It’s easy to assume that we’ve got it all figured out. But we’re here to tell you that some simple household items aren’t actually used as they should be. Once you get a handle on these little details, you’ll get more done, and some of these basic things will last you a whole lot longer.
1.Spaghettis Spoons (With a Hole in the Middle)
It may sound pretty weird and a bit funny, but did you know that the hole in the middle of your spaghetti spoon is actually the perfect measure for a serving? Cheers for cooking pasta without having too many leftovers! See for yourself. You won’t regret it.
2. Oven Drawers
Ever notice the drawer just below your oven? Where you usually store pots and pans, right? You may want to check if it’s a warming drawer, which can help you keep your food warm after cooking in the oven. The simplest way to know: check for temperature controls.
3. Bobby Pins
Stop opening them too wide or cramming too much hair in one pin, it’ll make them slip. Instead, just slide them in or crisscross a pair for that extra hold. One thing to remember as well is to keep the wavy side down against your scalp for grip.
4. Dish Sponges
Even SpongeBob SquarePants regularly keeps himself clean, so why can’t your dish sponges do the same? With all the germs inside, you won’t know if your dishes are really clean or a playground for bacteria. Better sanitize your sponges every other day. It’s simple: just place your dish sponge in a bowl of water, then microwave it or dump it in hot, soapy water.
5. Cotton Swabs
If you still want to be able to hear every day, never stick those cotton swabs inside your ear. They’ll just push the earwax further and hurt your eardrums. Just clean the outside, like when cleaning up makeup or getting into the nooks and crannies of your earlobe, not your ear canal.
6. Mascara Wands
Pumping the wand in and out of the tube to get more product? That’s a myth. It just creates air inside, making the mascara dry out. Now that’s science! Here’s the trick: gently swirl the wand in the tube to pick up enough product to perfectly coat your lashes.
7. Aluminum Foil and Cling Wrap Boxes
Ah, these dreadful boxes, you’re not alone in this. You pull one end, and then the whole thing just comes out of the box. Seems frustrating, right? Try this: think of the side tabs as the leash of the roll; push them to secure the roll so that it won’t spin freely.
8. Reusable Shopping Bags
Once you’ve emptied your grocery haul, be sure to wash them regularly. If you don’t, germs and bacteria could start to grow in the fabric. Oh, and one more thing: try not to pack too much in one bag, because this can stretch the seems. We still want to use them while they last.
9. Toothpaste
You may think that more toothpaste means cleaner teeth, but no. In the tube, always look for an instruction that says “pea-sized amount”; that’s the only amount you need to get those teeth sparkling clean. Bonus: it also helps your toothpaste last a bit longer!
10. Shampoo
Using too much product may actually harm your hair instead of getting it all clean and shiny. Also, there’s no need to shampoo all the way to the ends. It will just dry out your hair. You should do this instead: soak your hair wet, use a coin-sized amount, and focus on your scalp.
11. Phone Chargers
Yanking the cable cord is actually the quickest way to ruin it, and we don’t want that. Remember to always grab the hard part of the plug itself. Also, avoid sharply bending the cable, especially that fragile spot that connects to the plug itself. These little tips will help the cords last longer.
12. Ice Cube Trays
Here’s another fact we all know: water expands when it gets cold. And sometimes, we usually go overboard when we fill the ice trays, and the water spills everywhere. Try this: leave some space just below the brim of each slot to create the perfect ice cubes.
13. Blenders
Don’t just stuff food in your blender. It’ll just make the blades duller and eventually ruin your appliance. Next time, do this: liquid first, then blend, then gradually place the solids. This will help you achieve that smooth and velvety texture for whatever you’re making.
14. Dishwashers
Same with blenders, you don’t just shove everything inside. There’s actually an art (again, and science) to loading your dishwasher. Obviously, don’t overload your dishwasher. Place larger items like plates on the bottom rack facing the spray. Smaller items go on the top rack facedown. Don’t block the spray arms!
15. Nonstick Cookware
Did you know you could be ruining your nonstick cookware by simply using metal tools? They’re a big no-no; even steel scrubbers can damage your precious nonstick. If you want to make them last longer, use non-stick-friendly utensils (made from silicone or wood) when cooking. Then clean them immediately after use with soft sponges.
16. Slow Cookers
They are named slow cookers for a reason: to slowly cook your food. If you’re not patient enough, they won’t do their job properly. So, stop opening the lid every 10 minutes; they will just cook your meal for an additional 20 minutes until you get hungrier. Patience is a virtue.
17. Knives
Stop holding your knife like a hammer. You’re not in the horror movies. Instead, chop like a chef with the “pinch grip.” Using your thumb and forefinger, pinch the blade itself (don’t worry, it’s safe!) where it meets the handle, and then the rest of your fingers will hold the handle.
18. Plungers
Match your plungers to the drain! Those plain cup plungers are only for the sink. If you see one with that extra rubber lip that folds out, that’s for toilets. Then, when plunging, seal the drain, ensure there’s water, and then pump strongly to clear.
19. Laundry Detergent Caps
These caps aren’t just for sealing the bottle. You can also use them to measure how much you should use. And here’s the thing: you don’t need to use too much. They can actually hold almost ten times more detergent than you actually need for one load!
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