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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Life hacks

53 replies

Dancer12345 · 02/09/2018 22:04

I’ve just watched a video on Facebook with supposed life hacks. The odd one seemed ok, but some just seemed like I’d never use them, and many seemed to take longer than the obvious way of doing something!

So, do you have a life hack that you use a lot, works well, and saves time (and possibly money)?

OP posts:
NewName54321 · 09/09/2018 23:21

Peel oranges cleanly by cutting off the top and bottom.
Then slice the peel from top to bottom in one place.
Open it up into one long strip of peel - the segments will separate and stand up like an orange Toberlerone.

keyboardkate · 09/09/2018 23:23

Always have spare batteries for your rabbit.....

GinandGingerBeer · 09/09/2018 23:41

Are you sure you mean a toblerone @NewName54321 and not a terrys chocolate orange?
I'm picturing it but cannot fathom how your orange turns into triangles Grin

Now I want a toblerone Sad

NewName54321 · 10/09/2018 10:59

Please try it and see if you can describe it better. It does work, I promise. You end up with a strip of peel with the segments standing up on it.

ChateauRouge · 10/09/2018 11:23

The orange idea is ingenious!

Airaforce · 14/09/2018 09:02

Bump

picklemepopcorn · 14/09/2018 09:08

I second getting this thread moved! OP, can you ask?

Bathroom tips...
Squeegee your shower before you get out.
Scrub the sink with a nail brush when you wash your hands.
Use toilet roll to clean that area around the loo seat hinge. A quick wipe every now and then, and flush the paper.

Original poster
Dancer12345 · 14/09/2018 13:36

Some great tips here - I need to try them!

How do I ask for this to be moved picklemepopcorn

OP posts:
picklemepopcorn · 14/09/2018 13:56

Report your post, and comment that you'd like it in a more long term section.

Original poster
Dancer12345 · 14/09/2018 14:28

Thanks, done.

OP posts:
MNHQ
AnyaMumsnet · 14/09/2018 15:02

Hi there everyone,

We're moving this to Housekeeping at OP's request.

popsanddolls · 14/09/2018 21:19

Try Emily Norris on eBay she's fab and has loads of hacks....

I don't waste money on air fresheners I use fabric condition with water in a bottle and squirt everywhere

smurfy2015 · 31/10/2018 19:20

To save on buying air fresheners, before you put the heating on smear a bit of fabric conditioner that you like on the radiator - the scent will spread thru the room

Good thread OP

picklemepumpkin · 01/11/2018 07:10

I've added a dish brush to my shower routine for quick scrub of the corners and grout, shower is looking fab and all on a lick and a promise.

Sunnysidegold · 01/11/2018 07:13

Pickle, get one of those dishmatic dish brushes - it has A handle you can fill with a washing up.liquid/ vinegar mix and it has a sponge head. It's super to keep in the shower.

Handbaghag · 01/11/2018 07:24

Replace your febreze with a calculator capful of Zoflora in water

Handbaghag · 01/11/2018 07:24

I have NO idea where calculator came from 😂

picklemepumpkin · 01/11/2018 08:28

I'm using up my old kitchen brushes, sunny. We're moving on to loofahs next- plastic banishment underway!

MrsA2015 · 01/11/2018 08:44

Before binning a wetwipe, wipe round the top of the bin then chuck it (unless it’s been on a bum)

If you’re desclaing a kettle, make your cuppa FIRST. Then when kettles done fill up your empty mug (gets rid of coffee/tea stain/soup) rest of it pour over taps and drainer

Wood pellet cat litter is super absorbent , put some in a sock or stocking and stick it into wet shoes

Fold bedding sets into its own pillow case, fitted sheets and all!

Tiniest dab of essential oil on radiators so when they’re turned on it smells lovely

ShotsFired · 01/11/2018 08:57

I cut up old t shirts/leggings/towelling dressing gowns/towels and use as rags. Haven't bought kitchen roll or wipes for decades. Either wash and reuse or bin the really manky ones.

The car/bag/swap thing confuses me. Why don't you just take the bags back out to the car next time you go?

More specifically, I have all my sports socks and bras in a different drawer to normal stuff, so I know I can grab anything from that drawer and it'll be suitable. Actually I do that for sports wear and normal clothes too, come to think of it...

I keep small bottles of decanted antifreeze and washer fluid and oil in the boot of my car for any emergency top ups (along with a general breakdown kit +extra bits for winter driving)

I stash envelopes and pens in a drawer in the coffee table so there is always something right to hand to jot stuff down on.

I have several 3m long phone charger cables around the house. Changed my life!

trinitybleu · 08/11/2018 09:24

Anyone got any more for us? I was really enjoying these!

Fromage · 08/11/2018 13:18

To keep your house pristine and spotless, don't have kids.

Whatsnewwithyou · 08/11/2018 13:22

Brush your teeth in the shower as it's nice and warm in there.

MaMisled · 08/11/2018 13:27

If you need to remember to do something, visualise it for a minute or two, with something you'll automatically do. For example I lay in bed imagining wrapping wool around and round the kettle to remind me to take my knitting on my train journey today. As I flicked the kettle on at 6am,:the wool image sprang to mind!

SurfnTerfFantasticmissfoxy · 08/11/2018 13:33
  • keep a bottle of bleach and a packet of antibacterial floor wipes (aldis ones are good and about 80p) in each bathroom. (I tuck mine behind the sink pedestal) Whenever you use the bathroom / loo give it a quick clean, that way it never really gets dirty and you don't have to 'schedule in' cleaning it. The wipes will work on the loo, sink, bath and floor.
  • keep a big ziplock bag in the freezer and chop any fruit that is getting past its best directly into it. If the kids are hungry after school, grab a handful of the mixed frozen fruit, top up with milk and you have an instant smoothie / milkshake.
  • to really plump up your pillows, drop them from head height onto the floor a few times
  • you can use leftover bits of scented candles as wax melts. Tip them into a glass bowl and melt over hot water, pour into an ice cube tray until set
  • B&M sell a hand held rubber brush, its the best thing ever for pet hair, or if like me your own hair gets everywhere
  • ikea knitted blankets look like wool but are cotton so easy to wash and tumble dry and perfect to protect sofas from pet hair
  • plain white vinegar and a microfiber cloth will clean windows, mirrors, tv screen, stainless better than anything and costs pennies
  • keep a storage box under the stairs or on top of a wardrobe and whenever there is a special offer or good buy on kids toys, buy one and stick it in the box, means you're never caught short for a gift to send to a birthday party you've forgotten about. I also use up my Boots Advantage points doing this. In a similar vein, make sure you have the email address of all your kids friends' parents and you can email an amazon voucher with a birthday greeting if you do forget completely. Costco sell big boxes of mixed greetings cards