Boring tips and tricks which have made your life easier.

[NoEffingWay]

Inspired by the purchase of a flat mop thing from wilkos with removable washable pads, and some method spray and mop bottle. No longer am I wrestling with a dirty looking mop, a kettle and a mop bucket. It took 5 minutes, the house smells like rhubarb (!) and the floor is shiny as.

Any more time-saving, life changing tips for me? I seriously hate mopping so this has made me a lot happier and life's most boring jobs!

My new one is ... only use reusable wipes/hankies as tissues as when I forget to empty the pockets I don't have to manage the inevitable drama or tissue fibres over every item. They just get washed alongside the clothes.

We have a Joseph bathroom bin with a big compartment for recycling and a small one for non-recyclables. Makes life mich easier.

A recycling bin in the office and an ordinary one in the bedroom so much easier for emptying.

Also separate kitchen bins (same size).

We now have an extra recycling wheely bin too. Needed because of all those deliveries

Kitchen bin with 3 compartments: non recyclable , recycling and food. Can’t remember the brand but was on Amazon and about £40.

This thread is the best -thanks!
So many ideas - love the kitchen cupboard tray/basket thing and the drawstring bags.

Smart plugs. Seriously brilliant.
Not only good for security for turning lights on and off when you're away but I don't have to go round switching all the lamps off downstairs (I hate using the ceiling spotlights in the evening, too bright!).

They're so simple but so handy. And nothing beats telling Alexa to turn off the lights and it just happens. No more reaching down behind furniture for switches. They were invaluable for the Xmas tree lights!

@GuyFawkesDay

Smart plugs. Seriously brilliant. Not only good for security for turning lights on and off when you're away but I don't have to go round switching all the lamps off downstairs (I hate using the ceiling spotlights in the evening, too bright!).

They're so simple but so handy. And nothing beats telling Alexa to turn off the lights and it just happens. No more reaching down behind furniture for switches. They were invaluable for the Xmas tree lights!

Until it goes wrong...

21 January 2022

What is wrong with Alexa?
Wondering what’s wrong with Alexa today? It’s likely that you, like millions of other Amazon Alexa users, have been hit with a ‘something went wrong error message’.

Vast numbers of users across the world reported the problems which suggest it’s a widespread issue but Amazon Web Services – which powers its online tools such as Alexa, as well as a variety of other websites that are not part of the company

www.goodto.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/what-is-wrong-with-alexa-why-is-alexa-not-working-645170

I don’t have a “smart” home, so I guess I have a daft home. My fridge doesn’t update me, I switch the heating on at the boiler, I submit my own meter readings and I operate my light/lamp switches myself. My home is so daft that I don’t even know if there are any more smart examples!

I’ve seen Terminator - no way am I setting myself up for my appliances to start plotting to bump me off in the middle of the night 😂

@L3andlosingit

I use my fridge’s vegetable drawer for jars and things I don’t need often that don’t go bad. My vegetables and nibbles for the kids like cheese strings now go in the door and on the top shelf where I’ll see them. We don’t throw away half as much rotten veg and the kids can find a snack I’ll say yes to more easily. If it was out of sight, it was out of mind. So put it where you see it.

Woh that's an amazing idea!

Going back to read the thread for ideas. But - everything on subscription that I can. Dealing with paperwork once when it comes in.

@Cuck00soup

Currently making one pan spaghetti from BBC good food magazine. Why have I never thought to cook spaghetti in the sauce before?

The Anna Cook recipe is amazing too (we put feta on instead of parmesan) www.theguardian.com/food/2020/sep/28/anna-joness-kale-tomato-and-lemon-magic-one-pot-spaghetti

Buy only what you need. When food shopping take a list. Keep a puzzle book in the car at all times. Make copies of important paperwork before shredding. Keep tins on a low shelf. Use a toy chest for toys, games and puzzles.

@languagelover96
Why take copies of important paperwork before shredding. Surely if it's important, don't shred it in the first place.

Definitely dry washing where it will be stored, otherwise it just sits on the kitchen table. I don't make beds unless someone is coming round who would see them e.g. landlord and wanting to be tidy. Personally think it's a pointless task, you're only going to get back into it. Get a slow cooker, bonus if it's pot can go in the dishwasher, so much easier!

@mg2397 sorry i cant do that, one of the 1st things i do in morning is make my bed. It takes 2 mins to make your bed. It kicks start my day, plus makes my room look a lot tidier so for me reduces my stress levels. Far nicer to get into bed in the eve that's made ( even better with clean sheets ) than a messy bed. Doesn't have to be military perfect but made . Also, when bedding is left unmade, it traps warmth and moisture, providing an environment in which dust mites will thrive.

[quote Wexone]@mg2397 sorry i cant do that, one of the 1st things i do in morning is make my bed. It takes 2 mins to make your bed. It kicks start my day, plus makes my room look a lot tidier so for me reduces my stress levels. Far nicer to get into bed in the eve that's made ( even better with clean sheets ) than a messy bed. Doesn't have to be military perfect but made . Also, when bedding is left unmade, it traps warmth and moisture, providing an environment in which dust mites will thrive.[/quote]
I was told it was the opposite, having the duvet on traps the air and doesn't give the mattress the opportunity to air out 🤷🏻‍♀️

It's personal preference, I get that it helps some people but it's just one more job for me to do otherwise. Our bedroom is up in the attic so I'm not up and down in there all day, me and dh are the only ones to see it so it just doesn't make a difference with us! Glad you've found something to make your mornings better!

I'm another one who throws the duvet over the bottom bed rail.
The thought of a duvet being left on over a sweaty warm mattress gives me the shivers.
Plus an un aired mattress will be more likely to harbour 'things.'

@Longingforsunshine

I now have a shared list on my iPhone with DH where we can both add anything which needs to be bought in the next food shop. We used to have a list in the kitchen but now we both have the list available if we ever nip in to a shop. No excuses on either side to forget anything!

We need this! How do you do it exactly? Is it an app?

@ButtockUp

I'm another one who throws the duvet over the bottom bed rail. The thought of a duvet being left on over a sweaty warm mattress gives me the shivers. Plus an un aired mattress will be more likely to harbour 'things.'

I also flip the duvet back when I get up, then put it in place before I go out.

@butterpuffed

When you've opened a jar of pesto and used what you need, put the rest in ice cube trays and freeze.

Wow this is a game changer

@ButtockUp

I'm another one who throws the duvet over the bottom bed rail. The thought of a duvet being left on over a sweaty warm mattress gives me the shivers. Plus an un aired mattress will be more likely to harbour 'things.'

I do the same, I do however plump up the pillows , put them straight, and smooth down the bottom sheet, I’m not having Kev the window cleaner or any passing giant gossiping about my slutty ways.

Get a small makeup bag/freebie from one of the makeup counters and put all your handbag items in it - hand cream, tissues, lipstick, coupons, pen, tablets etc. Then when you change your handbag, just transfer the small makeup bag over. It keeps everything neat and tidy too and you don't forget or lose anything.

I have extra trays in the fridge.
My DS has one for his fridge snacks so he knows where his quick food is if he's hungry.

I used my duvet corner clips today, as recommended on the thread, so much easier on my hands!

I’m not having Kev the window cleaner or any passing giant gossiping about my slutty ways
Kev was startled because when he came by oneFriday(when I am normally at work and had no idea it was a window cleaning day) he got an eyeful of me and my squeeze

Duvet clips arrived today -so excited!