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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:
tteach · 28/05/2015 13:17

Oh and it took me ages to realise that the reason why my iPhone pictures looked blurry when using the flash was because a bit of the cover was over the lens! Was convinced it was a dodgy model before that Grin

QueenBean · 28/05/2015 14:33

MaxPepsi

Shut the front door.

What??! Ghds have an inbuilt adaptor?! What the? Where? How do I access this magical thing?

MaxPepsi · 28/05/2015 14:47

Yep - at least mine do. They are about 12 years old now so apologies if not relevant to newer ones.

I was told by a man too. He just randomly took part of the plug apart and lo and behold - there were the 2 pin prongs! I spent the rest of the weekend happily straightening my hair in his bathroom as they fitted the shaver adaptor thingy too!

MaidOfStars · 28/05/2015 15:40

Shut the front door

I love love love this expression Grin

IceBeing · 28/05/2015 15:56

trap a plateful of either cherry tomatoes or grapes in between two dinner plates then you can slice through the lot in one go.

I use a similar technique to cut cakes into layers although flat chopping boards work better in that case...so sandwich cake between two chopping boards then slice down into layers.

and (TMI) taking the first we of the day in the shower...saves time, water and bog roll.

IceBeing · 28/05/2015 15:56

wee not we

QueenBean · 28/05/2015 16:14

MaxPepsi thank you, this is incredible!

MaidofStars Grin

pinkyredrose · 28/05/2015 16:21

If I ever use face cleansing wipes, before I chuck them I use the to wipe the dust off skirting boards or go round the edge of the bath. Can also use on door handles, radiators, shelves, on the floor where my cats feeding bowls are - works a treat!

juggler4 · 28/05/2015 19:55

Get long distance mother-in-law to record a story to play to the kids and post the tape together with the book. Kids are entertained by the 'educational' activity while I lie around reading magazines clean the kitchen. (And i get brownie points for making evil MIL feel loved and wanted)
Yes, we still have an ancient cassette player in the house!

Theselittlelightsofmine · 28/05/2015 19:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

juggler4 · 28/05/2015 20:03

Write the names of the spices on the top of the jars so you can see what they are in the drawer without pulling out each one to check the label.

Lweji · 28/05/2015 20:22

I have one tip, but it didn't take me years.

On a very hot day and a warm bottle of water, if you wrap it in a wet cloth (it can be a t-shirt), after a while it will be at a drinkable temperature.
It worked in a jeep with no air conditioning in the moroccan desert.

SteamTrainsRealAleandOpenFires · 28/05/2015 20:41

How to put duvet inside cover.
Roll up a duvet prior to putting into cover.
Use 2 (or 3, if duvet cover is a side opener) pegs to hold corners of duvet (if bottom opener). Stand on bed/chair and just shake the duvet.

Damn...I've just "mansplained" haven't I? Blush

JessiePinkman · 28/05/2015 20:45

It's much easier to clean a steamy bathroom so I run a bath, clean bathroom, get in bath & then clean it as it's draining.
Put ice cream tub in a ziplock bag & it stays soft scoop.
Grate the whole cheese block & put in freezer - lasts much longer!
Chop & freeze all veges as soon as you buy them- no manky veges left in fridge
Squat while brushing teeth Grin

BeaufortBelle · 28/05/2015 20:55

Tights: navy, black, mine and dd's. She's 5'2" and I'm 5'7". Getting ready on darkish winter mornings. Laundry pen on label that says: my initial and colour or dd's initial and colour. Makes laundry sorting easier too. This drove me mad for years.

carabos · 28/05/2015 21:01

GHDs do indeed have a built in continental plug. Just take off the outer "normal" plug and there you are. I'd been using them for about 10 years before my hairdresser showed me that while giving me this look Hmm. To be fair, it doesn't tell you anywhere to do that except probably in the instruction booklet.

carabos · 28/05/2015 21:06

Easy bath clean - when you get out of it, chuck in a good sized helping if washing powder and swish round. Leave the water in the bath overnight. Next morning, drain and wipe round. All greasiness will be gone.

Beds - we solved all duvet related issues by having singles on all beds. Each person has one winter and one summer duvet, guaranteeing individual comfort and making changing of covers much easier.

CoperCabana · 28/05/2015 21:24

Take pop up laundry baskets on holidays for dirty clothes and for rounding up toys when kids are young and toys are big and messy.

I second writing sheet sizes on the labels, all bedding inside a pillowcase, using grill shelf in main oven and potato in microwave to make mash.

CoperCabana · 28/05/2015 21:53

The many uses of kitchen scissors, the key use for saving washing up is snipping bacon into the pan when making carbonara / risotto, or cutting up chunks of meat once cooked in slow cooker or on hob etc. therefore, you can empty a pack of meat straight into a recipe without having to use a chopping board.

FromMeToYou · 28/05/2015 21:56

I had a look on the ghd website, it says they have universal voltage so you can use them abroad but you need a travel adaptor. Maybe it's the older model people are talking about?
www.ghdhair.com/help/faqs

Laska42 · 28/05/2015 22:19

Cut cooked pizza with kitchen scissors rather than a knife or pizza thingy.. so much easier..

Freeze home made stock in ice cube trays ( silicone ones are the easiest) , then bag up for use..

Freeze left over grapes, banana in slices and pineapple chopped up in bags and L/f yoghurt (or left over custard) in ice cube trays.. and get a few out as a snack when the urge for ice cream hits ..

Shock bedding stored in the pillowcase.. Brilliant!! why didnt i think of that !

And am definately going to get a laundry pen for black and navy tights and leggings ...

cakesonatrain · 28/05/2015 23:05

You must have a bigger tights budget than I do - only my naicest couple of pairs have labels!

Justonemorecupoftea · 28/05/2015 23:23

There is an arrow by the side of the picture of a fuel pump on car dashboard. It points to side where you fill up. Genius. I had been driving for over 20 years when I found that out.

SistersofPercy · 28/05/2015 23:59

Just, that one is probably one of the biggest untruths on the internet. Some cars do have the pump symbol on the correct side but equally many don't I'm afraid, though it is a good idea manufacturers should take up!

Didn't realise until a few weeks ago many cars have key hooks on the petrol flap to give you a safe place to hang your keys when you fill up.

SistersofPercy · 29/05/2015 00:03

Apologies just, you mean an actual arrow not the side of the pump.

www.snopes.com/autos/techno/icon.asp

A fuel nozzle doesn't correspond with the filler cap, an arrow where fitted, does.