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?

When we had the flat on the market, I had brand new pillowcases hanging up in the wardrobe ready to be whipped out and put on pillows on viewing days. They went back without being used, obvs. Made the beds look a bit less slept in.

Two single duvets on a double bed (or ideally two double duvets on a super king ) will reduce the risk of you having to spend thousands on a divorce lawyer.

Oh for fucks sake why does it keep doing that

Cut pizza up with scissors rather than a knife. It's much neater, and very satisfying.

or you could buy a pizza cutter I suppose

Wise words. When children are burning, any kind of alcohol is likely to exacerbate the problem.

Very true. A terrible waste of both the alcohol and the children.

RAPPERS: Avoid having to say: "Know what I'm sayin'" all the time by actually speaking clearly in the first place.

WHEN visiting a motorway service station for a cup of tea and a slice of cake, make sure you arrange your bank loan or second mortgage before you get to the tills, saving time and embarrassment.

From Viz magazine!!!

Ooh, I've just ordered one of those Lego swoop bags from eBay for a fiver, great idea thanks elQuinto

My main tips are washing related:

Instead of fabric softener use the same amount of the clear/distilled malt vinegar. The clothes will come out smelling fresher (not at all of vinegar), won't get a funny musty smell if they are stored for a long time and towels stay much fluffier and more absorbant. Its also much better for your machine.

For whites and very lights:
Use washing powder (not liquids) and add in 1/4cup of soda crystals. They will be so white they'll practically sparkle. This will also help re-whiten any whites that have gone a bit grey.

For coloureds and darks use washing liquid (not powder) - it will keep them brighter.

Berry stains on whites and lights will come out without a problem if you soak in a soda crystal solution for a shirt time before washing. (1yr old DD has really put this to the test with blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries).

If your washing machine has a build up of residue (won't happen if you wash as above), do a boil wash with 1 cup of soda crystals in the drum. Then do a boil wash with 1 cup of clear/distilled malt vinegar in the drum. Machine will be like new again - I even revived an old machine that seemed to be on its last legs, it wasn't washing properly and was putting dark marks on clothes.

If you have old towels that have lost their absorbancy, look a bit grubby/mucky even when washed: put them in a boil wash with 1-2 cups of soda crystals in the drum. Then put them straight in another boil wash with 1-2 cups of clear/distilled malt vinegar in the drum. This will strip all residues off them, not only making them look new again but also making them super absorbant again. It will also clean your washing machine.

If you need to par-boil lasagna sheets, put a couple of drops of cooking oil in a pan of hot water & then put the sheets in until softened. When you separate the sheets after cooking, it makes it easier.

Whattheveolist

Whattheveolisr, I meant

Is rubbing alcohol the same as surgical spirit?

Surely pre cooking lasagne sheets is the opposite of a life hack? Why would you?!

My lifehack:

Downloaded free app "Borrow Box" onto my phone and now have FREE audio and kindle books all the time. Not sure if all councils do it, but it's saving me a fortune on Audible.

Borrow Box allows you to borrow library audio and e-books straight onto your gadget.

If DD (17) is in her bedroom with earphones in, and I need her to come down for dinner, just turn the internet off. All teens will magically appear in no time.

To get your kitchen clean and sparkling, put your fucking internet device down and go and do the washing-up.

Prof Yes

And my sensible tip is to colour-code as much of the DCs stuff as possible.

I buy towels/sheets/plates/cups/flasks in blue for DD1 and pink for DD2.

It makes it much easier to know whose is whose, plus they like the novelty value of having their "own" colour.

Find you have too many friends in your life? Become an ever loathing rep or similar and see the friends quickly peel away!

Yes, for pjs. Fold top in half lengthways. Fold arms in. Lay on trousers and fold or roll.

Yes, bed-in-a-bag. Or pillowcase...

Toddlers eating grapes? Get two lids from takeaway cartons. Lay grapes on one (with edges upwards). Use second to hold them still. One large, sharp knife and all the grapes are halved in one go.

finally thanks so much for the clear/ distilled malt vinegar tip. I'd read before about adding vinegar, but I looked in my cupboards...ok, would that be white balsamic, red balsamic, red wine/white wine, sherry vinegar , sar sons brown or WOT?

So now I've got clear/distilled malt vinegar on my list for tomorrow

To get your kitchen clean and sparkling, put your fucking internet device down and go and do the washing-up

Best comment ever. Not happening though.

My life hack is 'life hacks' can be called 'tips'. Quicker to say, save yourself a whole word!

If DD (17) is in her bedroom with earphones in, and I need her to come down for dinner, just turn the internet off. All teens will magically appear in no time.

Mwahahahaha.