Page 5 | To ask what the most BRILLIANT advice/suggestion you've seen on here is?

SpikySausage · 2025-04-22T14:48:43+00:00

Inspired by the other thread with a similar title! Maybe not advice/suggestion as such, but I wouldn't have got my Mirena coil had I not been persuaded by the balance of views on here and enough positive feedback that it could work out well. It has been lifechanging, I wish I had done it 20 years ago, I could have avoided years of pain. My new one is tretinoin. It's only been a few weeks but I already think I will be using this for the rest of my life. Why have I spent so much money on expensive and less efficacious creams? Without wanting to control the direction of the thread, I wasn't thinking of LTB type advice. More immediately implementable things that someone could try today! (Although MN has definitely educated me in matters such as 'the script', narcissism, emotional abuse, and trans/gender critical matters!)

JennyChawleigh · 22/04/2025 18:55

Poledra · 22/04/2025 17:55

Storage of bed linen. Put the correct-size sheet, duvet cover and pillow case(s) inside one of the pillowcases. When a bed needs changed, just grab the complete set out the airing cupboard. It was revolutionary for me - no more rummaging through bedsheets trying to find the right size!

It's even quicker if you just fold the duvet cover and then put the folded sheet and pillow cases in the fold, rather than having to feed it all into the pillow case.

I bought a stainless steel washing up bowl from Elephant Box after a recommendation on here, cleans easily and looks good after 3 years - so much better than a manky plastic one.

thewashingneverends · 22/04/2025 19:05

I haven't read all the replies but I learned the term "fanny gallops" on here and it makes me proper chuckle 🤭

EmptyTheFrickingBins · 22/04/2025 19:08

Not on here, but I've started storing my small appliances in mesh produce bags. Got really sick of the cords falling out of the cupboard!

To ask what the most BRILLIANT advice/suggestion you've seen on here is?

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa · 22/04/2025 19:09

Poppymeldrum · 22/04/2025 17:52

I've not uploaded any photo
(Unless my fat fingers did!)

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I meant for the chat Gpt colouring analysis.

PickleJelly · 22/04/2025 19:09

Hatty65 · 22/04/2025 16:00

The one that sticks out for me is someone helpfully pointing out that if you have a king size or super king bed then the duvet goes ACROSS the bed horizontally, rather than vertically (if that makes sense).

I am ashamed to admit I've spent roughly 30 years with a superking bed, assuming that the stitching on the duvet ran from head to foot and grumbling that my duvet never fitted properly inside the cover.

Turning the duvet 90 degrees inside it's cover was life changing!

I did not know this! I have a super king and have spent a fortune on trying to find a cover that fits. You are my hero of the day!

Wiseowltaylor · 22/04/2025 19:13

@Poppymeldrumyes just upload a picture and it will tell you you colors, give you a color chart and suggests outfit combinations for you

2025willbemytime · 22/04/2025 19:17

MugsyBalonz · 22/04/2025 16:26

And also for meal plans. Tell it how many days, any dietary requirements or preferences, and what sort of thing you want (e.g., family meals, low fat, quick and easy, impressive, etc) and it'll suggest a menu.

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I need this in my life.

Re Quilts - I had to get one quickly after my dog threw up on mine and Asda was my nearest shop. It's fab as it has a label and says this goes on bottom left side. No more which way does it go? Also, turn your cover inside out, put your hands in to the far corners, grab the quilt and shake the cover down. So much easier.

LindorDoubleChoc · 22/04/2025 19:17

You can make a very easy accompaniment for curries with plain yogurt and mint sauce from a jar.

Keep your parents' last birthday or Christmas card to you before they die (so perhaps start doing it when they're getting pretty old) and put it out on display with your other cards after they're gone.

I've had loads of great meal ideas, gardening tips, travel ideas from MN over the years. It's largely why I keep my account! Oh and also having someone to chat to about the TV programmes I'm watching.

nooschmoo · 22/04/2025 19:20

Hatty65 · 22/04/2025 16:23

@marmiteandminticecream Yes. Apparently if you have a KS or over bed then the duvet SHOULD have the seams running across the bed. I had always just assumed that any size of duvet had the stitching running from head to foot - but apparently not. Apparently on a single or double bed then the duvet should have the long side going down the bed - but on KS and over then the longest side of the duvet goes horizontally across the bed.

Really?! 😮😃
I’m trying this tonight.

JudgeJ · 22/04/2025 19:21

MugsyBalonz · 22/04/2025 16:25

Two double duvets on a king size bed is a game changer - means there's no cover-hogging and there's a toasty bit in the middle where they overlap but cooler bits on the edges where it's singular.

When you sign up for anything, out the company name as your middle name (e.g., Jane Waitrose Smith or Susan Mumsnet Jones) that way if you start getting junk mail or dodgy communications, you'll know exactly which company has sold your information.

My late husband used to do that with names, he often gave himself a 'title', Reverend, Professor too, it was interesting where other stuff came from.

murasaki · 22/04/2025 19:24

LindorDoubleChoc · 22/04/2025 19:17

You can make a very easy accompaniment for curries with plain yogurt and mint sauce from a jar.

Keep your parents' last birthday or Christmas card to you before they die (so perhaps start doing it when they're getting pretty old) and put it out on display with your other cards after they're gone.

I've had loads of great meal ideas, gardening tips, travel ideas from MN over the years. It's largely why I keep my account! Oh and also having someone to chat to about the TV programmes I'm watching.

Yes, the food ideas are great. All hail the poster who put me onto chicken Alfredo lasagna.

And i got some great ideas for my last city break.

Picklepower · 22/04/2025 19:27

I've been doing the chatgpt meal plans for my diet. You have to be really specific about what you don't like, eat, what supermarket etc but once your figure out what info to put in it's really great.

I also add specifications like high fibre etc

JudgeJ · 22/04/2025 19:27

IBelieveinSomething · 22/04/2025 18:46

I actually got so many other ideas from this site. Coverless duvets - a life changer. Robot vacuum - I’ve got 3, I’m on my 3rd version of the robot mower. Latest guy you just charge him up and set him down on the lawn and 4 hours later it’s perfect, no boundary wires or anything.

How big's your lawn if it's done in 4 hours? DO you have to stop it to empty the grass? My lawn can fill the brown bin in no time flat!

TheignT · 22/04/2025 19:29

Hatty65 · 22/04/2025 16:23

@marmiteandminticecream Yes. Apparently if you have a KS or over bed then the duvet SHOULD have the seams running across the bed. I had always just assumed that any size of duvet had the stitching running from head to foot - but apparently not. Apparently on a single or double bed then the duvet should have the long side going down the bed - but on KS and over then the longest side of the duvet goes horizontally across the bed.

My duvets haven't heard of this. Three double beds, 3 duvets all for double bed size, two have stitching from top to bottom and the other has them side to side. Blows my mind every time I change a bed as I forget which is which.

MumCanIHaveASnackPlease · 22/04/2025 19:30

The common mumsnet trope of “no is a full sentence” has been pretty brilliant for me.

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 22/04/2025 19:31

There was a reference to "mylostaccount".
I scoffed. Who can possibly lose track of money?
Erm, me. I was having a clearout, & found a very old letter from a bank about change of address.
Good result !

MugsyBalonz · 22/04/2025 19:37

If you're going out for the day in summer/abroad then freeze a big bottle of water/juice the night before. The next day it'll gradually defrost across the course of the day meaning you've always got an icy cold drink to hand.

Talc hers sand off without any rubbing or faffing on with buckets of water. Just sprinkle it on sandy feet/hands and the sand will wipe/brush straight off.

One last day out one... You can fit an entire jar of hot dogs in a standard size thermos and they'll stay warm for a good few hours. That, a package of buns, and some ketchup is a quick lunch and cheaper than cafes (paid near fifty-frigging-quid for the world's worst lunch at a NT place once and never again).

marylou25 · 22/04/2025 19:38

@IBelieveinSomething what model mower is that? One that didn't need boundary wires would be a dream, haven't bought one as have 3 different lawn areas and it's just too much hassle but would be much easier to just move one around from lawn to lawn, don't mind doing that bit manually but the faff of having to wire the whole lot is too much hassle!

Illegally18 · 22/04/2025 19:38

MsNevermore · 22/04/2025 16:23

This is a bit of a TMI one….but I’m forever grateful to the Mumsnetter who gave me the advice 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

After the birth of my first baby 10 years ago, I had a few internal stitches that didn’t bother me in the slightest. BUT I had several external lacerations that the Dr ummed and ahhhed over whether they needed stitching or not. In the end she decided not stitch them……which meant every time I went for a wee, the pain was excruciating. Felt like I was peeing battery acid. Every trip to the loo ended with me in tears for the first few days.
But then some wonderful Mumsnetter came to my rescue and told me to sit on the toilet normally, but place my palms on the floor in front of me. Makes the pee flow directly backwards into the toilet instead of running down my sore lady bits 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹

wonderful!

SpuytenDuyvil · 22/04/2025 19:42

Best MN advice for me: don't set yourself on fire to keep someone else warm. Every woman should have that phrase on a post-it so she sees it as she walks out her front door.

poetryandwine · 22/04/2025 19:43

Thank you for the advice about parents’ cards, @LindorDoubleChoc . My DPs are very old and frail so this is a great idea.

The tip I read is not exciting but it is effective: put your laundry through an extra spin cycle before drying it by your preferred method. This makes a surprising difference to the drying time

girlwhowearsglasses · 22/04/2025 19:44

NO is a complete sentence

Cyclingmummy1 · 22/04/2025 19:45

MugsyBalonz · 22/04/2025 19:37

If you're going out for the day in summer/abroad then freeze a big bottle of water/juice the night before. The next day it'll gradually defrost across the course of the day meaning you've always got an icy cold drink to hand.

Talc hers sand off without any rubbing or faffing on with buckets of water. Just sprinkle it on sandy feet/hands and the sand will wipe/brush straight off.

One last day out one... You can fit an entire jar of hot dogs in a standard size thermos and they'll stay warm for a good few hours. That, a package of buns, and some ketchup is a quick lunch and cheaper than cafes (paid near fifty-frigging-quid for the world's worst lunch at a NT place once and never again).

Freeze half a bottle for school then top up with water. A full bottle of ice means they have nothing to drink until lunch time.

ImFckingMattDamon · 22/04/2025 19:46

murasaki · 22/04/2025 19:24

Yes, the food ideas are great. All hail the poster who put me onto chicken Alfredo lasagna.

And i got some great ideas for my last city break.

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Chicken Alfredo Lasagna you say 🧐 .....googles recipe..

MugsyBalonz · 22/04/2025 19:47

Cyclingmummy1 · 22/04/2025 19:45

Freeze half a bottle for school then top up with water. A full bottle of ice means they have nothing to drink until lunch time.

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Ah see, I'm up at 6 so by the time I leave the house at 8 it's already partially melted!