

You can also avoid clogged drains in the first place by using a drain protector. This one, shaped like a mushroom, catches a remarkable amount of hair to prevent it from sliding down the drain and clogging up your pipes. It fits inside the drain, keeping caught hair out of sight, and features large drainage holes to allow water to flow freely.

Kristin Hintlian, co-owner of Bonsai Builders, says a frequent mistake is neglecting the signs of water damage, which can lead to structural damage and mold growth. “A proactive step is to regularly inspect areas prone to water exposure, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements, and ensure proper ventilation to keep humidity levels in check,” she advises.

To help stop leaks before they turn into a big problem, place this water leak detector near a sink, appliance, pipe, or any area prone to moisture damage. The wireless device will sound an alarm at 100 decibels to alert you when a leak is detected.

As Hintlian advises, it’s also good to keep humidity levels in check — and this dehumidifier can help. It’s great for rooms up to 215 square feet, removing moisture from the air and collecting the water in an easy-to-empty tank. The dehumidifier runs quietly, turns on and off at the touch of a button, and automatically shuts off when the tank is full.

Andre Kazimierski, CEO of Improovy, says homeowners often neglect to clean the gutters. “I always recommend cleaning gutters in fall after most of your leaves have fallen — this can prevent your gutters from becoming clogged and then freezing over winter while filled with debris.”

This scoop makes it easy to clear out your gutters regularly to avoid buildup. Made from a flexible material and featuring a narrow tip, the scoop fits into the gutter and allows you to lift away debris with minimal effort.

Cleaning up your gutters, your yard, or both? This collapsible garden bag is a staple for outdoor home improvement, providing a simple way to collect leaves and sticks while cleaning up. The 30-gallon bag is resistant to rips and mold, has built-in carry handles, and can be collapsed to a smaller size for easy storage.

Aaron Brilliant, CEO of Emerald Roofing and Siding, notes a common mistake is overlooking insulation needs and says you should "invest in adequate insulation for energy efficiency and climate control."

One way to do that is with this waterproof weather stripping. It can be used to seal windows and doors and comes in various widths so you can find the best fit. Trim it down to size if needed and use the adhesive backing to install it easily.

Another way to heed Brilliant’s advice on insulation is to install these self-adhesive door draft stoppers that help regulate the temperature in your home. Made from silicone, the draft stoppers block the gap under the door to prevent hot or cold air from escaping. And it’s not just great for preventing drafts — this stopper can also block light, noise, dirt, odors, and more from getting inside.

Lighting up an outdoor space looks great, but many people do it unsafely, says Deborah Lamberton, general manager at ASAP Restoration LLC. According to her, you should avoid "daisy chaining together power cords and surge protectors to wire an outdoor space" because it's a potential fire hazard.

Instead, opt for something like these solar-powered outdoor lights that don’t require electricity to light up — just the power of the sun. The bulbs are shatterproof and weather-resistant and provide up to six hours of light on a full charge.

Korey Gregory, superintendent at ASAP Restoration LLC, has seen firsthand how unconventional DIY tips to unclog a toilet can backfire. Instead, try using a simple plunger such as this one that will blend in with your bathroom decor. Available in chrome, black, bronze, and gold, the sleek container features ventilation holes to allow for quick drying.

Smart thermostats can save a lot of time and money when it comes to keeping your come at a comfortable temperature, but they work best when they’re set up correctly. John Jordan, president at Integrity Heating & Cooling Inc., says placing a smart thermostat near heating and cooling systems can lead to false readings. He recommends placing your smart thermostat on an interior wall away from direct sunlight and drafts, about 5 feet off the floor and in a room that's used frequently. This will help you get the most accurate readings.

Chris Langley, director at Just Value Doors Ltd., says, "If small problems, like a crack in a door or window frame, are ignored, they can become larger and jeopardize the house's security and energy efficiency. As soon as damage is discovered, it must be repaired.” He recommends a sealant like this silicone caulk for simple fixes, noting that some problems may require expert repair.

Langley says, "Aggressive cleaning solutions have the potential to discolor and harm door and window frames, particularly those composed of delicate materials” such as wood. He recommends using a cleaner specifically designed for the frame material, like this cabinet and wood cleaning spray. It’s suitable for any finished wood surface and lifts dirt and grime, leaving behind a shiny finish and a light almond scent.

Heavy furniture can easily cause scratches on hard floors when it’s dragged across the room. Sabrina Tretyakova, a certified cleaning technician with Fortador, recommends a simple solution. "I advise using furniture pads when moving furniture around,” she says. “Besides making the job easier, they prevent scratches or damage to the floor."

These felt sliders help your furniture glide across the floor easily, leaving no damage behind. The pads are held in place by the weight of the furniture and require no adhesive, so they’re endlessly reusable.

After you’ve selected the perfect spot to hang something, don’t pick up that hammer and nail just yet. Tretyakova says a mistake is nailing into the wall without finding a stud first. "This act can damage the drywall and cause it to not support the weight of the item you hang on it,” she explains.

This magnetic stud finder offers a simple solution. It works with all drywall and sticks in place when it locates a stud, giving you a clear indicator of the best spot to hang your TV, artwork, coat hook, and more.

Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angi, highly recommends measuring your space before buying any new appliances, furniture, or even installing shelving. “One of the most common mistakes we see people make is not measuring a space before installing something new,” she says. Hicks explains that the best way to avoid issues when setting up new purchases is to measure everything before you buy, from the size of your space to the width of the doorway to make sure you can get it inside.

This laser measure features two bubble levels to give accurate readings up to 165 feet. It offers several different measurement readings, including distance, length, area, and volume, and has a backlit LCD screen so you can check the results at a glance.

Hicks acknowledges that many people throw away the owner's manual immediately after setting up a new appliance or piece of furniture. However, she says “reading the instructions and referring back to them when cleaning can be incredibly helpful.” Hicks adds: “If you stay on top of the maintenance for all of your appliances, they’ll last longer and work more effectively."

This accordion file organizer offers an easy way to keep manuals stored for future reference. The waterproof organizer features a zipper closure and 12 pockets where you can store documents. It also comes with blank labels so you can organize the manuals however you like.

"It can be easy to let regular home maintenance get away from you, but it’s one of the most important things that you can do to protect your home,” Hicks says. “For example, if you regularly inspect your roof and repair it as needed you can avoid a leak that can cause a lot more damage.”

To seal small leaks on your roof, this Liquid Nails roof repair is simple to use. It can be applied in any type of weather, creating a durable, waterproof seal that helps prevent water damage to your home.

While it’s normal for furniture to experience wear and tear over time, there are a few things you can do to protect it from dirt and grime. Jade Piper, operations manager at BetterCleans, suggests using this upholstery protectant spray to create a waterproof shield against messes. "If you want your upholstery looking new and keep dirty fingers from staining the fabric, then this is a must for you,” she explains. “What’s great with this product is it’s clear so it won’t stain, it’s odor-free, and it’s safe to use even with pets around. Just shake well before using."

Couches, refrigerators, and washing machines are just a few things that are difficult to move without scratching up your floors. Piper has a simple solution — set your larger items up on these appliance rollers which extend between 20 and 32 inches and bear up to 700 pounds of weight. "With this, you can move even heavy appliances or furniture with ease. Simply put it under and push. No more floor scratches!"

Piper knows how hard it can be for pet owners to keep their spaces clean. “If you have furry pets around, you understand that their hair is everywhere and really hard to remove on a carpeted floor or rug,” she says. To help lift hair quickly and effectively, Piper recommends using this pet hair remover broom with rubber bristles. “The handle is long enough so you don’t have to bend, it does the job and completely removes hair.”

Matt Little, director and owner of Festoon House, cautions against using abrasive cleaning solutions and scrubbing cloths. Instead, he recommends using microfiber cloths which "are ideal for gently scrubbing away dirt and grime without leaving any scratches."

Sold in a pack of six, these microfiber cloths are safe to use on all surfaces, including device screens. They lift dirt and smudges without leaving behind streaks and are machine-washable for reusability.

Clean the floor without reaching or bending over thanks to these mop slippers that also happen to be gentle on surfaces. Each pack contains five pairs of colorful slippers with a built-in elastic that secures them to your shoes. Just slip them on your feet and let the chenille fabric lift dust and dirt with each step.

Little shares that paint isn’t a one-size-fits-all product, explaining that many homeowners make the mistake of using the wrong type of paint in certain areas of their homes. “For example, applying interior paint to an exterior surface, or vice versa, can result in premature peeling, fading, and deterioration,” Little says. “To avoid this problem, use the correct type of paint for each application.”

If you’re painting furniture, home decor, or cabinets, this chalk paint is ideal for those surfaces. Suitable for indoor and outdoor projects, it has built-in primer and top coat and dries to a matte finish within 30 minutes.