Life hacks are ingenious ways of getting more things done with half the effort. Read up to know which ones you can start using today!
Life Hacks: Making Days Better Since Day One
To put it bluntly, life hacks are basically lifesavers. They’re useful, efficient, and are downright handy to have an added knowledge. I love them so much I have a life hacks journal in the works because I know once they’re written down, they’ll be easier to remember. Here are some of the favorites I've learned along the way.
1. Cut Fruits The Right Way
Taste and enjoy the difference when you cut your fruits the right way. These fruit cutting hacks will help you add more nutrition to your food and also save you time. No more wasting your fruits yummy-ness and nutrients ever again!
2. Preserve Herbs With Olive Oil
Prevent your herbs from going bad by putting them in an ice cube tray and pouring olive oil on top. Freeze and use them whenever you’re ready.
3. Waterproof Shoes
Waterproof your shoes using a candle and a hairdryer. Want to know how it works? The candle wax melts into your shoe upon contact with the heat of the hairdryer. When melted, it acts as a protective layer against grime and water.
4. Lock Your Zipper
A key ring is your best bet when it comes to keeping your zipper in place. Avoid any embarrassing moments by looping a key ring onto the zipper, and fastening in on the button. Doing this will help lock your zipper.
5. Open Wine Bottles Without A Corkscrew
No corkscrew and its wine night? Don’t worry, simply grab a trusty hammer and screw. I kid you not, your friends will think you’re so hardcore and they’ll probably be telling the story of how you “saved” the day for months to come.
6. Open Key Rings With A Staple Remover
Save energy and not to mention, your nails, by using this trick to open your key rings. Using a staple remover, insert the fangs in between the main key ring and one of its ends. This will open up space, allowing you to insert your keys easily.
7. Never Tangle Your Earphones Again
I’m guessing you never thought a Tic Tac container could be used as an earphones organizer. Me either, until I found this hack, that is. By the way, I recommend decorating the container in bright colors so it’s easier to spot inside your bag.
8. Store Plastic Bags Better
Want to recycle your plastic bags for future use? Store them in a way your mom will be proud of. The trick is to roll the bags around each other so they can come out continuously.
9. Stop Bugs From Getting Into Your Drink
Stop pesky bugs from flying into your drink with this neat trick. Poke a hole through a cupcake liner and turn it upside down over your drink. Now you won’t have to worry about any unpleasant surprises.
10. Dry Polish Quicker By Dunking Nails In Ice Water
A quick dunk in ice water will help your nails dry quicker. Be careful not to swirl your fingers, this could totally make the hack backfire.
11. Get The Most Out Of Your Condiments
Empty out your condiment bottles before buying new ones. Using an empty carton, place your bottles upside down to bring the condiments closer to the nozzle. This will allow for easier serving.
12. Fasten Your Own Bracelet
Sometimes a paper clip is all you need to fasten your own bracelet. Use one end of the paper clip to hold onto the latch and use your other hand to clasp the bracelet together.
13. Form A Box From A Paper Plate
This hack will come in handy when you’re a host who wants her guests to bring home some leftover treats to eat. Simply follow the instructions on the folds and soon you’ll be able to give your friends all the cookies and pastries they could ever want.
14. Remove Foundation Stains With Shaving Cream
Accidentally smudged some foundation on your clothes? Fix them with some shaving cream! Dab a little shaving cream on the spot before putting it in the washer.
15. Rehydrate Every Hour
Resolving to drink more water this year? Grab yourself a bottle you can mark by the hour. That way, you’ll be reminded of how much you need to drink before the hour is up.
16. Deodorize Sneakers With Tea Bags
Rid your trusty sneakers of horrible sweaty smells by popping in some dry tea bags after working out. The tea bags will help absorb the odor and leave you with better smelling shoes.
17. Chew Gum To Prevent Tears
Tired of your eyes welling every time you cut an onion? One way to stop tears from falling is by chewing a gum. Theory says since you’re chewing, you’re more likely to breathe air into your mouth. This means the onion’s vapors will be sucked into your mouth, instead of reaching your eyes.
18. Freeze Away Bad Smells
Rid your jeans of their stink by throwing them in a freezer bag and letting them stay in the freezer overnight. The best part is, you’ll end up with jeans that are odorless and not over-washed.
19. Separate Egg Yolks With A Bottle
Use this handy trick to separate the yolk from the white. Crack the egg on a plate, pick up your plastic bottle, and use the opening as a nozzle to suction to pick up the egg yolk from the dish. It works like magic!
20. Chill Wine With Frozen Grapes
Avoid watering down your wine by using frozen grapes to keep your drink cold. All you have to do is grab some grapes, place them on a baking sheet, and leave them in the freezer. Once frozen, you can transfer them to your wine glass or to a zip top bag for storage.
21. Potato Chips As Fire Starter
Can you believe this? Yes, potato chips are not only highly addictive and delicious, they also make a great fire starter. If you are outdoors and got some potato chips, make sure to leave a handful because you never know when you might need to start a fire.
22. Use Vacuum To Find Small Things
Use your vacuum cleaner to find small things you've dropped or lost, like rings, earrings, and more. Simply use a pantyhose or stocking to cover the end of your vacuum hose and start your hunt.
23. Loosen Up Tight Shoes
Using newspaper to loosen up tight shoes is a life saver. Crumple up some newspaper and wet it slightly – note: it must not be soaked thoroughly, because it may damage the inner sole. Then stuff it on each shoe, let it dry, and remove them before wearing.
24. Elevator Hack
Use this elevator hack and go directly to your desired floor by doing this neat trick: Press the “close door” button until the doors are shut, and keep holding it as you select your destination's floor number. It’s important not to let go of both buttons until the elevator moves.
25. Unsend An Email In Gmail
Ever wished you could hit rewind and unsend an email? Well now, you can. Sort of. Simply go to the settings icon of your Gmail account and enable the undo-send feature. It’s as easy as pie.
Still can't get enough of life hacks? Check out these 6 life hacks everyone should know video from FimoKawaiiEmotions:
I sure hope these life hacks give you a more productive day ahead. After all, there are only 24 hours in a day and I know how busy some of us can be. If I’m able to help at least even one person with these hacks, I would already be happy because I know I would’ve done my job.
Which life hacks will you be trying out today? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Editor’s Note – This post was originally published in March 2017 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.