I’m all about simplifying my life and finding ways to make it easier! I’ve been taught ‘life-hacks’ from an early age, it’s just a matter of regurgitating that knowledge of the things I consider normal practices and writing a post for you to benefit from! The 21 household tips and tricks below (actually 22, I through an extra one in last minute) are all used by me on almost a daily basis (yes, even in Korea).
FOOD:
1. Strawberries rinsed in vinegar last days longer.
2. Putting your freshly opened ice-cream container in a ziplock bag will keep it ‘first-use’ soft.
3. Don’t have an egg but you’re halfway through making your batch of cookies? Use a mashed banana.
BEAUTY
4. Olive oil takes off eye makeup as good (if not better) than expensive makeup remover, and also helps grow eyelashes faster and fuller.
5. Baking soda and vinegar make a great alternative to shampoo (seriously, I’ve done this for a year).
6. Speaking of hair, corn starch makes great dry shampoo. If you have dark hair, try cocoa powder.
7. When it feels like your mascara tube is running low or drying up, add a couple drops of saline solution.
8. Broke an eyeshadow palette? Fix it easy with a couple drops of rubbing alcohol and a coin. Using a toothpick, break apart the rest of the palette, and then add a couple drops of alcohol to it. Then use a coin and press down on the palette making it a solid, flat form again. Wait for it to dry, and you’re as good as new!
TECHNOLOGY
9. If you take off and flip your DSLR camera lens around backwards, you can use it to for creative macro (close up) shots. Obviously the lens will not fit backwards on your camera body where the front is facing the body and the back is facing out towards the world. You’ll have to hold it very still to the front of the camera body to get a good macro pic. This photography art is called ‘free-lensing’. Have fun!
10. To amplify the sound of your phone speaker, put it (speaker down) into a bowl that’s tipped sideways.
TRAVEL
11. Use plastic wrap to seal your travel liquids by placing it under the screw-on cap. No more leaks or spills all over your luggage!
12. Pack your clothes in gallon sized bags-it’ll allow you to pack more and stay organized. Put as many folded pieces possible in one bag while still being able to get a tight seal. Close the bag most of the way, then suck out the remaining air (or sit on it) to get a good vacuum seal. Instant thinning!
13. Hook each of your necklaces lengthwise through a straw to keep them from getting tangled in your suitcase/carry-on.
AROUND THE HOUSE
14. If you take off and flip your DSLR camera lens around backwards, you can use it to for creative macro (close up) shots Baking soda can be put in a load of laundry (especially towels) to get the musty/moldy smell out. For a full load I always add about 2 tablespoons.
15. Use Dawn dish soap to get out grease stains. This includes already washed/dried stains. Add Dawn to the grease stain before you wash it. Scrub it in, and let it sit for a good 15-30 minutes. Wash as normal. For really set in stains it may take a couple treatments, but I’ve never had an issue.
16. Clothing can be ‘unshrunk’ by soaking them in warm water and hair conditioner, then pulling/stretching them back out to normal size.
17. Diffusing essential oils leaves your house smelling amazing 10x faster than a candle does.
18. Breathing in eucalyptus oil essence can help clear your lungs and sinus if you’re having problems breathing (it can also help kill bacteria in your lungs).
19. Use vinegar as a alternate household cleaner. It kills up to 82% of mold species. How’s that for clean?
20. Shine up your jewelry by scrubbing them down with toothpaste and a toothbrush. Works better than the take-home cleansing kits from the jewelry store.
21. WD-40 removes sticker goo from price tags and labels.
EXTRA TIP:
22. Wine + dish soap + water is an AMAZING fruit fly trap. Add 3 parts wine, 1 part water, and a dash of soap in a bowl. If you really want to go the extra mile, add a piece of fruit in the mix. Cover with plastic wrap and punch a few holes in the top with a vegetable skewer. Wait to see the magic happen! May take a day or two for the ‘fermenting’ smells to really catch on with the flies.
What are some of your household tips and tricks?