UNZIP WITH EASE
If your zipper is stuck, try adding a dab of liquid soap onto the zipper pull. Slowly move the mechanism back and forth until the interlocking teeth fall into the correct places. Then, simply rinse the zipper with water to remove the soap.
NONSLIP GLUE TRICK
Tired of of slipping and sliding? Hot glue is a quick way to add some traction grips to your favorite pair of cozy slippers. Similarly, try adding a few rings of hot glue to the underside of a rug to prevent it from sliding around.
CATCH-ALL SOLUTION
Sawdust from a drill can get everywhere when you’re drilling into a wall, ceiling, or other surface. Contain the chaos by poking your drill bit through the bottom of a small paper cup, then drilling as normal. The sawdust will fall inside the cup instead of dropping to the floor.
PUMP YOURSELF UP
If you’re transporting a pump-top bottle in your luggage, wrap a rubber band around the skinny part of the sliding pump several times to keep the lever from dispensing. You can also prevent flip-top or screw-cap bottles from leaking by placing a plastic bag over the cap and securing it in place with a rubber band.
FOIL PAINTING
When you’re painting walls or ceilings, line the roller tray with a sheet of tinfoil for easy cleanup afterwards. Foil can also be wrapped around doorknobs and other hardware to prevent drips.
CHOP STOP
Stop a slippery cutting board from sliding across the counter by wrapping a large rubber band around each end. This will give the board some traction and help prevent accidents.
PICTURE PERFECT
It can be tricky to hang pictures that require two brackets or hooks, but you can hang one perfectly by attaching a strip of masking or painter’s tape to the back of the frame so that it covers the notches from which the picture is meant to hang. Poke holes in the tape over those notches, then remove the piece of tape from the frame and stick it to the wall. Use a level to ensure that it’s straight before nailing through the holes in the tape.
OILS AGAINST ODOR
Counteract the stench of smelly trash by keeping a cotton ball or paper towel soaked in essential oils at the bottom of the can beneath the disposable liner. Replace that cotton ball with a new one every few weeks, and your trash can will always smell fresh as a daisy.
TAME CORD CHAOS
With so many electronics in our lives today, cords can quickly become a disorganized mess. You can restore order by using colorful washi tape to color-code and label what’s what. This tape can also be used for quick, helpful labels on jars, bins, or cubbies throughout your home.
POP OF GENIUS
Double your closet space with soda pop-tops. Simply slide the hook of a hanger through one hole of the pop-top, then loop another hanger through the second hole. Repeat the trick on the lower hanger to store even more in a small space.
UPRIGHT AND UPTIGHT
Tired of your tall boots flopping over in storage? Keep your boots in shape by inserting wrapping paper tubes, egg cartons, or empty wine bottles to keep everything upright and tidy.
SMILE AWAY SCRATCHES
Toothpaste can buff away minor surface scratches on a variety of materials, ranging from phone screens to car paint. Apply a dab of toothpaste and gently rub it in using a circular motion before wiping it away with a damp cloth.
THE KEYS TO HAPPINESS
Stop fumbling to find the right key every time you try to unlock the front door. Just paint the tops of your keys with nail polish, and you’ll be able to tell them apart quickly without the added bulk of rubber key-toppers.
WORK IT OUT
Low on countertop space? Give yourself some more room to work by rolling out one of the kitchen drawers and placing a cutting board on top to create an as-needed work area.
FILE IT AWAY
Making space in the pantry is a delicate balancing act involving boxes, jars, and cans of many different sizes and shapes. For neat and tidy organization, use magazine files to store your cans or jars. You won’t have to stack them awkwardly on top of each other, and you can label the file so you know what you have.
10-SECOND TIDY
Is all the house clutter making you feel overwhelmed? When you’re not sure where to start, just grab an empty laundry basket and go around the house tossing in the items that are out of place or need to be organized. If you still have the energy, go back around and put things where they belong. Need a break? Tuck the basket away and forget about the stuff for a bit until you’re ready to tackle it.
COUNTERTOP HACK
Are you constantly knocking things over into the bathroom sink as you’re getting ready in the morning? Here’s an easy way to get more counter space that doesn’t involve a total bathroom renovation: Keep a cutting board nearby, and place it across the sink when you need a spot to put your stuff. When you’re all done, just store it under the sink!
BURN COFFEE GROUNDS
Save yourself from pesky mosquitoes and harsh bug spray with this easy hack. All you have to do is a burn a bowl filled with coffee grounds for an all-natural bug repellent.
