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Original poster

Simple useful things that took you too long to work out...

379 replies

MyCatIsAGit · 27/05/2015 06:55

Like taking the oven shelf out of the top oven to use in the bottom (bigger) oven so you can fit 3 trays in rather than just 2.

10 years we've had that oven, juggling baking trays at Christmas and for kid's beige food and chips tea, in fact most days. Especially as top oven doesn't work v well.

Revelation this Sunday..

OP posts:
Trumpton · 31/05/2015 10:22

Oh my days ! GHD 2 pin plug is genius ! Showed Dd ( 30 ) she was equally amazed !
I had to unscrew plug cover on mine but hers just pulled out .

Everyday a school day !

Trumpton · 31/05/2015 10:25

Packing for holidays with children . A sandwich bag a day with pants ,socks,Tshirt,shorts for each child.
Saves the " I dressed myself look !"
Grab a bag and get dressed !

AuntyMary · 31/05/2015 10:56

Continuing the name tape theme I get name tapes with my mobile number also printed on so for me it would be "Aunty Mary 07123 456789". For most items I cut off the phone number (at the 2) and fold it under and just sew the name tape in. For anything that is going to get taken off (coats, scarves, swimming towels etc) I leave the name tape on. My DS used to get a school bus home (in primary school). One day the bus was running very late and the lady who looked after the children was able to phone me just by looking in my son's coat to warn me.

I also had a set of name tapes made which read 'If found please call 07123 456789' which I sew onto my swim towels, coats etc. Saddo that I am....

AuntyMary · 31/05/2015 11:01

What would you do if you lost your phone? How would someone be able to return it to you?

I typed out on an excel spreadsheet "If lost please call DH tel no". I made the text black and the background a colour. I then took a photo of the computer screen with my phone, saved the photo and now use it as my background pic/screen saver. Anyone picking phone up would then be able to call my DH to report phone.

I left my phone in my daughter's swim bag once. She went home with a friend and they found my phone. The mum was then able to call my DH (she only had my mobile number which was obviously no use at that point!) and I knew phone was safe.

Littleham · 31/05/2015 11:25

BabySocks. Your dot system is genius. I have three girls & their clothes always get mixed up. Why didn't I think of that?

BalloonSlayer · 31/05/2015 11:33

Another reason I like the just plain surname, not ordering Peter Smith Jane name tapes is to prevent the following exchange, which may or may not be familiar to those with different sex DCs.

Time: 08:40. Place: Home. The hall. Front door open
Mum - Come on we're LATE. Again!
DS - I can't find my school cap/fleece/sweatshirt
Mum- Well where did you have it last?
DS - I don't KNOW!
Mum - Well you'll have to manage without it today, we're LATE
DS - But I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeed it! Waaaaaah!
Mum - Oh for God's sake. Dashes upstairs Here. Take this old one.
DS - But it's got "Jane Smith" in it. I'm not taking that! Everyone will laugh at me wearing my sister's clothes. Waaaaah!

evelynj · 31/05/2015 11:36

I bought one of those shoe hangers for the wardrobe-enough space to put a full baby/child outfit in each space without thinking & without dh trying to put a child's outfit together!

BikeRunSki · 31/05/2015 12:05

I do that too Trumpton.

EmNetta · 31/05/2015 12:11

Since getting maggots in wheelie-bin, I've used an extra bag to wrap before discarding, which also eliminates any odour - if there's no air escaping, there's no way flies etc. can get into rubbish, and cheapest bags seem to be just as effective.

BlackNoSugar · 31/05/2015 13:42

This thread is genius! Can we get it moved out of Chat - Housekeeping maybe? I don't want it to disappear.

BalloonSlayer · 31/05/2015 14:14

Jeez the shoe hanger and the sandwich bags for baby outfits are fantastic ideas. Now I want to have another baby just so that I can deploy these techniques!

Littleham · 31/05/2015 14:29

Two more

Bananas - if you peel them from the bottom you no longer have to deal with the nasty stringy bits. Smile

Phones - if you need to charge a phone in a hurry put it in airplane mode first. I also have one of those portable chargers in my handbag & one in the car.

siblingrevelryagain · 31/05/2015 17:13

Sorry if everyone does this already:

When opening a bag of frozen veg, cut a strip across the top to open it (about half an inch down), then use this to tie round the bag so the veg doesn't spill in the freezer.

Gilrack · 31/05/2015 17:41

Sibling, I use clothes pegs for that. Tying knots is too much like work!

cakesonatrain · 31/05/2015 17:53

I do the knot-tying in frozen things bags too.
DH just opens things and then plonks the bag back in the freezer...

KillmeNow · 31/05/2015 18:13

Store baked beans upside down so the beans sink, turn right way up when you open the tin so the juice is now at the bottom and pushes all the beans out in one go. Saves digging around with a spoon.

Or just open the bottom of the tin :)

I use a shoe hanger to keep all those miscellaneous things like batteries ,sellotape ,camera accessories etc in one place.

When you buy a new household item put the receipt in a sandwich bag them take the whole thing to the back or underneath the item in case you ever need to return it.

Gilrack · 31/05/2015 18:56

Oh, I've just remembered an embarrassing "never knew that!" which needs attention ... There's an overflow tank on the back of the fridge, which collects all the manky meltwater that goes out of the little drainage hole.

I discovered this when my fridge "stopped working properly" and caused a smelly kitchen flood Blush Haven't emptied it for ages.

OhSheesh · 31/05/2015 19:23

SevTSnape: boiled sweets will be very very bad for your teeth. These are my fave which you can also get as gum. Good points: yummy, lower calories than sugar products, good for teeth, all-natural. Bad points: a bit pricey, can upset your digestive system if you over-consume!
www.peppersmith.co.uk/things-we-make/mints/lemon-xylitol-mints/

Gnomic · 31/05/2015 19:32

For chopping fresh herbs, put them in a mug and chop them with scissors. Way faster and easier than board and knife.

SarahJessop123 · 31/05/2015 19:46

One of my top tips is whenever I get a red wine stain on my dress, I get a stick of butter from the fridge and rub it into the stain. Then I rub a slice of cucumber on to it and then straight in the freezer overnight. Sure enough when I take it out, the stain just cracks off.

BeCool · 31/05/2015 19:48

I file all warranties instructions etc together in box file.

If there are leftover bits/spare parts etc put the parts and instructions together in a ziplock type bag before filing.

Tape the Allen key etc to the instructions so you can find it again easily.

Staple receipt to warranty.

DustBunnyFarmer · 31/05/2015 19:48

For chopping fresh herbs, put them in a mug and chop them with scissors.

We've been doing this for ages. It is much quicker and, if you are chopping herbs for a sauce, you can rinse out any clingy herb bits with whatever you are using in the sauce (wine, milk etc).

DustBunnyFarmer · 31/05/2015 19:49

Staple receipt to warranty.

If it's printed using one of those heat/ink tills and the product comes with a long warranty, photocopy or scan it first - they fade over time.

spad · 31/05/2015 19:51

Bump, this is a great thread!

Bohemond · 31/05/2015 19:53

Fill bird feeders using a jam funnel.
Washing powder will clean a tea stained mug or a stained sink.