New Fix-It-Yourself Manual: How to Repair, Clean, and Maintain Anything and Everything In and Around Your Home

Just this weekend alone I fixed my ice maker and my garbage disposal using the book as a guide.

The pictures are great, and the language is easy to understand. I'd recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a great fix-it book.


The ultimate housewarming gift for the first-time homeowner   May 6, 2003
Karin Welss (Dublin, CA USA)
48 out of 50 found this review helpful

This book is the best housewarming gift I ever received!

Your furnace blowing nothing but cold air? This book will show you how to safely relight your pilot light. KitchenAid mixer gone on the fritz? Inkjet printer no longer drawing paper from the paper cassette? Dishwasher broker?

A troubleshooting chart and gorgeous, clear diagrams will explain not only how to fix almost any household problem, but also gives the level of technical skill required to finish the job, as well any special tools required to do so.

Kudos to the folks at Reader's Digest for producing such an excellent book. This volume is now my standard housewarming gift to all my friends.


A must-have for do-it-yourselfers!   February 13, 2000
Lynn DeBolt (Mount Vernon, WA United States)
41 out of 42 found this review helpful

When an appliance breaks down, it can be tough to scrape up the money to repair it. As a single income family, saving money is the name of the game! This book allows you to troubleshoot the most common problems, and most of the time fix it yourself! It's got other great tips and tricks as well, but I got it mainly for the help on our major appliances! Books on home repair are a dime a dozen, but a book like this pays for itself in just ONE use! A must have on MY bookshelf!


Don't be home without it   June 11, 2006
Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA)
31 out of 31 found this review helpful

I am glad to see Reader's Digest has updated this essential book. I always, ALWAYS have a copy of this on my bookshelf.

There is information on care of water heaters, replacing this and that broken item, how to care for your furnace, what is seriously in need of repair, and how to do a lot of little jobs.

Most importantly, there is a lot about maintenance, which is most of the battle. House ownership is a never-ending stream of small jobs that need doing (the Honey-Do jar or in our house, the Honey-Won't jar.) It may seem niggling, but small maintenance tasks add up to a big saving when selling a house. My parents were extremely vigilant in how they maintained our childhood home and today, 40 years later, we had a chance to visit that house. It still looks wonderful because during the many years we lived in it and afterward, the owners took a lot of care. My dad gave me a copy of this book long ago and I keep an up-to-date copy on the shelf, ready to hand. My dad taught me to spend a portion of the weekend doing repair and cleaning and it always has paid off for me. I would recommend this book as a gift to any newlyweds, new home owners or anyone for Father's Day, Mother's Day or a birthday. This guide is lavishly illustrated and well-written. Don't be home without it.


Long Time User   November 13, 2002
Lindsey S Wormley (Marietta, GA United States)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

I bought my first copy of this book over 20 years ago (Old Blue Cover ) after borrowing it from a friend. Myself and others have used it several times and saved hundreds of dollars . I myself have rebuilt a Dryer, serviced Washing machines, Refrigerators , Ranges, Dishwashers. After reviewing the newer edition and with the changes in appliances its time to replace it. More than pays for itself first time it's used. A must for any homeowner, Renter, unless wealthy and want to keep local appliance repair business in the manner to which they've become accustomed. Everyone that borrows mine has similar comments.