We all have routines and habits and generally approach a problem or situation the same way. We learned how to solve a problem a certain way but we never realize that there are possibly better or more efficient ways to achieve the same results.
The most hilarious thing is some of these hacks have been under our noses the entire time! Here are 21 hacks that will make you unlearn certain things you’ve learned throughout your life.
Easily serve Pringles by using a piece of paper as a serving tray.
Never have to reach to the bottom of the can or spilling chips on your lap with this handy tip.
Space out a circle in your food when reheating in the microwave.
Ever notice the outer edges are always heat up quicker than the middle? Your food will reheat more evenly if you space out the middle and form a ring.
Use the bag as a bowl for easy cleanups.
First, fold over the top edge inside the bag then roll and tuck the bottom corners of the bag. Then, gently push the chips up so they overflow from the bag.
Wrap a wet paper towel around your beverage and place it in the freezer.
Your drink will be ice cold in only 15 minutes.
Who needs a spoon holder when most pots and pans have a hole in the handle.
Any sauce on the spoon simply falls back into the pan!
Use a staple remove to add/remove items to your key ring.
No more chipped nails with this tip!
Flatten ground meat before freezing it for easy thawing.
When ready to thaw, simply place the bag in cold water and your meat with thaw in less than 30 minutes!
The slot on your keychain bottle opener is for opening pop tabs.
So that’s what the slot is for! Another great way to prevent chipped nails.
Your bathroom mirror doubles as a dry-erase board.
Write down important reminders for when you wake up. This works best with dry-erase markers but if using a Sharpie, use polish remover to wipe it off.
Most wrap roll containers have tabs to lock the roll in place.
Simply press the tabs in on your plastic wrap or tin foil containers to lock that roll and make it easier to dispense.
Place the flap on toilet seat covers towards the front.
Placing it this way will actually make it fit better too which is the proper way to place a toilet seat cover.
Your pop tab doubles up as a straw holder.
Never have to worry about another straw falling out with this handy tip!
Prevent extension cords from unplugging by wrapping their ends together.
This is a must have tip if you’re tying several extension cords together and don’t want to separate when pulling on them.
Keep your matching sheet sets together by storing them in the matching pillowcase.
Keep your matching fitted and flat sheet together by storing them in their matching pillowcase. Don’t forget to store the other matching pillowcase in there too!
Press down on the coffee lid tab to prevent spilling hot coffee.
Driving with an full coffee cup in your cup holder is bound to spill at some point but not with this tip!
Tear sticky notes from side to side to prevent curling.
I always thought sticky notes were always curly but it’s because I’ve been doing it all wrong!
Slice your bread upside down to prevent ripping the crust.
Create perfect slices by slicing your loaf of bread upside down!
Place a glass of water in the microwave when reheating pasta or meat.
The water will create a moist environment and the steam will prevent your food from getting dry and your pizza crust from getting chewy.
Use a fork to prevent your taco from falling over when loading it.
This works great if you have to fill several tacos at a time but you’ll need a fork for every taco shell.
Easily empty beverage crates by opening both ends and pulling out the box.
Start by opening one end of the box and place the open end towards the refrigerator. Next, open the opposite end and simply slide out the box while holding the cans in place. I can’t believe I’ve been filling the refrigerator one can at a time my entire life!
Use a spring-loaded clothing rod to organize your spray bottles.
A great way to increase your cabinet space and also prevents tipsy spray bottles from always toppling over.
Bonus. Sneaky Hiding Places That Will Fool Even The Smartest Thief.
You could install a secret drawer in the windowsill.
The robber would never have a clue that what they were looking for was right in the window they came through. Silly crooks.
This idea is absolutely ingenious.
And it doesn’t look like it’s that hard to make. You’d never have to worry about someone looking there, unless they read this article, of course.
A hidden compartment in a chair is the perfect hiding spot.
Dinner guests would have no idea that they were literally sitting on a small fortune.
Hiding money in a fake jar of nuts is a really good idea.
Unless the person robbing you wanted to take a handful for the road, of course.
This is probably one of the best things we’ve ever seen.
The birds will definitely know what you’re up to, but who are they telling?
This secret bookshelf is straight out of a mystery novel.
Too bad they couldn’t figure how to spin them around into a secret vault. Now, that would be impressive.
This doortop stash is pretty intense.
This person went to pretty extensive lengths to hide that…USB drive? What could they possibly be hiding on there?
This secret crawlspace access door is great if you ever need to hide yourself.
Like for an epic game of hide-and-seek, or the impending zombie apocalypse. Whatever the occasion may be, this space is perfect.
Rolling up your valuables in a diaper while taking a dip in the ocean is brilliant.
Let’s be real. No one wants to look and see what’s inside a rolled up diaper. No one.
Too many people have fake potted plants sitting on their kitchen counter.
Instead of using them only to take up space, you can utilize them, as well. It’s the perfect amount of space to hide your money or jewelry.
This picture frame is the ultimate hidden safe.
People would be admiring this beautiful picture and never even realize that they were stashing their vacation money in there.
Putting drawers in the stairs is the perfect idea if you need a lot of space to hide things.
They could also be used to stash all of your winter clothes.
Using a fake hornets nest to hide your keys will ward off anyone trying to look for a way into your home.
First off, this fake nest looks exceptionally real. And even if the person thought it might be fake, who wants to take the chance to find out?
If you’re anything like us, this safe would be absolutely useless.
We have no problem looking through people’s old CDs. Your secret would be discovered within seconds of spotting this.
This idea is a simple way to hide your keys.
Just glue the bottle to a rock and BAM, no one will ever suspect a thing.
Are your kids constantly invading your chocolate stash?
They most definitely won’t find your goodies in this bag of frozen vegetables.
Whether or not this works entirely depends on who you have hanging out at your house.
You wouldn’t want just anyone to stumble across your rent money and a lot of people like mayonnaise.
No one would ever think to look here.
Just make sure to take it out if the cable guy is over messing with your lines.
Putting a secret compartment in a coffee table could have multiple uses.
Not only can you hide your valuables in there, but you can also hide your remotes, or any snacks you don’t want your partner to snatch up.
Does your son keep stealing your daughter’s allowance money?
Well, then this is definitely perfect for her. There’s no way that he’d pick up one of her stuffed animals to look for money.
Adding about a foot of piping isn’t hard to do at all.
And then you have an excellent stash spot that no one will ever find.
You wouldn’t be able to fit too many things in here.
But if you’re just looking to hide a few twenties, or apparently a USB drive, then this would be a good fit for you.
Honestly, this one is just kind of silly.
What if someone wants to take your trash out for you? What if they dump it into a bigger can, and all of your stuff goes in with it?
Considering no one really wants to look at your old family photos, this is a fantastic idea.
And it’s also a really great way to pass an inheritance to someone.