How to Use Life Hacks

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Life hacks are quick, relatively easy, and usually fun things that save a bit of time or make your life a little easier. Try some simple hacks when you’re cooking, cleaning, taking care of the kids, or even just relaxing on the beach. You can find endless lists of life hacks online, but always use your best judgment as to whether a hack is both useful and safe.

Method 1
Method 1 of 7:

Cooking and Food Prep Hacks

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  1. The foaming bubbles created by boiling water are filled with steam. If they touch something at a temperature below 100 °C (212 °F), the steam will condense (change back into a liquid) and break the surface tension of the bubbles. [1]
    • A wooden spoon is the best choice because a plastic spoon might melt and a metal spoon will get very hot to the touch.
  2. Put the noodles in the carafe and add the recommended amount of water to the reservoir. Turn on the brewing cycle and leave the noodles in the dispensed hot water for the recommended time. Transfer them to a bowl and stir in the seasonings. [2]
    • You can add the seasonings to the carafe as well, but this makes it hard to get the flavor of Ramen Noodle seasoning out of your coffee pot!
    • Make sure there isn’t a used coffee filter in the machine before proceeding. You don’t need to add a clean filter.
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  3. Place the skillet over medium heat and add a quick spritz of cooking spray or a few drops of cooking oil. Heat a slice of pizza in the pan for 2 minutes, then put the lid on and turn the heat to low for about 2 minutes or until the cheese is melted. [3]
    • Add a few drops of water to the pan before putting on the lid to cook the top of the pizza a bit faster. Be careful, though, as any oil in the pan may splatter.
  4. Use the 2 clips on the hanger to hold the cookbook open. Put the hanger’s hook over a nearby cupboard handle to create an instant and very useful cookbook holder! [4]
    • The open book will be at just the right height for easy reference, and it won’t take up valuable counter space.
  5. Insert the straw into the side opposite to the stem and press it up through the center of the strawberry. When you get all the way through to the top, the stem will pop right up and out! [5]
    • A sturdy plastic straw works well, but a reusable metal straw is even better. In either case, use a wider milkshake or smoothie straw if available.
  6. Cut a lemon in half, then wedge one half between the tongs, cut side facing out. Squeeze the ends of the tongs that you usually use for picking up things to press out as much lemon juice as possible. Repeat with the other half. [6]
    • Consider laying a fine mesh strainer over the bowl or pitcher you’re squeezing the juice into in order to catch the seeds.
  7. Add your cereal to the bowl, then lay your spoon upside down on top of it. Pour the milk slowly onto the underside of the spoon’s head. You’ll notice far less splashing than when you pour the milk directly onto the cereal. [7]
    • Alternatively, add the milk to the bowl first, then the cereal!
  8. Crack the egg into a bowl or dish, then grab a clean, empty plastic water bottle. Squeeze the bottle about halfway (not enough to crush it), place it right on top of the yolk, and release your squeeze. The yolk will be sucked up into the bottle!
  9. Choose an empty glass or plastic bottle with a mouth that’s smaller than your cherries, so that you can place a cherry stem-side up on the bottle opening. Press straight down through the stem with a sturdy straw (metal is best), a skewer, or a chopstick. The pit will drop right into the bottle. [8]
  10. Wash your hands and dry them off with a towel, then dip one finger into a bowl of warm water. Use your wet finger to press down on each egg shell piece and pick them out of your cracked egg one at a time. The water will make the shells gravitate toward your finger, making it super easy to get rid of all the shells. [9]
    • Don’t forget to wash your hands when you’re done!
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Method 2
Method 2 of 7:

Food Service and Storage Hacks

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  1. Wet down 1-2 paper towel sheets, then squeeze out the excess water. Wrap the paper towels around a can or bottled drink and put it in the freezer for 15 minutes. The damp paper towels help chill the drink much more quickly. [10]
    • Don’t forget about a glass bottle you put in the freezer—if the liquid freezes, the bottle may explode!
  2. This is a great way to store extra batter in the fridge for up to 3 days, and it makes dispensing the batter easy! Just squeeze out the amount you need right onto the griddle when making pancakes. [11]
    • Use a kitchen funnel to make it easier to pour the batter into the bottle. Or, find a plastic bottle with a slightly smaller mouth than the ketchup bottle. Cut off the bottom of this second bottle, place it upside down into the mouth of the ketchup bottle, and use it as a DIY funnel.
  3. Add ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce, salsa, mayonnaise, or whatever other condiments you need to the individual indentations in the muffin tin. This makes serving the condiments and cleaning up afterward a cinch! [12]
  4. Cut a length of unflavored dental floss and wrap the ends around your index fingers. Pull it taut and press it straight down through cheesecake, cinnamon rolls, fondant, jelly rolls, and so on. [13]
    • Use the same process to cut through clay with a length of wire.
  5. Starting at the point where the cylinder starts to narrow toward the spout, cut the top section off of a clean, dry plastic drink bottle. Feed the open end of the bread bag up through the cut opening and out of the mouth of the bottle, then fold it down over the sides of the mouth. Screw on the bottle’s lid to make an airtight seal. [14]
  6. Don't have a coaster on hand? A plastic lid from a mayonnaise jar or similar container can do the job! Just place your drink on top and you've got a neat coaster.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 7:

Clothing Hacks

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  1. Use a clean rag to spread the beeswax over the entire outer surface of the shoes, making sure not to miss any areas. Then, wave a hairdryer over the shoes until the wax melts and becomes invisible. Apply another coat of beeswax whenever you notice the water-resistant coating begin to falter. [15]
  2. This is a quick fix that saves time versus getting out your iron and board. Just plug in the hair straightener, let it heat up, and clamp it over each side of your shirt collar for about 15 seconds. To play it safe, don’t do this while you’re wearing the shirt! [16]
    • This is a great hack if you’re going to wear a sweater over your dress shirt anyway—why bother ironing the whole thing?
  3. If you splash some red wine on your white shirt, grab some white wine! Dampen a clean cloth in white wine and gently blot the red wine stain until it becomes less noticeable. It won’t remove the stain completely, but it does a surprisingly good job. [17]
    • If you have a stain remover stick or wipes with you, use them—they work even better. If you left them at home, use them on the stain before washing the garment.
  4. Stop feeding single socks to the “dryer monster” by outwitting it! Simply secure each pair of socks together with a safety pin before putting them into the wash. Keep them pinned together when you transfer them to the dryer. [18]
    • Replace any pins that start to show signs of rusting.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 7:

Housekeeping Hacks

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  1. Choose a magazine/file holder made of plastic, wood, metal wire, or sturdy cardboard and secure it in place with 2-4 screws. Most standard hairdryers fit perfectly into this spot. [19]
    • Alternatively, use several removable adhesive strips instead of screws.
  2. These take up much less space, since each hook can hold 2 large towels. The towels may also dry faster than if you use towel rods that are stacked one in front of the next.
  3. Buy peel-and-stick magnetic strips, or use removable adhesive strips to secure the magnets in place. Use the magnetic strips to hold tweezers, bobby pins, cosmetic brushes, and other magnetic objects. [20]
    • Check to see how many of your personal care items are magnetic before trying this.
  4. Instead of relying on elbow grease alone to scrub a tub or toilet, let your drill do the hard work! Look for different types of scrub brush attachments where cleaning supplies are sold.
    • Set the drill to its lowest speed first, then increase it as needed. Follow the brush attachment’s instructions carefully.
    • Don’t use the attachment to clean fiberglass, laminate, wood, stone, or other surfaces unless the brush is specifically marketed for that purpose.
  5. Place the bucket on the floor directly in front of the sink. Place the larger end of the dustpan under the faucet so that the pan’s handle is resting over the front edge of the sink. When you turn on the water it will flow through the channel in the handle, go over the edge, and fall like a waterfall into the bucket. [21]
    • Have some towels handy the first few times you try this. It may take a bit of practice to get the placement and water flow just right.
  6. This is a great hack if you have a bunch of similar-looking keys on your key ring. Gel nail polish adheres best to metal keys, but any type of polish will do. [22]
  7. Hang or attach the shoe hanger to the back of a closet or pantry door, then fill the pockets with your cleaning bottles. Choose a shoe hanger with mesh or clear plastic pockets so you can easily differentiate the cleaning bottles. [23]
    • If you have a hanging rod in the closet, get a shoe hanger with hooks.
    • For safety, add a lock to the door if there are kids around.
  8. Try different home remedies to remove permanent marker . Different DIY removers may work better for different materials. Give the following a try:
    • For fabric, try hand sanitizer.
    • For your skin or for wood surfaces, try rubbing alcohol.
    • For painted walls, try hairspray or toothpaste.
    • For ceramic or glass, mix 1 part white toothpaste and 1 part baking soda.
  9. After 30 minutes, use a wire brush or paintbrush cleaner to remove the loosened paint. Then, wash the brush with soap and water, rinse it, and let it air dry. [24]
    • If you heat the vinegar to nearly boiling in a pot on the stove, you can reduce the soaking time to 10 minutes.
  10. When painting a room, stir in 1 US tbsp (15 ml) of vanilla extract per 1 US gal (3.8 L) of paint. The vanilla will mask the unpleasant odor of the paint. Essential oils like peppermint work as well. [25]
    • This hack doesn’t work on oil-based paint, since the vanilla extract or other essential oil creates a solution with the oils in the paint—which may negate the pleasant scent you’re aiming for or make the paint smell even worse. The oils aren’t soluble with water-based paint, though, so they remain separate and help mask the paint odor.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 7:

Childcare Hacks

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  1. Loop the rubber band over one door knob, make a figure eight over the latch, then loop the free end of the rubber band over the other door knob. Choose a thick, sturdy rubber band that is stretched taut when positioned this way. [26]
  2. Place a standard rectangular laundry basket into the tub as you fill it with water. Put your toddler or small child into the basket, along with their toys. When bathtime is done, just drain the tub and lift out the basket with all the toys inside! [27]
    • This is not a substitute for an infant bath basin. Use it only for kids who are big enough to bathe in a standard tub.
    • Supervise children at all times while bathing.
  3. Buy a container of colorful bracelet beads and let your child help you thread them onto the bracelet string. Pick out numbered beads and string them on so that they correspond to your phone number.
    • You might also want to spell out the child’s first name.
    • A bracelet is no substitute for proper supervision of a child.
  4. Lay a foam pool noodle along each long edge of the bed, right on top of the mattress. Tuck the fitted sheet over the mattress so that the noodles are held securely in place. The small humps created by the noodles will make it less likely that your child will roll off the edge of the bed. [28]
    • Use this as a short-term measure for an occasional problem. Invest in proper bed rails if your child rolls out of bed frequently.
  5. Instead of having to guess whether a pair of shoes will fit, bring their tracing with you. Trace around both their feet, either barefoot or with socks on. If the shoes you’re looking at are larger (but not too much) than the traced outlines, the shoes will fit—at least for a few months! [29]
  6. Poke the bottom of the wooden stick of your kid’s favorite frozen treat—like a Popsicle or ice cream bar—through the bottom of the paper wrapper. Slide the wrapper up to the base of the treat and let it catch all the inevitable drips! [30]
    • Paper wrappers with foil on the outside work best, but any paper wrapper will do.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 7:

Tech and Home Office Hacks

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  1. Use a clear, 1 US gal (3.8 L) bag with a secure zip closure. Test the bag first by sealing a piece of paper inside and submerging it for 1 minute. If the paper is dry, your tablet should stay dry too! [31]
    • Play it safe and do your best to keep your tablet dry regardless. Don’t try to read underwater!
  2. Charger cables tend to kink, bend, and break right near the ends (where they plug into the wall or your device). To protect these sensitive areas, pull apart several old, dried up pens and pick out the springs inside. Wrap the springs around the ends of the cables to give them more protection while still letting them flex somewhat. [32]
  3. This is a great hack if your desk is cluttered with several charger cables, printer cables, ethernet cables, and so on. Choose binder clips that are large enough to clip to the edge of the desk, but also small enough (if possible) to keep the head of each cable from falling through the binder clip opening. [33]
    • If you can’t fit the head of a cord through the binder clip wires, squeeze the sides of each wire to remove them from the clip. Then, squeeze them again to put them back in place after you’ve pulled the head of the cord through.
  4. For a smaller cord, stand a toilet paper tube up in the box and feed the cord down into the tube. For a larger cord, use the toilet paper tube as a sleeve and slide it over the cord once you’ve looped it around itself several times. [34]
  5. If you tend to sleep through your alarm even when it’s set to high volume, give this hack a try. Put the phone’s speaker (which is usually at the bottom) into the bottom of the cup and get ready for a much louder sound! [35]
    • You can use this trick to amplify music, but it may take some trial and error to find a cup, glass, or mug that doesn’t distort the sound of your favorite tunes.
  6. Try this hack if you find some old cassette tapes (with their cases) in the attic. Open the case’s lid as far as it will go, then lay the case front-side down on your table or desk. The slot in the lid will hold your phone at a great viewing angle. [36]
    • Some larger smartphones may not fit into the slot.
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Method 7
Method 7 of 7:

Miscellaneous Hacks

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  1. The problem with carrying several plastic shopping bags at once isn’t that they’re too heavy, but that the handles dig into your hands. Instead, buy a large carabiner clip at a hardware, outdoor, or sporting goods store. Clip both handles of each bag into the carabiner, then carry everything more comfortably by holding onto the carabiner. [37]
  2. Light a loose pile of snack chips on fire, then slowly add wood to build up your campfire. Snack chips are made almost entirely of 2 components—hydrocarbons and fats—that burn readily, so you’ll be surprised how quickly and easily they go up in flames. [38]
    • Cheesy tortilla chips (like Doritos) work great here, but any type of fried snack chip will do the job.
    • Make sure not to eat all your kindling beforehand!
  3. Your best option is a bottle with a rounded rectangular shape and a large flip-top lid that also twists off. Clean and dry the bottle thoroughly, making sure to get rid of the oily residue on the inside. Then, stick things like your ID and cash inside it. [39]
    • Unless there is a sunscreen thief around, your stuff will stay safe!
    • Alternatively, you can buy storage containers online that are made to look like real sunscreen bottles.
  4. Turn on your phone’s flashlight tool and lay it down so the light is shining straight up. Place the Gatorade bottle right on top of the light—it’s shape will diffuse the light and create a cool lantern. [40]
    • Full bottles work better than empty bottles, and liquids with light coloring (like yellow or pale blue) work better than clear liquids.
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  • Question
    Is Lifehack.org a credible source?
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    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Lifehack.org is a self-help website that offers classes, articles, and other resources to help you improve various aspects of your life (such as overcoming procrastination, dealing with relationship issues, and eating healthy). While many of the writers on lifehack are professionals in a variety of fields, it’s still a good idea to read the information critically and look at other sources—for example, talk to your doctor or use a website like Pubmed to research any claims about health and medicine.
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  • Question
    Who created life hacks?
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    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    The term “life hack” was first popularized by a technology journalist named Danny O’Brien in 2004. However, this term simply refers to practical solutions to common problems, and no one person can take credit for inventing these kinds of “hacks.”
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    What is the meaning of “hack”?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    The term “hack” has been used in computer programming contexts for many years to refer to using unorthodox solutions or workarounds to deal with computer problems. Today, people use it to refer to inventive solutions to all kinds of everyday problems, not just those related to computers.
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      Tips

      • These life hacks are by no means the only life hacks out there. Do not be limited by the ones listed here. Make up your own!
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • When trying to remember something for a test, write it in blue ink, since people tend to remember blue ink more.
      • Spring loaded clothes pins are handy for sealing plastic bags and storing bread & other food items.
      • Store your money in empty chapstick tubes.
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      Warnings

      • Before you try a hack, google its name and the word "debunked" to find out if it has been tried by others and reported to be bad.
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      • Do not try things that are unsafe. Always use critical thinking and common sense.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/100-life-hacks-that-make-life-easier.html
      2. ↑ https://www.thrillist.com/home/how-to-hack-a-coffee-maker-to-cook-food-12-other-things-you-can-do-with-a-coffee-maker
      3. ↑ https://food52.com/blog/11021-the-best-way-to-reheat-pizza-at-home
      4. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/100-life-hacks-that-make-life-easier.html
      5. ↑ https://twistedsifter.com/2013/01/50-life-hacks-to-simplify-your-world/
      6. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/100-life-hacks-that-make-life-easier.html
      7. ↑ https://spoonuniversity.com/how-to/a-cereal-controversy-what-side-are-you-on
      8. ↑ https://www.rachaelraymag.com/food/the-quickest-way-to-pit-cherries
      9. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/this-is-the-easiest-way-to-remove-broken-eggshells-from-a-bowl-2017-2
      1. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/100-life-hacks-that-make-life-easier.html
      2. ↑ https://twistedsifter.com/2013/01/50-life-hacks-to-simplify-your-world/
      3. ↑ https://www.farmersalmanac.com/tips/muffin-tin-condiments
      4. ↑ https://www.cuisineathome.com/tips/how-to-cut-perfect-cheesecake-slices-with-floss/
      5. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/100-life-hacks-that-make-life-easier.html
      6. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/100-life-hacks-that-make-life-easier.html
      7. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/100-life-hacks-that-make-life-easier.html
      8. ↑ https://vinepair.com/articles/white-wine-remove-red-stain/
      9. ↑ https://twistedsifter.com/2013/01/50-life-hacks-to-simplify-your-world/
      10. ↑ https://www.onecrazyhouse.com/organize-hair-styling-tools/
      11. ↑ https://twistedsifter.com/2013/01/50-life-hacks-to-simplify-your-world/
      12. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/100-life-hacks-that-make-life-easier.html
      13. ↑ https://twistedsifter.com/2013/01/50-life-hacks-to-simplify-your-world/
      14. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/100-life-hacks-that-make-life-easier.html
      15. ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-clean-hardened-paint-from-paintbrushes-naturally/
      16. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/decorating/paint/how-tos/how-to-improve-the-smell-of-paint/
      17. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/100-life-hacks-that-make-life-easier.html
      18. ↑ https://www.kckidsdoc.com/kc-kids-doc/laundry-basket-baby-bath-correcting-facebook-misinformation.html
      19. ↑ https://hintmama.com/2014/05/20/todays-hint-diy-frugal-toddler-bedrails/
      20. ↑ http://www.froddo.com/how-to-pick-the-right-shoe-for-your-child
      21. ↑ https://www.pennypinchinmom.com/mom-tip-use-a-cupcake-liner-as-a-popsicle-drip/
      22. ↑ http://osxdaily.com/2010/02/08/waterproof-your-iphone/
      23. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/100-life-hacks-that-make-life-easier.html
      24. ↑ https://twistedsifter.com/2013/01/50-life-hacks-to-simplify-your-world/
      25. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/100-life-hacks-that-make-life-easier.html
      26. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/100-life-hacks-that-make-life-easier.html
      27. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/100-life-hacks-that-make-life-easier.html
      28. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/100-life-hacks-that-make-life-easier.html
      29. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/100-life-hacks-that-make-life-easier.html
      30. ↑ https://www.safewise.com/blog/hiding-plain-sight-6-sneaky-ways-keep-valuables-safe/
      31. ↑ http://www.shamelesstraveler.com/blog/weekly-travel-hack-the-gatorade-triple-threat

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to use life hacks to make your routine easier, do a search online for common life hacks and read through them to see which ones apply to you. For example, if you cook often, then a hack which tells you to hang up a cookbook with a pants hanger might make your next recipe easier. You can also use life hacks around your home, such as installing coat racks instead of towel rods in the bathroom or using beeswax to waterproof your shoes. Keep reading for some handy parenting life hacks, like using pool noodles to keep your child from falling out of bed!

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