To ask for your easy life hacks?

[Polkapjs]

I need easy ways to make life easier and help me get my life in order in all areas

Tonight have have used a garlic press with an UNPEELED love of garlic as recommended by Jamie Oliver. Genius.
Give me yours that don’t involve needing stuff I don’t have but help make stuff a bit easier or cheaper?

I also keep a plastic cereal box for rubbish in the front and back of my car. Once kids and finished with wrappers it goes straight in the box.

@HarryPotterISreal I'd never heard of a Dri buddy! Looks amazing! Does it actually get wrinkles out better than a tumble drier? I have a drier but try not to use it because of the electricity usage and also I think it ruins clothes. I hardly ever iron, but I do have a few pieces of clothing that I never wear as a result. Do you recommend getting a dri buddy?

Store your baby wipes/ make up wipes/ antibac wipes upside down. That way when you use them you will always get the wettest one.

If you don't set your machine to spin your washing on the highest settings it doesn't come out of the washing machine all creased and THAT is how some people get away with not ironing.
Took me far longer than is reasonable to work that out.

Instead of buying chicken pieces, buy whole chicken and learn to joint it yourself. Freeze bits you don't need for future meals. Doesn't take too long, all you need is a sharp knife (though I have just invested in poultry shears) and you can imagine hacking through your enemies while you do it - or is that just me?

I get away with not ironing by not giving a fuck if I look a bit crumpled. ironing was only invented to keep women busy so we don't start revolutions anyway.

@cleancleanclean

The Dri buddy basically bloody irons it for you! Work shirts and dresses ready to go. It is not as hot as a dryer so I put things like bras I don’t want in the tumble dryer. Highly recommend it.

If you're planning to infuse oil with fresh (as opposed to dried) garlic you might want to scroll down to 'Storing Garlic in Oil' section here: ucfoodsafety.ucdavis.edu/files/250352.pdf. Very small chance of harm but it's one I wouldn't take.

Robstersgirl I've copied those--thanks. Now I'm tempted to break an egg on the countertop to try that out.

Love a good hack!

Not sure I've got anything new to add... instead of cleaning my bins out by hand (used to scrub with an antibacterial wipes) I fill them up with a water and a splash of detol and leave it to do it's work, then rinse and put outside to dry.

Batch cooking and a 4 week meal plan is something I have found really helpful. I have only recently discovered frozen veg! I buy loads of cards from the card factory at the beginning of the year and actually write all the birthday cards for the year, keeping a few spare for parties dc might attend. I also have a small stock of gifts that are there if needed and a couple of bottles of wine in just in case. I only have silver wrapping paper so it can be used for any occasion.

Do something when you see it needs doing

No half jobs

Put cutlery in the dishwasher together, spoons in one bit, knives in the other - faster to put away.

LaDaronne
I get away with not ironing by not giving a fuck if I look a bit crumpled. ironing was only invented to keep women busy so we don't start revolutions anyway.........................
Funniest thing I have read on here for a while !!! Love it ............

Doris
Brilliant re Gin ! Suspect you will emerge hands down winner of this thread !!

Train older children to do some easy cooking tasks so they can at least start dinner before you get home from work. Mine can make pizza dough in the bread machine, preheat oven and start baked potatoes etc.

Also keep an extra set of dcs toothbrushes/ toothpaste in the downstairs loo so if older dc is in the bath, younger ones can still get ready for bed.

Dogs- we do this, but it's so that they can brush their teeth in the morning without having to traipse back up the stairs

Cook a whole pack of pasta at once and freeze useful-sized (to your needs - DC sized, family sized) portions of what you don't use. Much quicker then to do no-cook quick meals - microwave the frozen pasta with a splash of water, or pour boiling kettle over it in a sieve in sink.

Also works with rice - brilliant for reducing the takeaway bill, or reducing the cooking load when you cook a curry or chilli at home.

Line DC’s lunchboxes with kitchen roll or other absorbent stuff of your liking - makes the inevitable swampy clean up a doddle.

Also this type of character lunchbox is totally washable — I used to regularly chuck them in the washing machine.

If your young DC has a particular affinity to character bedding, you can put single duvets straight in the washing machine / dryer with the cover still on. Revelatory!

If you’re cooking pizza for a party and want little slices cut it before you cook it. Save all the cheese falling off when cooked.

Pick five meals that everyone likes and cook them in a rota. (in my house this is bolognaise, enchilada mix, dhal, curry and chilli. Make extra and freeze. I always have a meal everyone likes that can be cooked in 20mins. Just add, rice, pasta, wraps or whatever.

Healthy(ish) 'snack' bowl out on display for hungry teenagers. Next to fruit bowl, and contains things that aren't completely terrible: oatcakes, crisps, nuts etc.

Not so much an essential but...put left over coffee (from cafetiere) into ice cube tray. Put them in glass and cover with milk (or vegan equivalent - I love almond milk) and let the ice cubes melt - you have an iced coffee!

Huel - I tried this for a bit. I got bored, but it was great for a week or two. All my nutrition in a powder!

Always hesitate before buying.

Quite often you go off it by the next buying opportunity.

Use hair conditioner to shave your legs
Get a pack-a-mac and put it under your buggy - it saved me from a drenching countless times!
This is probably obvious but pair up the socks as you peg them out and then bundle up when getting in - saves more time than you'd think
Lots already covered!

Two teenage sons and a male DP. I have abandoned paring socks for the men. I put them in a big pile and they take the ones they want.

It saves me about 5 hours a day......