Life hacks, day to day time saving tips, common sense to you but not to others?

[Namechange8123]

I've had a search and can only find (years) old threads along these lines, so I've started a fresh one.

What are your day to day life hacks that make things easier? Could be common sense to you, but others could benefit?

My contributions are freezing lemons and limes to double up with your ice in your gin, layer the cot sheets in DC cot with another sheet and bed mat so if they have an accident, you whip the top layer off and don't have to remake the bed, tin foil behind the radiators...

What do you have?

For me it keeps it all closed and sealed and not getting stale if it's not being eaten every day.

plastic clip on the plastic bag inside does a better job. the plastic keeps it fresh not the cardbpard.

Wash and save your herb jars. When you want a small amount of salad dressing, pour in olive oil and a few drops of lemon juice. Shake the jar to mix. Drizzle over your salad.
Recycle the jar. No more washing up dishes and whisks or forks.

Save the jars of Nutella and their lids - I use them for all bits of tins/ left over egg etc to put in the fridge. Straight in the dishwasher to reuse. Lids can't go in the dishwasher but much less hassle than Tupperware. Also double up as a drinking glass

@MadauntofA

Save the jars of Nutella and their lids - I use them for all bits of tins/ left over egg etc to put in the fridge. Straight in the dishwasher to reuse. Lids can't go in the dishwasher but much less hassle than Tupperware. Also double up as a drinking glass

In a similar vein I justified buying Gu desserts last week because we needed a couple of ramekins

If you save jam jars instead of Nutella, the kids can go in the dishwasher and also if you put things in hot (such as sauces/soup) as they cool they will air seal as well.

The lids can go in the dishwasher

Kids in the dishwasher is a whole new realm of life hack

Don't know if anyone mentioned this, but sorting cutlery by type in a dishwasher basket is a terrible idea, because the "nest" on each other and don't clean properly.

@SnugglySnerd I use those GU glass pots for my dog's water bowl (hes tiny)

Oohhhhh kids in the dishwasher - great hack, I hadn't considered that

I'm sure this is an obvious one but if you're making an omelette,cook on one side then put under the grill to cook the top.No messing about trying to turn it and the top goes high and fluffy

@PrincessHoneysuckle or put a saucepan lid on top of the frying pan, then you don't need to flip or grill

@Daffodil21 I can't believe I didn't think of that! Have been trying to teach my teen and he can't master the flip. Always put the lid on for fried eggs but never thought about an omelette. Thank you 🙂

I put lego and play mobile in the dishwasher occasionally.

I also put bubble bath in the kids paddling pool. Saves a shower later!

if you're making an omelette,cook on one side then put under the grill to cook the top.No messing about trying to turn it and the top goes high and fluffy

If you want a soufflé omelette, of course.

Or if you want a traditional omelette cook it so the base is set, add sprinkle of cheese, cook a moment more, fold one side over to middle, slide onto plate and fold last bit over the top. The residual heat in the eggs then finishes cooking the middle so it's perfect.

I always follow Delia's omelette method. Here she is in action: jump to 2 mins.

@PrincessHoneysuckle - certainly not obvious to me, but genius ! I love omlettes but they do often turn into a scrambled egg part way through

Don't know if anyone mentioned this, but sorting cutlery by type in a dishwasher basket is a terrible idea, because the "nest" on each other and don't clean properly.

It has been mentioned (a lot, as we’re on page 20). The advice was for dishwashers which have individual spacers within the baskets, so they don’t get chance to “nest“.

For me it keeps it all closed and sealed and not getting stale if it's not being eaten every day.
plastic clip on the plastic bag inside does a better job. the plastic keeps it fresh not the cardbpard.

We just fold the bag over and close the tab on the box. I don't eat cereal but have had no complaints about it being stale.
The folded box is pleasing to the eye though.

I also put Nutella lids in the dishwasher with no noticeable issues.

I buy the whole years worth of cards so count how many siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents etc needed & buy in card factory in one fell swoop-much easier & cheaper than a list minute trip to shop for a card. Then I have a lever arch file with 13 inserts & a list on the front of each month of birthdays, events etc with dates of each person. Handy this year that I had a couple of extra Father's Day cards to save a trip to the shop.

Also when I see something good or things on offer, I will buy them & keep them in a present box. Was able to provide a last minute wrapped gift at the start of lockdown for Dd friend with no bother

This one is a bit grim but I have a bag each for me & dc with old pjs, underwear, toothbrush, book etc & note of name, address, gp & meds in case of sudden hospital admission. After having to stay in with Ds years ago, I asked dh to bring me a t shirt & socks with pjs. He brought me a work blouse & pop socks. I cried.

'One I learned in Australia, if you have wine in a wine box, when it runs out take out the bag but don't squeeze it, instead blow it up like a balloon, you get more wine out.'

I read this tip on MN a few months ago. Absolute revelation! It's also quite good fun, but then, I'm childish and probably shouldn't be allowed alcohol

For the wine box one, I just cut the corner off the bag and pour. You get every last drop that way!

Another one that I started a few years ago is decant children's meds like calpol, neurofen, piriton into little pill type bottles for a holiday first aid pick. You can have a good kit & be prepared without lugging big bottles everywhere

Another one that I started a few years ago is decant children's meds like calpol, neurofen, piriton into little pill type bottles for a holiday

doesn't work for everyone, but we taught dc to swallow tablets from about 4 yo.

I love this discussion! Thank you so much! So helpful