Here on my blog, I strive to share simple, everyday tips and tricks that can help make life a little bit easier. But sometimes, the tips that I want to share aren’t something I can write a whole blog post about. And since I simply cannot waste a good idea, I tuck them away to use at a later date. I decided to share some of those tips and tricks today, in the fifth edition of my ongoing series, “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?”
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Note: Many of the tips I share on the blog come straight from your comments. If you have a great idea you’d like to share, leave it in the comments, and your idea could be featured in the next “Why Didn’t I Think of That?” post!
Remember Where You Parked
It’s kind of embarrassing how often I return to the parking lot after shopping, only to realize that I have no idea where I left my car. But luckily for me, the latest iOS update for iPhones includes a feature that can remember where you parked!
You can turn the function on by going to Maps in the Settings menu. If you scroll down you should see a toggle option labeled “Show Parked Location.” Just turn this feature on, and the next time you leave your car, the Maps app should show a notification telling you that it has dropped a pin for your car’s location. You can also view the location by opening the Maps app, selecting the search bar, and scrolling down to “Parked Car.”
Sharpie Revival
If the tip of your favorite permanent marker has dried out, don’t toss it out just yet! You may be able to revive it with a little bit of rubbing alcohol.
Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol into a small dish, then place the tip of the marker (cap off) into the alcohol for about 5 minutes. Put the cap back on the marker for one hour, and your marker should be ready to use!
Trash Tip
Nobody wants to take the trash out when the trash bag is a drippy, soggy mess! But there’s a simple way to avoid a wet garbage mess, and all you need is some newspaper.
When you put a new trash bag into your garbage can, line the bottom of the trash bag with a few sheets of newspaper. The newspaper will help absorb the liquid that falls to the bottom of the bag, reducing the chances of a dripping disaster. Smart!
Storing Packets
Here’s a simple tip for storing spice, dip, and sauce packets in your pantry or cupboard. Stack up all of your packets and clip them together at the top with a binder clip. Hang the binder clip from a small Command hook. You’ll always know where your packets are, and it’ll be easy to flip through and find the one you need.
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Add Grip To Glasses
Whether they’re reading glasses or sunglasses, it’s really annoying to have them slipping off your face! Just grab your trusty hot glue gun to add some extra grip.
Apply a line of hot glue to the inside of each arm of your glasses, near the back where they rest above your ears. When the glue dries, the glue will add some extra grip and keep them from sliding. (And you can peel the hot glue off whenever you want without damaging your frames.)
Put A Lid On It
If you have leftover chocolate chips after baking, here’s a quick tip for storing them. Cut the top third of a plastic water bottle off, then thread the top of the chocolate chip bag through the mouth of the bottle. Fold the bag over the opening, then screw the lid back onto the bottle.
Your chocolate chips will stay fresh until you need them, and they’ll be easy to pour, too!
Wrinkle Rescue
Sometimes you pull a button-up shirt out of your closet and it looks fine, except for the collar. Collars have a mysterious ability to wrinkle or curl up for no reason. But since it’s just the collar that’s wrinkled, it doesn’t feel worth it to drag out the iron and ironing board.
A quick way to tame a curled collar is to use your hair straightener! Hair straighteners heat up quickly, so you’ll be able to fix your collar issues even when you’re in a hurry.
Better Blender Cleaning
For the most part, cleaning a blender cup is really easy. But occasionally you blend something that just will not come off of those blades at the bottom of the cup! But there’s an easy way to tackle the mess, without risking your fingers.
Pour a few cups of hot water into your blender cup, along with a few drops of dish soap. Put the lid on and run your blender for a few seconds. The hot, soapy water will help loosen the stuff that’s stuck to the blades, and your blender cup will be clean in no time!
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Turn Trash Into Garden Tools
Plants benefit from gentle, even watering, but you don’t need to buy an expensive watering can. You can make one using an empty milk jug!
Just wash out a plastic milk jug, and use a craft knife to poke several small holes in the cap. Fill the jug with water, screw the cap on, and use your recycled watering can to water house plants, flowers, or your garden beds.
Read More in the “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?” Series: Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | The Holiday Edition | Part Five | Part Six | Part Seven | Part Eight | 2nd Holiday Edition
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