Lean Times Make More DIYers

"Do It Yourself" is a coping mechanism for tough times.

It’s finally official: we’re in a recession. And, with the fear of possibly being laid off, more of us are becoming do-it-yourself-ers (DIYers). You don’t want to hire help, so you need tools to help you accomplish tasks safely – and often by yourself. Here are some of the tools we’ve discovered that can help you out.

Tackling projects like painting or cleaning may involve moving heavy furniture such as couches or armoires. The best way to move a couch is to lever it off the floor with Lift Buddy™ then place a sliding disk under each leg. They look like plastic coasters that are slick on the bottom with a non-slip surface on top. Several brands such as Magic Sliders™ or EZ Moves™ are available at hardware stores or online. And while you’re moving, take the opportunity to lay the couch on its back to affix the smaller sliding disks permanently on each leg. Next time rearranging the room will be a lot easier.

The best way to move heavy boxes or case goods, like chests of drawers and heavy armoires, is with BigSlider™ utility mover. It’s a big sheet of sliding plastic with a handle and rope. This tool replaces the old piece of carpet or used cardboard box. It’s thin and flexible, but not so thin that you can’t shove it under whatever you’re trying to move. Tilt the item up a little to get it started; push, pull, roll, or walk the item on to the sheet; then slide by pulling the big handle. The best things about BigSlider are not losing the disks as you’re moving and easily getting it out from underneath the load when you get where you’re going.

Outdoor winter preparations can also tax the back with leaf raking, moving heavy potted plants, or repairing walks and driveways. For raking, start with a comfortable tool. The Fiskars rake, Slapshot Rake, and Pivoting rake all look interesting – can’t wait to get one since our leaves all fell on the Gulf Coast this weekend! Change sides about every ten minutes when raking leaves to balance the strains and load on your body. That’s a good rule of thumb, but judge by the feeling in your muscles instead of the clock. Don’t overdo on either side without a rest.

While you can strain your back with over-zealous raking, the greater danger comes after the raking is completed and you begin bagging and removing the leaves. Lifting weights that you are not used to can strain your back muscles seriously and quickly. It can happen in an instant, and you are more vulnerable after you have already been working these muscles with raking. Don’t overfill the bags and make them too heavy to lift, but even bags that are not overloaded can strain your back by lifting from an awkward position.

It is common to use wheelbarrows or garden carts to move loaded lawn bags, but people will also drag full bags, or put leaves on a tarp anddrag the tarp to dispose of the leaves. The problem with these solutions is that the bag is easily torn, and the tarp can be awkward to handle. Again, we like BigSlider™ because it holds the bag open so one person can rake straight in, and it reinforces the bag. Once you shimmy it out of the bag, just roll the load on its 2 by 5 foot sheet to easily move up to six bags in one trip without straining your back. It’s also good for moving heavy potted plants under cover before it freezes.

Another ergonomic, you-can-do-it-by-yourself tool is CreteSheet.™ Whether you’re pouring a patio, putting in fence posts or repairing the driveway or sidewalk, it helps you mix up to an 80-pound bag of concrete in less than ninety seconds with one or two people. The ground carries the weight of the concrete and water, and the mix is more thorough than using a bucket, mixing tub, or wheelbarrow -- not to mention easier on the back -- and easier to clean up. It’s also great for mixing mulches, soils, and plaster.

Finally, to all you newbie DIYers: before you take on any of these tasks, don’t forget to stretch and warm up your back!