Next time you’re faced with a stubborn apartment problem, think twice before calling the landlord or repairman. No need to deal with the hassle, waiting time and frustration when you might be able to tackle the problem yourself using items that are readily available wherever you live in China. The list below offers practical DIY solutions to four more common apartment problems.

Photo: beingcreative.co

1) Home Appliance Maintenance
In order to save energy and get optimal performance out of your home appliances, regular maintenance is often necessary. These small do-it-yourself repairs can make a big difference when it comes to home appliance performance.

Air Conditioner: In the dead heat of summer, an under-performing air conditioner is far less than desirable. If your air conditioner doesn’t seem to be cooling (or heating) like it should, check the filter. Make sure it is clean and free of dirt and dust. A common problem is that the output of your air conditioner is cut back because the filter on the input side is dirty. Most filters for wall air conditioning units can be washed using warm water and mild soap. Be sure to let the filter completely dry before putting it back into the air conditioner. If the problem still persists, it’s likely that your unit is running low on Freon. Unfortunately, this isn’t something that you can easily fix yourself (unless you’re comfortable dangling out the side of your building). You’ll need to contact your landlord and have a specialist (read: guy willing to dangle out the side of your building) come and recharge it.

Freezer: Since many Chinese refrigerators are not equipped with an automatic defrost function, its not uncommon to find yourself in an icy situation. When the ice in a freezer builds up to a thickness of 1/4 to 1/2 inch, it is time for defrosting. First, turn off and empty the freezer (the control might be inside the refrigerator). Remove the ice from the freezer by leaving the door open until it melts, or using a pan of hot water or blow dryer for faster results. Clean the ice and water as they melt and dry off the inside of the freezer after all the ice is gone. Turn the freezer back on and let it run for 10 to 15 minutes before returning food to the freezer.

Gas Stove: Many gas stovetops in China use a battery-operated spark igniter to light the burner. If you are having difficulty lighting your stove, you probably need to replace the battery. Check under the stovetop to find the battery compartment for replacement.  

Water Heater: If you find that your water isn’t quite hot enough, check your water heater. Newer units are often equipped with different modes based on the season, for example summer mode or winter mode. Switching the water heater to the winter mode during colder months can make a dramatic difference. Just don’t forget to switch it back in the summer. 

2) Cold Air Drafts or Dry Indoor Air
Winter can be quite the uncomfortable season in China, depending on where you live. Perhaps you live in the southern part of the country where many apartments are not equipped with heat. Or you’re in the cold north and are exposed to too much heat, creating dry, uncomfortable air. No matter where you are, we all want to keep ourselves as warm and comfortable at home as possible.

Cold Air Drafts: One easy way to save on electric costs and stay warm is by preventing cold air drafts. The common sources of drafts are doors, windows, light fixtures, and electrical outlets. In order to cut back on drafts, you must first identify the exact source of the draft. This can be done by putting a candle near the windows or doors in your home to detect the draft. For drafts under doors or windows, you can make an inexpensive draft dodger using a tube sock or other heavy material filled with rice and sewn together. For drafty windows, use draperies made from a heavy fabric or use a second drapery liner for an additional layer of protection. You can cover the window frames in plastic-wrap film and use a hair dryer to shrink and seal the wrap. Tape can also be applied to the window frames to cut back on drafts.

Dry Indoor Air: Heating your home can cause dry indoor air during the winter which can be uncomfortable to your skin and sinuses. If you don’t want to shell out the money to buy a humidifier, there are other remedies available. Create humidity in the kitchen by boiling water on the stove to create steam and release moisture into the air. When you’re taking a shower, leave the bathroom door open to allow the steam to escape into other parts of your home. After washing clothes, hang them around your house to dry. As the clothes dry, the water will evaporate into the air. Finally, if you have a radiator in your home, you can keep a bowl of water on top of it to help create moisture.

3) Cockroaches or Other Pests
If you have a bug problem in your home, there are a variety of products available at any supermarket in China to handle these issues. Look for Raid brand products to tackle bug-related problems.

Cockroaches: You can purchase a can of spray insecticide, but this isn’t highly recommended. Cockroaches learn very quickly how to avoid this type of fast-acting spray. A better option is bait or sticky traps, both of which are available at the supermarket for around 20 RMB.

Mosquitoes: Raid sells a plug-in unit with replaceable cartridges. When plugged in, it releases vapors into the air to detract and repel mosquitoes. It’s great for use at night if pesky mosquitoes have made their way into your apartment. 

Fruit Flies or Gnats: There are several types of traps you can make to eliminate these pests. Pour 1/4 cup white vinegar and a small amount of liquid dish soap in a cup. Slowly add water until the bubbles reach the top of the cup. Fruit flies will be attracted and trapped to death. Alternatively, pour apple cider vinegar in a bowl covered with plastic wrap. Pierce the plastic wrap several times so that the flies are able to enter the trap.  You can also spray the house with diluted lemongrass oil using ten drops of oil combined with two ounces of hot water. This can kill not only fruit flies but also spiders, ants and other creepy crawlers.

4) Never Ending Dust
Though eliminating dust is impossible, it is easy to control dust in your apartment by following the suggestions listed below.

Place mats both inside and outside your door to catch any incoming debris; shake them out every few days and wash them once a week.

Wash and change your bedding once a week. Dust mites dwell in sheets, pillows and mattresses. Curtains should also be frequently laundered.

When cleaning, use a damp cloth to trap dust and clean from top to bottom for the most thorough cleaning. Pay extra attention to electronic devices, which tend to attract dust.

Store unused clothing and other items in plastic containers off the floor to prevent dust build up.

Take cushions and pillows out for a frequent beating to remove the dust that has accumulated on or in them.

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Keywords: China DIY solutions China apartment problems China home repair