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Original poster

Let's start a thread of just random advise / hacks

380 replies

washingmachineslivelongerwithcalgon · 21/08/2023 17:19

No specific topic, just great advise you'd give.

Keep it simple.
(Apologies, I didn't know which other category to put this under that would gain traction)

I'll go first:

  • don't sweat the petty stuff, & don't pet the sweaty stuff.
  • if you can't open a food jar, pierce the top to get the air out and it opens right up!
  • drizzle a tablespoon of marmite into the cooking fat before you roast your potatoes (and drizzle some over the spuds)
  • if you don't have egg cups, use shot glasses
  • hair spray gets most things out of carpets. (Learnt this when staying at a boyfriends house as a teen and dropped lipstick. Blind panic and hairspray saved me!) used it ever since, in emergency situations.
OP posts:
Clarabe1 · 21/08/2023 21:56

Housework - don’t try to do everything. Do one different job everyday or better still get everyone in the family to do one random job a day even if it’s a 5 minute one. That way housework never becomes unmanageable.

tinkertots · 21/08/2023 21:56

Valerie23 · 21/08/2023 19:27

Leave harvest men, the spindly long legged light brown spiders alone as they prefer to stay up high most of the time and they kill proper big spiders.

I didn't believe this at first but overcame my fear of them knowing that kill proper spiders.

My advice is don't google spiders! Even if you think you know the sort that's been mentioned, best of not checking to make sure 🙈

Hidingawaytoday · 21/08/2023 21:54

StBernie · 21/08/2023 20:30

😆😆😆 I guess it’s one of those things you might not think of if you don’t own a dog.

Mine is if you like cooking with wine, store it in tupperware in the freezer and just scoop it out as and when you need it next (it doesn’t freeze solid so easy to scoop).

Show quote history

So.... all I'm reading from yours is 'how to make wine sorbet' 😆

RethinkingLife · 21/08/2023 21:54

Too many bits of advice to quote from Ted Lasso.

Higgins tells Ted to, “Find out before you flip out.” That's a very good tip.

LightSpeeds · 21/08/2023 21:54

ApocalypseNowt · 21/08/2023 18:00

Don't wrestle with pigs.

You'll both get dirty and the pig likes it.

😂

Nonbio46 · 21/08/2023 21:50

If you save the used foil gift bows from Christmas and birthday presents to be reused ( I hate waste so always save them) and they’re a bit squished and flat just blow hot air from the hairdryer on them and they puff back up like new. 😊

116a · 21/08/2023 21:50

@HeatherMoores well you were rude. Whether you tried to be or not, you still succeeded being rude and nasty.

5 minutes scrolling on mumsnet whilst feeding an infant isn't going to do anything to their development. Much worse things going on than a mum having a tough day taking 5 minutes on her phone. Every one has done it. Even you with your white pearls.

BrightYellowDaffodil · 21/08/2023 21:48

and if you don’t have shot glasses, use egg cups?

If you don’t have shot glasses, use a mug…

If you can’t get a jar lid open, slot the end of a spoon under the vertical side of the lid and lever it against the side of the jar (as if you’re trying to lever the lid away from the glass) to break the vacuum seal. The lid will then open easily.

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 21/08/2023 21:42

May I add the use of the word 'hack' in this context marks you down as a DM afficionado!
@JudgeJ

I think we all know what it means - only you are associating the word with the DM - funny that .

CillianMurphysEyes · 21/08/2023 21:41

Inmybirthdaysuit · 21/08/2023 17:58

Check your bath towels for spiders before wrapping yourself up after your bath.

Yes! Especially now they’re heading into our homes (or just coming out of those dark corners) to mate!

I once had one of those big buggers running around my hair - I screamed, as you can imagine! Shook my head over the empty bath and it dropped with a thud!

I did pop it outside (not by hand, obvs) they still deserve a place here (just not in my hair)!

Tabitha005 · 21/08/2023 21:40

Biological washing powder is excellent for getting burnt-on food and grease off cookware. Just soak for a few hours and it comes right off - even that hideous tar-like grease that comes out of the foul KFC-style chicken my DH loves to scoff when I'm away for the night!

BlueBlubbaWhale · 21/08/2023 21:37

When it's hot out tuck your curtains up on your windowsill to block more sunlight out

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 21/08/2023 21:36

What a brilliant list @NeverDropYourMooncup

IcouldbutIdontwantto · 21/08/2023 21:35

VisionsOfSplendour · 21/08/2023 21:22

Why is everyone making opening jara so complicated, just tap the side of the top with a knife (or other cutlery) to break the seal

Show quote history

Or just buy one of these... Best 'I need to find something to make my amazon order £20 to get free delivery' buy ever 😆

@washingmachineslivelongerwithcalgon I know you've said you're stepping away from the thread, but in case you do see this... please don't let a few self-righteous judgy pants get in your head. You're doing great.

HeatherMoores · 21/08/2023 21:35

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Vallmo47 · 21/08/2023 21:31

Love this thread idea!
I am giggling at all the suggestions of how to open a tough jar, because there’s so many ways! My mum taught me to wedge a teaspoon underneath the lid until it goes “pop”, then it will open easily. No fancy gadgets and all kitchens already have tea spoons!

My tip of the day though is to light a candle a few minutes before you cut an onion…. It really really helps absorb the smells and your eyes remain dry!

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 21/08/2023 21:29

Stick a £10 or £5 note in your phone cover, just in case Apple Pay isn’t working, or the network is down or whatever.

If your period is overdue for no particular reason, wear white trousers or a floaty white skirt. That’ll do it.

Bagatella · 21/08/2023 21:28

SpamFrittersYouSay · 21/08/2023 18:07

When your fabric conditioner bottle gets half full, top it up with tap water then shake.

Use the same volume as always. When you run out, keep that bottle then decant half of the new bottle into the old bottle and top up and shake . Add tap water to the new bottle too.

Makes no difference to softness.

I do thé same but with half fc, half cheap white vinegar

Carpediem15 · 21/08/2023 21:27

cocoloco117 · 21/08/2023 21:18

To open a jar without bashing, puncturing, boiling water or spending £6, just get a sturdy butter knife and carefully pry the edge of the lid slightly outwards, this will also allow air in making opening it easier, without damaging it.

Show quote history

I would have to buy a butter knife. 😁

PrincessHoneysuckle · 21/08/2023 21:25

Sellotape the lids/caps of any bottles of product you're taking in suitcase so they don't leak.
Pack the sellotape so can the same for return journey.

Pack clothing inside out so if anything does stain or mark it there's a chance you won't tell when wearing it

Belladonna56 · 21/08/2023 21:24

Put loads of foil on your worktops when preparing turmeric root. (I know, the majority of people don't use it).

VisionsOfSplendour · 21/08/2023 21:22

cocoloco117 · 21/08/2023 21:18

To open a jar without bashing, puncturing, boiling water or spending £6, just get a sturdy butter knife and carefully pry the edge of the lid slightly outwards, this will also allow air in making opening it easier, without damaging it.

Show quote history

Why is everyone making opening jara so complicated, just tap the side of the top with a knife (or other cutlery) to break the seal

englishrose1234 · 21/08/2023 21:21

InMySpareTime · 21/08/2023 20:41

Are you neglecting your cake to type on MN?

LOL

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 21/08/2023 21:20

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

🙄 there's always one.

cocoloco117 · 21/08/2023 21:18

Carpediem15 · 21/08/2023 21:07

Instead of bashing jam jars on anything where they may smash get one of these - this is from Lakeland but my local kitchen shops sells them for £6. Best thing ever for opening screw tops. I buy them for friends as extra pressies and everyone thanks me for them - https://www.lakeland.co.uk/7706/jarkey-screw-top-jar-opener .... I use my hand blender to make hot chocolate, that is frothy.

To open a jar without bashing, puncturing, boiling water or spending £6, just get a sturdy butter knife and carefully pry the edge of the lid slightly outwards, this will also allow air in making opening it easier, without damaging it.