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

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. But since I can’t waste a good idea, I tuck them away to use at a later date.

I’ve built up quite a catalog of these quick tips and tricks, so I decided to share 10 of them with you today! Here’s the 2nd installment of a series I’m calling “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?” 

If you have a brilliant tip or trick you’d like to share, post it as a comment at the end of this post. You could see your tip featured in a future blog post!

1. Easy Paint Cleanup

A sturdy mug for rinsing paint brushes is less likely to tip over than a disposable cup, but they can be hard to clean. However, if you line the mug or cup with a plastic sandwich bag before using it to rinse paint brushes, it makes clean up SO much easier!

2. Single-Serve Smoothies

Save time in the morning and still have a great breakfast! Make your own single-serve frozen smoothie packs at home. It’s an easy way to utilize in-season produce for a quick and healthy breakfast. Just grab, blend, and go!

3. Save Freezer Space

Use binder clips to hang bags of fruit or veggies in the freezer. It’s a great way to maximize your precious freezer space and keep partially used bags closed as well. (For more useful clip ideas, check out my 30 creative uses for paper clips!)

4. Save Closet Space With Shower Rings

Instead of separate hangers for all your tops and scarves, try hanging things like tank tops and scarves on shower rings connected to a clothes hanger. This will save you a lot of closet space!

5. Keep Ants Off The Table

Have you ever had pesky ants climb right up the table legs and ruin your picnic? Next time you’re camping or picnicking, place a bowl or plate with water in it underneath the legs of the table. This prevents ants from crawling up to the food.

6. Keep Slugs At Bay

Don’t throw away your used coffee grounds — save them for the garden! Keep slugs and other pests away from your garden by sprinkling used coffee grounds around the plants. They’ll also add nitrogen to the soil — a win-win!

7. Keep Flowers Standing Tall

If your bouquet is starting to look a bit limp, use a smoothie straw to keep droopy flowers upright and beautiful. To hide the straws in a clear vase, put a smaller vase into a larger vase, then wrap a piece of scrapbook paper around the smaller vase.

8. Use Chalk For Freshness

Banish musty odors in closets with chalk. Hang a mesh bag of chalk in your closets to keep your clothes smelling fresh. Chalk is excellent at absorbing moisture and odor.

9. Stop Drippy Pitchers

Tired of the way pitchers always seem to drip no matter how carefully you pour? Rub a very thin layer of butter on the outside of a pitcher rim. It will repel the liquid inside, preventing messy drips. A great tip to use when using a nice tablecloth!

10. Clean Up Raw Eggs Easily

Here’s an easy trick for cleaning up spilled raw eggs: don’t try to wipe them up right away. Instead, sprinkle salt on top of the spill and wait 10 minutes. The egg will wipe up easily, with no sticky mess left behind!

What’s your favorite easy tip or trick?

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