Do you ever come across internet lifehacks that are so smart and so simple that you think, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Besides the glory that comes with posting a genius lifehack for the world to see, you get to dub yourself a true problem-solver. Not many people can say that.
Whether you’re a seasoned lifehacker or just someone who wants to make things a little easier , check out these smart lifehacks we wish we knew about sooner.
Use Command Hooks to hold up your phone.
There are so many situations where you need your hands free while using your phone or tablet.
If you don’t want to shell out money for a fancy device holder, try using Command Hooks. This way, you can hang up your device anywhere for optimum visibility.
This is especially handy if you need your device for following a recipe while cooking.
Since the device is on the wall, you don’t have to worry about any damage from spills or splashes. So smart!
How to dunk your fries in ketchup without making a mess.
I’ve been waiting all my life for someone to come up with this solution.
Going through the drive-thru and getting fries is not the healthiest meal but it’s so delicious every now and then.
The only problem? There is no portable method for using ketchup in your car.
Up until now, we’ve risked getting ketchup everywhere.
Next time you’re craving some fries, try this.
Rip the top off the ketchup packet and dunk your fry directly into the packet. Ahhhh… why didn’t I think of this?
Hang your slippers up to dry.
Slippers are one of those things that we don’t wash too often, but when we do, the proper method of cleaning and drying them is a complete mystery.
Obviously, they can’t go in the dryer, but if you leave them flat on the ground to dry, it takes forever .
Thankfully, someone had the genius idea to hang them up with regular ol’ clothes hangers.
Clear a spot in your closet, or hang them from your shower rod. They’ll be dry in no time.
Use white-out to make engravings visible.
If you use tools often, you’ll want to keep this hack in your back pocket.
You know those engravings on your tools that tend to tell you important details? You know, the ones that are virtually impossible to see?
With this simple hack, you’ll finally be able to see them clearly. Grab some white-out or white nail polish.
Paint over the engraving and wipe away any excess before the white-out dries.
The white-out will fill in the engravings for the numbers so you can see them! Is this smart or what?
A better way to store your extra plastic bags.
Does anyone else have a cupboard that is completely filled with plastic bags?
At one point, there was some sort of plastic bag holder, but now it’s buried under the sheer number of plastic bags.
Brace yourself, open that cupboard, and grab an empty tissue box.
Start storing your plastic bags in an empty tissue box to cut down on clutter.
When you do need to grab one, they’re easy to access and you don’t have to wade through a tsunami of plastic bags in the process.
Organize your medicine cabinet.
The medicine cabinet is another area in every home that is severely neglected.
People will keep storing random medicine and ointments in there until it is bursting at the seams.
Now’s the time to go through that cabinet, chuck out anything that’s expired, and get it organized once and for all.
Grab a few Ziploc bags. Cut out the label and instructions from the box of medicine and put them in the bag along with the medicine.
All those boxes take up space, but now everything can be stored neatly in a single basket.
A revolutionary way to organize cables.
Zip ties are the unsung heroes of lifehacks.
I feel like a learn a new use for these simple tools every day. Take this hack, for example.
To keep your cables organized and free from tangles, create a zip tie grid.
Wrap one zip tie around all your cables. Then, in the spaces between each cable, wrap another zip tie around the first to section off each cable.
If you really want to take this hack to the next level, you can add a label to each zip tie so you know exactly what the cable is for.
Need a funnel ASAP?
If you’re in the middle of a project and need a funnel, cut the top off of a plastic water bottle.
The brilliant thing about this hack is that if you need the funnel when using chemicals or a really messy project, you don’t have to worry about cleaning it. Just recycle it when you’re done.
You’ll save money by not constantly buying new funnels, or worrying about wrecking one.
I love it when smart hacks keep my bank account balance in check.
DIY cupcake container
You know, sometimes the best lifehacks are the simplest, and in this case, the sweetest.
If you’re bringing cupcakes to a party or bake sale, use a grape container from Costco to transport them.
I know, I know. You could just buy one of those cupcake containers for $20, but if you’re like me and only bake cupcakes once a year, then this is the solution for you.
Why spend $20 on something you’ll rarely use? Do this instead.
How do people think of these?
If you have ever needed to fill up a bucket without a proper sink, tub, or hose, then you know the struggle is real.
Instead of taking what feels like years to accomplish this simple task, all while soaking yourself and creating a mess, just grab a dustpan next time.
Place the dustpan in the sink to make a spout that will pour the water into your waiting bucket.
No struggle. No mess. No straining your back.
Hang up pool noodles in your garage.
Pool noodles are insanely useful outside of the pool.
I would suggest stocking up on some extras from the dollar store in the summer. You never know when you’ll need one for a hack.
Here’s one use for pool noodles I never knew about and it’s so clever.
Cut a pool noodle in half and mount it along the wall of your garage. It’ll cushion your door and prevent any dings.
You can also hang them strategically so you know how far to pull your car in. Thank you, pool noodles!
Squeeze out every last drop.
Is there anything more frustrating than trying to squeeze out the last of your lotion or makeup?
You know there’s enough left in the tube for at least one more use, but it is impossible to get it out.
Try folding the tube and using a binder clip to hold the folded edge. You’d be surprised how much you can get from a seemingly empty tube.
Try this hack on your toothpaste tubes, too! It’s a real money-saver.
Use a lint brush to clean screen doors.
If you live in an area that gets a lot of pollen or dandelion seeds floating in the air in the spring, then you know this struggle all too well.
These random fluffies love screen doors. The worst part? Once they’re stuck there, they’re stuck for good.
Instead of cursing Mother Nature for these fluffies, grab a lint brush to quickly and painlessly remove them.
This works on window screens, too! If you have screens that are in serious need of a clean, stock up on lint brushes.
Remove stubborn labels with ease.
Anyone who uses prescription medicine knows how unnerving it can be to toss the bottles with the labels still attached.
Those labels contain a lot of personal information, and you never want it to fall into the wrong hands.
However, removing the labels can be borderline impossible.
If you need to get rid of extra sticky labels, try putting the bottles in the freezer for a few hours.
The cold will make loosen the adhesive and they should peel off without any problems.
Cook up a large amount of bacon in a snap.
Has there ever been a moment where you’ve thought to yourself, “I’ve made too much bacon”?
No. This scenario never happens. You’ll always need more bacon than you think. It’s like a law of the universe or something.
If you need to cook up a lot of bacon quickly, you can try hanging it from your oven rack.
Be sure to put a baking sheet underneath to catch any grease. We don’t want to burn down the house in the name of bacon.
This painting hack is life-changing.
Painting can be quite the commitment: it takes time, money, and energy to complete a painting project.
Any hacks that make this task easier are always welcome!
The next time you’re in the middle of a painting project, try cutting a small hole in the bottom of a Ziploc bag.
If you need to take a break, but don’t want to wash your brush out, just slide the paintbrush into the bag.
Your brush won’t dry out while you rest and you don’t have to worry about cleaning it.
Give whoever thought of this a medal.
Last Updated on November 27, 2018 by Emily McWilliams