If you could share one household tip/life hack, what would it be?

[Dandelion78]

Mine would definitely be that drying clothes in sunlight gets rid of tomato/sauce stains. Am weaning my second child and it's a bloody lifesaver. No more soaking things for hours that still come out with orange marks on them.

What other gems are there that I need to know?

@retirementrocks

Rubber broom...especially if you have a pet dog (or three)or/and a cat(s). Picks up hair like a magnet!

Christmas tree needles too!

I,too, spent a satisfying half our sorting out our plastic boxes and lids and marking them up with a sharpie. It washes off.....

A few tips for prepping for travelling...

Keep a spare toilet bag permanently packed in your suitcase with everything you need so you don't have to gather everything each time and risk forgetting something. Same goes for having shampoo, toothpaste and other liquid miniatures in there ready but store them in a little transparent, resealable, plastic bag - good for preventing leaks or being ready to lift out for the airport if it's going in hand luggage.

In your suitcase, also permanently keep spare gadget chargers and plug adapters - double plug adapters are especially handy.

When you pack, keep all your underwear in a single fabric bag (a tote bag will do) so you can just grab in there instead of scrabbling through your suitcase and keep a separate bag in there for your dirties together.

Create minimal packing lists for different types of holidays (eg. short trip cold climate, short trip hot climate etc) so you can tick things off and not have to think each time. If you find you haven't needed it all on a trip, remove it from the list to refine it for next time. I've found it helps stop me from panic buying holiday clothes if I have a better idea of what I need in advance, I don't end up with a heavy suitcase full of things I don't wear plus it generally means I have the right stuff when I get to my destination.

So very ready for trips away again!

@CrumpetsForAll

Instead of cutting a circle of greaseproof paper for a springform tin; tear off a square, assemble the tin around it and snap it shut and just tear off the excess.

Whaaaaaaaaat?! I think my brain just melted, thank you so much, bloody hate cutting those circles!!!

White vinegar is a great fabric softener. It's not likely to trigger allergies, there is no scent afterwards (which is a bonus for those who like nice perfume and don't like it being hidden by the scent of the conditioner), keeps whites white (school shirts for son all through school so far - compared old ones with new ones when re-stocking in September and no difference), doesn't bung up the washer and isn't expensive, especially if you buy it in big containers.

Also good on windows and I bung it down the loo on a regular basis.

Give up the iron, hang up very carefully!

Another - if you keep bin bags for the waste paper bins in places like living room, bedrooms etc then leave a roll of bin bags under the current bin bag in the bottom of the bin. That way you can always find the bag when you need to change it and can tell when you're down to the last one and need to get more.

I've used carrier bags (more common again with the deliveries) and will also stuff them under the current bag so that they are ready to go when needed.

@LynnShelley

I,too, spent a satisfying half our sorting out our plastic boxes and lids and marking them up with a sharpie. It washes off.....

NooooOOOOooooooOOOOOoooooo!

I use chalkboard labels on my plastic storage and everything that goes in the fridge or freezer has contents and date written on with a chalkboard marker. This wipes off so easy to re-use.

@isthismylifenow

I cannot see where anyone answered the running the dishwasher 3 times comment.

I have seen reference to this, in coping with mental health issues. If you are not coping well and cleaning is getting you down... if you have to rinse the dishes before you put them into the dishwasher in order for them to come out clean, then use your energy on something else instead of rinsing. Shove them in the dishwasher and run it twice, or even three times if need be. Its the thought process behind having to rinse, then stack etc, so cut out one of the jobs that you cant face.

If there is another reference to why it was advised, then I would love to know it as well.

I assumed she meant for each meal, so you don't have to bother doing any washing up?

Very few things are as important as you think they are. That's it. Relax a bit.

But do buy stretch silicone lids for your plastic containers instead of trying to hunt down the exact lid.

Fabric conditioner/softener used on a shower screen removes grime & lime. I really didn't believe this but it worked, after years of farting about with various potions & concoctions & giving up (the obiquitous white vinegar did NOT work for me) hallelujah!

[quote vestastilly]@CarnageAtTheStGeorgesFete just ordered one off Amazon to replace the paper ones that keep falling off the fridge - brilliant idea![/quote]
Thank you. I wish I’d known about these a lot sooner 🙂🙂

@Pickle2828

To put on a duvet cover... Start with it inside out, put your hands inside to the corners and grab the duvet and covers, then shake the cover down to inside out it over the duvet. Done in a fraction of the time!

Absolutely. I saw this done on the Generation Game years ago 😁.

Love this thread.

Have a box for any paperwork that you receive in the post / from school. Birth certificates / car insurance / appointments etc.

Even if you shove it in there when you're looking for something you know where it is.

[quote 36degrees]**@noseofjericho* I really don't like the taste of long life milk, I guess it's a case of what you're used to. @Doomsdayiscoming* you don't keep it for ever, just until you've had a cup of tea 🤣[/quote]
Frank Skinner said that 'long life milk you can leave in the fridge and sterilised milk you can leave in your will'.

Wise words, Frank!

If you need to weigh anything messy like soft butter or Golden Syrup, put the tub or tin on the scales, set scales to what weight you need, e.g. 100g, then take out messy stuff until scales are down to zero.

I dare say this is common sense but it was ages before it dawned on me!

Keep your keys on a lanyard (the ones with a removable clip) looped over your handbag strap. Then they can be fished out of your bag without rummaging. Life changer.

Non essential tip:
If you use a backpack with double zip pulls, put a split ring or cute key ring on the one you want to pull most. It’s much easier to find in a rush.

@jobsagudden

Love this thread.

Have a box for any paperwork that you receive in the post / from school. Birth certificates / car insurance / appointments etc.

Even if you shove it in there when you're looking for something you know where it is.

I got a very smart, narrow filing cabinet. Game changer. Certificates in one drawer Insurance docs in another Children’s finances in one Banking in one Big purchase receipts in another

So much better than shoving all in one box

@Lassy1945

Narrow filing cabinet?
I must know more! Currently my paperwork is all over the house and I desire a filing cabinet but dont have the space.

@Lassy1945 can you link to the filing cabinet?

Keep your keys on a lanyard (the ones with a removable clip) looped over your handbag strap. Then they can be fished out of your bag without rummaging. Life changer.
Did you get this one from Roy Cropper?

[quote NotPennysBoat]@Lassy1945 can you link to the filing cabinet?[/quote]
It’s a bissel one

A beautiful turquoise

Pricey but top quality and worth it

Sorry not bissell
It’s bisley
They come in every colour you can imagine