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Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Boring tips and tricks which have made your life easier.

618 replies

NoEffingWay · 30/01/2022 18:22

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!

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me4real · 31/01/2022 00:20

@PyongyangKipperbang Ooh yes frozen mash- no peeling, which means shepherd's pie is so much easier.

TangledNemo · 31/01/2022 00:26

I’m no good at meal planning but one thing I’ve started doing is ingredient prep. Anything I know I’m going to use (Eg peppers or onions), I can chop all at once and then store in the fridge until needed, rather than just chop how much I need when I need it.

PyongyangKipperbang · 31/01/2022 00:27

It really is! When I was working 65 hour weeks at the pub I once did "home made" shepherds pie with a couple of tins of mince beef and onion, some frozen and nuked carrots topped with mash straight out of the bag and bunged in the oven :o

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Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 31/01/2022 00:31

Put a timer on for 10 minutes to tidy up. You'll be amazed how much can be put away in that time

Twillow · 31/01/2022 00:35

[quote VioletLemon]@cardoon brilliant idea with the pillowcase, my inability to make decisions can see me faff and get frustrated picking out the correct pillowcases for covers! I will start this.[/quote]
I can't be doing with stuffing a bedding set into a pillowcase - just fold the pillowcases place them in the duvet cover (not inside it) as you fold it into a bundle.

Mamanyt · 31/01/2022 00:37

When I "declutter," I place valuables in one box, labeled. Just "stuff" goes in another, with nothing but the date on it. It goes into the closet, and if I haven't torn into it within 6 months, looking for something, it goes out, never opened. Of course, there is always a pile for donations and another for outright trash, but of things I think I ought to keep, that works very well.

Twillow · 31/01/2022 00:41

Take photo of the plug and wires that come with an new item save in folder on your phone. Easier to work out later what wires you need to keep and what you no longer need. Don’t kid yourself you will remember what it is for you never will.

Yes - I have a drawer full of chargers I'm not sure for what.What I do now is write the item on a sticker (the kind for writing addresses) and fold it across the wire as a tag.

beautifullymad · 31/01/2022 00:52

I use the sticky backed chalk board on a roll from Amazon. It's on one of my floor to ceiling kitchen cupboards with a tub of chalks attached next to it.

Whenever I run out of something I write it on the board. If anyone finishes the last of X, they write it on the board. I then take a photo of the board and go shopping.

Once I've shopped I sit with the receipt to remind me and chalk up a menu. Then the children get to choose as they can see the meals available and I don't forget my ingredients lurking in the freezer. It's saved me lots by not forgetting what I intended to make.

It's a really useful tool of communication in our kitchen.

Twillow · 31/01/2022 00:52

It absolutely does work - a good shake/smooth, dry on hangers. I don't even iron linen now. Things that crumple are going to crumple as you wear them anyway, aren't they.

SocialConnection · 31/01/2022 00:57

For two people:

Towels - have matching sets of three, one bath sheet, one bath towel, one hand towel. Fold the bs in three the long way and the others in two on top. Roll up into a fat sausage.

Bedclothes - store 4 pillowcases and sheet inside matching quilt cover.

All easy to store, look nice in a basket and just need to grab and unroll on change days. Quick and no rummaging around.

A letter rack to stand your mobiles/pads etc up in while they charge. Keeps them tidy.

SocialConnection · 31/01/2022 01:03

Also make big batch of cookie dough, bake some, freeze some.

Learn a basic cookie recipe so you can do it very quickly, then play with flavourings. I like -

Chopped chocolate orange buttons (if I can stop myself snarfing the lot before they go in)

Almond essence and chopped dried apricots

Lemon essence and chopped white choc buttons

Buttons often cheaper & nicer than cooking choc, too

PyongyangKipperbang · 31/01/2022 01:04

Or just buy biscuits.....:o

Norgie · 31/01/2022 01:08

@Gotthetshirt23 Me. I have the flat rather than the round head one though so it goes right into the rim and bend.
I got mine from Amazon at two for £12. Fantastic things.

Furries · 31/01/2022 02:15

@Tamarasnotmyname

Buying frozen diced onion. It’s genuinely changed my life!
This! I can’t remember the last time I sliced an onion.

I’ll also add bags of frozen sliced peppers - again, just speeds things up when batch cooking some meals. 70p a bag in Aldi.

lightisnotwhite · 31/01/2022 02:40

Pay all bills by direct debit.

I find it better to pay by standing order. That way there aren’t surprises.

It’s especially good for balance transfer credit card bills as you set an amount over the minimum payment and forget it. As your bill goes diwn you pay it off quicker.

Recycledblonde · 31/01/2022 03:07

Whenever you buy a new shirt dab a bit of clear nail varnish on each button. I haven’t had to sew on a button since I started doing this 25 years ago.

DifficultBloodyWoman · 31/01/2022 03:35

@Time40

I learned a new one the other day - when cracking eggs, put the bowl in the sink. Chuck the shells in the sink - no more eggy mess on the work surface. I can't believe I've got to my rather advanced age without thinking of that one before.
Bloody hell! Why I have I never thought of that before??? I hate cleaning up egg shell dribbles on the countertop and floor!!!

Mind. Blown.

DifficultBloodyWoman · 31/01/2022 03:50

@Drunkpanda

I need a tip for having enough scissors. Have a scissor drawer even to keep them together - never ever are there scissors in the scissor drawer.
I bought a pack of 6 scissors. Two went in the kitchen, the rest were scattered around the house. I’m sure they have all moved around multiple times by now but I can usually find a pair. Not sure we still have all six though…
Graphista · 31/01/2022 04:12

Seconding frozen diced onion, or indeed any prepped veg (disabled I can no longer be trusted with a sharp knife and a hard vegetable!)

I'm doing up my duvet covers before washing them from now on! Genius!

@ollobololo surely better to meal plan and use up food in time as much as possible and reduce food waste? Past it's best veg is fine for soups, stews, curries etc fruit for smoothies keep an eye on dates and plan accordingly - I use the nest egg app to help with this I don't always manage it but I do better than I used to

@HumbugWhale I always have a whiteboard and markers in the kitchen. I note stuff I need to buy - but also note stuff that needs using up - eg "opened bacon needs used by Tue"

@BrinksmansEntry re "do the thing" my mums version of that is "never leave a room empty handed" a tip she gave me when I first wed and had a whole house to see to rather than just one room/studio! (I moved to be with then dh so wasn't working at first so my doing the majority of the chores seemed fair) and I said I was struggling to keep on top of it all. It doesn't eliminate all the work of course but it does make it more manageable, later as a single mum I drummed it into dd, whenever she stood up to head to another room i was like "well you can take x through while you're up"

Oh! And when I empty the washing machine, I put a washing tab/pod thing in the drum so that I just need to add clothes.

Oh I like that tip!

Hear the washing machine end (I only do laundry when I'm going to be home when it ends)

Washers really shouldn't be left unattended anyway while operating there have been so many fires!

@Birdles52 I have an Alexa and keep meaning to do this but cannot find SIMPLE instructions (why are Amazon so shit at this?) can you tell me how?

I put the shells in the open top half of the egg box, then chuck them before putting the remaining eggs back in the fridge (or before putting egg box in recycling if empty).

That's what I do

Use your phone more - the number of people I see trying to memorise a notice or info whilst holding their phones in their hands - use the camera, the calendar, the note taking app to record what you need to remember.

I totally agree - but I have a Luddite for a dd! Drives me nuts she has this BIG expensive phone and mainly uses it for sm! She'll tell me she forgot x or needs to organise y and I'll be like "use your calendar app, use your reminder" but - I'm mum I know NOTHING apparently! 

(She's at uni and pays for her own phone but it's still annoying)

Buying non-perishables in bulk whenever in offer.

Yep! My main one is fairy liquid NOTHING else comes close but I never pay full price!

@Houseofvelour next Xmas I highly recommend the "Santa's bag" app - you can set up a folder for each recipient, note ideas for gifts inc attaching links, track your progress with each gift (idea, to order, ordered, to wrap, wrapped, delivered) set a budget the whole shebang! My dds birthday is shortly after Xmas and I even list her birthday as a separate recipient and plan it all at the same time. Love it!

When you get paid sit down and write a proper budget for the month.

Very very dull but a game changer.

One month?! Amateur! I do a spreadsheet have done for years, decades! Plan 6 months ahead twice a year and monitor weekly (once the spreadsheet is set up the weekly monitoring takes maybe 10 mins using banking app and I can quickly see if a refund hasn't come through or if someone's overcharged me or if a direct debit hasn't gone out as expected)

I'm on benefits so I NEED to know where I'm at!

Happy to walk anyone through setting up if they like

Utensils - I now have multiples! I used to weirdly restrict myself thinking I was only "allowed" one or each then I saw a fb thing about not putting stupid restrictions on yourself that just make your life harder! I'm disabled and have ocd so if I drop one, now I'm not screwed! I just get another one out and set the dropped one aside for washing

I have scissors in every room!

Trumpton · 31/01/2022 04:20

Once you have scissors padlock them!
They will never go missing.
Mwah ha ha! Grin
I do this with my best sewing scissors.

Boring tips and tricks which have made your life easier.
letmeeatcrisps · 31/01/2022 04:53

see through containers for everything, as much as possible

TheDuchessofDukeStreet · 31/01/2022 05:03

I use lemons three ways. The zest for making lemon cake, the juice for cooking or lemonade (freeze if not for immediate use). Then infuse the skins in boiling water and pour down the sink when cleaning, to freshen it up.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 31/01/2022 05:13

Or just buy biscuits

Home made cookies are not shop bought biscuits though, they are so much better!!

I use janes patisseries NYC cookie recipe, freeze in hockey Puck shapes and then bake from frozen. Then you are only ever 20 minutes from a Crunchy gooey treat, great for unexpected guests

Same with chocolate brownies, they freeze really well in freezer bags.

I always cook with the dishwasher empty and open. When you are done with something, put it straight in there instead of by the sink. And if using slot of pots, fill sink with water and wash immediately. You can get away with a 10 second scrub if its a fresh pot, way faster than letting it dry on for later!

Rinse recycling immediately and out in correct bin straight away, my much easier than leaving to dry on and attending a scrub

Ophanim · 31/01/2022 05:37

Please don’t mix bleach with other cleaning products. Gases released from mixing bleach with other cleaning agents can release toxic gases.

TheDuchessofDukeStreet · 31/01/2022 05:43

I second Jane’s Patisserie. Her ginger biscuits are sublime.