These Life Hacks Might Just Redefine Genius
Life can be difficult, even on the best of days. That's why when we can find little ways to make it easier, it's good to share. Because sharing is caring!
These are some genius life hacks that will turn everyday struggles into no struggle at all. Some will even have you asking, why didn't I think of that? Keep reading to learn how to use a shopping cart without a quarter, how to save space in your freezer, and how to watch videos on your phone while you're in bed.
Cut That Microwave Wait Time Down!
If you put a cup in the middle of one of the plates in the microwave, you can stack another plate on top of the glass to help heat things up quicker. Just make sure everything you use is microwave safe!
Now one plate doesn't have to get cold while you wait for the other plate to heat up. You and your partner can enjoy a warm meal at the exact same time. This hack might even save your relationship.
Who Else Struggles With Finding The End Of The Roll?
I also struggle with bread tags and find them super annoying, but now it seems that they serve a post-bread purpose after all. Keeping them stuck to the end of a tape roll is so helpful.
Without this hack it can take like ten minutes to find the end of the tape and get it unstuck from the rest of the roll. And even if you manage to find the end, sometimes you end up tearing your tape in half longwise and it's a whole mess.
This Person Might Actually Be From The Future...
He is living his best life, seriously. He's got that pool noodle resting on his rolled-down window so he can enjoy the breeze AND have a comfy armrest. It's truly the best of both worlds.
You don't need to be a truck driver to use this hack. Anybody who drives a car and has access to a pool noodle can try this out. Choose the pool noodle color that speaks to your soul... or, you know, just whichever one is available.
A Makeshift Paint Spout.
If you forgot to pick up an easy pour spout for the paint can, don't even worry about it! If you have painters tape around you can use it to make one until the next time you're at the hardware store.
Painters tape is pretty sturdy, and if you're painting a room in your house you probably have some handy anyway. Is there anything painters tape can't do? It seems like it's good for just about everything.
What A Brilliant Way To Move Clothes
This is the best way to transport clothes. No need for bulk boxes, your clothes will stay clean and be less wrinkled, plus you'll be able to keep better track of them in a move.
Also, this hack makes unpacking super easy. Now you don't have to dig through boxes trying to find your shirts and coats after you move. You can just pop these hangers in your new closet and take off the garbage bags.
Never Worry About Having Your Things Stolen Again.
Carry a clean diaper with you when you go to places like the beach or the park. When you want to take a dip or play some catch, just put your things in the diaper and close it up.
You can bet your bottom dollar (or just your bottom) that nobody is going to steal what looks like a dirty diaper. It's a bit of a gross hack, but it works! Try this out the next time you're enjoying a day outdoors.
Have We All Been Doing This Wrong?
Placing the strainer over a pot of pasta and dumping out the water instead of dumping out the pasta is the way to do it. It's a lot less work and you don't have to worry about spilling boiling water on you.
Just be aware that this only works if your strainer fits perfectly on your pot. If it's too small, you're going to pour all of your delicious pasta right down the drain.
What Would We Do Without Binder Clips?
They are so wonderful and so versatile. To save space in your freezer, use them to hang frozen bags of fruits and veggies. This makes them easy to use, easy to find, and it keeps them from getting freezer-burned.
This is a freezer storage solution that Marie Kondo would definitely approve of. These binder clips keep your bags closed and lifted out of the way at the same time. Why didn't we think of this sooner?
Everyone I Know Has A Plastic Bag Full Of Plastic Bags.
One of the markers of your adult life is when you start collecting plastic bags and keep them inside one big king plastic bag. Well, the next time you do that, opt for this super cute tissue box option to keep all your plastic bags together.
This way you won't have plastic bags spilling out of the cupboard under the sink or the cupboard above your washing machine. It just keeps everything so much neater.
If You Don't Have Time To Make A List...
Take a picture of the inside of your fridge. That way, if you're not sure if you need something or not, you'll be able to look. It's not a foolproof plan but works in a hurry.
If you don't have time to make a list or you don't want to write down what you're missing, you can just refer back to the photo. Can't remember if you're out of mustard or not? Check the photo.
Childproof In A Pinch
Cut out an old water bottle and put it over any sharp, toddler-height edges in your home if you have to childproof quickly. Plus, they're easy to take off after and recycle.
You can also make bumpers in a pinch out of pool noodles cut in half lengthwise. Kids seem to always find the hardest sharpest surfaces in your home, so if you have a rambunctious toddler, this hack might literally be a lifesaver.
I Never Know What To Do With These Department Store Hangers!
I usually just end up throwing them out because who wants junk lying around? But if they can be used to keep my chips crisp, then I'll be hanging onto those bad boys.
If you're not a person who likes chips, this hack also applies to your bag of frozen fruit and veggies, crackers, rice cakes, quinoa, pasta, or pretty much anything else in your pantry. You probably have some of these hangers just sitting in your closet right now.
Do This When Dismantling Furniture
If you need to dismantle furniture in order to move it from one home to another, or even from one room to another, make sure you keep track of all of the little screws, nails, nuts, and bolts. You can use a piece of cardboard for this.
Label all of the screws on the cardboard (as in the picture above) so you know exactly where they go when you have to rebuild whatever you took apart.
We've All Had Pants With Worn Out Zippers.
Using an old key ring will help with the zipper issue if the pants are still worth keeping. Just put the key ring through the pull it up and loop it around the button.
If you're pregnant and you still want to wear your old non-maternity jeans, you can attach an elastic band to that key ring to make your pants fit a bit looser. You might have to invest in some maternity pants eventually, though.
How To Get Your Kid To Take Medicine
This kid thinks that he's drinking Pepsi, but in reality, that can of Pepsi isn't even open. His mom is holding a bottle of medicine behind the Pepsi can, and that's what the straw is sitting in.
This kid is perfectly content drinking his medicine and he has no idea that Pepsi doesn't taste like medicine at all. This hack only works while your kids are young, so use it while you can! If only teenagers were this easy to trick.
How To Hang An Object With Two Screws
Sometimes picture frames or smoke detectors or scones need to be mounted with two screws or nails instead of one. It can be really difficult to get those screws perfectly place. That's where this hack comes in.
Just place a piece of painters tape on the back of the object and mark where the screws go. Then place the tape on the wall and drill the screws through the marked dots on the tape. Peel away the tape and you're good to go.
Is It Just Me Or Does The Tennis Ball Look Like It Isn't Sure How It Ended Up Here?
This is a neat idea for a hack, though. It is really versatile and a nice change from key racks, especially if you can't make holes in your wall or don't have a lot of space.
This would also be a really great fixture to put in a kid's room to hold their hats or belts or karate belts. It would be perfect for a kid who is really into sports. This might work with a baseball too, although you'd need a pretty sharp knife to slice it.
There Are Few Things Worse Than No Counter Space.
The total lack of counter space is one of the worst parts about living in a tiny apartment. This is genius! I'm not sure I ever would have thought of this before. The only trick is finding a perfectly sized cutting board.
If you don't have a cutting board that fits, you can just measure your drawer and have a slab of wood cut to the same dimensions. This hack is great even if you don't live in a tiny apartment.
I Can Breathe Easier Just Thinking About This!
Mix one liter of boiling water with two tablespoons of Vicks's Vapor Rub, stirring until they're combined. Then, freeze them overnight and put one in the bottom of your shower and let the steam do wonders for plugged ears and noses.
This way you don't have to get your body all sticky with Vapor Rub, and you still get all of the relief it has to offer. We'll definitely be trying this one out during cold season.
How Has No One Told Us About This?!
I might be a fool, but I never thought of locking two ziplock bags together. If you turn one inside out, they fit together perfectly and close, no problem!
This person put a keyboard in her ziplock bags, but you can use this hack for big cuts of meat, frozen casseroles, large whole fish, or anything else that's too big to fit into one ziplock bag. My freezer storage game just got a level up.
Oh Avocados...Never Ripe At The Right Time.
But, that's all about to change. If you buy an under-ripe avocado and put it in a beer cozy, it will be ripe the next morning! It's almost as exciting as Christmas.
There is some science behind this that we don't fully understand. Something about oxygen getting to the skin. Also, if you don't want your avocados to get ripe to quickly, you can pop them into the fridge to slow down the ripening process.
Who Carries Change Anymore?
Very few of us! Apparently, if you use the top of a round key, it will slide into the coin slot of a shopping cart no problem. To get the key out when you're done shopping just return the shopping cart to its proper place, pop in the connector from another shopping cart, and your key should pop right out.
If you don't have change or keys on you, well, then you might just need to carry your groceries.
Don't Have The Right Size Pan?
No problem! You can use tinfoil to make a pan you do have into the right shape. It probably isn't going to be a foolproof plan, but it will certainly work well enough!
This hack works better for more solid foods such as casseroles and lasagnas. Anything with a liquidy batter is probably going to seep under the tin foil barrier. The casserole in the photo above looks delicious. This is a great hack when you're cooking for a small number of people.
Everyone's Biggest Fear
Fret no more. Someone figured out a great way to make sure you never get caught without TP. Just placing the empty roll under the seat lets the next person know that there's no TP left.
Or, you know, you could just replace the roll for them. You never know, it could be you coming in to use the bathroom next. It's also smart to keep some extra rolls of toilet paper in the bathroom in a cabinet that you can reach from the toilet.
Forgetting Your Chargers Is So Frustrating.
Attaching your keys to a loop in your charger will help you remember it next time you go on vacation or stay overnight somewhere. No one likes having a dead phone or a missing charger.
You can't leave your house without your keys, and when you go to retrieve your keys, you'll be reminded to take your charger with you. This hack also works for anything you want to remember to take with you when you leave your house.
This Is Perfect When You Want To Keep Your Hands Clean.
I always put my hands way too far into the glass and full drown my Oreo. This will ensure you get the right cookie-to-milk ratio and greatly improve my quality of life.
Sure, you could just use your hands, but then the part where your fingers come in contact with the cookie won't get any milk on it. This hack ensures that the Oreo is totally doused in milk. You can just plunge the fork right in there.
Do You Enjoy Wearing Earplugs, But Can't Get Them To Fit Properly?
If you're someone with small ears, but can't stand noises at night, this is the trick to save your night. Pop some earplugs into straws, throw them in the freezer, then pull them out when you need to use them. They'll fit much better.
A lot of materials expand when their hot and contract when their cold— especially porous materials like the spongey stuff that earplugs are made out of. The cold earplugs might feel pretty nice, too.
Here's Another Way To Keep A Work Book Open.
This is perfect for those self-care nights in when you want to do some coloring in your adult coloring book but don't want to struggle to keep it flat the whole time.
This hack also works for reading books in bed or when you're relaxing on the couch or when you need to refer back to a specific page in a book. College students, are you listening? This is great for those long all-nighters before a big exam.
Trying To Watch Your Phone In Bed Can Be A Struggle.
You've got to get comfortable, but then when you find the perfect position it doesn't work with holding your phone up! This guy has it all figured out. Now you can be comfy and entertained.
This hack also works well for long plane journeys. You can hook a ziplock bag with your phone in it onto the seat in front of you. This might seem a bit extra, but don't knock it until you try it.
Apparently, Putting Vegetable Oil On Pumpkins Helps Them Last Longer!
This is great news for those of us who count down for Halloween all year. Now, we can get our pumpkins and carve them early, too! Who doesn't want to make the spooky season last?
Try out this hack well before Halloween so you can see how long your jack-o-lanterns really last. Then you'll have a better idea of when to carve your Halloween pumpkins. We hope you're toasting those pumpkin seeds after you scoop them out of your pumpkin! Those things are delicious.
Here's A Great Way To Keep Squirrels At Bay.
Grab a slinky from the dollar store and spread it over the pole of your bird feeder. That will keep squirrels and other furry friends from being able to climb up.
Every time they grab onto the slinky in an attempt to get up to the bird feeder, the slinky will be weighed down causing the squirrel to be lowered gently back onto the ground. Leave some food out for the squirrels too, though. It's the right thing to do.
Nothing Hurts More Than Breaking In New Shoes.
But, if you put on some big wooly socks and wear your new shoes around the house, it will help them stretch out! That way, when they make their debut, they won't blister so badly.
The woolly socks will make the shoes more comfortable, plus the extra bulk will help them stretch to fit more comfortably the next time you wear them. If you don't have thick socks, you can just wear two pairs of socks at once.
No More Losing Screws!
Putting a magnetic band on while doing painting or renovations will help you keep track of all the little screws and tiny pieces that inevitably go missing, especially if you're moving things around a lot.
Now you won't find screws randomly scattered all over your house, and you'll always have a screw or a nail on hand whenever you need one. Nobody likes stepping on a loose screw with bare feet. That's even worse than stepping on a Lego piece!
Give Your Kids A Healthy Snack
If you want to eat your popcorn in peace without your toddler asking for some (and then crying because he can't have it because he'll choke on it), try out this hack. Put a bowl of small pieces of cauliflower in your popcorn bowl and give your toddlers a piece of cauliflower when they ask for popcorn.
They won't know the difference and you can enjoy a delicious midday snack. It's the perfect parent hack.
A Runner's Pocket
If you're worried about your keys or your change falling out of your pocket while you're running, try out this hack. Use a rubber band to tie your pocket closed on the inside of your shorts or running pants.
This way you know that your valuables are safe even if you're moving around. This hack will give you a bit more peace of mind while you're out exercising. Make sure to tie that rubber band on super tight!
Make Your Own Basement Windows
This room is actually underground, believe it or not. Those are not windows to the outside world, but flat LED panels mounted on the wall. The person then placed some frosted glass and window panes over the LED panels.
Now this room doesn't even look like a basement. It looks like a bright space that's perfect for entertaining. It would be so cool to have a bar in this basement space. It's so bright now!
A Makeshift Bottle Opener
This person found himself in a hotel room with a beer and without a bottle opener. After scouring the room for anything he could use to open his beer, he decided to try the hinge above his hotel room door. It worked like a charm.
The next time you find yourself in a similar pickle, be sure to remember this life hack. You'd think a hotel room would have a bottle opener in it, especially if they have a mini bar. This one didn't.
Tweezers In A Pinch
If you find yourself in need of a pair of tweezers but you don't have any with you, you can use three coins to create a pair of tweezers in a pinch. You can use these coin tweezers to remove splinters, fix a hangnail, pull out an ingrown hair, or remove a bee stinger.
This is a great hack to have in your back pocket in case of an emergency— a tweezer emergency, that is.
A Queso Hack
This person discovered that she could use a candle warmer to heat up a store bought jar of Tostitos queso and now her life is so much better.
This is just another reason to invest in a candle warmer. If you have one of these things, you can enjoy your scented candles without worrying about an open flame, avoid breathing in soot, and you can have warm queso whenever you feel like it. Talk about a multi-use product!
Use Your Water Wisely
If you have a vegetable garden in your yard, try out this water saving hack. Wash your vegetables right when you pick them using a mesh basket. Place a bucket under the basket to catch any water that falls off the vegetables.
After you're done washing your produce, you can use the water in the bucket to water your plants. If you don't have a mesh basket, you can also use a laundry basket or a large colander.
Don't Worry About Parking Anymore
It doesn't matter if you're a new or experienced driver, parking can be pretty difficult. There's nothing worse than trying to be a show-off and back into a parking spot but having no idea how close you are to the cars next to you. Then you have to awkwardly open your drivers-side door to see if you're near the line and then adjust.
Overall, it's a bad experience that can easily be fixed if they just painted the parking lines up the wall like this parking garage.
Now You Don't Have To Awkwardly Tap Each Door
Is there any normal way to find an open stall in a busy bathroom? You either have to walk around bent over hoping you can see a stall without any feet, or you have to awkwardly push on each door to see if it will open. When you do that though you risk accidentally seeing through the crack in the door.
This bathroom decided to just hook up a simple light to the lock button to save everyone some time and dignity.
Grocery Stores That Actually Put Their Wasted Food To Use
Getting the right bananas for banana bread is tricky. They have to be the perfect ripeness for baking but that means letting your bananas sit for at least 3-4 days. That means there is a waiting period from the time your craving banana bread to when you can actually make it.
This grocery store decided to put there older fruit to good use and give us the banana bread fix we all needed. The bags of ripe bananas even come with a recipe!
This Hallway Is Not For Daredevils
This genius school decided to paint their main hallway like this to stop kids from running and it absolutely worked. I'm getting dizzy just looking at this photo. Not only would this stop kids from running but it probably makes them walk in a single-file line on the left side of the hall to avoid the "dip" in the hallway.
Of course, this isn't exactly a good hallway if you suffer from something like vertigo.
Candy-Free Checkout Counters
Parents and people who can't resist the temptation of a sweet treat at checkout would love to see this candy-free checkout aisle become a thing. Can you imagine not having to hear your toddler scream for a candy bar? That's what we call shopping bliss.
One thing that's kind of funny about this sign is the fact that it's so plain. Just white with some basic blue font. You don't have to worry about candy in this aisle, or anything else remotely entertaining.
I'm Not Crying, You're Crying
Anyone who has had to put a pet down will probably get choked up seeing this sign. It isn't easy sharing a final moment with your best friend and hearing someone in the vet hallway complaining about their dog's diarrhea.
This simple, genius fix of lighting a candle also pays tribute to a fallen friend. We personally got teared up the first time we saw a candle like this at our vet's office. What a sweet idea.
An Evacuation Plan On The Floor
We're taught as little kids that if you're ever in a fire, drop to the ground. Heat and smoke rise so the fire will try and travel up to the ceiling. Even though we know this, sometimes you have to stand up to run or find out the evacuation plan.
This plan along the bottom of a hotel hallway allows you to crawl to safety and avoid extra smoke inhalation while you're doing so.
Avoid Getting Lost And Buying Junk Food
It feels like supermarkets are built to make us lost. There's no windows, no clocks, and all the items are constantly being moved around. It makes it difficult to run into the store for just a few items because you'll likely end up wandering aimlessly and accidentally buying six boxes of Pop-Tarts.
This supermarket map attached to the cart is what we all need. Get in, buy your healthy food for the week, and get out with minimal temptation.
Speak Your Mind
Have you ever wanted to thank a driver for letting you out or wanted to let them know you were ticked about being cut off? Then you need this LED sign, which offers several options for expressing your emotions. This is definitely a step up from rolling down the window and yelling.
The only concern we have is that this smiling face looks a little creepy. We just hope that drivers behind you understand that this is a friendly gesture.
So Long, Would-Be Peepers
The people who use this restroom no longer have to worry about people seeing them through the spaces in the stall, as bristles are installed on the bathroom doors to block the openings. This is so simple, so how is this not a thing everywhere?
Plus, the bristles might help to block out sounds and give restroom visitors the impression that they actually have some privacy while they're using the facilities.
Better Phone Charging
Charging your phone can be kind of annoying as far as outlets are concerned. Once you plug in charging adapters for your phone and your tablet, you're out of space. But not necessarily! That doesn't have to be the case with this USB outlet. These should be standard in new and recently-renovated homes everywhere.
We've also seen these types of outlets in airports and other public charging stations. It's brilliant!
You Move, You (Don't) Lose
Is there anything more annoying than a person who swoops up your seat the moment you get up to go to the bathroom? This can be prevented with the "Seat Saver" that looks like spilled food, so no one will bother your seat.
After all, no one in their right mind is going to want to sit in a sticky or wet mess. We have to wonder if you'd get dirty looks if anyone sees you picking this item up when you return to your seat.
Cleaning With Style
If there's one thing the average person doesn't have enough of, it's time, so we're curious why these slippers with a built-in mop function isn't a thing we see everywhere. Cleaning while getting snacks during a commercial break is a total win-win.
All you need to do for cleaner floors is pop these babies on and simply walk around the house. And if you think these slippers are cool, wait until you see the ones that prevent stubbed toes.
Now You Know What's Actually In The Product
Consumers are starting to expect more from the brands they buy. Gone are the days when big companies could add whatever they wanted into a product and get away with it.
Proctor and Gamble have realized that and decided to add an ingredient list that shows why everything in their dish soap is actually there. This information will give consumers the ability to decide for themselves which ingredients they're willing to accept in their household products.
Keeping Kids Healthy
This grocery store has the right idea -- instead of giving their younger patrons cookies when they enter the store, they're offering them a free piece of fruit instead. We love how they're promoting healthiness at a young age and would love to see this in all grocery stores.
Another benefit of passing out a healthy snack as people enter the store is that it can help prevent tantrums from "hangry" kids.
Finally, A Cast You Can Shower In
Anyone who has been seriously injured and has had to get a cast knows the two worst parts is the itch, and not being able to shower. Technology has saved both those issues with this new 3D printed cast.
Now you can get it as wet as you want. Heck, you could even go swimming if it doesn't weight you down. The best part is obviously that you can itch at any angle, at any time.
So Simple, Yet So Smart
Pretty much everyone has uttered a four-letter word after blindly stumbling around and bumping into something at night, so how are these slippers with lights built in not a thing everywhere yet?
Just think about all the bumped heads and stubbed toes that these genius slippers could prevent. Going to the kitchen for a drink of water or making a trip to the bathroom doesn't have to be a dangerous mission anymore.
You Snooze, You Lose
Pretty much everyone viewing this slideshow has been a victim of the snooze function -- you hit it and the next thing you know, you've overslept an hour. When this alarm clock goes off, it leaps off the nightstand and rolls around your room until you actually get up to turn it off.
Every person who has trouble getting up in the morning should have one of these. Heck, employers might even reimburse them for it!
Do You Want To Be Annoyed Or Not?
These different colored baskets are such a simple solution to differentiate between two very different types of shoppers. Whether you've worked in retail and have had to ask everyone if they need help, or you're a shopper who hates getting badgered, these are a game-changer.
Now you can shop in peace without having to give an innocent 16-year-old part-time worker a dirty look. Or, if you prefer to be assisted, you can have it your way too.
Break It Down
Considering how many restaurants load up their entrees with calories, we think this receipt that has a caloric breakdown for each food item is brilliant. No more guesswork over how many calories are being consumed, plus you know where you stand in terms of carbs and protein intake.
Also, having all the nutritional the information printed out on the receipt like this makes it easy for people to record their intake later.
