What do coat hangers, ridges on coins, Solo cups, and old TV antennas have in common? They might seem like everyday household items, but they actually hide secrets and tricks that you have never even noticed before. The items will help solve a bunch of pesky issues in the house when you repurpose them! Your trips to Home Depot and Target will be drastically reduced when you start following the life hacks that we have for you. Read on to see simple hacks that will make your life that much easier.
Did You Know That These Common Household Items Are Meant To Be Used This Way?
Wine Bottle Dip
Do you like drinking a glass of wine? If so, perhaps you have already noticed the dip at the end of the bottle. It is more than just an interesting design quirk. First of all, this part is called the kick-up or punt. At any rate, it lends the bottle more stability to prevent it from falling over or breaking after a strong gust of wind passes by. It also makes the bottle stronger in order to hold in champagne and sparkling wine. Lastly, it makes it easier to distribute steam when they are cleaning it before pouring the wine in.
Wine Bottle Dip
Shirt Loops
This does not only apply to t-shirts, you know. You will also find this on a nice collared shirt! Apparently, this practice began with the Navy. There is not much closet space out at sea, which is why sailors hang their shirts on hooks through these loops. College kids in the ‘60s also used them to keep the shirts neat and wrinkle-free at the gym. These days, manufacturers leave them on as a sign of quality and class.
Shirt Loops
Gas Gauge Arrow
Perhaps you have already noticed this if you happen to drive a car. Beside the gas gauge of just about every car manufactured from 2010 onwards, you will see an arrow pointing either to the right or left. This serves as a way to remind drivers which side of the car the gas cap is located! If you have been using the car for a while, you might not need the reminder. However, it is useful when you are driving a rental car or a brand-new vehicle. If you ask us, it sounds pretty handy.
Gas Gauge Arrow
Charcoal Purifies Air And Removes Odors
Activated bamboo charcoal is available at home goods stores. You can use it to remove odors and purify the air! No need for baking soda or pricey air purifiers here. Aside from that, this kind of charcoal can remove bacteria and allergens as well. You just need to put them into mesh bags and place them in the area with foul odors. Companies like BreathGreen Charcoal Bags have been selling their products for $10 each. This sounds like a pretty awesome product, doesn’t it?
Charcoal Purifies Air And Removes Odors
Random Jean Buttons
People who love jeans are probably familiar with all those extra buttons scattered all over the pants, often somewhere around the pockets. It might seem odd, but you probably have no idea what they are for. Those buttons are actually pretty important. They are called rivets and are placed strategically on the garment to stop them from wearing out at the seams and ripping open. Jeans giant Levi Strauss is the owner of the patent on rivets. He came up with the idea when miners complained about how easily their jeans had been wearing out in 1829.
Random Jean Buttons
Extra Fabric With New Clothes
When you buy new clothes, it might come with a small bag that has an extra bit of fabric. It is easy to assume that this is for patching up rips and tears. However, it is intended for something else. The fabric is meant to be a trial clothe you can use to find out if it will shrink or bleed in the wash. It is not a good idea to wash a new piece of clothing without knowing how it will react in the wash. This will fix that!
Extra Fabric With New Clothes
Pot Handle Holes
Unless you are a professional cook, you might not know why lots of pan and pot handles come with a hole. Firstly, it makes these pieces of kitchenware easier to hang up when not in use. After washing them, this is a great way to make sure they dry properly. Chefs also like to use the same hole to hold a ladle, stirring spoon, and other utensils. This is pretty convenient since it keeps the utensil clean!
Pot Handle Holes
Winter Hat Pom-Poms
Winter hats are important if you want to keep your head warm and comfy during wintertime. Have you noticed all those pom-poms that come with these pieces of clothing? This fashion feature has been traced back to Scandinavia. The pom-pom was placed there to gather the seams when knitting was still very common. Even though this is no longer the case, the adorable feature has lived on!
Winter Hat Pom-Poms
Airplane Window Holes
Did you freak out a little when you first sat in the window seat and noticed the tiny hole in the airplane window? We have all been there. Why does it even exist? The breather hole, as it is called, lets the outer panes of the airplane deal with the pressure difference when an airplane goes higher. This makes the cabin stay at a comfortable and safe level. Should the outer pane ever get compromised, you should notice an air leak through the tiny hole!
Airplane Window Holes
Black Grating In The Microwave
We doubt you have ever inspected your microwave way too close. However, it is easy enough to notice the black grating on the door of the microwave. It is called the Faraday shield, and it prevents electromagnetic fields from escaping the microwave and warming people. You would be in danger without it AND your food would not get cooked. Which one is worse? Anyway, the more you know!
Black Grating In The Microwave
Dimples On Golf Balls
Golf balls aren’t really round… If you look at them all up close and personal, you will notice all the dimples on the surface. Apparently, golfers noticed that balls that have nicks and bumps tend to travel a longer distance. The imperfections create turbulence, which reduces drag. This is the reason they began to make golf balls with dimples to create more lift. If you are playing putt-putt, it won’t help much.
Dimples On Golf Balls
Long Bottle Necks
Have you ever noticed how adult beverages come in bottles with long necks? This shape makes beers more comfortable to hold during extended periods of time. It also allows easy pouring when you want to put them in a mug or glass. Unfiltered beers commonly use long-necks with a more bulbous neck to capture sediments. Long necks also distribute heat throughout the bottle, so you should thank them!
Long Bottle Necks
Can Tabs
If you have ever opened a can of soda, you are familiar with the can tabs already. If you are like most people, you probably find it annoying because it tends to detach and fall into the can! Apparently, the tab on these cans had been designed to become a straw holder. These days, it is not very common to use a straw to drink from a can. They even widened the mouth a while back to make this easier!
Can Tabs
Takeout Boxes
We all adore Chinese takeout on days we are too tired to cook. You probably eat it right out of the carton as well. However, the truth is that the takeout boxes were designed flat because they are supposed to be a plate on their own. When the food is still inside, you can pull the sides apart and then lay it flat on the table. If you do this correctly, you will have a perfectly usable plate! Voila.
Takeout Boxes
Double Keyboard Bumps
You might have noticed the bumps on the J and F keys on the computer keyboard. Apparently, the bumps were installed on the keys so that users can figure out the keyboard even when they have their eyes on the computer screen. When you type properly, your right pointer finger should rest on J, while the left one is on F. You do not need to look at the keyboard since the bumps are enough indication.
Double Keyboard Bumps
Pen Cap Holes
At a glance, you might think there is something wrong with the pen cap because there is a hole in there. Do not worry, this was all done by design. It was installed there so air can freely flow in if it is accidentally swallowed by a kid or adult. This makes sense because there are a lot of people who like to put the pen caps in their mouths when they are thinking!
Pen Cap Holes
iPhone Camera Hole
If you own an iPhone, you might have noticed the little hole beside the camera lens. Anyway, the small hole is not a secret camera. It is a microphone! Since Apple introduced the iPhone 5, every smartphone comes with three mics. One is located under the speaker grill, another on the bottom edge, and the last one is beside the camera lens. This makes it easy to record sound no matter how you hold the phone.
iPhone Camera Hole
Zigzag Side On Bobby Pins
Bobby pins come with a straight side and a wavy side. Often, the zigzag pattern is used facing toward the scalp. To be fair, it does look a bit cooler like that. The truth is that the wavy side helps secure the pin and keep it there the entire day. Why? Well, it is easier to hold onto the clump of hair this way.
Zigzag Side On Bobby Pins
Cable Cord Cylinders
Have you ever taken the time of the day to figure out what the cylinder-like lump at the end of the cord is? They are actually known as ferrite cores or chokes. They have magnetic iron oxide, which helps prevent high-frequency electromagnetic interference. If your phone is a little too close to your speaker, weird noses might interrupt the call. The big cylinders on those cable cords prevent such interruptions.
Cable Cord Cylinders
Apple Power Cord Wings
Do you own a MacBook? If so, you might have noticed the wings on the power cord. Do not worry if you have no idea what they are used for. Every single one of us had no clue why you can even pull them up. Apparently, flipping them up and then wrapping the cord around them makes it easier to charge since nothing will be in the way. It will come in pretty handy if you hate making messes!
Apple Power Cord Wings
Blue Part On The Eraser
You probably remember these erasers from your childhood! Why are there two separate colors anyway? Some said it could help erase pen ink, but the truth is that this part was meant to be used on thicker and stronger paper. It was intended for artists who used special kinds of paper instead of notebook or loose-leaf paper. How cool is it to solve one of the greatest mysteries of your childhood?
Blue Part On The Eraser
Square Patches On Backpacks
You might think the square patches on backpacks look cool, but there is more to them than just that. The pig snout or lashing square is supposed to help you carry additional gear! You can string cords and strings through there to help you hang stuff you cannot fit inside the bag. If you go camping, you will be glad to know such an interesting tidbit.
Square Patches On Backpacks
Colorful Ice Cream Scoops
Do you know why ice cream scoops come in all kinds of colors? Every single color is meant to represent a specific scoop size. Ice cream scoops have more than a dozen sizes depending on the number of scoops that go in the cup. Who would have thought the bright colors were more than just for show?
Colorful Ice Cream Scoops
Brass Material For Door Knobs
If you are observant, you might have noticed that doorknobs are all made of brass. The reason behind this is that brass surfaces are more resistant to bacteria buildup. This is important because so many people will touch the doorknob! We shudder to think what it would be like if they used something else.
Brass Material For Door Knobs
Bottle Cap Discs
Have you ever looked under the soda bottle cap and saw a plastic disc? It might seem unnecessary, but this bit actually helps you see through carbonation. We do not know the exact science, although the disc traps carbon dioxide and prevents soda from losing their fizz. No one likes flat soda, right?
Bottle Cap Discs
Rearview Mirror Tab
We hope that you regularly look in the rearview mirror when you drive. However, you might not have noticed the tab at the mirror’s bottom. Even if you did, perhaps you did not know what it was for. Apparently, it lets you change the mirror position to avoid getting blinded by headlights from behind. It deflects the light without preventing you from seeing what is happening behind your car!
Rearview Mirror Tab
Coin Ridges
We do not know if you ever noticed this, but both dimes and quarters come with rough edges that are not found in nickels and pennies. Feel free to check your coins if you do not believe us right away. Anyway, this is a remnant of the time when coins used to get stamped in different weights that reflect the value of the coin in question. They wanted to stop people from shaving the coin edges and then melting them to make new coins, which is why they put ridges using precious metals.
Coin Ridges
Grocery Cart Loops
You might be able to fit a bunch of stuff in the grocery cart, but not many people realize there are loops that can help frame the fold-out section to protect the items. With the loops, you can hang vulnerable items that might get squished by the rest of your items. If you ask us, this is an example of good design!
Grocery Cart Loops
Lined Paper Margins
Why does notebook paper come with margins? Moreover, why do the margins differ depending on what grade you are in? For the second question, you should know that things get more difficult the older you become. Meanwhile, the answer to the first one is that rat infestations were fairly common. They used to chew on whatever paper they found! With the margins in place, rats could eat the edges without getting to the important bits.
Lined Paper Margins
Paper Condiment Bowls
We all love ketchup with our fries! However, we do not enjoy having to come back to fill up a lot of the tiny paper condiment cups to get are fix. They also make it hard to dip into since they are so small. Your life will become much easier when you realize you need to unfold them like this!
Paper Condiment Bowls
Women’s Underwear Pocket
If you have ever noticed the secret pockets in women’s underwear, you were probably confused. What are they for? The panty gussets are extra fabric sewn in that they did not bother stitching closed. In all honesty, they are much comfier without the additional seams. The pocket is a good hiding place too.
Women’s Underwear Pocket
Plastic Cup Lids
Prepare to be blown away! The plastic lids that accompany disposable cups were designed to act as a coaster as well. This is not applicable to you if you get a cup to go and drink it in the car. When you are planning to sit down and enjoy the drink, however, the ridges make it perfect to use as a coaster. Who would have thought that there was a method to this madness?
Plastic Cup Lids
Detachable Car Headrests
During family road trips, you were probably seated in the backseat. You must have played with the headrest in front of you out of boredom as well! The headrest can actually come out of the seat. The reason behind this was so you can use the metal bars to crack the window in case of an emergency!
Detachable Car Headrests
Solo Cup Lines
Do these red solo cups bring back bad memories? Same. Perhaps you were far too concerned about having a good time to notice the horizontal lines on the cups. The ridges are meant to tell you how much alcohol to put in there! The first line indicates one ounce or one shot of liquor. The next line indicates five ounces, which is equivalent to one glass. The top one indicates 12 ounces or a whole beer bottle.
Solo Cup Lines
Jerry Can Handles
A Jerry can is a common sight if you like to go camping and travel. You might now that it can hold five gallons of fuel, but did you know why there are three top handles? The design allows you to ensure the fuel is evenly distributed inside as you carry it. If there are two of you, you should both hold the outside handles. If you are doing it on your own, you should stick to the middle one!
Jerry Can Handles
Coat Hangers Made With Wood
Wooden coat hangers are the way to go if you want to spice up your closet. However, they do not exist for aesthetic purposes. The hangers have been designed to repel moths and creepy crawlies. No one wants them near our clothes, right? Heavy clothing, especially wool ones, tend to attract all kinds of insects. The cedar wood material makes them smell pleasant, which then keeps the bugs and moths away.
Coat Hangers Made With Wood
Juice Box Flaps
Do you know why juice boxes come with heavy top flaps? You only need to look at this photo to find out why. The little angel in the picture figured out exactly what the bulky flaps are for. You should fold them outward so that they are easier to hold! Keep in mind that those juice boxes were made for ages 2 to 10. By folding the flaps this way, it is easier for their tiny hands to hold on to the box without it slipping. Of course, you can also use this trick no matter how old you might be by now!
Juice Box Flaps
Holes In Your Converse
Ever wondered why you have those holes in the side of your Converse? Well, they have a few functions. First of all, you can use them to help your feet breathe, as they could get hot being in those shoes all day! Another fun use for them is adding some funky designs to the way you tie up your laces.
Holes In Your Converse
Screwdrivers, But Also Wrenches
Here’s what you have to do: slide the end of your wrench over the top of your screwdriver. That’s why your screwdriver is shaped how it is! This trick comes in handy when you’re dealing with difficult angles to grasp onto.
Screwdrivers, But Also Wrenches
Medicine Bottle For Adults
Did you know medicine bottles can be de-childproofed? Some bottles come with a cap that you can use to make your life so much easier; all you have to do is flip the bottle upside down! So simple, right? While this hack is great for adults, make sure not to show it to your kiddos!
Medicine Bottle For Adults
TicTac Hack
Are you the kind of person that tosses a bunch of TicTacs into your hand and places all except the one you want back in the container? If you’re guilty of this, we have some great news for you. You may not know, but that indent at the top of your TicTac bottle’s cap is actually purposeful; it’s meant to catch one single TicTac when you tip the opening over. This saves your hand from getting dirty and saves you time in cleaning up your spillage.
TicTac Hack
The Hole In Your Spaghetti Spoon
Yes, these holes are used for draining the pasta out of water, but that’s not the only thing these spoon’s holes are good for! They can actually be used to measure out a certain amount of spaghetti. All you have to do here is stick the pieces of spaghetti through the holes and get a perfect measurement.
The Hole In Your Spaghetti Spoon
Grooves Between Tire Treads
Did you know these indents all over your tires do something other than leave a cool mark when you drive over a patch of snow? They actually serve a pretty important purpose: the lowest point in these grooves represents the lowest point your tire should ever get. For example, if your tires are smooth and you see no grooves, you should definitely replace them as soon as possible!
Grooves Between Tire Treads
Gas Pump Latch
Ever wonder what that weird latch on your gas pump was for? Ever wondered why you’re standing there holding your gas pump in place while refueling your car? Well here’s a handy trick: That latch actually can get locked between the grooves on the gas pump handle so you can walk away from it and still pump gas into your car!
Gas Pump Latch
Toothpick Holder
Who knew some toothpicks came with built-in holders?! If you notice a ridged part of your toothpick, break it off and place it on the table. From there, place your toothpick inside of one of the ridges. This is such a convenient (and fun) way to keep your toothpick sanitary before putting it back into your mouth.
Toothpick Holder
Aluminum Foil Packaging
Ever notice the tabs on the side of aluminum foil that you can push in, but you were never really sure what they were for? They’re actually really useful! When you push them in on both sides, it actually locks the roll into the box so it can’t move around when you’re trying to rip off some foil. Useful!
Aluminum Foil Packaging
Half Belt On Jackets
This style is generally seen on trench and pea coats. What is it for, though? They were originally developed for men in the military who had oversized jackets that doubled as blankets. The half belt was used to gather the extra material and hold it in place so soldiers could walk freely. Nowadays it’s just used as a fashion trend, but at one point they had real use!
Half Belt On Jackets
Utility Knife Cap
This may come as a surprise, but that plastic cap at the end of your utility knife actually serves a pretty important purpose. If you pull it out, you may find that it’s attached to something. That something is part of a brand new knife; from here, you just break off the plastic edge and wallah, you have a new and improved sharp knife!
Utility Knife Cap
Stapler Plates
Did you know metal plate on your stapler has a name? Yep! It’s called an anvil, and if you turn your stapler upside down you can adjust it by spinning the wheel until it lines back up with the square it sits on. This setting is for a “temporary staple”, and will push the arms of your staple outward instead of inwards, making it easier to pull out the staple later. Good to know!
Stapler Plates
The Hole In Your Lollipop Stick
Remember when you were younger and you’d love turning your lollipop stick into a whistle almost as much as you enjoyed the lollipop itself? Well believe it or not, the hole isn’t actually meant for your entertainment. The reason behind the lollipop hole is so that when the manufacturer pours the melted candy into the molding, some of it seeps into the hole and hardens to keep the candy from falling off of the stick. Interesting!
The Hole In Your Lollipop Stick
The Letter Arrangement On Your Keyboard
Have you ever wondered to yourself, why aren’t the letters on a computer keyboard in alphabetical order? Once again, there’s a reason! The first keyboard ever invented belonged to the typewriter, which operated with metal arms. Originally, keys were arranged in alphabetical order but typing that way became a habit to typists and eventually they ended up typing too fast, causing the key arms to get stuck! The only thing stopping us from going back to alphabetized keyboards is the fact that now everyone knows and loves this one.
The Letter Arrangement On Your Keyboard
Ridges In Audio Jack
I bet this is another thing you never really knew the meaning of, but just accepted it. They aren’t just so the jack doesn’t fall out of the port, but actually, the material making up the ridges is used to protect and keep the wires in place so they don’t break while you’re listening to music. They also dictate which headphone all of the music goes to! One band is for the left headphone, one for the right, and one for both.
Ridges In Audio Jack
Silica Gel Packets
Usually, we see these packets inside of a shoebox or a brand new purse, and we know that they’re meant to keep the item you’ve purchased clean and fresh until you start to use it. Have you ever really thought about what’s inside of these packets, though? The stuff inside is called a “desiccant”, which means that it helps to keep moisture out; actually, these little packets can absorb humidity from their environment up to 50 percent! This can be super useful if you drop your phone in water. Ditch the rice buckets and grab onto the silica gel packets.
Silica Gel Packets
Colorful Toothpaste
Have you ever noticed how Aquafresh toothpaste has red, white, and blue stripes that make up the paste? For a while I thought it was just patriotic toothpaste, but as it turns out, that’s not the case! As people started to realize that simply cleaning your mouth wasn’t enough to truly keep it healthy, Aquafresh heard their cries for help and answered. The blue stripe in the toothpaste is to indicate that it also freshens your breath as well as cleans it, and the red stripe shows that there’s also plaque control in the paste. This product really does it all to keep your mouth healthy and clean.
Colorful Toothpaste
The Mysterious Square In Your McFlurry Spoon
I’m sure I’m not alone here- when I was little I used to stick my finger in the square opening at the top of my McFlurry spoon and try to use just that finger to lift the spoon up. But what is this square for, really? The square attaches onto the machine that blends together the ice cream and topping of choice. How? The bar of the machine slips into the spoon and stirs it, like how a drill spins a screw. Then they give you the spoon with it. Less clean up for them and more fun for a child’s imagination.
The Mysterious Square In Your McFlurry Spoon
TV Cable Hack
Want highspeed television but don’t want to pay those outrages prices for it? Perfectly content saving $200 per month by simply watching Netflix? Join the club. Luckily, new technology disruptors are tricking devices by using old-fashioned TV antennas and an electrical outlet. These “TV antennas” stream high-definition signals from stations like ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS, FX, and dozens of others.
TV Cable Hack
Make Threading Needles Easier
The worst part about trying to sew something back together isn’t the actual act of sewing, but rather, trying to get the flimsy piece of thread into the needle opening! Next time you’re sewing, try dipping just a small piece of the edge of thread into clear nail polish. It’ll make the end hard and much easier to get through the needle.
Make Threading Needles Easier
Olive Oil: Not Just For Italian Food
If you experience dry skin, you may want to try this hack. Did you know that olive oil, yes, the same stuff you dip your bread and pasta in, can be used on your skin? It’s true! Try to apply a very small amount of olive oil to your face and body, and watch as the dryness is replaced with moisture. It’s amazing.
Olive Oil: Not Just For Italian Food
Use A Tennis Ball For Parking Accuracy
Have you ever accidentally gone just a tiny bit too far when parking your gar in the garage? A simple trick for knowing when to brake is by tying an old tennis ball to a string and hanging it from the roof of your garage. This will help you figure out the spot you need to brake and park instead of bumping the garage wall and damaging your bumper.
Use A Tennis Ball For Parking Accuracy
Strain Your Food With Tights
Have an old pair of tights you don’t wear anymore, or a new pair of tights you don’t need? You can use them to strain your food! Tights are great for food straining because since the holes are so small, food particles can’t escape out like they could with an average strainer.
Strain Your Food With Tights
Groom Your Eyebrows With A Toothbrush
We’ve all heard of ways to use your toothbrush other than the obvious: brushing your teeth. You can actually use your toothbrush to brush more than just your teeth. Try using a spare (not used, that’s unsanitary) toothbrush to groom your eyebrows! It’s probably cheaper than an actual eyebrow brush, and you won’t have to make a special trip to the drugstore to buy one. Seems like a win-win.
Groom Eyebrows With A Toothbrush
Loosen Doors With Petroleum Jelly
Have you ever been so bothered by the sound of a squeaky door, but not quite bothered enough to go to a hardware store and find a solution for it? Well, use this at-home hack to solve your problem! Rub a small amount of petroleum jelly on door hinges, drawer tracks, or anything else that may be squeaky and watch as the problem disappears.
Loosen Doors With Petroleum Jelly
Colored Toothpaste Squares
If you take a good look at your toothpaste tube, you should see a colored block by the bottom. It is often blue, green, black, or red. It is more than just an obscure aesthetic choice! What exactly are they for? Well, you should know first know that they are called “eye marks”. They let assembly line machines know where to fold and cut the packaging. Without them, tubes of toothpaste would still be attached to each other, making toothbrushing that much more difficult.
Colored Toothpaste Squares
Extra Sneaker Holes
We are sure you have already noticed the extra holes at the top of shoes. It is not a design error, mind you. When you are shoes that are a little too big for you, it is not unusual to get blisters. Moreover, they make for a pretty uncomfortable fit. You can address the problem by sliding the shoelaces in the opposite extra hole. This will allow you to create a loop, which makes for an even tighter lock. If you want to sound like an expert, you should know that this is called the “heel lock” or the “lace lock”.
Extra Sneaker Holes
Measuring Tape Metal
We bet your parent or guardian once asked you to hold the end of the measuring tape! Perhaps you noticed the tiny piece of metal there. There a couple of reasons why it is located there. First, the little slot can be wrapped around a nail to hold the tape in place if you are working on your own. The edge also happens to be serrated, which comes in handy when you need to mark the surface.
Measuring Tape Metal
Holes In Padlocks
We are sure you use a padlock for some reason. Did you ever notice that there is a hole or two at the bottom of the lock? The holes let the water come out when they get in. Locks are usually placed outside, so they need to be ready for all weather conditions. You can also pour WD-40 or oil in there in case it jams!
Holes In Padlocks
Mason Jars For Utensils
If you’re not someone who already uses mason jars for everything around the house, you really should be; they’re so versatile and can be used for almost anything. Mason jars are easily usable for storing your food, office supplies, or eating utensils. The possibilities are endless with how you can use a mason jar, and you can even paint and decorate them in whatever way fits your style.
Mason Jars For Utensils
Color Code Your Keys
Almost everyone has more than just one key on their key ring, and having more than one key that may look alike can be quite confusing. There’s nothing worse than standing outside of your door in the middle of a rain or snow storm trying to fit each key into the lock. Luckily, we have found a hack for you. Dipping the top of each key in a different color of nail polish will make your life so much easier!
Color Code Your Keys
Tennis Balls Can Protect Your Floors
We’re all familiar with that horrible goosebump-inducing sound of your chair sliding and scraping against the floor in your home. A cheap and easy do-it-yourself solution that you may have seen before is to cut a slit in tennis balls large enough to fit around the feet of your chairs and stick them on. This won’t only keep your floors clean and scratch-free, but will give some peace and quiet to your ears.
Tennis Balls Can Protect Your Floors
Shine Furniture With Olive Oil
Sometimes wooden surfaces get dusty so quickly that we forget what they look like when they’re clean. Without spending a huge amount of money on fancy furniture cleaners, you are running the risk of ruining your furniture by cleaning with the wrong products. Here’s a trick that will leave you with shiny and clean furniture all the time: put just a small amount of olive oil on your wooden furniture and wipe it down using a dry microfiber towel. You won’t ruin your furniture and you will give it the shine it needs.
Shine Furniture With Olive Oil
Dust Your Home With Old Tights
The days of having to toss old tights into the trash after they start to rip at the seams are over. Now, you can recycle them for cleaning purposes! Not only can you place them over a pair of tongs and dust both sides of your shades at one time, but you can also attach them to a small object like the end of a pencil to easily be able to reach the small corners and details on a window or deep into the cracks of your furniture.
Dust Your Home With Old Tights
DIY Baking Soda Air Freshener
Baking soda is famous for being a substance of many uses, one of which is the ability to absorb odors all around the house. Did you know that when baking soda gets mixed with essential oils, it can make for an amazing at-home air freshener? It’s true! Mix the baking soda with however much of your favorite essential oil you want and place a breathable cloth on top of the jar. Secure the top of the jar with a rubber band or cap, and just like that, you have a great-smelling room.
DIY Baking Soda Air Freshener
Use Tea Bags To Deodorize
Tea bags are beloved for doing their obvious job- making tea. Did you know that they can be used in many other ways around the house, too? Not only can tea bags be placed under the eyes to help de-puff after a long day, but they can also be used for household cleaning. One of our favorite hacks is to use tea bags to deodorize areas of the house. To do this, take a few already-used tea bags and spread them out throughout your refrigerator. The tea bags will help absorb foul odors and ensure that you aren’t breathing in bad smells each time you open the refrigerator door.
Use Tea Bags To Deodorize
Clean Your Dog’s Coat With Vinegar
The smell of vinegar is quite strong and can sometimes be a horrible smell in someone’s nose. Even so, there is no denying that vinegar is a very useful item that you may find in your house. If you’re looking to keep your furry friend clean by using vinegar, combine one cup of vinegar with one quart of water, and massage it all around your pup’s fur. After just a few minutes you’ll have a pup with a clean coat of fur!
Clean Your Dog’s Coat With Vinegar
Depuff Your Eyes With Metal Spoons
Waking up in the morning and seeing puffy under eyes is a surefire way to start your day off on a stressful note, which will definitely not help your eyes! A quick and cost-free solution is to use metal spoons that have been sitting in the refrigerator or freezer overnight. When you wake up just place them over your eyes and apply a very small amount of pressure. The cooling effect will tighten and de-puff your swollen skin and stimulate your blood flow. You’ll notice your eyes looking less puffy in just a few minutes.
Depuff Your Eyes With Metal Spoons
New Uses For Baby Wipes
Of course, there are obvious uses for baby wipes. like literally wiping your baby. Other than this use, were you aware that these wipes can actually be used in many different kinds of situations? For example, you can use a clean baby wipe to wipe off a dirty computer screen or germ-covered keyboard. It’s a safe and effective way to clean your electronics!
New Uses For Baby Wipes
Don’t Throw Out Old Butter Wrappers
We have been saving this trick up our sleeve and we think it will be a real game-changer for you. Next time you finish using your stick of butter, make sure that you don’t accidentally throw away the wrapper. Instead, save the wrappers in a bag and stick them in the fridge or freezer. Why, you ask? The remaining layer of butter on the wrapper can be used as a non-stick layer in your cooking. Instead of spending money on pricey non-stick sprays and oils, just rub the butter wrapper on the pan before you cook.
Don’t Throw Out Old Butter Wrappers
Deter Bugs With Cinnamon
We can’t think of one single positive thing about finding bugs in your home. Luckily, we have a solution! Instead of spending a ton of money on harsh chemicals to spray around your house to deter little crawling critters, you should just put a bit of ground cinnamon wherever you have an insect problem in your house. Pesky bugs like ants and cockroaches will be sure to stay away, and your home will always have a fresh cinnamon scent.
Deter Bugs With Cinnamon
Kool-Aid Powder Can Substitute For Dishwasher Detergent
We know what you’re thinking: there is no possible way that this can be true! Surprisingly, it really is. If you mix washing soda, coarse salt, and four packets of lemonade flavored Kool-Aid you’ll have some do-it-yourself dishwasher soap. The biggest thing to keep an eye out for, though, is to be sure it’s the lemonade flavor. The reason this works with lemonade is due to the citric acid inside, which isn’t in the other flavors of Kool-Aid. Give it a shot and see how it works.
Kool-Aid Powder Can Substitute For Dishwasher Detergent
Soften Your Cuticles With Shampoo
This trick is one that you may never have thought of before, but trust us, once you try it you’ll never go back. To get your nails as soft and moisturized as they can be- especially in those winter months when they need a little extra TLC, soak them in warm water combined with a bit of extra shampoo from your bottle. Let them soak for a few minutes and continue with your manicure routine. You’ll definitely notice how much softer your cuticles feel!
Soften Your Cuticles With Shampoo
Reuse Cereal Bags
In this day and age, finding ways to reuse what would be single-use plastics has become a very big focus around the world. If you are someone who has a bunch of single-use plastic bags around the house, don’t be ashamed, because we’re here to give you solutions! Let’s start with those cereal bags that you never gave a second thought to before; instead of tossing them once the cereal has run out, you can reuse the bag for storing other food. You can use the bag at home for food storage or take it as your lunch bag to work.
Reuse Cereal Bags
Chupa Chups
Chupa Chups is a classic favorite brand when it comes to lollipop preferences, and their iconic hole at the bottom of the stick is their staple. Have you ever stopped to think about what that hole is actually for, though? It does have a purpose, other than being fun to use as a whistle. The square hole is there to help the lollipop stay in its correct position on the stick while the lollipop is being poured!
Chupa Chups
Heinz
When Heinz was sitting happily at their peak high, they had a total of 57 different varieties of food. Today, the number 57 is strategically placed on the glass bottle so consumers know the best spot to the hit in order to get the ketchup to pour out smoothly. This can really come in handy when you have just a small amount of ketchup left in the bottle!
Heinz
Staple Remover
Many people know the struggle and, quite frankly, the pain of trying to use your nail to stand between two sides of a keyring. Sometimes it’s tricky to slide your nail in, and can result in a chipped nail or even a painful break. Instead of risking your manicure, use a staple remover to pry open the two sides of the keyring. Your new key will slide right in and you’ll be left pain-free.
Staple Remover
Clothing Hangers
Clothing hangers are quite practical for hanging everything up in an organized fashion in your closet, but they can also come in handy when you need a neat and tidy way to organize your jewelry without everything getting tangled up in a bulky jewelry box. This is a great way to keep everything in one place and easily be able to see all of your items in one place.
Clothing Hanger
Rubberband
Why waste money on a professional painter when you could do the job by yourself? Painting on your own instead of hiring a professional will not only save you money but is also a fun art project too! The problem is that sometimes non-professional painters tend to use too much paint instead of knowing how to clear the brush of excess amounts before painting the wall. We’ve discovered a cool trick: wrap a big rubber band around the can of paint wipe the side of the brush against it in order to know that you are only taking as much paint as you really need.
Rubberband
Straws
This is a huge life-saver for anyone who wears bracelets or necklaces and always gets flustered when they get tangled up with each other, or even with themselves! If you’re traveling and need a few pieces of dangled jewelry in your bag, try storing each bracelet or necklace in a straw. That’s right, put the necklace on the straw just like you’d put it on your neck. This will keep everything organized and untangled.
Straws
Safety Pins
Especially in the winter when all of your clothes seem to be about a million times more static-filled than they usually are, there is nothing more annoying than constantly peeling static-ridden pants off of your legs. To solve this issue, use a safety pin in the inner seam of your pant legs. In just seconds your problems will vanish.
Safety Pin
Plastic Water Bottle
There are fancy tools you can buy at a cooking store to separate the egg yolk from the egg white, but why spend unnecessary money if you have a free option at the tip of your fingers? Take an empty plastic water bottle and squeeze it, releasing the pressure slowly when the opening is hovering closely over the egg yolk. The suction that is created allows you to easily remove the yolk from the bowl.
Plastic Water Bottle
Button
Tired of losing your earrings in your cosmetics bag while you’re traveling? We have solved your issue for you! Use the holes in a button as a do-it-yourself earring holder! You’ll easily keep both earrings of the set together in one place and you’ll never be searching through all of your stuff to find your earrings ever again.
Button
Eyeglass Case
If you have a spare glasses case at home collecting dust in a junk drawer, it’s time to take it out and reuse it. Instead of digging through your purse to find your chapstick, car keys, spare change, or anything else that is small and hard to find, use your glasses case as storage! It’s a true life-saver.
Eyeglass Case