Here on my blog, I strive to share simple, everyday tips and tricks that can help make your life a little bit easier. But sometimes, the tips that I want to share aren’t something I can write a whole blog post about! And since I simply cannot waste a good idea, I tuck them away to use at a later date. Today I’ll be sharing some of those tips and tricks with you in the twelfth edition of my ongoing series “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?”
1. Cleaning Dirty Window Screens
After a few months of wet weather, your windows screens are likely to look as dirty as the windows themselves! It would be a huge pain to have to remove each screen from each window to clean them, but luckily there’s a much easier way! Just use put the dusting attachment onto the hose of your vacuum, and use that to clean your window screens. You’ll be able to remove the majority of the dirt and grime from the inside without needing to remove the screen at all!
2. Simple Cake Hack
The next time you make a cake, line your plate with plastic wrap before putting the cake onto it. Once you’ve served the cake, you can use the plastic wrap to quickly and easily move any leftover cake to another plate or container. (All credit for this brilliant cake tip goes to OGT reader Biljana, who shared it in a comment a few years back! Thanks Biljana!!)
3. Prevent Ribbon Fraying
Sick of dealing with fraying ribbon ends? Here’s a quick tip to prevent fraying! Hold the cut end of the ribbon over the top of a lit candle or lighter. The heat rising off the flame will gently melt the edge, causing the threads to stick together. No more fraying edges!
4. Color Coded Storage Tips
Using a color code is an easy way to quickly identify what’s inside a certain storage bin. But you don’t have to go out and buy new colored bins to color code your storage—just use colored tape instead! Use red and green tape to identify the bin your Christmas decorations are in, and orange tape to mark autumn/Halloween decor, or any color code that makes sense to you!
5. Cleaner Eyeshadow Application
Some eyeshadows (especially the loose powder kind) are hard to apply without it getting on your cheeks and under your eyes. To avoid the eyeshadow fallout, place a sticky note under your eye to prevent stray shadow from settling on your face. You can also use a sticky note after you’ve applied eyeshadow to pick up any bits that have gone astray!
6. Foot Odor Fixer
Struggling with smelly feet or shoes? Try a shoe insert made of activated charcoal! Charcoal is highly absorbent, which makes it an excellent choice where unpleasant odors are concerned. This set of charcoal shoe inserts on Amazon comes in one large size, but can be trimmed down to fit into any size shoe!
7. Keep Food Warm
Need to keep your food warm while you finish up cooking? Put the food onto a warm plate! The warmth from the plate will help keep your food warm for a few minutes while you finish up the rest of the meal. And warming the plate is easy—just toss it in the microwave for a minute or two!
The “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?” Series
- For even more simple tips and tricks that will make your life easier, check out the other installments in this series, including ones you may have missed!
- Explore the “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?” series archive.
The plastic wrap on the cake plate is brilliant!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Being a military family we moved often. To easily identify which rooms each of our moving boxes belonged to I color coded the boxes with duct tape. I then made a poster board to leave in the entry way so the movers knew exactly where to place the boxes. To make it extra easy I also labeled the door frames with the colored tape so there was no doubt. We always had a strict 3 day rule for unpacking which, though hectic, was worth it. No boxes to deal with and everything in its place.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.A great way to clean the microwave is with a coffee cup filled with water. Heat the water for 1 to 2 minutes and then let it sit in the microwave for 3 to 5 minutes. Take a washcloth or a dry paper towel and wipe out the inside of the microwave. Fast and easy.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My brilliant dad told me this useful trick: use a coffee filter to cover a plate or bowl when you put in the microwave. Works wonderfully to help keep the microwave clean! Plus you can get a large package of filters for cheap and it can last for quite a while. Also works for a spoon rest while cooking although I tend to fold it once or twice.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We do this all the time…especially when heating up anything tomato based. It’s a lifesaver.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If your shoes are smelly, put them in a plastic bag and in the freezer overnight. It works!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hey Jillee, Always enjoy your “Why didn’t I think of that” columns! Here are two I like: I use paper plates (the cheap kind) as a cover for my food in the microwave. Prevents spattering and keeps moisture in the food. I also use them as a spoon rest and as a quick cutting board. Such a versatile kitchen tool! Another: I use red pepper flakes a lot when cooking, also on pizza. I put my flakes in a pepper mill so the flakes are broken down to crumbs. I hate getting a pepper flake caught between my teeth! I hope you enjoy these tips.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great ideas Patricia!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I should have said I used a soldering iron to seal ribbon.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I cut and heat seal ribbon and other synthetic fibers with a soldering gun. I place the ribbon, rope, or synthetic fabric on a piece of glass or mirror. Heat the soldering gun. Draw the hot tip across the item. Use a metal ruler to make straight lines, or use other unmeltable items as a template.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When I made a princess costume for my granddaughter, I cut and sealed the hem with my soldering gun. Easier than a rolled edge.
What a clever idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When you have a shoestring that is beginning to fray, you can use a flame to reseal the plastic and keep from having to buy new shoestrings.
Keeping food warm-if your microwave is over the range like mine, turn on the surface light. Mine is part of the microwave and thus generates heat IN the microwave. It’s great when I bring home a hot rotisserie chicken or other warm prepared food. I’ve used it making bread as well. It’s a great draft-free warm spot.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great tips ,Thank you. I never thought of vacuuming my window screens from inside! A little hint from me, if you don’t want to use a flame for the ribbon hack. I just put a dab of craft glue on my finger, then pull the cut end of the ribbon thru the glue. If you get too much on there it’s easy to gently rub it off before it dries.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Very clever!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Warming up plates: Just a lazy tip from someone who does not want to have a microwave (as I sincerely think it is handy but does alter your food): . I just put some cold plates on top of my bread toaster! (even if i do not toast anything). Quick fix!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My mom would fill the sink with hot water place the plates in there to heat up. Then just before serving, dry off and use. Plus you have hot water for cleaning dishes afterwards!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi. I have read that when you warm plates in a mictowave you should put a glass of water on top of the plates,not just put them in on their own.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I always read that if your plates got hot in the microwave that they weren’t microwave safe?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I put a damp paper towel between plates and heat them in the microwave that way.