What ingenious little life hacks would you like to share?

[Rainbunny]

Apparently I have vastly improved the quality of a friend's life by sharing my method of storing (for disposal) used tampons. It's probably not original but simple and easy. I throw them into scented biodegradable doggy poop bags (I buy the them in bulk anyway so they're really cheap). Then they can be thrown into the kitchen trash without any unpleasant sights or smells. Very useful when we're staying as guests at other's homes. My friend is preparing to temporarily move in with her inlaws and has actually been a little worried about this since her inlaws are maniacally houseproud and any reminder of human presence is frowned upon . Just wondered what other little things people do to make life easier?

[stumblymonkey]

"Think of the sea otters"
^
www.moderncat.net/2008/11/13/toilet-training-your-cat/^

[stumblymonkey]

Yes....but LeaveMyWings....I did that until I read that cat litter and cat poo is quite dangerous to wildlife if flushed away.

This was some years ago and now I've written it down it sounds a bit silly.

I'm off to Google

[ApocalypseNowt]

This will be really handy if you're required to perform high fives in your daily life.

To perform the perfect high five every time, look at the other person's elbow as you are doing it. No more missing and looking foolish.

Also if you are one of those people that always end up not being able to get past other people coming the other way and doing the leftie rightie dance.... as you are approaching someone think clearly in your head "I am going to go this way". The other person will magically head the other way avoiding sorry! sorry! shuffly silliness.

HTH.

[SoupDragon]

I used the "hook eggshell out with some eggshell" tip today when making fried eggs (in a sandwich toaster, naturally) and it worked a treat. :)

[caker]

Thanks for the tip on borrow box, had never heard of it but it's fab!

[SueLawleyandNicholasWitchell]

Afuck my friend loudly announces the note when she hands it over "sorry I only have a ten pound note" so that there is no confusion. I now do it too.

[LeaveMyWingsBehindMe]

I also use biodegradable dog poo bags for the scoopings from the cat tray....again, means you can put them in the bin with no smell.

Or better still use a scoop with holes in it to get rid of all the cat litter and just flush the poo down the loo?! No need for bags or smells that way!

[AFuckOfFlora]

I have done this since being once conned by a shop, who insisted I had given them a five pound note when I had given them a tenner...

Now while waiting in the queue/ just before handing it over, I discreetly put a small rip in the top left-hand corner. Then if they query what note I gave them I can assure them there will be a tenner/twenty note in their till with a rip in the left-hand corner.

I am yet to actually put this plan into action, but my auntie did it and she said the shopkeeper went bright red and all the other people in the queue were patting her on the back and tutting at the shopkeeper

[heron98]

Yes, I too have badly burnt my face putting toothpaste on a spot - be very careful!

[KoalaDownUnder]

MorrisZap's third tip made my night

Brilliant thread.

[ppeatfruit]

OhMr. Badger Sorry I didn't see your reply till just now. Try a spot test because ess. oils are not like 'normal oil' if you see what I mean ,maybe you could put a couple of drops (or more) in a spray bottle of filtered of water and try that.

[CadenceRoastingByAnOpenFire]

I used to use anti bac spray to clean pretty much everything in the bathroom and kitchen but stopped using it when I read about it being harsh and potentially harmful. I then started using Milton spray which was fab but is quite expensive. Until I found home bargains own brand Milton which is about 59p for a massive bottle. I kept the Milton spray dispenser bottle and make up my own (one capful and fill with water). It lasts ages, is mega mega cheap and is just as good as the anti bac spray I used to use.

[biggles50]

Hey stumbly someone else who does this too. Hadn't thought about podcasts so will give that a go. I've "read" tons of books while cleaning the house.

[ppeatfruit]

One about oil stains on clothing they are easily treated with talcum powder (either leave on the stain and brush off with a proper brush, or put the talc on before machine washing the item.)

Talc is good to put in rubber gloves if you ALWAYS get holes in your right one and need to turn a left one inside out. Put the talc on your hand before you wear it to stop it 'sticking' a bit. IFYSWIM .

[Cuppaand2biscuits]

Use a double duvet folded into 4 as a dogs bed. The duvet cover can be washed as often as you like without taking ages to dry and you can choose a duvet cover to match the room decoration.

[starlight78]

When you get blue tack on your carpet even when its old and black , put a few drops of olive oil directly on the mark. Rub in a circular motion with a scourer and once the tack comes off, quickly scrub with a little bit of washing up liquid to get rid of the oil. For tougher, older tack, leave olive oil drops for up to 5 minutes. (Please do not try on very light coloured/new/expensive carpet as oil stain may not come off.
I tried this on a carpet embedded with tack and now it looks nearly new!

[ilovecardigans]

To remove hair dye stains on clothing/bedding, spray the stain with hairspray before washing. Top tip from my hairdresser.

Forgot about it, as I gave up fighting the grey years ago!

[dementedma]

Veet is good at unblocking plug holes clogged with hair.
Freeze whole chillis and just grate them from frozen when cooking.

[stumblymonkey]

Biggles...totally agree....I listen to podcasts when doing chores and the time goes very quickly!

[IonaNE]

I have only read 5 pages so far but re. the toilet brush issue: I can't believe that in 5 pages no one has mentioned this: www.amazon.co.uk/Toilet-Duck-Fresh-Brush-Starter/dp/B00D48NOU8?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21. Flush the brush, ditch the germs, etc.

[biggles50]

If you find cleaning tedious and feel unmotivated, the time will go by pleasurably if you put headphones in your mobile, go on YouTube and listen to audiobooks uploaded for free. Works for me anyway.

[Destinysdaughter]

Forgetmenotblue hilarious. All my life hacks on this thread have in fact been Viz ' Top Tips', was wondering if anyone would notice!

[Lucylongcat]

Instead of putting a pinch of salt on your boiled egg which then gets eaten in the first dip, sprinkle a tiny amount of salt on your toast/soldiers. I'm not a huge salt eater, but I do like it on my dippy eggs.

[LeaveMe]

just tried the paracetamol on my iron - ingenious! thanks mumsnet