Hints and Tips for Pet Care and Pet Safety

Paint tray birdbath

Many pet birds love to take baths. Next bath time, try using a new plastic paint tray as a bathtub! The ribs on the bottom of the tray provide traction, and the tray's slope allow your pets to wade in the shallow water until they're ready to move into the deep end. Paint trays are cheap and easy to clean, and they also make great turtle pools (but don't tell your birds).

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Garage Storage: DIY Tips and Hints

Lattice rack
Plastic lattice works well for storing long lengths of miscellaneous pipe, trim, flashing and conduit. Just cut matching pieces, then screw 2x4 cleats to the ceiling and screw the lattice to the wall studs and cleats. Now you can quickly find those oddball leftovers instead of going to the hardware store and buying yet another piece.

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Hardware Storage: DIY Tips and Hints

Muffin tin storage bin
Put those neglected muffin tins to work holding small fasteners, electrical parts and more. Screw together a tote from three pieces of 1/2-in.-thick plywood cut to fit the width and height of your trays. Screw plywood strips on the inside to act as drawer runners for the tins and glue or screw on a thin plywood back. The tote shown here holds four tins, but you can build it higher for even more storage capacity. Cut the plywood sides long enough so there's room to add a 3/4-in. - diameter dowel handle.

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