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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for your “not so Mumsnet” life hacks

355 replies

anothernameagain000 · 03/08/2018 20:41

While I’m a sucker for great tips to save time on ironing, cut down my cooking times and being a domestic whizz, as it’s friday evening and I’m bored - tell me your more down to earth tips... such as - “carry a spare hairband in a nightclub to help those throwing up to keep hair back, or the best way to get out stains when baby just crapped on your new carpet!

OP posts:
Clionba · 04/08/2018 18:23

Ok, Mike. Seriously, don't you think that's very, very obvious? I've taken small mirrors on holiday for decades, same with travel hairdryers. It's just a strange thing to consider as advice......

MikeUniformMike · 04/08/2018 18:25

Well hotels usually have them but when they don't it's a PITA. Also mirrors are sometimes too far to be able to insert lenses.
I'm sorry that you find my suggestion crap.

Clionba · 04/08/2018 18:27

It's not a crap suggestion, Mike, it's actually a good one. I would have thought it was very obvious, and have taken that kind of mirror and a travel hairdryer on holiday for some 40 years, but maybe it's not that obvious to some people. Who knows.

mononoaware1907 · 04/08/2018 18:31

This thread is just amazing😂

StealthPolarBear · 04/08/2018 18:35

Apologies for the assumption :) I'd assumed that your tip would start "as a woman" rather than "travelling with a woman" which does suggest you're a man. Well that and your username but then mine suggests I'm a bear :o

LipstickHandbagCoffee · 04/08/2018 18:45

Haha. My user name suggests I’m a lipstick or a handbag or a coffee
In fact these are the three items I’m always holding,one or all of

MikeUniformMike · 04/08/2018 18:54

My username was inspired by CharlieAlphaTango, my pet, who was named after the one in Breakfast at Tiffany's. As a MN I couldn't just call him Cat.
I can't think of anything specific that I pack to go away with DP other than soap, because we once stayed somewhere that didn't have toiletries in the room apart from some really vile handwash. It was an overnight stay and we were travelling light and had to pop into a corner shop type place to buy soap and showergel. I usually pack spare cheap toothbrushes (about 18p for 2 the last time I bought some). DP has been known to forget his toothbrush.

Clionba · 04/08/2018 18:59

I tend to take everything, I rarely like the toiletries provided anyway. My husband thinks I'm over cautious, but we're talking about a man that came on a ski holiday forgetting to pack any underpants.

MikeUniformMike · 04/08/2018 19:05

No underpants! Did he go commando all week?
I tend to take everything too.

beingthere · 04/08/2018 19:10

DH once packed for me, can’t remember why now, think I was away with work until the day we were leaving for a city break to Oslo.

He packed me no pants! No underwear at all in fact.

lifelongfrugaleer · 04/08/2018 19:14

being had he seen some top tip about reducing washing?

"Wash less after holidays, don't pack pants" Viz type thing?

Clionba · 04/08/2018 19:21

He had to wash out his only pair each night, and dry on the towel rail. He went into the village to buy more, only it was an upmarket resort that only sold stuff like Armani and Dolce etc. So he only bought one pair (£££££). At least it took the pressure off the other pair.

MikeUniformMike · 04/08/2018 19:24

I'm glad you said He washed them. I suspect DP would give them to me or re-wear them.

beingthere · 04/08/2018 19:27

lifelongfrugaleer Grin

I managed to buy great pants in Oslo but I could have done without the forced shopping trip.

Clionba · 04/08/2018 19:32

Ah, Mike he knows better than to ask me to do any such thing! He actually had rubber gloves with him (he's a Dr) and medical grade liquid soap. However, no spare pants, go figure.

MikeUniformMike · 04/08/2018 19:39

Oh bless! I love him already. Not as much as DP obvs.
Dp puts his worn out pants in my knicker drawer for a laugh.

I have a good hack. Sweets and chocolates go on the top shelpfof the cupboard. I don't see them so forget about them. If I 'need' a chocolate they'll be there...
I forgot that DP is much taller than me. It didn't work, I found empty wrappers.
Putting things away helps generally though.

Cleaning hack is baby wipes. They will 'dry-clean' a lot of things in an emegency.

Clionba · 04/08/2018 20:13

That's a good hack re:chocolate. I also use a lot of wipes, though environmentally not great. I squirt Febreze around a lot, I reckon the house smells clean that way. I sometimes use those tumble dryer sheets to wipe things as well, they're anti static.

drspouse · 04/08/2018 20:20

One from this week.
If going trampolining with the DCs, wear wicking trousers and a liner. Take spare trousers and pants, tell the DCs you just don't like wearing the active wear the rest of the day.
Ignore any DC who asks if your pants are wet just like you ask them every day.

dementedma · 04/08/2018 20:39

don't want to bring the thread down but NO to the baby wipes for cleaning!!!
Just...NO!

Please?

QuackPorridgeBacon · 04/08/2018 20:49

Why do people use baby wipes for cleaning? I can’t imagine they actually clean anything. I do use them for the odd spill on the floor or something until I mop or scrub etc.

beingthere · 04/08/2018 20:51

Fabric softener sheets clean mirrors really really well!

LakieLady · 04/08/2018 20:55

Dp puts his worn out pants in my knicker drawer for a laugh

I'm impressed that your DP recognises when his pants are worn out, Mike.

My DP would continue wearing them until the elastic became completely detached from the pants, if it wasn't for the fact that I throw them away before they get to that point.

VanillaLatteAndCake · 04/08/2018 20:59

Loving this thread!
My contribution learnt from a friend: don't hoover, just scratch the carpets to create the illusion of having just vacuumed.

Mokepon · 04/08/2018 21:04

Full on snort at gobblee not gobbler
This thread is gold.

SistersOfPercy · 04/08/2018 21:22

Today's mind blowing moment (I lead a dull life!)
You can walk into a branch of Johnstone paints, tell them the name of the farrow and ball paint you like and they will make up the identical paint for half the price.