The Home DIY Craze: Safety Aspects You May Not Have Considered

With people spending more time at home after the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to beautify and maintain living spaces is stronger than ever. 

Professional home maintenance providers, such as landscapers and pest control services, continue to be in high demand. However, DIY (do-it-yourself) has emerged as a go-to option for fixing almost everything around the house.

A 2025 Hippo Housepower Report found that 55% percent of homeowners plan to conduct DIY home maintenance projects this year. Driving this trend are strained budgets because of high mortgage rates and inflation.

While DIY can be a cost-saver, it is imperative to take precautions. Managing everything by yourself can feel liberating, but it must also be safe for everyone involved.

DIY Cleaning Solutions Can Become Hazards 

Maintaining cleanliness at home is perhaps the most widely used application of DIY solutions. Apple cider vinegar has become a highly sought-after ingredient for its cleaning superpowers. Many people now use natural ingredients such as baking soda to clean surfaces and countertops instead of using store-bought cleaners.

Undoubtedly, cleaners made with natural ingredients can be more sustainable and safer for the health of the household members. But the problem arises when people mix agents without assessing what they’re doing. These concoctions can become dangerous, particularly for children and others with vulnerabilities.

For example, a few years ago, the New York Post shared the misfortune of a TikTok user who accidentally exposed her family to chlorine gas on Christmas Day. She had been cleaning the kitchen with vinegar and bleach. The two agents combined to produce chlorine, a toxic gas that irritates the eyes and nose.

Many people have had similar unpleasant experiences with DIY home cleaners because they didn’t have adequate knowledge of the chemistry behind them. It is a perfectly natural occurrence for those of us without a solid science background.

On that note, scientists now mostly agree that baking soda and vinegar are also not the magical cleaning solution that some influencers claim. Real Simple explains that this combination lacks a preservative or antibacterial component, which makes it inadequate for disinfection.

How About Tackling Pests With DIY Cures?

USA Today reports that winter can bring many pests into the house, particularly in areas like Colorado, where the weather can be harsh. The spider population in Denver has become a concern, with webs and droppings becoming a sanitation problem.

Some homeowners use bug repellent plants and salt guns to keep infestation at bay. However, these solutions lack efficacy: mosquitoes and roaches may ignore them and continue their pestilence! They may do nothing to address the issue and, instead, worsen its intensity due to the delayed response. 

In general, DIY solutions for problems like pest infestation can be concerning. According to ZeroBugs, a preventative and professional approach is the safest option for pest management. It can ensure that you identify the concern before it manifests as structural damage or health issues in the residents.

Painting the Walls Can Be Harder Than It Appears

Maintaining wall paint can be arduous for families with little children and excitable pets. Some surfaces are just too tempting to color on! DIY painting tutorials have flooded YouTube, hoping to cater to many homeowners who want to minimize this expense.

Here’s where the shoe pinches: DIY painting can turn out to be more expensive over time. The likelihood of disastrous failures is high for those whose experience is restricted to childhood drawing classes.

An Australia-focused survey by Hipages found that 61 percent of people feel that DIY painting brings a false sense of economy.  Disasters happen so often that your costs end up being more than if professionals had been on it from the beginning. 

For example, many homeowners don’t perform preparation properly or forget to apply undercoats. Dark colors may end up bleeding through, regardless of how many coats of white paint you slosh on.

A more significant problem with poor painting jobs goes beyond aesthetics. You will experience cracking and blistering in adverse weather, such as constant rain or snow. 

Moreover, the average person may not know how to test paint for quality and make considered selections that go beyond optics. CNN reports that some old buildings in the UK still test positive for lead in paint. Lead, a potent neurotoxin, can be detrimental to everyone, including children. It can be challenging to gauge if your paint choices are sustainable and safe for your household.

Consider taking on such projects yourself only if you have the required expertise. Online tutorials may not cut it.

Home Decor DIY Projects Also Require Care

So, how about the art and craft projects that have captured the imagination of thousands of people worldwide, even the non-craftsy types? From fall and Christmas decor to do-it-yourself kitchen and bathroom tiling, the scope is immense. 

For the most part, such projects can be fulfilling and more cost-effective than hiring a professional decorator. However, some situations can benefit greatly from expert assistance. 

For example, it is easy to overlook the need for protective gear when working with potentially hazardous equipment. Drilling holes in the walls or even using a hot glue gun can be dangerous with small children around. Not clearing the project area before beginning, unlike what you would do when professionals are at work, can lead to an accident.

Typically, experts are knowledgeable about best practices, such as disposing of chemicals carefully and working with electrical wiring with caution. Even if you feel confident taking on a DIY art and craft project, consider whether it may proceed better with expert guidance.

It seems likely that do-it-yourself projects will continue to motivate people to keep their homes in order in the foreseeable future. After all, saving money while still witnessing tangible improvements at home is tempting. While the enthusiasm and passion to tend to one’s house is commendable, let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater.