“Why Didn’t I Think Of That?” – Part Thirteen

Here on my blog, I strive to share simple, everyday tips and tricks that can help make your 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. Today I’ll be sharing some of those tips and tricks with you in the thirteenth edition of my ongoing series “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?”

Missed the last installment, or want to revisit some of your old favorite tips? You’ll find links to every post in the “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?” series at the end of this post!

1. Remove Splinters With A Potato

Sometimes a splinter gets buried juuust deep enough that you can’t get to it with tweezers. In those cases, grab a potato! Cut off a small section of raw potato and apply it to your skin where the splinter is. Tape it on with a bandaid (or any other tape you happen to have on hand), and leave it there overnight. In the mooning, you’ll be able to remove the splinter easily!

How does it work? It’s uncertain, but some think it’s because the potato draws moisture away from your skin. Skin tightens as it loses moisture, exposing more of the splinter and make it easier to remove.

2. Microwave Your Cleaning Rag

Hot water works is more effective than cold water when it comes to cleaning, and the same is true of the water you use to dampen your favorite cleaning cloth. Use your microwave to heat up your damp cleaning cloth and watch how it powers through gunk and grime!

Soak a clean rag/cloth in water, and give it a gentle squeeze so that it’s wet, but not dripping. Pop the wet rag in your microwave and heat it in 15-second increments until it’s hot, but not too hot to handle. Reheat your rag as needed to make all your cleaning projects easier!

3. Eliminate Odors With Rice

Have a closet or room in your house that has been smelling a bit musty? You can use dry rice to freshen it up! Just put a cup or two of rice into a mason jar and add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil. Place a thin, breathable cloth over the jar opening (like a flour sack towel or some cheesecloth) and secure it in place with a canning ring.

Put the jar in the closet or room that needs freshening, and leave it there for a week or so. The absorbent rice will help absorb and eliminate those musty smells, and leave the area smelling much fresher!

4. Wash Small Items In Your Dishwasher

Using your dishwasher is a great way to keep things clean without a lot of extra effort on your part. But small items can be tricky, because dishwasher racks will allow small stuff to fall through quite easily. But not if you put them in a mesh laundry bag first!

This works well for keeping kitchen items like measuring cups, mason jar lids, and other small items that tend to get lost in the dishwasher. But you can also use a mesh laundry bag to safely clean non-kitchen items in your dishwasher, like LEGOs and other plastic toys. The mesh bag will keep them safe and sound, and they be clean in no time!

5. Keep Your Microwave Clean

You might already use paper towels to cover bowls and plates in your microwave to help keep it clean. But paper towels can be expensive, so why not use coffee filters instead? Paper coffee filters keep your microwave just as clean as paper towels, but they are a lot cheaper and you can buy them in bulk!

6. Grind Your Red Pepper Flakes

Love red pepper flakes, but hate those big pieces that get stuck in your teeth? Get a cheap pepper mill and use it to grind up your red pepper flakes! You’ll be able to enjoy the added heat on your pizza without worrying about what the state of your teeth will be like after dinner.

7. Travel Tip For Shoes

When you’re packing for a trip, it can be difficult to figure out how to put your shoes in your luggage without them dirtying up your clean clothes. That’s why I always keep a shower cap on hand! Put your shoes side-by-side, then wrap a shower cap around the soles of both shoes. It’s an effective and inexpensive way to avoid that problem entirely!