Hey you! Yeah, that’s right, the person stuffing their Christmas lights back into the box all willy-nilly. Don’t you know there’s a simple way to pack them so next year they’re not a tangled, glowing headache? In fact, there are probably a lot of processes in your life that can be improved with simple DIY solutions.
Luckily, people love sharing these life hacks with one another on the internet! And in a world that already has way too much unnecessary stress as it is, why sweat the small stuff? We’ve done the research and compiled the day-to-day hacks about to make your life WAY easier…
1. Most people who have problems with rodents or other animals buy expensive chemicals to deter their presence. Well, grating up a bar of Irish Spring soap and sprinkling the pieces around the areas the critters frequent will not only deter them, but it will also save you money!
2. Heating up pre-made taquitos is always better in a stove, but sometimes a microwave is all you have at your disposal. Stacking these delicious little treats this way ensures for crispier shells and a more even cook.
3. If you’re ever in a situation where you need to start a fire but the kindling you’re trying to use is damp, you can actually use chips to start a blaze! The oil, fat, and chemicals in the chips make them ideal fire-starting materials.
4. Avocados are delicious, but only when they’re the perfect ripeness; when they’re too hard or too soft they can be a real turn off. If you just bought a fresh avocado that’s way too firm to eat, placing it in a beer koozie gets it to near-perfect ripeness within 24 hours.
5. So let’s say you’re the kind of person who likes their taco shells hard, but for whatever reason, you only have flimsy tortillas. No need to fear! Simply place them into a toaster and voila! Crunchy tacos!
6. It can be so difficult to get every last drop of toothpaste out of those pesky tubes. However, if you clamp the end with a binder clip you can ensure every last drop eventually makes its way out of the tip.
7. Stacking heavy bowls on top of each other in refrigerators is a huge no-no if you want to avoid squishing leftover food. But, if you have a pair of chopsticks available, you can stack with avoiding the squish.
8. Do you remember that scene in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation when Clark Griswold pulls out the massive tangle of Christmas lights? Well, to avoid that headache from ever happening to you, wrap them around paper towel rolls before you store them for next season.
9. As fun as trampolines are they can definitely pose a safety concern if you’re not careful. To protect kids from cutting themselves on the metal springs, wrap them in pieces of pool noodles.
10. Trying to a find a small leak in a tire is like trying to find a needle in a haystack; much of the time it seems impossible. However, splashing soapy water on the rubber helps you immediately locate it because the hole will form bubbles in the soap.
11. When it comes to searing meat, it’s a pain to have to stand by the stove and hold it on its side because it won’t balance on its own. But, spring-loaded tongs are a great way to hold the meat in place sideways while you prep other food.
12. During the hot days of summer, deer flies annoy just about everyone. One thing most people don’t know is that they’re attracted to bright colors. So, if you take a cheap, colored bowl and cover it with sticky pest glue, you’ll trap a bunch of them before they ever get a chance to bother you.
13. Waking up early in the morning is never fun, but it’s even less fun when you pour yourself a bowl of cereal and the first bite you take is stale. Chip clips will ensure the air doesn’t dry out your favorite cereals.
14. If you’re ever painting, it can be a hassle to try to keep the paintbrush from drying out. To alleviate that, use empty soft drink cups to hold the brush heads in the paint while you work.
15. Tight shoes aren’t just uncomfortable; they can actually be harmful if you keep cramming your feet in them day after day. One way to stretch them out so they don’t hurt your tootsies is to stuff each shoe with wet newspaper as tightly as possible until the paper dries.
16. A lot of people watch television shows and movies on their phones. During Halloween time, if you don’t have a proper phone stand to watch all your spooky films, you can always use a pumpkin to brace the phone!
17. When you’re working with tools, trying to keep tabs on nails, screws, and the rest of those necessary but easily-misplaced pieces, use a cupcake tin to organize them. You won’t lose a screw!
18. All too often we leave things in the microwave too long and they become scorching hot. If you have a drink that needs to cool off in a hurry, place a small fan directly over the lid. You’ll be safely sipping that delicious beverage in no time at all.
19. Not everyone can afford an expensive sound system for their home, but if you have a paper towel tube and two plastic cups, you can build yourself makeshift iPhone speakers that will ensure everyone at a party starts cutting up rugs!
20. Trying to eat your fast food while driving is a pain, and it can be dangerous if you let your appetite take up too much of your attention. If you want an easy way to dip your fries while still playing it safe, flip over the lid of your soft drink and use it as a little tray!
