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Discover 19+ hidden hacks of everyday items you use all the time but rarely question. Learn surprising features, clever tricks, and overlooked details hiding in plain sight. Many of these simple ideas will change how you use common objects. Hit play and see which smart shortcuts you’ve been missing.
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00:00:00A label on your panties digging into your most sensitive spots is definitely not the best feeling.
00:00:06Sure, you can cut it off, but often that just leaves even sharper corners that can be more annoying.
00:00:12But what if you've been cutting those labels wrong this whole time?
00:00:15Check it out. On the left, the label is sewn into the seam, while on the right, it's just hanging
00:00:21on by a couple of threads.
00:00:23Just snip those threads, and voila!
00:00:26It's like the label was never even there.
00:00:28Plus, with this little hack, you can always pick panties in the store that are guaranteed to be comfy.
00:00:34If you've traveled to Europe recently, you may have noticed how nasty the bottle caps have become.
00:00:40Yeah, according to the law, they now have to scratch your nose.
00:00:44Oops, sorry, they have to be attached right to the bottle.
00:00:47If these bottles annoy you too, try this.
00:00:50Once you open the bottle, rotate the cap 90 degrees, and pull until one of the plastic connections breaks.
00:00:56And finally, turn the bottle until the cap touches your chin, not your nose, and drink.
00:01:03You've been using the colander in the wrong way all this time.
00:01:06This smart kitchen device has a hidden function.
00:01:09The traditional way of draining noodles involves dumping boiled noodles into a colander, right?
00:01:15But if your colander is about the same size as your pot, try this instead.
00:01:20Place the colander on top of the pot with the noodles, like a lid, and drain the water out.
00:01:26This method is faster and less messy, and it keeps your noodles in the pot where they belong.
00:01:33Toilet plungers and sink plungers are quite different, and the toilet version has a handy rubber flap called a flange
00:01:40that pops out from the cup.
00:01:42This flange fits snugly over toilet drains, giving you strong suction to tackle stubborn clogs.
00:01:49While a sink plunger won't help with toilet troubles, the toilet plunger can work on your sink or tub.
00:01:55Just make sure to keep that flap tucked inside the cup.
00:01:59And don't forget to give it a thorough clean with bleach before switching from toilet to sink use.
00:02:04You definitely don't want to mix things up.
00:02:07If you still work in an office, next time you print out something, make sure to check out this stapler
00:02:13built right into the printer.
00:02:15It can staple all the documents that fit in the slot at the same time.
00:02:19By the way, it's not something new.
00:02:21Such printers have been around since the 90s.
00:02:25Why buy a ruler and spend your hard-earned dollars if you can simply use a dollar bill to measure
00:02:31whatever you want?
00:02:32Only as long as this whatever is somewhere around 6 inches.
00:02:37A dollar bill is just about this size.
00:02:41Even though many people are sure that those tiny holes on the bottom left side of your iPhone are the
00:02:47speaker, they're actually a microphone.
00:02:49And speaking of iPhones, if you've got one of the latest models and your phone is out of juice but
00:02:54there's no socket to be found nearby, here's a nifty trick.
00:02:58Grab a double-ended charger cord and connect it to another iPhone 15.
00:03:04Boom! Your phone gets a little power boost.
00:03:07I bet you've noticed that the hook on a tape measure is a little loose.
00:03:11Well, that's intentional.
00:03:12The hook moves just enough to account for its own thickness, ensuring both inside and outside measurements are accurate.
00:03:20So, if you ever thought it was broken, nope, it's just doing its job.
00:03:24As for the hole at the end, it's replacing the tape on the edge of a nail to get measurements
00:03:29from odd spots.
00:03:31The pockets on new suits are sewn shut to keep the jacket's shape during transportation and display.
00:03:38Of course, you can unpick them to use the pockets, but you need to be careful with what you put
00:03:43there.
00:03:43Anything heavy can easily distort the suit's shape.
00:03:46The important thing, though, is to remember to cut the threads holding the back vents together for better movement and
00:03:53comfort.
00:03:53Oh, and remember to cut those tacky stitches that fasten your new coat's vent, that flap on the back.
00:04:01Now, that sink squeegee thing actually hides a big secret.
00:04:05It can store water.
00:04:07Many sink squeegees have tiny holes that allow water to stay inside.
00:04:12But why would we need that water?
00:04:14Oh, you can release it as you squeegee, which will help you rinse the sink as you clean it.
00:04:21Here's a travel tip that will help you understand U.S. highways.
00:04:24In the U.S., highways with even numbers run east-west, and those with odd numbers run north-south.
00:04:32If a highway number starts with an odd digit, it's a spur, which means it doesn't reconnect to the main
00:04:38highway.
00:04:38If it starts with an even digit, it's a loop around or through a city that eventually reconnects with the
00:04:44main highway.
00:04:46And finally, numbers divisible by five are major highways meant for cross-country travel.
00:04:53Your iPhone camera can also translate laundry symbols, identify plants, and even recognize some bird species.
00:05:02It's like having a mini-encyclopedia in your pocket.
00:05:05Another trick.
00:05:06When using the markup feature while editing your photos, you might want to highlight a part of a picture.
00:05:12Put a circle around the needed area and keep your finger pressed down at the end of the stroke.
00:05:18Voila!
00:05:19Instead of a misshapen circle, you get a perfect one.
00:05:22It also works for squares, triangles, and stars.
00:05:26Barilla, probably the most famous pasta in the world, has teamed up with Spotify to create playlists that match the
00:05:33cooking time for different pasta shapes.
00:05:35Just start the playlist when you drop the pasta into boiling water, and when the music stops, your pasta is
00:05:42ready.
00:05:44Toasters have crumb trays at the bottom that you can and should clean regularly.
00:05:49Just slide it out and dump the crumbs.
00:05:52It's an easy way to keep your toaster clean and working well.
00:05:56You can use Google Maps to share your location in real time.
00:06:00Just tap your account icon, select Location Sharing, and choose how long to share.
00:06:05Your friends can track your progress and be ready when you arrive.
00:06:09You can also save your parking location by clicking the blue dot.
00:06:14Do you know that the knobs on some ovens have calibration screws on the back?
00:06:19You can adjust them to get more accurate temperature control.
00:06:22It'll definitely help you avoid overcooking or undercooking your meals.
00:06:27In non-prepaid gas stations in the U.S., try pressing Enter before swiping your debit or credit card.
00:06:34It'll take you to the prepaid screen, and you can enter the amount you need manually.
00:06:40If you're drinking outside on a windy day, place some coins in an empty cup, and then put the cup
00:06:46you're drinking from inside the first one.
00:06:49The weight of the coins will help you keep your drink from getting blown over.
00:06:53Simple, but effective.
00:06:56Once you've peeled your potato, you might spot some tiny divots, known as eyes, that still have some skin on
00:07:03them.
00:07:03Many peelers come with a handy scoop designed to tackle these little guys.
00:07:07Just take the scoop, dig in, and pop them out.
00:07:10Easy peasy.
00:07:11Your favorite potato recipe will be totally eye-free in no time.
00:07:17A cell phone's camera can help you to figure out whether your remote is working.
00:07:22The camera is sensitive to infrared, so you just need to turn it on and point the remote at the
00:07:27camera while pressing the remote's buttons.
00:07:30You'll see the LED flashing in response.
00:07:33If you spot nothing, something is definitely wrong with the remote.
00:07:38Bonus fact here.
00:07:39White vinegar isn't just for cooking.
00:07:41It's also the real laundry hero.
00:07:44If you add it to your laundry, it'll take out all the bad smells from your clothes.
00:07:49The amount to add can be anywhere from a splash to a cup during the wash.
00:07:54And don't worry about the vinegar smell.
00:07:56It washes away completely, leaving your clothes fresh.
00:07:59It's also great for removing hard water buildup.
00:08:04So, take a small piece of fabric of a specific color and tie it to your luggage.
00:08:09This way, you'll save a lot of time waiting for your luggage to arrive because most people have similar ones.
00:08:15But now, you can instantly recognize yours.
00:08:20It's annoying how often it feels like so many stick deodorants go to waste.
00:08:24You start feeling the container uncomfortably rubbing against your skin even when plenty of deodorants are still left.
00:08:30But there is an easy trick to use the last bit in there.
00:08:34Unscrew the bottom and force a pencil underneath that moving platform to push another inch of deodorant out.
00:08:41That gives you a few more weeks to use it.
00:08:43Just don't poke yourself with a pencil.
00:08:45That's the pits.
00:08:47You're running out of your favorite hand cream, but it seems the tube still has some.
00:08:52If you cannot push hard enough to get the rest of it,
00:08:55take scissors, cut the tube of cream in half, and use one more day.
00:09:00When you wrote something on the paper and want to cross it out and not allow anyone to read it,
00:09:05don't just scribble over those words.
00:09:08Simply write random words and letters over the original,
00:09:11and no one will understand what the actual writing was about.
00:09:14I learned that one at spy school.
00:09:18If you often need something to prop up your phone,
00:09:20you don't have to look for random objects.
00:09:22Just take your sunglasses.
00:09:24They have a perfect shape of a phone holder.
00:09:28Use the inside of the toilet paper when you're at a public toilet.
00:09:31It's better to avoid covering the seat of a bathroom, too.
00:09:35When you flush a toilet, germs spring around and spray over the roll of nearby toilet paper, too.
00:09:40But if you have your own paper tissues, it'll be even better to use them.
00:09:46Greek Yogurt Flip Cups
00:09:48You probably want something extra when eating your Greek yogurt, like honey.
00:09:52You mostly get a tasty dollop of fruit and cookie crumbs.
00:09:56But those additional compartments are really narrow,
00:09:58so you can't even reach what's inside unless you have some tiny spoon.
00:10:03Well, check the word on the lid.
00:10:05It says flip.
00:10:06Yep.
00:10:07Flip those small compartments over so their contents can mix with your yogurt.
00:10:11Bon appetit!
00:10:14Business cards are so easy to lose.
00:10:16Next time someone gives you one, take a picture of it just in case.
00:10:20If you lose it somewhere in your bag, at least you know where you can always find it.
00:10:26If you're not sure how to iron a button-up shirt, just flip it inside out.
00:10:30That way, you'll easily pass across the button side with your iron.
00:10:36Sometimes, even though you have a bag inside your trash bin,
00:10:39add the old newspaper to the bottom just in case.
00:10:42The paper will absorb food juices so they won't break through the bag and leave your bin messy.
00:10:49When you travel, make a bar of scented soap one of the essentials you take everywhere.
00:10:54Put it in the bag or compartment where you keep your dirty clothes.
00:10:57That will help to keep it smelling nice,
00:11:00at least until you find a place where you can wash it.
00:11:03There's a trick in how you can check if your batteries are good or bad.
00:11:08Just drop them on a table from around 6 inches.
00:11:10They're okay if they give just one tiny bounce and fall over.
00:11:14If not, if they continue bouncing around more,
00:11:17they're either on their way out or already dead.
00:11:23When you're taking a selfie and want to look more natural,
00:11:27squint your eyes.
00:11:28Not everybody feels comfortable in front of the camera,
00:11:30so you may look stiff.
00:11:32But this way, your smile will be more genuine in the photos.
00:11:37We all know how frustrating it is to have a container that doesn't fit in the sink,
00:11:41and you still need to fill it with water.
00:11:43Just use a dustpan.
00:11:45A clean one, of course.
00:11:47Place it in a sink and enjoy this brilliant new way in your bathroom.
00:11:52If you wrote down a recipe or had a cookbook,
00:11:55and don't feel like going to your table and checking it out all the time,
00:11:59take a pants hanger.
00:12:00Hang it somewhere in your kitchen to continue with slicing, chopping, and cooking,
00:12:04and quickly check if you're following all the necessary steps.
00:12:09If you're not a fan of the taste of stale cereal,
00:12:12here's a trick that will help you keep them fresh,
00:12:14even if they remain in the box for a longer time.
00:12:17Don't close the top panels of your cereal like you usually do with a square box.
00:12:22Pack it so it reminds you more of a milk carton.
00:12:25First, collapse three of the four pieces of cardboard to make an opening.
00:12:29Out of two long strips, leave one turned up.
00:12:32Now, tuck the two side panels inward into a V-shape.
00:12:35To hold it like this, pinch the unfolded flap of your cardboard into the opposite flap.
00:12:41Now, crimp the opening to keep it in place.
00:12:43With a tighter seal, your cereal will remain fresh for a longer time.
00:12:49Place a wooden spoon across a boiling pot of liquid.
00:12:52That way, you'll prevent it from boiling over.
00:12:56We all sometimes lend our stuff to friends and forget who took what.
00:13:00Take a picture of them holding the item so you remember where your things are.
00:13:06Chargers can sometimes bend if you carry them around in a bag.
00:13:10Take a spring from one of your old pens and wrap it around the critical part of the cable.
00:13:15It will prevent the cable from breaking.
00:13:17Now, we all love pancakes, sure, but preparing them can be really frustrating
00:13:22because it's almost impossible not to make a mess.
00:13:26Hmm, almost.
00:13:27If you use an old ketchup bottle and fill it with pancake mix, you'll certainly avoid most of the cleaning
00:13:33after it.
00:13:34And have a nice treat, too.
00:13:37If you like going to the beach but are often afraid someone might take your stuff, try this trick.
00:13:43Take an old bottle of sun lotion and clean it out.
00:13:46Place your phone, keys, and money inside and close it.
00:13:50Looks casual enough for people around to think you don't have any valuables within your stuff.
00:13:56If you're having a barbecue gathering with your friends and looking for a practical way to serve condiments,
00:14:01here's a simple solution.
00:14:03A muffin tin.
00:14:04Less mess because you'll cut down on dishwashing.
00:14:07Plus, you save space at the table and keep things more organized.
00:14:11How to finally be able to differentiate your keys that all look so similar?
00:14:16Take different nail polishes.
00:14:18Now, you'll only need to remember which color is for which door.
00:14:22We all sometimes forget to put deodorant on before leaving the house.
00:14:26No worries.
00:14:27Just pat your armpits dry and go with hand sanitizer.
00:14:30It's an excellent way to deal with bacteria that are actually a true reason for that unpleasant smell when sweating.
00:14:36Now, if you're keeping count, that's the second tip today about your armpits.
00:14:40Just saying.
00:14:42When you want to amplify the sound and don't own speakers or any other equipment that would help you,
00:14:47just place your phone in a glass jug.
00:14:50Woo-hoo! Party!
00:14:53Save a couple of toilet paper rolls and use them as cuffs so your wrapping paper doesn't unroll and make
00:14:59a mess.
00:15:01Any fans of iced cappuccinos or iced coffee here?
00:15:04Prepare some coffee and make frozen coffee cubes.
00:15:07That way, your beverage won't get watered down when you want to make it colder.
00:15:12When mobile phones just turned up, it looked like designers wanted to make them as small as possible.
00:15:18But over time, phones got so many other options besides just texting and calling.
00:15:23So, many new models, for example, the latest iPhones, have a bigger screen now.
00:15:28It seems like now you need to use both hands for typing once again.
00:15:32Unless you change the keyboard setting, open the keyboard, any app is good, and look for the global icon or
00:15:39the emoji icon.
00:15:40Press it and hold it down until you see the keyboard menu pop up.
00:15:44Do you see those three keyboard icons at the bottom?
00:15:47Pick the left one if you're right-handed, so the keyboard on your phone will compress itself to the left
00:15:52side.
00:15:53The keyboard will move toward the right side if you take the right side.
00:15:57Or, go to Settings, then General, choose Keyboard, and then One-handed Keyboard.
00:16:02You get the same result.
00:16:07I know something about you.
00:16:09You can't stand having to clean your bathtub.
00:16:12There's a lot to scrub, and it gets really uncomfortable.
00:16:14But here's a great trick that'll save you a lot of time and money.
00:16:19This magic product may be hidden in your bathroom cabinet, too.
00:16:23All you need is some shaving cream and a broom.
00:16:26The shaving cream will help with cleaning up your bathtub,
00:16:29and by using the broom, you'll spare yourself unnecessary back pain.
00:16:34Once you're happy with the results, just rinse it off.
00:16:38That can of shaving cream can be used for a lot of other things around the house.
00:16:42You can cover the bristles of the toilet brush with it for an overnight disinfecting routine.
00:16:48Not to mention, you can then clean the toilet with it and have it smell quite nice.
00:16:53Has your kitchen sink ever gotten clogged?
00:16:55I mean, we all had such a problem at least once.
00:16:59But here's a nice idea that will spare you a trip to the store for those harsh unclogging solutions.
00:17:05Mix some leftover coffee grounds with dish soap.
00:17:08Pour them down your drain and let them do their magic for a short while.
00:17:13Then just pour in a lot of hot water.
00:17:16This combination should break up whatever food residue got stuck in your pipes.
00:17:21Not to mention, it also helps with the bad smell.
00:17:24You may already be using lemon essential oil around your house for its fresh fragrance.
00:17:31But here's another thing you can use it for.
00:17:34Cleaning and polishing dark woods with spots and stains.
00:17:38Tea tree oil works the same way too.
00:17:40To make sure your furniture isn't too delicate, do a little cleaning test on an area that isn't visible.
00:17:45Apart from taking care of the spots, these oils are also great bug deterrents, and they make your furniture smell
00:17:52nice too.
00:17:54If you have pets, or little ones, you know how hard it is to keep the living room couch clean.
00:18:01You might not have to get a new one when it gets too much.
00:18:05Try cleaning some of the spots with both the fabric and the wood with some toothpaste.
00:18:10It's good for cleaning and for polishing too.
00:18:13Once you're done, wipe everything off with a damp towel and let it air dry.
00:18:17The trick here is not to use a whole lot of toothpaste.
00:18:21A pea-sized amount should do the trick, even for the nastiest stains.
00:18:26And it'll prevent cavities too.
00:18:29Scented candles are a great way to spice up your living room decor.
00:18:34But once you spill one of those over, that hot wax can be a nightmare to get rid of.
00:18:39It's sticky, and it can really stain valuable pieces of furniture.
00:18:42More so, if you try to scrape it off, you might end up damaging pieces of wood even more.
00:18:48If you ever spill some wax, here's what you can try.
00:18:52First, fill a plastic bag with some ice cubes.
00:18:55Then gently place them over the wax and let it work its magic.
00:18:59The ice cube should help cool the wax until it's solid.
00:19:02You can then simply pick it up without damaging your furniture, carpet, or piece of fabric.
00:19:09Reusing jars around the kitchen can be a nice way to repurpose some objects.
00:19:14But we all know how annoying it is to peel those sticky labels off seamlessly.
00:19:19Don't throw the jar away just yet.
00:19:22Go pick up some cooking oil and a cotton pad.
00:19:25Let the oil sink in on the sticky area and then gently rub it off with the pad.
00:19:30The oil should help with breaking down the residue, while the cotton pad is delicate enough to remove it without
00:19:37scratching the glass.
00:19:40Microwave tends to get stinky at times.
00:19:42It's always a good idea to give it a nice scrub every now and then.
00:19:46But if it still has a funky smell, even after you've cleaned it thoroughly, here's how you can get rid
00:19:53of the odor.
00:19:54Place a bowl of vinegar inside and turn on the microwave for up to 5 minutes.
00:20:00Here's a simple way you can clean your kettle with vinegar, too, without having to risk damaging its electrical parts.
00:20:07Instead of placing plain water in it, fill it up with water and a vinegar solution.
00:20:12It should be a 1-to-1 proportion.
00:20:14Then turn it on.
00:20:15The vinegar helps not only with the moldy smell, but it also helps remove water stains and chalky residues.
00:20:24Now, dusting the blinds is kind of tedious and way too time-consuming.
00:20:29Hey, I might have a solution for that that can save you a lot of time.
00:20:33Just use a pair of kitchen tongs.
00:20:36Wrap each end with a pair of dish towels, preferably a little damp.
00:20:40That little amount of water will ensure the dust doesn't go back into the air once you're done.
00:20:45Secure the tongs with a pair of rubber bands, and you've got yourself a custom blinds duster.
00:20:50Just place each line from the blinds between the tongs and slide as you go.
00:20:55Easy, right?
00:20:58Cleaning up your blender is not only tiresome, but it can get dangerous at times if you don't pay enough
00:21:03attention to those sharp blades.
00:21:05So here's how you can avoid it.
00:21:07Make sure you unplug it first.
00:21:10Add some dish soap and warm water into the device, and then blend away until it's clean.
00:21:15If you have some stains that are harder to get rid of, don't be afraid to add some baking powder
00:21:20too.
00:21:21Now, if you're the kind of person that always has to clean the garbage can after taking out the trash,
00:21:27you might want to try this trick.
00:21:29Place some pieces of old newspaper on the bottom of the can.
00:21:33Even if you throw away something liquid, it should absorb it, and you won't have to give the can a
00:21:38scrub each time you fill up the trash.
00:21:41Now, cats are cute and all, but they're also notorious for clawing things around the house.
00:21:47Yeah, nice kitty.
00:21:48Not.
00:21:49I may not have a solution for your drapes just yet, but here's what you can do for your couch.
00:21:55Try to observe your cat for a couple of days and figure out if it has a favorite spot on
00:22:00the couch where it likes to sharpen its nails.
00:22:03Once you find out what that is, place a small patch of aluminum foil on top.
00:22:09Also, try to secure the foil as much as you can.
00:22:11Your cat might try to dig it, but once it touches the aluminum foil, it will soon figure out that's
00:22:19uncomfortable.
00:22:20It might even keep it away from the couch altogether, if you're lucky.
00:22:25Never know which key is used for what.
00:22:27We all run around with house, office, and mail keys all kept together within the same keychain.
00:22:33If you have a hard time differentiating between them, try painting them over.
00:22:38You can use nail polish, as it should last pretty long and it dries up pretty quickly.
00:22:43You might still have to remember which color is which, though.
00:22:46Just saying.
00:22:48Some types of clothes, like those made out of silk, really require anti-slip hangers if you don't want them
00:22:55constantly falling off in your closet.
00:22:58Fortunately, you don't have to spend a fortune on buying new fancy hangers.
00:23:02Just get some pieces of pipe cleaner and wrap them around standard wire hangers.
00:23:08The pipe cleaner will give the hangers that added grip they need to make sure loose clothes don't fall off
00:23:13and get all wrinkled.
00:23:16If you find your vacuum cleaner isn't long enough for you to reach all the spaces you need to clean,
00:23:21you might have a simple DIY extension hidden in your office.
00:23:25Once you've finished a roll of wrapping paper, save that leftover too for this precise reason.
00:23:31You can secure it on the end of your vacuum cleaner pipe and get those extra inches you need to
00:23:37make sure you get rid of dust and cobwebs on the ceiling.
00:23:42Finally, organizing cables have never been this easy and budget-friendly.
00:23:47Find a shoebox and fill it with toilet paper rolls, sitting vertically.
00:23:51You can then roll up the cables and place them in each tube.
00:23:55Plus, you can even label each tube to easily locate the desired cable next time you're in a rush to
00:24:02charge your phone.
00:24:07When money is tight, we need to improvise, don't we?
00:24:11If you're dreaming of a home theater but don't want to drop loads of cash on a full set, I
00:24:16have an idea for you.
00:24:18Grab a cardboard box, cut out a rectangle to fit your cell phone, and then make a square for your
00:24:24head.
00:24:24There you go.
00:24:25You've just whipped up a comfy, portable, and budget-friendly home theater.
00:24:30Plus, no more accidentally dropping your phone on your face when you doze off.
00:24:35Ouch!
00:24:38Alexa, turn on the TV.
00:24:40Alexa, open Netflix.
00:24:42Alexa, okay, you get it.
00:24:44Living in a smart home makes it feel like we're already in the future.
00:24:47And it's great not to juggle a hundred remote controls.
00:24:51But when the budget's tight, it's time to get a bit crafty.
00:24:55Make your DIY all-in-one remote for your TV setup.
00:24:59No need to go all engineer mode.
00:25:02Just grab some tape and stick together all those remotes.
00:25:05Yeah, it might not win any design awards, but it gets the job done.
00:25:11Speaking of some budget-friendly engineering, I mean genius engineering, it's time to upgrade your drill.
00:25:18Now, drilling through walls is so last season.
00:25:20Remember, we're talking about next-level DIY here.
00:25:24So grab a bottle-cleaning brush with a long handle and secure it on the drill.
00:25:29Now, washing dishes just got a lot easier.
00:25:32And you might even use it on the toilet.
00:25:34But promise me you'll take separate ones for each scenario, okay?
00:25:39Now, here's another pro tip.
00:25:41Turn your drill into a mixer by attaching some scissors to it.
00:25:45A piece of cake.
00:25:46I mean, seriously, you can prepare a cake with this next-level tool now.
00:25:52I truly believe that hot weather sparks creativity.
00:25:57Even if it's freezing where you are right now, save this video to watch on your next summer trip.
00:26:02This idea, for example, is brilliantly simple yet incredibly useful.
00:26:07Just attach a beach tent to your shorts and bam!
00:26:10You're shielded from the sun with hands-free convenience.
00:26:13But that's not quite a craft, is it?
00:26:16At least, not like this one.
00:26:17This guy used some tape to strap a stand fan on his body.
00:26:21And you can do the same.
00:26:23Just remember to use a super-long extension cord so you can move around freely.
00:26:28Oh, and make sure you don't plan on sitting down for the next few hours.
00:26:32If the hot weather is just too much to handle, you should install an air conditioner in your car.
00:26:37I'm talking about a next-level air conditioner.
00:26:41Attach an old one from your house to the car window.
00:26:43That way, your carpool buddies won't be begging to roll down the window due to the heat.
00:26:49Well, mainly because they won't be able to anymore.
00:26:53Ah, our first car!
00:26:56Sometimes we get so attached to it that selling it to some stranger is definitely not an option.
00:27:01I mean, come on!
00:27:03Our first car is like our baby!
00:27:05So, we watch thousands of videos on YouTube to find out how to protect it.
00:27:09And that's when crazy ideas start coming.
00:27:12For example, grab two pool noodles, connect one to the other, and attach them to the back of your car.
00:27:19That'll keep folks from scratching your baby during tricky maneuvers or those never-ending move-and-stop traffic jams.
00:27:26But if you're feeling bold and want everyone to know when another driver messes up, hook a bunch of rubber
00:27:33chickens to your car and create a screamer bumper protector.
00:27:36And hey, it's also a handy solution if your car horn decides to call it quits.
00:27:42If your DIY car protection didn't quite work, you might need to do some quick fixing.
00:27:48Imagine you parked your car and someone ripped off your side mirror.
00:27:51Well, don't worry.
00:27:53Swing by the nearest pharmacy, grab a brush that's got a mirror on the back, and fasten it in place
00:27:59with some heavy-duty tape.
00:28:01It'll do the trick, at least until your next trip to the mechanic.
00:28:05But if fixing your car is absolutely out of the question and you're not ready to part with it, turn
00:28:11it into a museum piece.
00:28:13I bet your family wouldn't be huge fans of having your old car proudly displayed in the living room.
00:28:19So, get creative by chopping off the truck bed and turning it into a pool.
00:28:24It's a great way to pay homage to your beloved car and bring some joy to the family.
00:28:29Now, that's what I call an upgrade.
00:28:34If you're the type of person who dislikes throwing things away and enjoys upgrading them into higher-value products, well,
00:28:42upcycling is for you.
00:28:43Maybe your daughter has a doll that she doesn't play with anymore.
00:28:47Don't toss it out.
00:28:49Cut off the top of its head.
00:28:50Fill it with soil and plant something in it.
00:28:53Voila!
00:28:54You now have some quirky pots for your house.
00:28:57I just hope you don't traumatize your five-year-old.
00:28:59Ooh, the chills.
00:29:01Maybe you're wondering what to do with the rest of the headless doll.
00:29:05Hmm, I have an idea.
00:29:06Grab the doll's legs, attach them to a wooden board, cover the board with stuffing,
00:29:11and wrap it with a piece of fabric.
00:29:13And there you have it.
00:29:15A fun little stool.
00:29:17If you're a bit wary of sitting on this thing, try crafting this fail-proof and exotic poof.
00:29:23I know, exotic seems like an understatement.
00:29:25But anyway, snag four pairs of old jeans, fill each pair with sofa fillings, and then sew the waist together.
00:29:33This poof looks like a giant upside-down spider.
00:29:36It seems comfortable, though.
00:29:37Now, why waste your talent upgrading pieces of clothes when you can create your own from scratch, right?
00:29:44Grab a large piece of cheese.
00:29:46The stinkier, the better.
00:29:48Now, use a knife and all your artistic skills to sculpt some cracks.
00:29:53Hmm, not sure if this model is more comfortable than the original,
00:29:57but it will definitely help to hide some smelly feet.
00:30:02Only those who have experienced moving out know the stress of seeing all your life's belongings packed into a million
00:30:10cardboard boxes.
00:30:11Then you arrive at your new place, get everything organized, and there's only one question left.
00:30:16What to do with all those boxes?
00:30:18Well, you can embrace the cardboard-chic design trend.
00:30:22All you need is to shape the boxes, folding them into a chair and a table.
00:30:27Then add plenty of layers.
00:30:29It's pretty much like a giant origami, but with more regret.
00:30:34You've just moved out and find yourself in need of a lamp.
00:30:37Don't waste money buying a new one when you can take a fire extinguisher and turn it into a pendant
00:30:43light all by yourself.
00:30:44Well, maybe that's for more experienced crafters with fancy tools.
00:30:49But you can try a mini version of it.
00:30:51Grab a short lamp base, remove its lampshade, and then head to the kitchen to grab a grater.
00:30:57Cover the bulb with the grater, and there you go!
00:31:00It looks sharp.
00:31:01I mean, seriously, don't touch it.
00:31:05See, sometimes all it takes is adding some light to old things to take the design to the next level.
00:31:12Take this wooden desk made of scraps, for example.
00:31:15There are LED lights at the bottom, and these cutouts are filled with clear epoxy, so the whole top is
00:31:21smooth.
00:31:22But my ultimate proof that light can make everything much more interesting is this kitchen floor.
00:31:27This floor already looks cool and all, but it transforms when we do this.
00:31:32Wow!
00:31:33And there's no magic here.
00:31:35The final layer was made using 8 different colors of glow-in-the-dark powder mixed with clear resin.
00:31:40It's amazing how a kitchen can look so out of this world with just a bit of painting.
00:31:46Pretty much like this bathrobe.
00:31:48Someone used cool perspective techniques to create a 3D effect.
00:31:52It looks like everything is about to be pulled into that vortex drain.
00:31:56It works to add a touch of innovation to your home, and it's an amazing idea to hide the drain
00:32:01since they're never that pretty.
00:32:03But hey, what are you doing?
00:32:05Don't get too close to the oops!
00:32:07Bye-bye!
00:32:36Bye-bye!
00:32:39Many truck beds have small recessed slots along the sides.
00:32:43These allow you to place 2x6 wooden boards across to create sections, keeping items from sliding around.
00:32:50People who never notice this feature often complain about cargo rolling all the way to the bed, unaware that the
00:32:56bed already allows for simple built-in diviners.
00:33:00Some digital services have clever hidden features.
00:33:04On Spotify, for instance, there is a playlist collection created with Barilla that times your pasta cooking perfectly.
00:33:12Different pasta types even have playlists for different lengths.
00:33:16Netflix also has a dedicated fitness category where you can stream workout sessions.
00:33:22Marmite jars may look round, but they actually have flat sides.
00:33:26When the jar is almost empty, it's better to store it on its side.
00:33:30This design makes it easier to scoop out the spread and ensures you use up nearly every last bit.
00:33:36The standard calculator on some iPhones hides a scientific function.
00:33:42Simply rotate your phone while the calculator is open, and the advanced version appears.
00:33:47If you make a mistake entering numbers – I never do, but you might – just swipe left across the
00:33:53screen to delete the most recent digit.
00:33:55Now, if you find your iPhone flashlight too dim or too strong, press and hold the flashlight icon.
00:34:02This reveals a brightness control slider that you can easily adjust the level of light to suit your needs.
00:34:08The tip-top container isn't only a storage box.
00:34:11Its cap has a small groove that is designed to dispense a single mint at a time.
00:34:17Instead of shaking out a whole bunch, you can use the cap to get exactly one.
00:34:23That extra tray inside a rice cooker has more uses than many expect.
00:34:28Instead of just being for rice, it's actually a steaming basket.
00:34:31You can use it for vegetables, fish, or other foods.
00:34:34People often steam broccoli or carrots this way.
00:34:38Coffee shop takeaway cups may all look the same, but their shape serves several purposes.
00:34:44The top part is wider, making space for your nose as you drink.
00:34:48While the bottom is narrower, so even small hands can get a good grip.
00:34:52The design also allows the cups to be stacked efficiently.
00:34:56Now, a pizza box can be much more versatile than it seems.
00:35:00If you're eating alone, place the lid across your chest as you eat to catch crumbs and toppings before they
00:35:07drop on your clothes.
00:35:08Hey, now they tell me.
00:35:09The lid can also be torn into four to make makeshift plates.
00:35:13And if you have leftovers, you can refold part of the box inward to create a smaller container for storage.
00:35:21An old pillowcase can be repurposed into a wash bag for delicates.
00:35:25Simply place your underwear, stockings, or slips inside.
00:35:29For best results, turn the opening into a drawstring by folding, hemming, and threading a cord through it.
00:35:35Tighten the drawstring before washing, and your delicates will be protected inside the machine.
00:35:41Now, if you ever forget your cutlery at a picnic, dental floss can help.
00:35:46Plain, unflavored floss cuts smoothly through foods like banana bread or soft cheeses, often giving cleaner slices than a knife.
00:35:54Go figure.
00:35:55Toothpicks can also act as small substitutes for forks when serving finger foods.
00:36:01Glasses or sunglasses with frames that feel unusually flexible are built that way on purpose.
00:36:07This elasticity makes them more comfortable to wear and help prevent the frames from breaking or getting loose too quickly.
00:36:15The mesh bags that oranges or onions are sold in don't need to go straight into the trash.
00:36:20Instead, tie them up and use them as handy scrubbers for pots, pans, and kitchen surfaces.
00:36:25They're surprisingly effective for cleaning.
00:36:28Now, Ritz crackers have scalloped edges that are functional as well as decorative.
00:36:33You can actually roll the edge across slices of cheese, cutting them down to perfect size to fit neatly on
00:36:40the cracker.
00:36:40Wow!
00:36:42Kitchen shears often include a small serrated notch where the blades meet the handles.
00:36:47This design allows you to strip herbs like thyme, rosemary, and chives quickly and cleanly, saving the trouble of picking
00:36:54leaves by hand.
00:36:57Plastic milk jugs usually have a concave section in their design.
00:37:01This isn't just for looks.
00:37:02It makes room for expansion.
00:37:04When milk spoils, gases build up inside the container, pushing the concave area outward instead of bursting the jug.
00:37:11The same thing happens if milk is frozen, since it expands as it solidifies.
00:37:16All right, grocery carts often have a loop built into them.
00:37:20It's intended for lightweight items like jackets or bags, keeping them separate from your groceries so they don't get mixed
00:37:26in with food.
00:37:28Packs of cotton pads often come with two convenient features.
00:37:31The strings can be used to hang the package on a hook, keeping the pads easy to reach.
00:37:36And instead of untying the strings every time, look at the bottom.
00:37:40There's usually a perforated line.
00:37:42Tear it open once, and you can pull pads out whenever you need them.
00:37:47There's a simple trick to get salt or pepper to pour out smoothly.
00:37:51Take one shaker, flip it upside down, and notice the ridges on its base.
00:37:55Then rub it against the ridges of another shaker.
00:37:59The vibrations created by the friction will make the salt or pepper flow out more easily.
00:38:05Most headphones, whether wired or wireless, have tiny holes built into them.
00:38:10These are not design flaws.
00:38:12They allow airflow, which is essential for balanced sound quality.
00:38:16By letting the air circulate, the headphones can produce clearer, more natural audio.
00:38:22Stick-pack sachets are designed to be opened in a clever way.
00:38:25Instead of tearing one edge, the intended method is to tear down the middle.
00:38:29While it might seem like a small detail, opening them this way reduces mess and avoids bits of torn paper
00:38:36getting everywhere.
00:38:38Double zippers on backpacks or bags aren't just for convenience.
00:38:42They can act as a theft deterrent.
00:38:44If you align the zippers together, you can secure them with a small lock,
00:38:48making it harder for pickpockets to access your belongings.
00:38:51As for the tiny fifth pocket in jeans, it was originally designed to hold pocket watches,
00:38:57but it can also serve as a good hiding spot for the key.
00:39:01That small cylindrical lump on your computer or laptop charger cable might seem annoying when it snags on things,
00:39:08but it actually serves a valuable purpose.
00:39:11Ferrite beads prevent electromagnetic interference in two directions, from a device or to a device.
00:39:17The bead prevents the cable from acting as an antenna and receiving interference from these other devices.
00:39:23This is particularly common on data cables.
00:39:26Those on the charger cable reduce electromagnetic interference coming from this cable.
00:39:32Public restroom stalls often had large gaps at the bottom of the doors.
00:39:36While it may seem like a privacy issue, these gaps exist for practical reasons.
00:39:41They encourage people to use the restroom more quickly,
00:39:44helping keep lines shorter, and they also make it easier to check if someone inside needs assistance in case of
00:39:50an emergency.
00:39:52Now, many ointment tubes come sealed with foil or plastic film,
00:39:57which can be frustrating to open with your fingernails.
00:39:59That little point built into the top of the cap is there to puncture the seal quickly and cleanly.
00:40:05Smart!
00:40:07Some automatic lip liners and eye pencils include a hidden sharpener.
00:40:12Check the bottom cap of the pencil.
00:40:14It not only shows the product's color, but can also be removed to reveal a small sharpener inside.
00:40:21Certain toothpicks come with grooves that aren't just decorative.
00:40:25The first groove is intentionally weaker, allowing you to snap the toothpick in half.
00:40:29The smaller piece, often with another groove, can then be used as a stand to keep the pointed end from
00:40:35touching the table surface.
00:40:38All the bottles used to be of the same green color once.
00:40:41But later, it was discovered that brown ones are way better at blocking UV light.
00:40:46Ooh, say no more.
00:40:48Last but not least, those wild patterns you see on a bus seat are there for a reason.
00:40:54They're meant to hide dirt.
00:40:56I mean, you can see for yourself.
00:40:57It's obviously easier to conceal that crazy smear of dirt if there's a pattern.
00:41:05Hey, I was waiting for you.
00:41:07Now, say you're spending the day alone in your house, and you hear several loud knocks on your front door.
00:41:13You decide not to open it straight away.
00:41:16Moments later, when you do open it, you notice something strange.
00:41:20Someone has put a rubber band on your doorknob.
00:41:23If this ever happens to you, you should call the cops immediately.
00:41:27Someone in your neighborhood might be trying to rob your house.
00:41:31This technique became frequent back in 2016, but some burglars might still be trying to use it.
00:41:37The idea of fixing a rubber band on the doorknob is that this will make it harder for a person
00:41:43to close the door in case of a robbery.
00:41:45The band holds the latch open.
00:41:47In this case, even if a person tried to slam their door in a robber's face, the band would prevent
00:41:53them from doing so.
00:41:54On the bright side, and we are, you can use this same technique inside your home to your benefit.
00:42:01If you have an annoying door that keeps slamming, try tying a rubber band on this doorknob.
00:42:07The thickness of the rubber will slow the door down and prevent it from making a loud thump whenever it
00:42:13slams all by itself.
00:42:14Oh, and you can also try this trick in case you have a door that's always getting stuck.
00:42:20Make sure to fix the rubber band in a way that it crisscrosses in front of the latch.
00:42:25This way, your door won't close or get stuck anymore.
00:42:28Simple, huh?
00:42:30Still on the topic of rubber bands, here are a few other tricks that can make your life a tad
00:42:35easier.
00:42:36That pickle jar, you always have trouble opening.
00:42:39Well, there's no need to sweat over it much longer.
00:42:42Here's what you do.
00:42:44Wrap a rubber band around the lid.
00:42:46Chances are you'll need to wrap the band around the lid a few times to make sure it's really tight.
00:42:51And that's basically it.
00:42:52The band will give you extra friction and leverage to open pickles and other jarred goods more easily.
00:42:59Now, in case you're renovating your house but decide to do it yourself, you're probably in for a hot mess.
00:43:06Rubber bands won't save your life in this trick, but they will make tidying up much easier.
00:43:12Wrap a rubber band around a can of paint, but do so vertically.
00:43:16This way, you'll have a string crossing the top of the paint can.
00:43:20You can prevent dripping paint over the border of the can by using the band as a helper.
00:43:25Once you've dipped the paintbrush inside the can, make sure to remove the excess paint by passing your brush across
00:43:32the rubber band you just installed.
00:43:34Hey, good luck with that!
00:43:38Next, you know what they say, all things are possible when you're DIYing your house.
00:43:43Victory or defeat.
00:43:45Now, if you're looking for ways of adding a touch of fanciness to your house, try upcycling something you already
00:43:51own.
00:43:52For instance, take a bland, boring-looking bookcase and add some wallpaper to its back panels.
00:43:58You can even play with prints if you want a modern, edgy look.
00:44:05You just bought a bunch of new Tupperware to make your fridge look picture-perfect.
00:44:10But, oh no.
00:44:11These new containers come filled with tags and labels glued to them that need removing.
00:44:16And they're always a bore to remove.
00:44:19Now, now, no need to waste tons of hot water and soap to try to peel them off.
00:44:24Here's what you can do instead.
00:44:25Take a hairdryer, blow some hot air directly onto the tag for a minute or so, and there you go.
00:44:32The label comes off all at once.
00:44:35If you don't have a hairdryer, then just hold the item up to this screen and my hot air will
00:44:40loosen it up.
00:44:42Ah, if only it were so.
00:44:44If you decide to Marie Kondo your home and declutter your space,
00:44:49you have to start by throwing away anything you haven't used over the last two years.
00:44:53We all spend a lot of time looking for things we need in the amount of stuff we hoard.
00:44:59We often end up holding onto items that have long fallen into disuse.
00:45:03But since they don't come with an expiration date, we're not sure when to get rid of them.
00:45:09I mean, do you really need that DVD set of over 100 boxes?
00:45:13Now, to help yourself declutter, you can ask yourself the famous Marie Kondo question,
00:45:19Does this item spark joy for me?
00:45:22If it's a no, then toss it.
00:45:24Your future self will thank you a lot for having fewer useless items.
00:45:31Now, a simple swap can go a long way in how luxe your house looks.
00:45:37Most people tend to use liquid soap and cleaning supplies in the packaging they came in.
00:45:41So, when you walk into someone's bathroom or kitchen,
00:45:45this space is usually heavily loaded with these branded packaging
00:45:49that rarely goes well with the space's decor.
00:45:51If you're looking for a simple upgrade,
00:45:54you can buy plastic or even glass bottles
00:45:56and replace all branded packaging in your house.
00:46:00For a more luxurious look,
00:46:02you can even choose to go with an amber bottle
00:46:05to put in your kitchen and bathroom supplies.
00:46:07They will certainly give a nice and cleaner look to your spaces.
00:46:12Did you know the color of your walls can influence your mood?
00:46:15There's a strand of psychology that studies the effect of colors on people's moods and behaviors.
00:46:22Now, according to these studies,
00:46:23if you're experiencing a lot of anxiety,
00:46:26you should consider painting the walls in your room white.
00:46:29An all-white bedroom reduces distractions
00:46:32and creates a tranquil and zen-like environment,
00:46:35which can help you relax and wind down.
00:46:38On the other hand,
00:46:39if you paint your walls red or orange,
00:46:42well, this can help to energize you.
00:46:44Maybe it's a good color for office space?
00:46:48Ever heard of feng shui?
00:46:49And no, it's not only the art of endlessly moving your couch around.
00:46:53It's an ancient practice that can help us with home organizing.
00:46:58Feng means wind and shui is water,
00:47:01elements that are traditionally associated with strong health and good fortune.
00:47:05According to this philosophy,
00:47:07a well-organized home can help us achieve our life goals and ideals more easily.
00:47:12For instance, if you're feeling a little blocked creatively
00:47:16and can't seem to get your juices flowing,
00:47:18try adding a little wood to your working environment.
00:47:21A little house plant will do the job as well.
00:47:24Bringing in the earth element will help to ground and to focus.
00:47:28Ah, yes, having candles around, especially aromatic ones,
00:47:33can also be good if you need inspiration and enthusiasm.
00:47:37Next time you go to the supermarket,
00:47:39make sure to buy good old mason jars.
00:47:42You can use them for organizing,
00:47:44but also as containers for a homemade aroma diffuser.
00:47:48Diffusers are very hype at the moment for several reasons.
00:47:51Other than having therapeutic effects,
00:47:53they can liven up any corner and make it more luxurious.
00:47:57Here's what you need to do.
00:47:59Grab a glass jar and add a few drops of essential oil to it.
00:48:03Use lavender or rosemary, for example,
00:48:05and add some water to dilute the oil.
00:48:08To finish, you'll need a couple or multiple chopsticks
00:48:11to dip into the mixture you just created.
00:48:14Well, there you have it.
00:48:16Just remember to keep switching the ends of your chopsticks every once in a while
00:48:20since it's the moist bits that diffuse the most oil.
00:48:23Oh, and you can also buy an electronic aroma diffuser
00:48:27if you don't want to go through all the trouble.
00:48:29They are usually just a little more expensive.
00:48:35If you're looking for a nice morning of artisanal work,
00:48:39how about making your own cleaning products?
00:48:42For this experiment, you'll need a quarter cup of white vinegar,
00:48:46a quarter cup of bicarbonate of soda,
00:48:48a squeeze of any liquid soap,
00:48:50and two cups of water.
00:48:52Give it a good shake, and there you go.
00:48:54You can keep it in a spray bottle to use
00:48:57whenever you need to get some cleaning done.
00:48:59You can even use it to remove tough stains on your clothes and your carpets.
00:49:03Nice and easy and ready to use.
00:49:09Bet you didn't know,
00:49:10birds may be the cause of the mysterious scratches
00:49:13you sometimes find on your side mirrors.
00:49:15So you might want to cover them whenever you park the car
00:49:18to keep the birds away.
00:49:19But why do birds do that?
00:49:20I mean, why would a pigeon not like a car?
00:49:23Well, it's because they see your car mirror
00:49:25and get confused.
00:49:27They do not know it is actually their reflection,
00:49:29and they think it's an intruder they need to scare off.
00:49:32That's why they can sometimes scratch mirrors
00:49:34or leave dirt behind.
00:49:36And hey, covering the side mirrors
00:49:38will also block any glare when trying to sleep in the car.
00:49:41You can use colored plastic bags,
00:49:43black socks,
00:49:44or a piece of cardboard to cover your side mirrors.
00:49:49As much as you might enjoy skating during the winter,
00:49:52ice is not really your car's friend.
00:49:54Pop a few Ziploc bags over your mirrors
00:49:56if you don't have a roofed area
00:49:57where you can safely park your vehicle
00:49:59during those colder months.
00:50:01It will keep the ice and snow from getting stuck on your car,
00:50:04so you won't have to spend as much time
00:50:06cleaning it from frosting each morning.
00:50:10Ziploc bags work in the hotter season too.
00:50:12They're a handy choice to protect your car mirrors
00:50:14from dirt and debris.
00:50:16The same goes for your sunroof
00:50:18if your car has one.
00:50:19People who work in a car service
00:50:21often say that you need to open the glass
00:50:23or metal panel
00:50:24to ensure the drain holes aren't blocked by debris.
00:50:27To check if the drain holes are working,
00:50:29pour some water onto them.
00:50:31You'll need a friend to help here
00:50:32to check if the water flows out perfectly.
00:50:35It will most likely end up inside the car
00:50:38if it's not draining,
00:50:39so you might want to have it checked professionally.
00:50:43In the colder season,
00:50:45all of us drivers have problems with poor visibility.
00:50:48That's why you should consider using larger winter wiper blades.
00:50:52They should work better than the standard ones
00:50:54during foggy and snowy nights
00:50:56since they'll increase your windshield's clean area.
00:50:59You'll need to get the proper wiper fluid too.
00:51:02The one that is made for cold weather
00:51:04won't freeze when the temperature drops.
00:51:08Your car's interior also needs some extra love and care
00:51:11during the winter,
00:51:12so a set of all-weather floor mats might be practical.
00:51:16Most of them are made from a material
00:51:18that's way better quality than the standard ones.
00:51:21They're better at trapping water,
00:51:23sand, road salt, and even mud.
00:51:25They also keep their shape
00:51:27even if the thermometer shows freezing temperatures,
00:51:29so they won't shrink or bend.
00:51:32Why do you need to run your car 15 or 20 miles
00:51:36even if you don't need to go anywhere?
00:51:39Because it will help keep your battery charged.
00:51:42Oh, and another thing.
00:51:44It warms up the oil in your car.
00:51:45If the oil is warm,
00:51:47the moisture that can damage the engine
00:51:49can be evaporated.
00:51:50It helps the oil travel
00:51:52to all the engine's internal parts
00:51:53so you can extend the engine's life
00:51:56for as long as possible.
00:51:58Bad weather and debris
00:52:00aren't the only things
00:52:01that have the potential to damage your car.
00:52:03Some can even make it disappear altogether.
00:52:06I'm not talking about entertainment shows here,
00:52:09but I will tell you
00:52:09criminals' sneaky methods for car theft.
00:52:12If you notice a piece of clothing on your windshield
00:52:14or even wrapped between your wiper blades,
00:52:16don't be so quick to take it away.
00:52:19I'll explain why.
00:52:21In some cases,
00:52:22it's placed there on purpose
00:52:23to distract you while your car gets taken away.
00:52:25The best option is to drive away
00:52:28as quickly as possible
00:52:29and bring to a safe,
00:52:30well-lit location
00:52:31with as many people around
00:52:33to safely remove the objects
00:52:35placed on your car.
00:52:37Some people have even found money
00:52:39under their wiper blades.
00:52:40Those that placed the money there
00:52:41probably had the same intention in mind.
00:52:44To keep you safe
00:52:45from any unfortunate events,
00:52:47you may want to think about
00:52:48installing a tracking system on your car.
00:52:52It may require you to get in touch
00:52:54with a professional to do so,
00:52:55but if your car is ever missing,
00:52:57this system uses wireless
00:52:58and GPS technology
00:52:59to emit a signal,
00:53:01letting you know
00:53:02of your vehicle's location.
00:53:04If that's a bit of a stretch,
00:53:05here's an essential
00:53:06three-item security checklist
00:53:08you can use
00:53:09to ensure your car
00:53:10is safe and sound.
00:53:12Firstly,
00:53:13make sure to lock it
00:53:14each and every time.
00:53:15Even if you live in an area
00:53:17without much theft,
00:53:18an unlocked car
00:53:19parked outside
00:53:20can always be the source
00:53:22of uninvited guests.
00:53:25Next,
00:53:25carefully consider
00:53:26your parking location.
00:53:28It can mean one
00:53:29that's close to where you live
00:53:30and, if possible,
00:53:31in that area
00:53:32with a lot of light.
00:53:34This should keep away
00:53:35any potential intruders
00:53:36from barging in.
00:53:38Lastly,
00:53:39always remove purses,
00:53:40cell phones,
00:53:41or other items
00:53:42that are
00:53:42or seem
00:53:43valuable from your car
00:53:44before leaving it unsupervised.
00:53:46If you need to leave
00:53:47some things in the car,
00:53:48make sure to store them
00:53:49in a place that's not visible
00:53:51from the outside,
00:53:52like in the trunk,
00:53:53or in other locked compartments
00:53:55of your vehicle.
00:53:57Here's a method
00:53:58some people swear by
00:53:59when it comes to
00:53:59decreasing their odds
00:54:00of getting their car
00:54:01snatched away,
00:54:03keeping the tires
00:54:04turned to the curb
00:54:05when parked.
00:54:06That's because
00:54:07when your car wheels
00:54:08are positioned like that,
00:54:09thieves are less likely
00:54:10to be able to move
00:54:11the vehicle
00:54:12as fast as they wish.
00:54:13If your car requires
00:54:15more time and energy
00:54:16to be moved,
00:54:16it's less likely
00:54:17to be the focus
00:54:18of theft.
00:54:20Another way
00:54:21is to keep your car
00:54:22nice and shiny
00:54:23as often as possible.
00:54:24If the vehicle looks clean
00:54:26and well taken care of,
00:54:27people might assume
00:54:28that you have
00:54:29an effective alarm system
00:54:30and GPS.
00:54:32This one requires you
00:54:34to have an old tablet
00:54:35or phone
00:54:35lying around the house,
00:54:36but if you do,
00:54:37place it in the car
00:54:38in a location
00:54:39where it can't be seen
00:54:40and make sure
00:54:41it's synced
00:54:42with your Google account.
00:54:44This is especially useful
00:54:46if you're planning
00:54:46to park your car
00:54:47where you've never been
00:54:48before and are unsure
00:54:49about the security.
00:54:50You can then use
00:54:51the Find My Phone
00:54:52function on your phone
00:54:54to track the vehicle
00:54:55if necessary.
00:54:57Not all creatures
00:54:58that have the potential
00:54:59to damage your car
00:55:00are, well, humans.
00:55:02As cute as they might be,
00:55:03rodents or stray animals
00:55:05can easily find their way
00:55:06into all the nooks
00:55:07and crannies
00:55:07of your vehicle.
00:55:09They can sometimes
00:55:10even make the car
00:55:11completely unusable.
00:55:14Some essential oils
00:55:15can help protect your car,
00:55:16like peppermint,
00:55:17for example,
00:55:18or those made out of cloves
00:55:19and cayenne pepper
00:55:21because they can keep
00:55:22rodents away.
00:55:23You'll need to spray
00:55:24these oils in
00:55:25or around your vehicle.
00:55:26Just make sure
00:55:27the oils don't touch
00:55:28any sensitive surface,
00:55:29like leather.
00:55:31Cotton balls soaked
00:55:32in peppermint solution
00:55:33works the best
00:55:34and it's also safer
00:55:35for your car's components.
00:55:37Just prepare a diluted
00:55:38solution of three parts water
00:55:40and one part peppermint oil.
00:55:42Then soak some
00:55:43cotton balls in it.
00:55:44You can then place them
00:55:45in cans in your engine bay
00:55:47or even inside your car.
00:55:50When it comes to rodents,
00:55:51they'll most likely
00:55:52target the car's wires.
00:55:53So, as an extra precaution,
00:55:55you can wrap them
00:55:56in rodent deterrent tape.
00:55:58Taking a look
00:55:59every now and then
00:56:00if you have any
00:56:01damaged car parts
00:56:02might also keep
00:56:03rodents away.
00:56:04Small animals
00:56:05are just looking for holes
00:56:06they can crawl into
00:56:06to get warm
00:56:07or hide away.
00:56:09If you patch up
00:56:10these holes regularly,
00:56:11your car won't
00:56:12suddenly turn into
00:56:13a squirrel hotel
00:56:13because they won't
00:56:14have any way
00:56:15to reach inside.
00:56:18If you suspect
00:56:19something is lurking
00:56:20beneath your hood,
00:56:21do this before
00:56:22starting the car.
00:56:23Give it a couple
00:56:24of taps here and there,
00:56:26more so near the
00:56:27location of the sound
00:56:28if you hear any.
00:56:29If any rodents
00:56:30or stray animals
00:56:31have been looking
00:56:32for shelter there,
00:56:33they'll either wake up
00:56:34or be frightened away
00:56:35so you can help
00:56:36them get out of there
00:56:37before you start
00:56:38the engine.
00:56:40It might also help
00:56:41to keep your driveway
00:56:42free of anything
00:56:43seen as nesting materials
00:56:44by rodents,
00:56:45birds or stray animals.
00:56:47They can be leaves,
00:56:49feathers,
00:56:49paper or trash.
00:56:52Keeping your car clean
00:56:53helps protect the exterior
00:56:55finish for a longer time.
00:56:56You can even turn it
00:56:58into an afternoon project.
00:57:00Washing,
00:57:01vacuuming
00:57:01and waxing your car
00:57:02will burn around
00:57:031,100 calories.
00:57:09You've probably heard
00:57:10that when a burglar
00:57:12decides which house
00:57:13to target,
00:57:13they start by casing it.
00:57:15This means that
00:57:16they watch the owners,
00:57:18find out information
00:57:18about their routine
00:57:19and determine the best time
00:57:21for entering their home.
00:57:23By the time they're ready
00:57:24to commit the crime,
00:57:25they already know
00:57:26for sure when there
00:57:27won't be anybody inside
00:57:28or when the owners
00:57:30will be distracted.
00:57:31One of the tricks
00:57:32thieves use
00:57:32to gather information
00:57:33about your routine
00:57:34is so simple
00:57:36that you may not
00:57:37even give it
00:57:37a second thought.
00:57:38But the next time
00:57:39you hear a quiet crackle
00:57:41under the sole
00:57:42of your shoe,
00:57:43stop and check
00:57:44what it was.
00:57:44The chances are high
00:57:46that you'll find yourself
00:57:47face to face
00:57:48with a crushed cookie.
00:57:49If that's the case,
00:57:51it's your clue
00:57:51that something
00:57:52has gone terribly wrong.
00:57:54The thing is,
00:57:55this is a rather
00:57:55effective tool
00:57:56criminals use
00:57:57to find out
00:57:58if you've left
00:57:59on a trip
00:57:59or when exactly
00:58:00you come home
00:58:01in the evening.
00:58:02A cookie
00:58:02is such an innocent object
00:58:04that people don't usually
00:58:05give it much thought
00:58:06if they even notice it at all.
00:58:08You arrive home,
00:58:10step on the cookie,
00:58:11make it crumble,
00:58:11and automatically reveal
00:58:13all your secrets
00:58:14to burglars.
00:58:15They know for sure
00:58:16if the house
00:58:17is lived in
00:58:17and can also figure out
00:58:19the schedule
00:58:19of its owners.
00:58:20Things get even worse
00:58:22if you're away from home.
00:58:23The cookie under the doormat
00:58:25remains whole,
00:58:26thus alerting criminals
00:58:27that the house
00:58:28is perfect for a break-in.
00:58:29So, if you find
00:58:31some treats
00:58:31under your doormat,
00:58:33that's pretty bad news.
00:58:34Someone is interested
00:58:35in your house
00:58:36and watching it.
00:58:37It might be a good idea
00:58:38to notify the police
00:58:40or take some safety measures.
00:58:41Now, the ploy with a cookie
00:58:43is just one
00:58:44of the numerous tricks
00:58:45used by burglars.
00:58:46One more sign
00:58:47that can alert you
00:58:48to the fact
00:58:48that you're being watched
00:58:50is white pebbles
00:58:51left near the house
00:58:52or in the driveway.
00:58:53This means that a criminal
00:58:55has already visited
00:58:56your home
00:58:57and marked it
00:58:57as worth entering.
00:58:58Another reason
00:59:00why thieves
00:59:00may have left the pebbles
00:59:01is to indicate
00:59:02that your house
00:59:03stays empty
00:59:04during the day.
00:59:05So, if you're walking
00:59:07along the street
00:59:07and notice
00:59:08a USB flash drive
00:59:10sticking out of a curb
00:59:11or a wall,
00:59:12don't get confused.
00:59:13You have most likely
00:59:14stumbled across
00:59:15a dead drop.
00:59:17Despite its ominous name,
00:59:18this is a global art project
00:59:20that has borrowed
00:59:21some tricks
00:59:21from the world
00:59:22of spies and espionage.
00:59:24Lots of people
00:59:25who know about this project
00:59:26are happy to be able
00:59:27to put on their black coat
00:59:28and dark sunglasses
00:59:29and go to swap
00:59:31confidential information
00:59:32with others.
00:59:33The thing is
00:59:34that many decades ago,
00:59:35spies had their own ways
00:59:37to exchange secret materials.
00:59:39There was a live drop
00:59:40when spies met in person,
00:59:42but this was often
00:59:43extremely dangerous.
00:59:44That's why
00:59:45a dead drop system
00:59:46was invented.
00:59:47In this case,
00:59:48some loose bricks
00:59:49in a wall
00:59:50in an alleyway
00:59:51hid important documents
00:59:52that had to be picked up later.
00:59:54Nowadays,
00:59:55there are more than
00:59:551,500 dead drops
00:59:57all over the world.
00:59:58And the accumulated data
01:00:00on these flash drives
01:00:01reaches 10 terabytes.
01:00:03You can come across
01:00:04a dead drop
01:00:05on any continent you visit,
01:00:06except Antarctica,
01:00:08maybe because
01:00:09there are not so many walls there.
01:00:10So,
01:00:11if you find one,
01:00:12what do you do with it?
01:00:13First of all,
01:00:14it's highly inadvisable
01:00:16to connect random
01:00:17USB flash drives
01:00:18to your computer.
01:00:19You never know
01:00:20what viruses
01:00:21are lurking there
01:00:21looking forward
01:00:22to destroying
01:00:23your hard drive content.
01:00:24And while risk
01:00:25is a part of the game,
01:00:27don't overdo it.
01:00:28If you're 100% sure
01:00:30that you want to play,
01:00:31secure your computer
01:00:32as well as you can,
01:00:33or even better.
01:00:35Secondly,
01:00:36you can't even guess
01:00:37what information
01:00:37will be waiting for you
01:00:39on a flash drive.
01:00:40Anyone can download videos,
01:00:42photos,
01:00:42or text files,
01:00:43and this has already
01:00:44led to several problems.
01:00:46Speaking of which,
01:00:47have you got a parcel
01:00:48with a USB stick in it?
01:00:50Whatever you decide
01:00:51to do with it,
01:00:52don't plug
01:00:53the flash drive in.
01:00:54Such cases
01:00:55have been more
01:00:55and more frequent
01:00:56in Australia.
01:00:57The police warn people
01:00:59that hackers
01:00:59have invented
01:01:00a new tactic.
01:01:01They drop
01:01:02unmarked memory sticks
01:01:03to letterboxes.
01:01:04It'll probably come
01:01:05as no surprise
01:01:06that these devices
01:01:07contain malware
01:01:08able to mess up
01:01:09your computer.
01:01:10They evidently rely
01:01:12on human curiosity
01:01:13and,
01:01:14in all honesty,
01:01:15it pays off.
01:01:16People can't fight
01:01:17an inexplicable desire
01:01:19to check the contents
01:01:20of a mysterious gift.
01:01:22As a result,
01:01:23almost half
01:01:24of USB sticks
01:01:25received by post
01:01:26get plugged in.
01:01:27After that,
01:01:28people start having
01:01:29serious problems
01:01:30with their laptops
01:01:31and computers.
01:01:32For example,
01:01:33fraudulent media
01:01:34begins to stream
01:01:35service offers,
01:01:36or computer viruses
01:01:37harm files
01:01:38and programs
01:01:39on a PC.
01:01:40So,
01:01:40no touching
01:01:41the free flash drive,
01:01:42okay?
01:01:43Now,
01:01:44you leave a shopping mall,
01:01:45your office,
01:01:46an airport,
01:01:47and go to the parking lot
01:01:48to find your car.
01:01:49You unlock it
01:01:50and put the key
01:01:51in the ignition.
01:01:52When you're about
01:01:53to start your vehicle
01:01:54and drive away,
01:01:55you see something strange
01:01:56on your windshield.
01:01:57Is that a $100 bill
01:01:59wrapped around your wiper?
01:02:01Oh,
01:02:01you could certainly
01:02:02find a way to spend
01:02:03this unexpected gift.
01:02:05But,
01:02:05do you really think
01:02:07someone accidentally
01:02:08put money on your windshield
01:02:09and forgot all about it?
01:02:11Beware,
01:02:12this is nothing
01:02:12but a ruse.
01:02:13Because,
01:02:15as soon as you get out
01:02:16of your car
01:02:16to get a closer look
01:02:17at this mysterious banknote,
01:02:19the owner of the banknote
01:02:20will take action.
01:02:22They will get into your car
01:02:23and drive off
01:02:24at a record-breaking speed.
01:02:26Let's admit that
01:02:27no one would turn off
01:02:28their ignition
01:02:28and take their belongings
01:02:29with them
01:02:30if they got out of their car
01:02:31to check the windshield
01:02:33for a C-note.
01:02:34As a result,
01:02:35in under a minute,
01:02:36you'll lose your car,
01:02:37your wallet,
01:02:38and your documents,
01:02:39and you'll be left stranded
01:02:40in the parking lot.
01:02:41People have recently
01:02:42started to find
01:02:43some article of clothing,
01:02:45like a shirt,
01:02:46for instance,
01:02:46lying on their windshield
01:02:47or wrapped up
01:02:48in their wipers.
01:02:49If you ever happen
01:02:50to be one of these people,
01:02:52don't fall into this trap
01:02:53and don't try
01:02:54to remove the object.
01:02:55Just get in your car
01:02:56and drive away
01:02:57as fast as you can
01:02:58from the place you were parked.
01:03:00This seemingly
01:03:01misplaced garment
01:03:02is actually a new con
01:03:04being used by
01:03:04muggers and thieves.
01:03:06It works like this.
01:03:07If you see
01:03:08some random piece
01:03:09of clothing
01:03:09that prevents your wipers
01:03:11from moving
01:03:11or obscures your view,
01:03:12your first reaction
01:03:14will be to remove it,
01:03:15of course.
01:03:15But while you're distracted
01:03:17untying it
01:03:18or trying to get it off,
01:03:19the criminal
01:03:20has plenty of time
01:03:21to jump you.
01:03:22The most commonplace
01:03:23for this sort of scam
01:03:24is parking garages.
01:03:26They're usually badly lit
01:03:27and pretty deserted,
01:03:29which means
01:03:29there are few witnesses around
01:03:31and plenty of dark spaces
01:03:32for the attacker
01:03:33to lie in wait.
01:03:35Now,
01:03:35if one day
01:03:36you come home
01:03:36and notice some graffiti
01:03:38or markings
01:03:39on your door or house,
01:03:40call the police immediately.
01:03:41Even if it just looks
01:03:43like a teenage prank
01:03:44or a simple scratch,
01:03:46it's better to be safe
01:03:47than sorry
01:03:48because burglars
01:03:49use certain marks
01:03:50to tell other criminals
01:03:51different things
01:03:52about your house.
01:03:53For example,
01:03:55something resembling
01:03:56a Roman numeral 2
01:03:57means that the homeowners
01:03:58are rich,
01:03:59so the place
01:04:00is a great target.
01:04:01On the other hand,
01:04:02a crossed circle
01:04:03tells other burglars
01:04:05that there's nothing
01:04:05valuable to take
01:04:06from the house.
01:04:07Hmm,
01:04:08kind of makes you want
01:04:09to mark your own house
01:04:10like that.
01:04:11Now,
01:04:11a long horizontal rectangle
01:04:12divided into four parts
01:04:14means the place
01:04:15has a big aggressive guard dog.
01:04:17A triangle
01:04:18divided into two parts
01:04:19by a vertical line
01:04:20tells criminals
01:04:21to hit the place
01:04:22only at night,
01:04:23while a reversed one
01:04:24says that a house
01:04:25or apartment
01:04:26is free after dinner.
01:04:28And,
01:04:29something looking like
01:04:29a combined A and K
01:04:31lets their fellow burglars
01:04:32know that the house
01:04:33is always full of people.
01:04:35Hey,
01:04:36did you know
01:04:36there's even a fraternity
01:04:37for burglars
01:04:38who love to steal desserts
01:04:40named Iota Grab a Pie?
01:04:42Sorry,
01:04:43I made that up.
01:04:44A new trick
01:04:45being used by car thieves,
01:04:46and that's the trick
01:04:47with a coin.
01:04:48They slip it into the space
01:04:50between the door
01:04:51and the door handle.
01:04:52When a car owner
01:04:53thinks they've locked
01:04:54the door with a remote,
01:04:55the vehicle is,
01:04:56in fact,
01:04:56still open.
01:04:57The coin prevents
01:04:58the lock on one
01:04:59of the doors
01:05:00from working.
01:05:01As soon as the owner
01:05:02walks away from the car,
01:05:03the thief has no problems
01:05:05at all opening the door
01:05:06and driving away.
01:05:08Another trick.
01:05:09As soon as there's
01:05:10some public gathering,
01:05:11a big party,
01:05:12or even a busy day
01:05:13at the mall,
01:05:14car thieves make
01:05:15an announcement
01:05:15over the PA system
01:05:17that a particular car,
01:05:18chosen by them,
01:05:19of course,
01:05:20has blocked their vehicle in
01:05:21and they can't leave.
01:05:23As soon as the owner
01:05:24comes out to move his car,
01:05:25a group of guys
01:05:26start to act.
01:05:27They assume,
01:05:28and for good reason,
01:05:29that the person
01:05:30is carrying the key
01:05:31to his car.
01:05:32Jakob
01:05:32of your car.
01:05:32So you're going
01:05:33and you'll see
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