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LIFE HACKS 2

Everyday Tips

By C JPublished 3 years ago • 5 min read

When reheating leftovers in a microwave, make a circle in the middle of your dish to ensure even heating.

Removing strawberry stems with a straw is a nifty trick.

A muffin tin is useful for serving various condiments during a barbecue, and it cuts down on dishwashing time.

If you're struggling to move objects through a door that keeps closing, tie a rubber band around the handle on each side so that it crosses over the latch. The latch won't pop out, and the door won't lock shut.

To check if bed sheets are fully dried, place a mirror underneath them and leave it there for five minutes. If it steams up, the sheets are still damp, which can lead to mold and fungi growth.

Painting the end of keys with different colored nail polish makes it easy to identify which key is which.

When pouring oil or salad dressing, poke holes in the foil seal instead of removing it completely to prevent a large amount from rushing out quickly.

To prevent Band-Aids from slipping off your finger, cut a line on either side. This will create four smaller sticky strips, rather than one large one, making it much easier to secure.

If you enter a public restroom and see a red Solo cup placed under the seat, it's better to choose another booth. This indicates that there's no toilet paper in this one. The red cup is often used as a replacement for a toilet paper hub, which is also placed under the seat for the same reason.

If a restroom has a large gap in the door, it's to minimize privacy and comfort, encouraging people to leave quickly to prevent long lines. It also makes cleaning easier and safer in case of emergencies.

If you forget to put your drink in the fridge, wrap a wet paper towel around it and put it in the freezer. In just 15 minutes, your drink will be ice cold.

Instead of filling your purse or wallet with store loyalty cards, you can take a photo of them. Simply take one snap of the barcode and a picture of the front, so you know which card it is. Then, when you visit the store, just scan the barcode on your phone to collect your points.

Are you tired of propping your phone up and having it fall while watching something? Try using your sunglasses! Simply place them upside down and use the parts that go around your ears to hold your phone in place.

If you don't have the correct coin size for your shopping cart, try using your key instead. If your key has a rounded end, insert it where the coin would go and the cart should unlock.

Struggling to keep your taco shells in place? Use a muffin tray! Flip the tray upside down, spray it with oil, and place your tortillas in the gap. Cook them for around 10 minutes at 700 degrees Fahrenheit for the perfect crispy taco shell.

To separate egg yolks, use a water bottle. Hold the bottle over the yolk and squeeze it to suck the yolk up. Drop it into a separate bowl and you're good to go.

Cleaning your ceiling fan can be a hassle, but using a pillowcase makes it easier. Slide the pillowcase over each blade to wipe off the dust. This way, excess dust is caught inside the pillowcase and won't rain down on you.

To clean your blender, fill it with soap and hot water, switch it on for around 10 seconds, and let the swirling water do the hard work. Then, just rinse it off and it's clean.

Before nailing into plaster walls, put down a strip of masking tape to prevent the plaster from flaking or spreading dust all over the floor.

If your shoes smell bad, try putting a few dry tea bags into them. The tea bags will absorb the smell.

Small scratches on furniture can be fixed with toothpaste. Rub a peanut-sized amount on the scratch in a circular motion until it buffs out, then wipe it with a damp cloth.

Lastly, drill a couple of small holes in the bottom of your trash can to prevent the bag from getting stuck when you pull it out. The holes stop the vacuum-like effect that keeps the bag pinned down.

Here are some helpful tips to make your everyday tasks easier. If you have a sticky residue on jars, try using cooking oil. Soak a cotton pad in some oil and rub it on the sticky area, allowing it to sit for a few minutes. Then wipe it away easily.

To make your new wool sweater less itchy, soak it in lukewarm water with a couple of tablespoons of hair conditioner for 15 minutes. Dry it and your sweater will be much softer.

If you have an odor on your fingers, use minty toothpaste to get rid of it. Rub your fingers together with toothpaste, then rinse them clean. It will act as a light scrub too.

Before you throw out old sneakers, use an old toothbrush and a little toothpaste to work the paste into the dirty spots. Leave it for at least 10 minutes, wipe it off with a damp cloth, and repeat if needed. Be careful with colored toothpaste, as it may leave stains.

Washing your clothes on low heat or a cold wash will make them last twice as long. Drying them on the line, if possible, will also make the material last longer than if you use a dryer.

To make metal zippers easier to slide open and close, gently rub a bar of soap over the teeth of both sides of the zipper.

When you can't get any more toothpaste out, cut the tube and use what's left. Save any extra paste in a plastic bag for later.

Did you know that freezing candles before use can make them burn slower? This is because cooling the wax down can extend its melting time.

If you have a pack of cotton pads, you can hang it on a hook or holder using the strings on the pack. No need to untighten and tighten the pack again. Look at the bottom of the pack; it has a perforated line. Tear along it, and you're good to pull out a cotton pad.

Headrests in a car are about comfort, and detachable headrests are about safety. If you ever get locked or trapped in a car, you can use the sturdy bars on the headrest to smash the window and get out of there.

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C J

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    Written by C J