Life Hacks are fast, relatively easy and fun methods that make your life easier. Here are some detailed descriptions of various ploys and how to use them.
Steps
Part 1 of 10: Becoming a Life Hacker
Step 1. Take some time at the end of the day to think about what you have done
Think about the times when you weren't efficient and which ones were productive. Think about what you could improve and test to see if it works.
You may have spent too much time in the shower. You can avoid this by choosing a song to listen to while you're in the shower; you decide that when this ends you have to go out
Step 2. Search wikiHow for detailed explanations of these types of gimmicks
Step 3. Search YouTube for "Life Hacks" to find many more tricks than those listed in this article
There are videos of people actually building or creating these kinds of gimmicks.
Part 2 of 10: Solutions in the Kitchen
Step 1. Place a wooden spoon on top of a boiling pot to prevent foam from escaping from the pot
It works because the bubbles and froth of boiling water are full of steam: if they touch something below 100 ° C, the steam condenses and returns to liquid, thus breaking the surface of the bubbles.
Step 2. Use a trouser hanger to make an inexpensive bookend for cookbooks
It happens to everyone: when we are trying to prepare the perfect dinner, but we have to run here and there to read the recipes and we end up burning something. To avoid this, pin the book to the hanger and hang it on the handle of a kitchen cabinet.
Step 3. Cover a soda with wet paper towels and place it in the freezer
Squeeze the paper lightly to prevent excess water from draining into the freezer. After 15 minutes the drink will be frozen. It's great if you're using a bottle or don't have ice in the freezer.
Step 4. Store the liquid doughs (like the one for crêpes) in a plastic bottle
By storing the batter this way you not only keep the kitchen counter tidy, but you also avoid having to cover the bowl of dough and clean all the drains on the counter and stove. Use a funnel to pour the batter into the bottle. Bonus trick: you can make the funnel from a bottle!
Step 5. Use a muffin pan to serve sauces at a barbecue
The small muffin containers allow you to distinguish the different toppings and prevent them from mixing with each other. Plus, they are easy to clean afterwards.
Step 6. Use a straw to completely and quickly remove the stem give her strawberries.
Not only is this method quick and effective, it also preserves the piece of the strawberry you would normally take out. Push from the bottom up until the stem breaks off.
Step 7. Use kitchen tongs to squeeze the lemons all the way down when making the lemonade
Place half a lemon between the two parts and squeeze the side of the tongs with your hands. This allows you to extract almost all of the lemon juice. Clean well after.
Step 8. Use dental floss to slice soft foods like cakes, cheeses, rolls and fondant
The thread is thin enough to cut these foods. Squeeze it firmly between your fingers and slide it down. It is the same principle that a wire can be used to cut clay.
Step 9. Use a plastic bottle to keep the bread from drying out
Cut off the top of a bottle of water or juice, then slide the opening of the bread bag through the neck of the bottle. Tuck the edges of the bag to the outside of the opening and close the cap to prevent the passage of air.
Step 10. Use a smaller plate to eat less when you are in diet.
This method helps the brain think there is still food and reduces the amount of food you actually eat.
Step 11. Cook the instant noodles in the coffee machine
The water will almost boil, reviving the noodles and allowing you to cook them. Cook them for the same amount of time it would take in the pot, but avoid cooking the sauce in the coffee machine as well. This method also works for boiling hot dogs.
Step 12. Use the plastic lids as coasters
Don't have a coaster handy? A simple lid will do just fine! Put the glass on it and you will create a nice coaster. Make sure you clean them before using them.
Step 13. Store and reheat pizza leftovers in a skillet
This will prevent the crust from becoming soft or too dry. According to taste you can add a little oil.
Step 14. When pouring milk into a bowl of cereal, drop it onto the convex side of a spoon
This way you avoid the milk splashing everywhere and dirtying the table.
Step 15. Use a plastic bottle to separate the egg yolk from the white
Break the shell and squeeze the bottle lightly. Bring the opening of the bottle close to the yolk, then release it and the yolk will be sucked inside.
Part 3 of 10: Bedroom and Bathroom Solutions
Step 1. Attach a magazine rack to the inside of a wardrobe door to store the hair dryer
The magazine rack has the ideal size for the hair dryer and holds up well. As an alternative to screws, you can use duct tape or strong adhesive hooks.
Step 2. Use the coat hooks instead of the towel rail to hang common towels
They take up much less space and hold up larger sheets better. Plus, the towels dry faster.
Step 3. Apply magnetic strips to the inside of cabinet doors to store tweezers, hairpins and other metal objects, such as make-up brushes
Use magnetic tape so you don't damage the wall or cabinet. Make sure the clips and bobby pins are magnetic before applying the tape.
Step 4. Put your digital reader in a watertight envelope for peace of mind reading
Before trying in the bath, put a sheet of paper in the bag and soak it completely in the water. If the paper gets wet, the envelope is not completely waterproof, so do not use it. The most suitable bags are those that can be hermetically sealed with a zipper.
Step 5. Save yourself a lot of effort by fitting a brush to a drill and using a cleaning product
So you can scrub everything thoroughly - this tool will do all the work and you will save yourself the effort.
Step 6. Hang your lamp if you have a small room
You will gain bedside space and have a lot more light. To create a lamp:
- Buy some aluminum wire
- Shape it with pliers
- Twist a string of Christmas lights around this structure
Step 7. Create a space-saving laundry bag
Instead of buying just any one, you can make one out of colored fabric using a round embroidery hoop. Find or make a sack, then tuck in the top and sew it around the hoop.
Step 8. Add a tablespoon of vanilla extract to paint when paint the walls of a room.
Stir and start painting. For each half liter of paint, add a teaspoon of vanilla essence or extract and mix with a mixer. Eventually the room will not have the pungent smell of paint, but it will smell of pure vanilla.
Part 4 of 10: Clothing Advice
Step 1. Waterproof some boots or canvas shoes
Take some beeswax (the lubricant type) and wipe your shoes. Make sure you cover every part of the outside of the shoes and do some touch-ups if the wax goes away. Use a hair dryer or other heat source to melt the wax to make it transparent.
Step 2. Use a hair straightener to iron the collars
This method is much easier and more effective than taking the iron, waiting for it to heat up, and then putting everything back. Get your girlfriend or sister / wife / daughter to borrow a hair straightener or buy one cheaply.
Step 3. Try removing red wine stains with white wine
Gently blot with a cloth dipped in white wine to remove the stain. Test a piece of fabric first to see if the stain goes away.
Step 4. Use a glass or hard surface cleaner to clean patent leather shoes
These products can be used to polish patent leather shoes. Spray on the affected area, then gently scrub until the stain or mark fades.
Step 5. Appear the socks before washing and pin them together so they don't have to reappear
This will avoid having to search for individual socks around the house. Use a safety pin or something similar that can go into the water and resist tugging.
Part 5 of 10: Tidying and Cleaning Remedies
Step 1. Use a clean scoop to fill a container that doesn't fit in the sink
Place a bucket or other large container on the floor in front of the sink. Place the wide part of the scoop inside the sink so that the water falls into it. Position the handle of the scoop so that it protrudes from the sink and the water runs into the bucket.
Step 2. Use the nail polish to paint the keys in different colors so you can tell them apart
Instead of going to the hardware store for a colorful copy of the keys, why not personalize them for free at home? Nail polish is better than any other varnish. Gel is best, but any type will do.
Step 3. Use a shoe cabinet with hanging pockets to sort cleaning products and keep them out of the reach of children
The pockets of the shoe cabinet will perfectly hold the bottles and if they are mesh or transparent, they will also allow you to read the labels clearly. And - most importantly - this solution does not take up any floor space.
Step 4. Use toothpaste to clean fogged car headlights
Start by putting a little toothpaste on a rag and scrub in circular motions until the whole light is covered. With the use of toothpaste cleaning can take 2-4 months, unless you add wax or a sealant to block UV rays that make the headlights dull. The toothpaste is mildly abrasive, so it works well for cleaning things and filling in minor scratches. But be careful not to use a toothpaste with crystals or the like, because they would scratch the surface; regular whitening toothpaste will do just fine.
Step 5. Remove permanent marker marks
Use a solvent suitable for each type of object:
- For fabrics: use a hand sanitizer
- For the skin: use disinfectant alcohol
- For the walls: use hairspray or toothpaste
- For wood: use disinfectant alcohol
- For the carpets: use white wine vinegar
- For the white magnetic board: Cover the marks with a white marker
- For furniture: use milk
- For ceramic or glass: use half toothpaste and half baking soda
Step 6. Use a tennis ball to easily make a keychain to hang
Make a cut on the ball, draw the eyes, then hang it on the wall with a velcro strip. You can also use it to hang towels or as a pen holder or postman.
Step 7. When the toothpaste is running out, place a paper clip on the end of the tube to extract any residue
This method can also be helpful in preventing excess toothpaste from falling down the sink and going to waste.
Step 8. Soak the paint-encrusted brushes in vinegar for half an hour
Chemical agents release the bristles and soften them.
Step 9. Make a dust scoop from a bottle of detergent
First remove the bottom of the bottle, then make a cut on the side just below the handle. Then cut the bottle from both sides into a rounded shape. This solution can be useful if you have lost your shovel or if you need one (almost) for free.
Part 6 of 10: Parenting Stratagems
Step 1. When the children outgrow the cot, turn it into a desk
Remove the mattress and one of the side walls (you can save it for another child or throw it away). Measure the mattress and fit a shelf of the same size. If you want, you can add hooks for other items.
Step 2. Prevent children from locking themselves in the bathroom
Tie a rubber band around the latch. Fold it into a figure of eight, then hook it to the door handle on the other side.
Step 3. To prevent children from hitting their feet on trampoline springs, cover them with swimming float tubes
Divide each tube into four parts, then make a cut on the long side of the tube. This solution also adds a pop of color to the trampoline!
Step 4. For the bath, place a plastic laundry basket with fairly small holes in the tub
So the toys won't get lost in the water and your baby will have a back rest and handholds on the sides.
Step 5. Cover a coffee table with oilcloth to create a waterproof picnic table
Buy a roll of wax and attach it to the table with duct tape. You can also just cover the table with the duct tape itself.
Step 6. Create a makeshift hiding place or dressing room with a sheet and hula hoop
Fold the sheet in half and tuck it over the edge of the hula hoop. Tie it to a tree to make it stand upright.
Step 7. Put a dropper inside a pacifier that you have removed the ring from for the children to take medicine
The baby will suck on the pacifier and will not notice that he is swallowing the medicine. Make sure you clean the pacifier well before giving it back to the baby.
Step 8. Make a baby hammock out of a fitted sheet
Place a sheet diagonally and tie the two flaps over the surface of a table. Also tie the other two ends around the baby to prevent it from falling.
Step 9. Make a bracelet with your phone number for your child
When you go out with the baby, let him wear it. If you ever get lost, you can use the number written on the bracelet to call for help.
Step 10. Put a floating tube under the sheets for babies who tend to fall out of bed
Place two tubes on both edges of the bed and cover them with the sheet. Even approaching the edge of the bed, the child will not fall because it is protected by the tube.
Step 11. Use an inflatable paddling pool as a playpen
Cover it with a blanket and fill it with toys and pillows. The best type is the one that also has an inflatable bottom, so that the child walks on the soft.
Part 7 of 10: School tricks
Step 1. If some sites like YouTube are blocked at school, you can turn on Chrome's Incognito mode to bypass the block
Avoid using this trick often, otherwise the trick will be discovered and you will no longer be able to use it.
Step 2. To succeed in an exam, review difficult concepts before going to bed.
Sleeping immediately afterwards consolidates the memory. In general, avoid accumulating information at the last minute, but rather study methodically.
Step 3. Chewing gum that tastes the same as the one you were chewing during your study will help you remember the subject better
When you have a clear memory of a moment (for example of a watermelon-flavored chewing gum) you will also remember what you were studying.
Step 4. Use a sheet of written notes twice
When you can only take one sheet of notes with you, fill it in writing in red. Then write over other notes in blue. Put on red and blue 3-D glasses and read the part that interests you with one eye closed. So you won't break any rules.
Step 5. Use a banknote as a ruler
If you have forgotten your ruler at home but have a banknote handy, you can use it to measure. A five euro banknote measures approximately 120mm x 62mm. Use this method with caution and only for approximate measurements.
Part 8 of 10: Electronics Applications
Step 1. Use the spring of a used pen to hold a charger cable straight
Avoid having to buy a new one by wrapping a spring on the end of the cable; this will prevent the internal wires from breaking when the cable is bent.
Step 2. Use a small paperweight spring to replace a broken keyboard stand
Fold the paperweight so that the two metal ends are together and slide the black center into the slot under the keyboard. This will keep the keyboard tilted down.
Step 3. Use paper clips to keep cables tidy
Pin them to the edge of the table (or pc, book, etc.). Most cables on the market have a wider end than the top of the spring, so this solution should work in most cases. You can say goodbye to the confusion of knotted cables!
Step 4. Use toilet paper rolls to keep all your cables tidy in one box
You can simply thread the smaller cables by folding them into a roll. For larger ones, the roll can act as a strain relief ring. It's a great way to order extension cords, chargers, headsets, or other types of cables.
Step 5. Put the phone in a cup to amplify the ringer volume
Are you tired of not hearing the alarm? With this solution the sound will be much louder. It is the same principle that a cup can be used as a sounding board. Place the phone with the speaker down.
Step 6. Use an old cassette case as a holder for your smartphone
Fold the lid back and lay the case upside down. Phones like iPhone X or higher, Galaxy Note 4 and Nexus 6 may be too big.
Part 9 of 10: Shopping Tips
Step 1. Get a refund on Amazon.
If you buy something and the price drops within 30 days, you will be refunded the difference. Write an email to customer service and you will be refunded.
Step 2. If you shop without the kids, make a print of their feet before you go out
Trace and cut out the profiles of the feet - if they fit into shoes, they will be good for children's feet.
Step 3. When shopping on the Apple site, add an item to your cart, but don't buy it
After 7-10 days you will be offered a 15-20% discount.
Step 4. Clear your browser cache data when you buy airline tickets online
Airlines follow your searches and raise prices accordingly. With this method you can save up to 50 euros.
Step 5. Use a large carabiner to carry multiple bags at a time
Most people have the physical strength to carry various bags, but the problem is that the thin plastic handle hurts the hands. The carabiner provides a softer surface to hold with your hand.
Step 6. Use a clean pizza box instead of buying expensive kids' canvases
Many pizzerias will gladly give you an empty carton. White ones are most suitable, but colored ones can also work.
Part 10 of 10: Miscellaneous Gimmicks
Step 1. If you are camping and have nothing to light a fire with, you can use tortilla chips
If you're in the middle of nowhere and have a limited supply of fire starter supplies, tortillas make up for it perfectly. In general, corn chips, even with cheese, are fine. The reason they burn easily is that they are made up of pure (flammable) hydrocarbons soaked in (flammable) grease. Maybe another good piece of advice would be to stop eating them?
Step 2. To keep the popsicles from draining, use a pastry cup, inserting the popsicle stick in the center
For this quick and easy method all you need is a cup. Those with aluminum edges are best suited, but any type will do.
Step 3. Tie the extension cords to prevent them from falling out of the socket
First tie the knot, then attach the two pegs together. This should prevent one of the sockets from coming loose.
Step 4. Keep valuables on the beach safe by hiding them in the bottle of sunscreen
Finish the cream, clean the package by washing it, putting it in the dishwasher or soaking it in water to remove all oil residues. Make sure you use one that isn't too flashy to avoid attracting attention.
Step 5. If by any chance a bee lands on you, blow it away instead of trying to hit or drive it away
This way the bee will not sting to defend itself. If you blow, the bee is very likely to think it is the wind.
Step 6. If you have forgotten the spoon, use the foil lid of the food pack to eat
Roll up the foil, then spread one end apart, creating the shape of a spoon.
Step 7. Put the phone in an empty bottle of Gatorade (or any liquid with similar properties)
Unlock the screen or turn on the flashlight. Put the phone under the bottle. The environment will become much brighter thanks to the refractive properties of the bottle. The bottle will increase the range of the phone's light rays, so as to illuminate a larger area than the phone alone would. You can use a full bottle of Gatorade to create a colorful glow.
Advice
- Before starting any projects, gather the necessary materials.
- This collection of gimmicks to make your life easier is by no means exhaustive. Don't just follow the ones listed in this article, find new ones!
- Don't just copy the work of others. Use your creativity and work out your own methods.
- Don't do dangerous things. Always use judgment and common sense.
