Life Hacks Any New (Or Not-So New) Home Owner Should Know
Have you ever wished that you had learned how to adult instead of how to multiply and divide parabolas? Yeah, me too. Thankfully, we have access to Pinterest, Youtube, and Google to help us out of a pinch or two-- and now you have this post as well! These are not just random hacks I've pulled together from other blog posts either, every one of these tricks is a tried and true hack that yours truly has used at least once. The best part is that all of these hacks involve things most people have just sitting around their house. Prepare your mind to be blown!
1. Baking Soda and/or Vinegar
b) Oven Cleaner
Gross. Does anyone like cleaning their oven? What am I saying- of course, they don't. At least there are ways to make such a task easier on yourself. Start by putting a pot or pan of vinegar and water in on "broil" for 30-45 minutes. This should only turn on the top heating coil and then fill your oven with crust-softening steam. Make a Baking Soda and water paste and cover the yucky parts of your over starting in the back and working your way forward. Give it 3-5 minutes to work its way into the grime before wiping it out.
Bonus Hack: most oven doors are removable! Open the door all the way and pull on it parallel to the floor- it should slide right off!
c) Microwave Cleaner
Similarly to the oven, start by microwaving a water and vinegar solution for 8-10 minutes. USE A POTHOLDER OR TOWEL TO REMOVE THE CONTAINER- IT WILL BE VERY HOT. Use a Baking Soda and water paste to scrub at anything that doesn't wipe away easily working your way from the back to the front.
d) Laundry Cleaning Enhancement
This trick is especially helpful for extra-stinky loads. Add about a cup of Baking Soda to the load directly on top of the laundry then pour a cup of vinegar in with the detergent. This will help with tough stains and give those nasty odors an extra kick in the pants! (See what I did there? Haha!)
e) Deodorizer
Baking soda isn't the only thing that can absorb nasty smells! Though Apple Cider Vinegar works the best, bowls of white vinegar can help absorb the scent of anything from chopped onions in your fridge to the unfortunate waft of skunk spray if it makes its way into the house.
f) Fire Extinguisher
We've all had cooking mishaps that ended in flames. It can be a little scary, especially since water can make oil or electric fires worse. Thankfully, Baking Soda is a safe, flame-resistant alternative! No matter the cause, Baking Soda can save the day (and your house)!
2. Corn Starch
a) Carpet Spills
One of the worst parts about having carpet is having to clean up spills and messes- especially if you don't have access to or just don't want to deal with a carpet cleaner. Here's where corn starch comes in to play. Pour corn starch over the fresh spill and watch in amazement as it quickly absorbs the mess! Wait for the starch to dry and then just vacuum it up- ta-da! Like it never even happened! If, for some reason, one coat doesn't do the trick, spray the area with some water and go a second round. This also works on furniture, beds, and any other fabric-covered item that attracts spills and stains.
b) Dry Shampoo
Say goodbye to greasy hair by sprinkling a bit of corn starch on the top of your head and brushing it through your locks. The starch will absorb the grease and leave your hair looking fresh and ready to go!
Bonus Hack: Dog Shampoo!
My dog hates baths. He hates baths and is as big as I am. He hates baths, he's as big as I am, and he's stronger than me. So the tub is not an option. I tried once to take shampoo outside and use the rain to wash him... He did not appreciate it. So we came up with a compromise that took the form of a mixture of half corn starch (to absorb grease), half baking soda (to clean him), and a few drops of Frankincense essential oil (to help his dry skin and shine his coat). It works like a charm!
3. Toothpaste
a) Cheap Spackle
Yes, you read that correctly. Toothpaste is an easy and cheap way to fill in the little holes in your wall that nails, tacks, or hooks leave behind. Not only is it a quick and cheap solution, but it'll leave your wall smelling minty fresh too!
b) Sharpie Marks
Getting sharpie marks on any of your wooden furniture is an absolute nightmare. You can't use any harsh chemicals without harming the varnish and soap does not cut it. Toothpaste, however, will! That's right, just use a dab or two of your minty friend and watch the mark vanish like magic!
4. Oil
a) Natural GooGone
Have you ever struggled to get those ridiculously sticky stickers off the bottoms of candles, cups, plates, or any other thing that apparently requires top-grade sticky material? Have you ever had leftover gunk left on your arm from the medical tape a nurse put on you after having labs drawn? Yeah, it sucks. Thankfully, rubbing a bit of vegetable oil on it will get the sticky right off!
b) Makeup Remover
Even the most water-resistant makeup yields to a bit of coconut or olive oil on a cotton ball. Plus, the oil is great for your skin!
5. Dish Soap
a) Shower Scrub
This does not mean scrubbing yourself with dish soap in the shower- instead, scrub the shower! wipe some dish soap around the tub and walls and let it sit for a few hours. Rinse it all off, using a rag or scrub brush for any spots that don't immediately wash away. My shower looked brand new!
b) Stain Remover
Even after accidentally drying a grease-stained shirt, covering the stain with dish soap and washing the shirt again can remove the unfortunate spots!
c) Laundry Booster
Adding a few squirts of dish soap to your load of laundry can help brighten the colors and remove any stains that tried to remain unnoticed.
d) Help the grease go down
Though it's always recommended to remove as much of the grease as possible from your dishes before you wash them, it's inevitable that some of the oils will end up down your drain. Help keep your drains as clear of buildup as you can by running hot water down the drain for at least 30-60 seconds after rinsing the plate and squirting a bit of dish soap into the drain to snag anything the water couldn't remove by itself.
6. Salt
a) Weed Killer
Sprinkle salt in the cracks of your driveway or anywhere else you don't want any weeds growing. If rain isn't in the near forecast, water the salt down to get it down into the soil- this will kill any plants trying to grow there and prevent any more from growing for a long time. Make sure not to use salt near any areas you want growth though, it does not know a daffodil from a blade of grass.
b) Coffee Pot Cleaner
It's important to clean the inside of your coffee makers, especially if you purchased them used. Thankfully, there's a pretty easy way to do this without taking the entire machine apart! Run some saltwater through your machine a couple of times- the salt and hot water combined will kill any yucky germs that might be loitering around inside.
c) Sponge Sanitizer
No one should be washing dishes with nasty-smelling sponges. It's just... nasty. But, never fear! There's a way to save your sponge! Soak the culprit in saltwater for 5-10 minutes to freshen it up and sanitize it before your next load of dishes!
7. Coffee Grounds
a) Grime Scrubber
Don't throw away coffee grounds after just one use! They can be used for oh, so much more! Keep a container of them next to your sink and/or with your cleaning supplies- they are great for scrubbing at anything harsh chemicals would otherwise destroy.
b) Deoderizer
Leaving a bowl of coffee grounds in your fridge or other areas that tend to smell will not only absorb the stink but then leave the area smelling of the oh-so-wonderful smell of peaceful mornings.
Bonus Hack: Facial Scrub
Mix 1 cup of coffee grounds, 1/4 granulated sugar, 1/2 cup of coconut oil, and 1.5 tbsp of cinnamon together to make a wonderfully healthy and natural facial scrub. Add a few drops of your essential oil of choice to include even more benefits (I use peppermint!) -your pores will thank you!
Happy Planning!
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