By Cody Calamaio and Katie Nolan
We get it. Life can be hard. The to-do list never ends, no task is without complication, and of course, there is never enough money. But fortunately, some of the best things in life are free, and some of the most satisfying solutions to life’s pesky problems are right under your nose. This is why we’ve gathered together this selection of great tricks and easy life hacks that will make you say, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Unzip with Ease
If your zipper is stuck, try adding a dab of liquid soap onto the zipper pull. Slowly move the mechanism back and forth until the interlocking teeth fall into the correct places. Then, simply rinse the zipper with water to remove the soap.
Nonslip Glue Trick
Tired of of slipping and sliding? Hot glue is a quick way to add some traction grips to your favorite pair of cozy slippers. Similarly, try adding a few rings of hot glue to the underside of a rug to prevent it from sliding around.
Pump Yourself Up
If you’re transporting a pump-top bottle in your luggage, wrap a rubber band around the skinny part of the sliding pump several times to keep the lever from dispensing. You can also prevent flip-top or screw-cap bottles from leaking by placing a plastic bag over the cap and securing it in place with a rubber band.
Foil Painting
When you’re painting walls or ceilings, line the roller tray with a sheet of tinfoil for easy cleanup afterwards. Foil can also be wrapped around doorknobs and other hardware to prevent drips.
Chop Stop
Stop a slippery cutting board from sliding across the counter by wrapping a large rubber band around each end. This will give the board some traction and help prevent accidents.
Oils Against Odor
Counteract the stench of smelly trash by keeping a cotton ball or paper towel soaked in essential oils at the bottom of the can beneath the disposable liner. Replace that cotton ball with a new one every few weeks, and your trash can will always smell fresh as a daisy.
Pop of Genius
Double your closet space with soda pop-tops. Simply slide the hook of a hanger through one hole of the pop-top, then loop another hanger through the second hole. Repeat the trick on the lower hanger to store even more in a small space.
The Keys to Happiness
Stop fumbling to find the right key every time you try to unlock the front door. Just paint the tops of your keys with nail polish, and you’ll be able to tell them apart quickly without the added bulk of rubber key-toppers.
Work It Out
Low on countertop space? Give yourself some more room to work by rolling out one of the kitchen drawers and placing a cutting board on top to create an as-needed work area.
10-Second Tidy
Is all the house clutter making you feel overwhelmed? When you’re not sure where to start, just grab an empty laundry basket and go around the house tossing in the items that are out of place or need to be organized. If you still have the energy, go back around and put things where they belong. Need a break? Tuck the basket away and forget about the stuff for a bit until you’re ready to tackle it.
Countertop Hack
Are you constantly knocking things over into the bathroom sink as you’re getting ready in the morning? Here’s an easy way to get more counter space that doesn’t involve a total bathroom renovation: Keep a cutting board nearby, and place it across the sink when you need a spot to put your stuff. When you’re all done, just store it under the sink!
Burn Coffee Grounds
Save yourself from pesky mosquitoes and harsh bug spray with this easy hack. All you have to do is a burn a bowl filled with coffee grounds for an all-natural bug repellent.
