9 Of The Most Useful Brilliant Everyday Life Hacks (& 1 You Should Never Try)

Who doesn’t love a good life hack? I’ve tried a lot of life hacks in my day, and these are the top 9 most useful everyday life hacks you will use and 1 you need to steer clear of.

We all live hectic lives. There’s nothing better than doing things that makes our lives a little easier and less chaotic. This is why everyday life hacks are so interesting for so many people. While scrolling through Pinterest, I started seeing a lot of posts for household hacks.

Out of sheer boredom, I found a bevy of hacks that intrigued me and I knew I had to try them. Some worked, some didn’t and some I still use today. The great thing about household hacks is their amazing shortcuts that will make your life easier and sometimes save you some money in the process.

Everyday Life Hacks

#1 How to maintain your manicure for up to 2 weeks with no chipping

If you’re a nail polish gal, this hack is life-changing. I accidentally found the best solution to keeping your manicure looking fresh and like new for at least 2 weeks without having to get those annoying gels or constantly getting manicures.

What you’re going to need is the following:

• Nail Polish
• Base Coat
• Top Coat

Instructions:

• Apply the base coat. Let it dry then paint your nails as usual.
• Once your nails are dry – this is the important part- put on a coat of base coat and make sure to wrap the tips.
• Let dry then add your favorite top coat.

When I was painting my nails, I wasn’t paying attention and accidentally put the base coat on over my polish. Once I realized what I had done, I immediately put a top coat on because the base coat is sticky. If you don’t wrap the tips, it will probably chip after 5 days or so. If you use a good quality nail polish it may last longer. I used Channel, which used to chip if I looked at it funny and it stayed on for 1-1/2 weeks before chipping!

Try it, it’s a serious life changer!

Why this works

Basecoat is made to be sticky. The stickiness is the reason your nail polish will stay on longer and not chip quickly.

Don’t believe me? Go to Instagram and look up the hashtags #polishedwaysnailhack and #polishedways (In my previous life I was a nail polish YouTuber).

#2 Tying up loose cords

If you have any toilet paper or paper towel paper tubes lying around your house from your DIY and kids’ craft projects, this hack is for you.

No one likes messy wires, especially when you’re trying to get yourself all organized. The best way I’ve found to keep the wires neat and tidy is to fold them up and keep them in a toilet paper or paper towel tube.

The best part is when the tube starts to fray and rip, you can always change it out with a new one. If you’re super crafty, you can even decorate it to make it look cuter.

You can do this with a rubber band as well; however, it will typically become a matted and twisted mess after the first time using it.

Why this works

Most cords have what’s known as “self memory”. They typically keep the form from the original packaging which can be coiled or twisted. Over time keeping your cords in a toilet paper or paper towel roll will self-correct the memory of the cord. The width of toilet paper and paper towel tubes is large and will accommodate the various lengths of the cords which reduces the cords getting bent in odd positions and tangled.

If you look at the picture below, you can see the cord coming out from the iron is twisted; whereas the cord that’s been neatly tucked in the cardboard toilet paper tube does not have that twisted look. It makes for a pleasant ironing experience.

I can’t believe I used the term pleasant and ironing in the same sentence.

#3 Kill those pesky bugs with your favorite antibacterial spray

How many times have you sprayed an entire can of bug spray either on a wasp, ants, or any annoying insect, only to see them struggle and crawl away until finally, they died?

Not only is the smell of bug spray horrible, but it’s extremely costly. The best solution is to kill them with antibacterial spray. Any antibacterial household cleaner will do. Why pay the big bucks, when you can go to your local dollar store or even Walmart and get a bottle of Spic & Span antibacterial spray for just $1.

We always have this on hand. Not only is it an amazing cleaner, but it’s the best bug killer out there.

Why this works

Antibacterial spray affects the insect’s nervous system by penetrating its hard outer shell. The waxy coating on insects and will neutralize their nervous system, killing them quicker. It will also kill their eggs.

Please don’t attempt to use an antibacterial spray on a wasp or hornet’s nest unless you poured the cleaner into a bottle that has a spray distance of at least 8 feet.

#4 Coffee filters as oil blotters

How many coffee filters do you have lying around the house? Since I got my K-cup maker I have had an overabundance of coffee filters. I wasn’t sure what to use them for until I realized how amazing they are for blotting oily skin.

Blotting papers can be pretty costly. Depending on the brand of blotting papers you buy, you can save anywhere from $24 to $96 a year (if you buy the cheap kind). Just think about how much money you’ll save in just one year by buying a pack of 250 coffee filters for less than $3.

Why this works

Coffee filters are made out of very similar materials to those expensive facial blotting papers.

Since the filters are rather large, cut them in quarters and tuck a few filters in your purse to use on a hot day to reduce shine.

#5 Sign up for free trials without ever getting charged

How many times have you signed up for a free trial and forgot to cancel before your credit card was charged? I can’t tell you how many times this has happened to me in the past. Well, my friend, after I share this little everyday life hack with you, you’re gonna wonder how you never thought of it.

Never throw out your used Visa gift cards. The next time you sign up for a free online trial that requires credit card info, just use that number. If you forget to cancel before the free trial is over, they won’t be able to charge the card since it’s not linked to your bank.

Why this works

This works because the online companies only verify the card number, expiration date, and security codes are legit at the time of signup.

You’re not doing anything wrong by doing this. If you do decide to sign up for a paid membership, please remember to update your card information with a valid credit or debit card.

#6 Repel spiders for good

I know spiders serve a purpose – what it is, I don’t have a clue. Spiders are a nuisance. They’re creepy, they leave webs all over and they reproduce more than a bunny. Some are even poisonous, and the sad thing is unless it’s a daddy-long-legs, you’re not going to know for sure if you’re dealing with a regular brown spider or a brown recluse.

Did you know spiders hate the smell of peppermint? The best way to get rid of spiders for good is to make your own DIY spider repellent spray.

What your going to need is the following:

• Peppermint Oil
• Water
• Dish Soap
• Spray Bottle

Instructions:

• Combine 6 drops of peppermint oil with 16 ounces of water and 3 drops of dish soap into a spray bottle.
• Shake well
• Spray the mixture along the baseboards, around the doors, and windows in your home, and around the perimeter of the inside of your garage and around your house.

Why this works

According to studies, spiders don’t like strong smells. Since spiders smell with their legs, they’ll avoid crawling through areas with strong scents.

In the beginning, spray it once every other week for a month, then set up a routine spray session once a month.

#7 Make a wax melt warmer for your car

I’ve been obsessed with wax melts for close to 14 years. I melt them at work, and at home and I even keep the delicious scent of my favorite wax (Amish Friendship Bread) in my car.

What you’re going to need is the following:

• Wax melts. My favorite is Pink Promenade from Scentsy, and Amish Friendship Breach from Front Porch Candle Company.
• Small jar with a lid or a small plastic container

Instructions:

• Poke holes in the lid with either a screwdriver, scissors, or hole punch
• Add a few melts to the jar or container and place it in a secure spot in your car.

Why this works

As your parked car heats up during the day, the wax will melt. Of course, this won’t work during the winter months, even if you’re driving a long distance and you have the heat on.

Throws of individual wax melts vary per manufacturer. Here are my recommendations:

• Walmart Wax – Better Homes and Gardens or Scentsationals brand; put 2 squares in your jar or container. Mainstays wax doesn’t have a huge throw, so you’ll want to add 3 cubes to your jar or container
• Scentsy – 1 square will do.
• Independent Wax such as Front Porch Candle Company – use one 1-ounce tart.

#8 Unclog your bathroom drain with over the counter heartburn medication

Most people know one of the best ways to unclog a drain without using harsh chemicals is by using household white vinegar and baking soda. Every game plan should always have a backup just in case you’re in a bind, can’t get out, and are missing one key component. This is where Alka-Seltzer® tabs will come to the rescue.

All homes should keep a box of Alka-Seltzer® on hand. Not only are they fast-acting over-the-counter heartburn medication, but they also come in handy when trying to unclog your bathroom sink. If you only have the cold and flu variety, that works as well.

What you’re going to need is the following

• 4 Alka-Seltzer® tablets
• 1 cup household vinegar
• Tea kettle with boiling hot water
• Sink unclogging device like the Drain Snake Hair Clog Remover Tool

Instructions

• Drop 4 broken Alka-Seltzer® tablets into the clogged drain.
• Pour 1 cup household vinegar immediately after the Alka-Seltzer.® You’ll need to let the vinegar and Alka-Seltzer® work. This should take 10 minutes for the chemical reaction to complete its process.
• While both items are in the drain, boil as much water as you can fit in your tea kettle. You’ll want the water to be scalding hot. If you don’t have a tea kettle, a large pot will do, but please take caution for the next step.
• After 10 minutes have passed, pour the hot water in quickly. If you used a pot, please be very careful to not splash yourself with the scalding water. A tea kettle is the best avenue as you can get the spout very close to the drain.

Why this works

Alka-Seltzer® is comprised of sodium bicarbonate which is also the main ingredient in baking soda. When the vinegar is introduced, the effervescent from the Alka-Seltzer® is increased by the chemical reaction of the two agents. The effervescence causes fine air bubbles which can dislodge matted hair in a drain by fitting into the small openings. Once the vinegar is added, the effervescent bubbles become larger, allowing more oxygen to be distributed, allowing the hair to become dislodged from each other.

As a preventative caution, do not use this method if you recently used a chemical base drain cleaner, as there can be a dangerous chemical reaction.

#9 Forget chip clips – rubberbands are your new BFF

There are times sealing a package isn’t always as easy as we think it will be. Closing chip bags are pretty easy, but what about packaging that doesn’t have a self-closing tab or a bag of frozen vegetables that requires to be opened using a pair of scissors?

Several months back I was making blintzes. Unbeknownst to me, there was no way for me to seal the box back after taking out 3 to cook. I attempted closing the box with scotch tape but that failed miserably. Sure, I could have put it in a zipper storage bag, but for some strange reason every time I need one, they’re all missing in action.

Being the crazed office supply junkie I am, I dug into my stash and found a package of rubber bands I recently acquired from the dollar store and secured it around the box. I was amazed at how secure it made the box. After this, there was no turning back for me.

I currently close all of my spaghetti boxes, chips, the inner bags holding my cereal in their boxes, as well as leftover frozen vegetables and even family-sized candy bars with rubber bands. Rubberbands are so cheap, even if they were to crack and break from the intense cold from your freezer, you can always pop a new one on.

Why it works

Chips clips and household binder clips have become a fast favorite amongst households; however, sometimes the tension at the closest point isn’t as secure as we would like. Rubberbands, on the other hand, are perfectly produced with tension in mind.

#10 Everyday life hacks debunked – Aluminum foil instead of dryer sheets

I just had to save the craziest everyday household hack for the last.

Don’t you just hate when you’re on your last load of laundry and you realize you’re all out of your dryer sheets? Sure, you can just hop in the car and head on over to the local store or grocery store but depending on the time of day, that can be a nuisance.

It’s been going around the internet, you can use aluminum foil balls in place of your dryer sheet to reduce static cling. Some websites have even stated the only downfall is your freshly dried clothes won’t smell April fresh. I actually tried this but I put a few drops of lavender essential oil in the aluminum foil ball.

I was shocked it actually worked. My clothes smelled lovely, they weren’t filled with static, but they were also stiff and had burn marks all over them.

Why it works, and why you should never replace a dryer sheet with an aluminum foil ball.

Why it works

Aluminum foil is a very lightweight metal. Metal acts as a conductor that allows electrons to flow freely from particle to particle. Doing this transfers a static charge away from the items present.

Why you shouldn’t use it as a replacement for a dryer sheet

Although the aluminum foil won’t catch on fire, the static can cause sparks which will cause burns on your clothes.

In conclusion

There are so many everyday life hacks on the internet. Most of those have merit, but there are some that I think people just pull out of their butts or just regurgitate what others say without even researching it first.

There’s nothing wrong with testing out a hack you find online because you never know what one may change your life for the better.

Your turn

What’s your favorite or one of the most used everyday life hacks you’ve ever tried, and did it work? Share in the comments.

Stay Peachy!

Alka-Seltzer ®is a registered trademark of Bayer