Problem family
Family & Friction
The small daily frictions: a baby who will only sleep held, a squeaky hinge, bitter coffee, weak shower pressure, a mattress that sleeps hot.
Not every problem is a project. This family collects the small, recurring frictions that cost a few minutes or a night's sleep at a time: the hinge that wakes the baby, the shower that will not push, the coffee that comes out bitter from good beans. Each guide is short on purpose and honest about which part of the fix is free.
The family's baby-sleep guide follows pediatric safe-sleep guidance exactly, and its household guides carry the same rule as the rest of the site: diagnose first (a ten-dollar gauge or a fingertip test often settles it), then spend.
Every problem in this family
- Baby Will Not Sleep in the Crib (Wakes the Moment You Lay Them Down)Fix: Woolino Ultimate Sleep Bag
- Couch Cushions Sagging: A $25 Reprieve, Honestly LabeledFix: SagsAway cushion support inserts
- Squeaky Hinges: The Right Lubricant (It Is Not the Blue Can)Fix: WD-40 Specialist Silicone lubricant
- Squeaky Floorboards: Screwing the Floor Back to the JoistFix: Breakaway screw floor repair kits (Squeeeeek No More class)
- Backpack and Gym Bag Smell MustyFix: FunkAway-class enzyme and odor eliminator spray (bag application)
- Mattress Too Hot: Sleeping on a Foam FurnaceFix: The Wool Room wool mattress topper (and wool bedding)
- Coffee at Home Tastes Bitter: The Grinder Is the Usual SuspectFix: Baratza Encore conical burr grinder
- Low Shower Pressure: Mineral Crust or a Bigger Problem?Fix: High Sierra low-flow high-pressure shower head
- Water Bottle and Thermos Smell Stale No Matter How You WashFix: Bottle Bright cleaning tablets
- Hardwood Floors Look Dull and WornFix: Rejuvenate Professional Wood Floor Restorer
- Grab Bars for a Parent's ShowerFix: Moen Home Care Grab Bar
- How to Patch a Hole in DrywallFix: DAP DryDex Patch Kit
- Can't Hold On in the Tub: The Slippery Bathtub FloorFix: Gorilla Grip Bath Mat
- White Rings on My Wood TableFix: Howard Restor-A-Finish
- Scratched Wood Furniture and CabinetsFix: Old English Scratch Cover
- Mold Inside the Bath ToysFix: Munchkin sealed bath toys
- Garage Door Is Loud and JerkyFix: 3-IN-ONE Garage Door Lube
- Grout Is Cracked and Falling OutFix: Custom Building Products Polyblend Plus Grout
- Stairs Are Slippery for Dogs and KidsFix: House, Home and More Carpet Stair Treads
- Rug Slides Around on the HardwoodFix: Gorilla Grip Original Rug Pad Gripper
- Rug Corners Curl UpFix: Gorilla Grip Rug Gripper Pads
- Torn Window Screen: Tape, Patch, or RescreenFix: Home Intuition Fiberglass Screen Repair Tape
- Sliding Glass Door Is Hard to OpenFix: Sliding Door Roller Replacement Kit
- Garage Door Remote Stopped WorkingFix: Chamberlain KLIK Universal Garage Door Remote
- An Extra Lock for a Hotel or Airbnb DoorFix: Addalock Original Portable Door Lock
- Neck Pain After Long FlightsFix: Cabeau Evolution S3
- Can't Open Jars AnymoreFix: EZ Off Jar Opener
- Boots Still Wet Inside the Next MorningFix: PEET Original Dryer
- Leather Couch Color Has Worn OffFix: Furniture Clinic Leather Recolouring Balm
- Dresser Drawers Stick and ScrapeFix: UHMW Drawer Slick Tape
- Furniture Legs Are Scratching My Hardwood FloorsFix: X-PROTECTOR felt furniture pads, 133 piece pack
- My Leather Couch Is Drying Out and CrackingFix: Leather Honey Leather Conditioner
- Cabinet Doors Keep SlammingFix: Liberty Soft Close Cabinet Door Damper, 10 pack
- Closet Doors Came Off the TrackFix: Prime-Line N 6501 closet door roller kit
- Vacuum Storage Bags Keep Losing Their SealFix: Spacesaver Vacuum Storage Bags, variety pack
- Can't Read the Small Print AnymoreFix: MagniPros 3X large full page magnifier with LED lights
- Christmas Lights in a Tangled MessFix: Zober Christmas light storage reels with storage bag
- A Toddler Is Putting Things in the OutletsFix: Safety 1st Plug Protectors, 36 pack
- A Toddler at the Top of the StairsFix: Regalo Easy Step walk through gate
- The Dresser Could Tip Onto a ChildFix: Safety 1st furniture safety straps
- A Toddler Is Opening the Cleaning CabinetFix: Vmaisi magnetic cabinet locks
- Diaper Rash That Won't Clear UpFix: Desitin Maximum Strength Original Paste
- Baby So Congested She Can't Feed or SleepFix: Frida Baby NoseFrida nasal aspirator
- Cradle Cap: Flakes All Over the Baby's ScalpFix: Frida Baby DermaFrida The FlakeFixer
- Can't Hang Pictures Without Putting Holes in the WallsFix: 3M Command Large Picture Hanging Strips
- Head Lice: The Comb-Out That Never EndsFix: Nit Free Terminator lice comb
What this family does not cover
What this family leaves out: sleep training methods and medical sleep advice (a pediatrician's territory), and any fix that involves opening a gas or electrical appliance. Small problems, small tools, clear edges.
How we check a product before we name it: our editorial standards.
The Fix JournalFamily & Friction