- 2 days ago
Sometimes the best hacks aren’t complicated at all. They’re so simple you’ll wonder why you never thought of them first. 🤯💡These 19+ basic but seriously useful tricks can make everyday problems easier, faster, and a little less annoying. From clever household shortcuts to unexpected ways of using familiar items, there might be a new favorite hiding in here. 🏠✨Press play, steal the smartest ideas, and see how many make you say, “Why haven’t I been doing this all along?!” 👀Which hack are you trying first? 🛠️😎
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00:00Now, how many functioning razor blades have you thrown out because they got oxidated and rusty?
00:06And how much usable toilet paper have you wasted because you didn't know any better?
00:11Luckily, that can change if you follow some simple tips.
00:15Now, let's say you've just arrived back from the grocery store.
00:19The bags are full of fresh produce and refrigerated items.
00:22If you're a type A person, you probably look at your empty fridge and start throwing your groceries inside without
00:29any type of organizational system.
00:32Now, if you were a type B, maybe you stop for a moment to assess the situation and try to
00:38figure out the best way to distribute your food.
00:41No matter which scenario you fit into, I bet you've been storing some essential day-to-day items in a
00:47very wrong way.
00:48Take eggs. We're used to them coming beautifully placed in their little carton packages, ready to be picked one by
00:56one and transferred to the egg compartment located on the fridge's door.
01:00But have you ever stopped to wonder whether that is really the best place to store your eggs after all?
01:06Turns out, it's not the ideal place for them.
01:09The refrigerator door is one of the warmest parts of a fridge, as it is being constantly opened and closed,
01:16compromising the egg's overall quality.
01:18According to food safety experts, there is such a thing as the correct order to store food inside the fridge.
01:25Refrigeration plays a large role in keeping your food safe.
01:29The first rule of keeping food fresh is to always check the temperature in the places where you store it.
01:35The temperature inside kitchen cabinets should be between 50 degrees Fahrenheit and 70 degrees.
01:41And when it comes to the fridge, it must be around 37 degrees Fahrenheit, while the freezer should mark nothing
01:48over 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
01:50Store your refrigerated foods by cooking temperature, from the lowest temperature on the upper shelves to the highest cooking temperature
01:58on the bottom shelves.
01:59Keep ready-to-eat foods that need little to no cooking at all on the first fridge shelf.
02:04Then, organize the rest of your shelves by cooking temperature.
02:08In this scenario, eggs would go on the third or fourth shelf, as they cook between 145 and 155 degrees
02:15Fahrenheit.
02:16Now, bread.
02:17If you're a carb eater, you've certainly lost multiple packages of bread before.
02:22They are notoriously known for their super-fast expiring dates and the colonies of mold that appear from what seems
02:30to be thin air and force us to throw away otherwise good slices of bread.
02:34Well, here's some good news.
02:36There is a way to keep your loaf of bread fresh for weeks and even months.
02:40And contrary to eggs and milk, the fridge is not the way to go for that to happen.
02:46Instead, separate the slices of bread and place them in a plastic bag.
02:50Now, close the bag, removing all air from inside it.
02:54Be sure to leave the bag as free from air as possible.
02:57That is what will generate its safe storage.
03:00Now, place the airtight bags of plastic into a freezer.
03:04And voila!
03:05Your bread can last up to three months that way.
03:08How about pickles and other condiment food jars?
03:11In order to make them last longer, store them upside down, as that will prevent mold growth.
03:17And yes, you can keep these ones on your fridge's door.
03:21There's no problem with that.
03:23Before we leave the kitchen, try this out.
03:25Whenever you buy a new non-stick saucepan, season it before actually cooking anything on it.
03:31First, you'll need oil.
03:33Rub on the edges of your pan and place it inside the stove for about 60 seconds.
03:38Let it absorb the heat, then remove the pan from the stove and let it cool down.
03:43Wipe off the excess oil, and there you have it.
03:46This way, the oil will fill in any small gaps or little pores in the pan,
03:51smoothing down the surface until it's all even.
03:53You can now expose the pan to high temperatures, and it won't get damaged.
03:58Now, let's move on to bathroom items.
04:01Toilet paper is easily one of the most wasted household items.
04:05Even if we notice it, we don't really do much to change the way we go about it.
04:10Apart from the classic over-under discussion of how we should place toilet paper,
04:14there is a less-known must-do habit that we often ignore.
04:19Just to fill you in, in case you've been oblivious to this until now,
04:23toilet paper science has long debated whether the correct way to hang the roll
04:28is with the loose end draped over the top or with the loose end hanging inside next to the wall.
04:34And as much as I bet many here already know the answer,
04:37can I have a drumroll, please?
04:42Well, you got that right if you guessed with the loose end draped over the top.
04:47It is so for the simple reason that over provides easier access to the loose hanging end of the paper
04:53and minimizes the risk of knuckle-on-wall germ gathering.
04:58Ooh.
04:58But now, toilet paper ingenuity doesn't end here.
05:02Did you know that to reduce toilet paper waste,
05:05you should squish your rolls before placing them on the bathroom hanger?
05:09By squishing, I mean laying them down horizontally and pressing them down with your hand
05:14until their asperic center has turned into an oval, almost flattened shape.
05:19Yes, you should aim at flattening your toilet paper.
05:22And no, I haven't lost my mind.
05:25That happened long ago.
05:27The purpose of this practice is to make it harder for toilet paper to rotate.
05:31When you hang it in its usual, more circular form, it rotates too easily.
05:37This way, it lets us, the toilet paper users, effortlessly enjoy it in an unlimited fashion.
05:44Depending on the force we use to pull the paper,
05:46we will end up with twice or three times the amount of paper we needed in the first place.
05:51And sure, we could just roll the excess back.
05:54But I bet most of us here don't do that and end up just wasting huge chunks of paper.
06:01You get the idea, right?
06:02Oval-shaped paper equals more controlled rotation and thus less waste of toilet paper.
06:08So there.
06:09Then we have razor blades.
06:11If you're the person who never stops buying razor blades because the last one you bought five days ago is
06:17already rusty from your bathroom's humidity,
06:20maybe you'll want to listen to this one.
06:22It's not true that razor blades have such a short life expectancy.
06:26They can and should last longer in our bathroom cupboards.
06:30We just need to know how to handle them.
06:33Now, you don't have to be an expert to know that a warm and moist environment doesn't go well with
06:39razor blade steel.
06:40So, for starters, you should always dry them after using them, especially if your last usage was in the shower.
06:47Then, keep them in a cool and dry spot, maybe even out of the bathroom.
06:52They will surely last longer this way.
06:54Using a rusty blade can be especially bad for your skin, contributing to bacterial or fungal infection.
07:01So, that's a big no-no for leaving the blade face down in a puddle of shower water.
07:06Do keep that in mind.
07:08After that delicious shower, some people may head back to their bedrooms.
07:12If it's near bedtime, they might even decide to light that aesthetically pleasant nightside candle
07:18and enjoy the most out of its pleasing white musk and warm vanilla aroma.
07:24But if your candle has been burning too quickly, try these tricks out and see if it'll last longer.
07:30You can trim your candle's wick multiple times and keep it as far away from water and moist as possible.
07:37It will guarantee that your candle's wax stays firm and steady and thus continues to burn slower for a longer
07:44period of time.
07:45A little extra tip regarding candles.
07:47Never throw away their jars once you've finally burnt them out.
07:52Suppose you made it to the end of your candle.
07:54Congrats!
07:55Boil some water, wash the recipient with detergent and warm water,
07:59clean the remaining wax out of it, and reuse the jar.
08:03You can plant a succulent, store art supply, or use it for anything your heart desires.
08:09And there you have it.
08:11Little changes in habits can go a long way in your daily life.
08:15Be sure to check them out and let us know in the comments below which one was your favorite to
08:20try out.
08:21Me?
08:21I'm going to make candles out of toilet paper.
08:24We'll see how that goes.
08:26Want to pour yourself a drink before we begin?
08:28Just make sure not to grab the glass with your palm.
08:31Yep, that's right.
08:32The glass has a stem for a reason.
08:34Touching the glass bowl with your hands will alter the drink's temperature,
08:37and it will get warmer much sooner.
08:41While we're in the kitchen, let's check out your fridge.
08:44Most of those come with designated areas in the door shelves for eggs,
08:48but this may not be the best solution for storing them.
08:51The temperature in the door shelves tends to be a bit higher than in the fridge itself,
08:55so it's not the best place to store delicate types of food, like eggs or dairy.
09:00Make sure to remember that after your next trip to the supermarket.
09:04Also, while we're still browsing items in the fridge,
09:07did you know that waiting for food to cool down before refrigerating it may be bad for it?
09:12Keeping food at room temperature for more than two hours can increase its chances of going bad.
09:18So, pop it in as soon as possible.
09:21Just make sure to divide your food into smaller batches to help it cool down quicker.
09:25What's that in your fridge I just saw?
09:28Chocolate.
09:29Well, that's a big no-no.
09:30Regardless of the season, remember to never store chocolate in the fridge.
09:34The lower temperatures inside can cause the chocolate flavor to dull.
09:38Also, who wants to eat rock-hard chocolate anyway?
09:42When it comes to breakfast, next time you boil an egg,
09:46try putting a teaspoon of baking soda into the water when boiling.
09:49The eggshells will peel off way easier.
09:53Another tip is to crack the egg on one end and run it under the tap.
09:57The water stream will help peel off the shell faster and with way less of a mess.
10:03Fan of smoothies?
10:04Bet you didn't know there's actually a correct way to load up your blender.
10:08Start with the liquids, then pile up the solids as you go.
10:11The motion created by the movement of the liquids will ensure a smooth,
10:15clump-free, delicious breakfast or snack.
10:18After that, you can clean it by simply adding some dishwashing soap and some water
10:23and letting it blend away.
10:25No need to add it to the dishwasher anymore,
10:27since the full cycle of the dishwasher can damage the metal plates on the blender.
10:32If you're ever in the mood for a peanut butter sandwich,
10:35but the peanut butter is all split with the oils on top,
10:38remember, there's a correct way to store it.
10:41Placing the peanut butter jar upside down in your cupboard
10:43will ensure the oils are spread out evenly.
10:47Love a good steak but never get a perfect consistency?
10:50You're probably digging in too soon.
10:53You have to let the meat rest after cooking for at least 10 minutes before you start cutting it.
10:58Using the right knife will also give you better results.
11:01A sharp knife will ensure you don't lose any of those lovely meat juices.
11:06It's pasta night.
11:08Ever wondered why there's a hole in the middle of the spaghetti spoon?
11:11Turns out you can use that hole to check how much pasta to cook per person.
11:16Now you know exactly how much of it to boil for that special marinara sauce of yours.
11:21When using non-stick pans, never use metal utensils.
11:25Go for wooden or plastic ones instead.
11:28The metal will be way too rough on the surface of your pans
11:30and can actually damage the non-adherent surface.
11:34Are you a leftovers for dinner type of person?
11:37Aren't we all?
11:38Quick tip for reheating your dinner in the microwave.
11:40Try spreading the food around the edges of the plate.
11:44Microwaves are indeed designed to heat food as evenly as possible.
11:48But not if the food is piled up.
11:51Ever try to take out a single tic-tac from the tiny container?
11:55Just turn the box on its side.
11:57There's a cleverly designed slot on the plastic top precisely for that.
12:01No more shaking the tic-tac box like a maniac.
12:05If you're up for some music but don't have a speaker around, don't worry.
12:09Placing your phone in a cup or a bowl will amplify the sound and make your experience so much better.
12:15In a hurry, and your phone is running out of battery, there's a simple way to reduce the charging time.
12:22Simply set the phone to airplane mode.
12:24You'll see, it'll charge up to 100% in no time.
12:28We all keep our phones in all sorts of places.
12:31Our pockets, bags, under our pillows.
12:34Hence, a lot of fuzz or lint can get stuck in the charging port.
12:37For safety reasons, turn the phone off before cleaning it.
12:40You can use specifically designed tools for cleaning the charging ports, speakers, or a microphone.
12:46Just be sure to be gentle.
12:49Nice desk you got there.
12:50Did you know that those little legs on the back of the keyboard are actually there to help you see
12:56the keys better?
12:57However, if you can type without having to look at the keyboard, don't use them to lift the keyboard up.
13:02This position can damage your wrists when using for a long period of time.
13:07If you like to keep your things organized and prefer to use sticky notes,
13:11just make sure to remove them from the notes cube from side to side to prevent curling.
13:17We all feel a little overwhelmed when it comes to storage, especially linens.
13:22One easy way to make sure you'll never get mixed sheets is to store each set in the matching pillowcase.
13:28Not only will you get easy access to each set, but it's way nicer to look at on the shelves.
13:34When it comes to storing clothing, people use wooden hangers for more than just aesthetic reasons.
13:39They may be bigger and heavier than plastic ones, but they also help repel moths.
13:43Keep that in mind, more so when storing winter clothes.
13:48Were you ever curious about that one extra loophole in your running shoes?
13:52That one just next to your ankles?
13:55Well, turns out it's there for a reason.
13:57The tighter the laces on your shoes, the less likely you are to get blisters.
14:02Always fit your shoes correctly and use that extra loop in the shoes if needed before you go for a
14:07run.
14:08Your dress shirts have a tiny secret too.
14:11On the inside of the shirt, right between the shoulders, there's a tiny loop that you can use to hang
14:16the garment whenever you don't have a hanger lying around.
14:20Nothing can ruin a good vacation more than unorganized baggage.
14:25To make sure you never have to stuff your luggage with a huge pile of random clothes,
14:30instead of folding, try rolling your stuff and placing it neatly in the baggage.
14:36This way, you save a lot of space.
14:39You have easy access to everything you need, and your clothes will be less wrinkled.
14:45Not to be intrusive, but there's a bunch of things I'd like to show you in the bathroom as well.
14:51Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds each time to get rid of all the germs.
14:57To save the effort, open and close the tap with your wrist if possible.
15:02There you go.
15:03Squeaky clean hands for a longer period of time.
15:07Always brush your hair from the bottom if you want to get rid of any knots.
15:12Brushing your hair from the top will only cause more damage.
15:17When it's time to wash your hair, be sure to concentrate the shampoo on the scalp.
15:22Be careful though, never to apply the shampoo directly to your head.
15:27Lather it a bit with some water between your hands before you start massaging it in.
15:32You can skip shampooing the lengths of your hair unless they're really dirty.
15:37The foam that goes down from your scalp is sufficient to clean that portion.
15:42Take good care of your loofah as well.
15:45Leaving it in a moist, warm shower can increase its chances of gathering all sorts of nasty bacteria.
15:52Either throw it in with your laundry once a week, or let it soak in a solution with diluted bleach.
16:00We're sure you always moisturize after your shower, but there's a correct way to do that too.
16:06Don't add too much cream on your face, and make sure to tap, not rub it in.
16:11Your skin will thank you for it.
16:14You don't have to be a dentist to know how important flossing is.
16:19Next time, try tying your floss in a knot.
16:22With the added tension and grip, your teeth will be cleaner in no time.
16:30Think you're ready to see the world in a whole new way?
16:33I hope so, because I'm about to blow your mind.
16:37Have you ever noticed those plastic lines along the side of your phone?
16:40They're the oddly spaced stripes that seem to have no purpose.
16:44In reality though, they're probably your phone's most important feature.
16:48Because without them, your device would be little more than a smart paperweight.
16:53They are antenna lines, allowing your phone to remain wireless.
16:58Electromagnetic waves carrying phone, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi signals cannot pass through metal,
17:04which makes up most of the phone's outer case.
17:06And the glass panel up front also slows those waves down.
17:10It's like there's a bouncer at the door, refusing to let most signals in or out of the phone.
17:15Hey, I've been to that nightclub.
17:16Anyway, that means no phone calls, no texts, and no late-night delivery
17:21when you have nothing in the fridge except one egg and something that might have once been lasagna.
17:26Those little strips of plastic allow the same electromagnetic waves to come and go as they please.
17:32This is why you can call a friend, order a ride, or play an online matching game until 3 in
17:37the morning.
17:38Hey, don't you have to get up early for work?
17:40When you do finally stumble out of bed, make sure you're using this next item correctly to avoid a potentially
17:47upsetting situation.
17:49The zipper, originally patented as the clasp locker in 1851, didn't become widely used until the 1930s.
17:57Now, they're on everything, from bags to jackets to jeans.
18:01And they're not perfect.
18:03They get stuck.
18:04They pinch the skin.
18:05And we all know what happens if the zipper on our pants refuses to stay up.
18:09Well, luckily, this can be avoided.
18:12Most zippers have a locking mechanism built right in.
18:15When the zip is facing down and flat against the teeth,
18:18the lock is engaged and the zipper remains closed.
18:21If only I had known that back in school.
18:24What about those metal rivets most jeans have?
18:27They're more than a design choice.
18:30They were added to protect areas that experienced the most strain,
18:33such as pocket corners and the base of the fly.
18:36The rivets hold the fabric together, even when it's being stretched and pulled during work.
18:41And since we're talking about clothing,
18:43have you ever wondered about that tiny fifth pocket at the front of your jeans?
18:47Well, first of all, it isn't really a fifth pocket.
18:50Originally, jeans were made with four pockets, including that little one in front.
18:55The fifth pocket is actually the one on the back left,
18:58which was only added to jeans in 1901.
19:02The little pocket, though, was important a long time ago.
19:05Cowboys needed to keep their pocket watches safe while riding out on the range.
19:10Yeehaw!
19:10That pocket kept the watches protected but also handy.
19:14And then people became so used to it that jeans just look weird without one.
19:18Another strange holdout from a bygone day is that stitch V on the front of some sweatshirts.
19:24What if I told you that those exact stitches hold the whole shirt together?
19:29Well, then I would be lying.
19:30And I never do that.
19:32But back in the 1940s, this V was very useful.
19:37First, the V-stitch was initially used to add a patch of stretchy ribbed fabric to the shirt
19:42so that it could fit over our big heads more easily.
19:45Secondly, these shirts were specifically designed for sports.
19:49So the V included an additional piece of fabric to absorb the sweat that would build up during a game
19:55or a workout.
19:56As stretchy fabric became readily available and better at handling perspiration,
20:01the V lost its traditional value.
20:03But like the tiny jean pocket, it has continued as a decorative feature.
20:07A reminder of our big-headed ancestors who apparently only sweated just below the chin.
20:13But moving on.
20:15One place you won't find many people sweating is the golf course.
20:19You will see quite a few fashion disasters, sure.
20:22But sweat?
20:23Not so much.
20:24Golf was invented around the 16th century in Scotland.
20:28Back then, the ball was perfectly round and smooth.
20:31Over time, the ball would become dented from use.
20:34And at some point, golfers discovered that these imperfections actually helped the ball fly farther.
20:40Dimples were added on purpose in the 1900s, when it was found out that they reduced the aerodynamic drag that
20:47slowed down a smoother ball.
20:48And the dimples made the balls easier to control.
20:52And no, not all golf balls are created equal.
20:55The number of dimples can range from 300 to 500, with one company producing a ball with over a thousand
21:01little dents.
21:02Wow, a little overboard, eh?
21:05Need a quick, refreshing drink after a round of golf?
21:08Juice boxes, created back in 1963, are very convenient.
21:12But why do they have these large triangular flaps on top?
21:16Their lifted flaps act as hand grips.
21:19This stops you from accidentally squeezing a full box and spilling juice all over the place.
21:24Like onto your favorite t-shirt or the new couch.
21:27Now, when you're done golfing, grab your backpack with that leather diamond patch with two vertical openings.
21:33It's commonly referred to as a lash tab.
21:36But I much prefer its other name, pig snout.
21:39I mean, it certainly looks like one.
21:42You typically find these pig snouts on pats used by hikers and climbers.
21:46The diamond is a place to tie any extra gear that they need to carry, like boots, cooking equipment, or
21:52sleeping bags.
21:52But these lash tabs are also becoming more common on smaller backpacks.
21:57They're a nod to the past, but just as useful.
21:59Attach your running shoes to one next time you head to the gym, keeping those stinky things away from the
22:05rest of your clothes.
22:06Now, I'm sure you're a great driver.
22:09But for years, you've probably been neglecting an important safety feature right in front of your eyes.
22:15That rear-view mirror has a small tab located at the bottom center.
22:19It's high time you started using it.
22:21When this is flipped forward, the mirror is in day mode, providing a strong reflection of everything behind the car.
22:28Flipping the tab backward changes the whole situation to night mode.
22:32This reduces the brightness of the headlights behind you, resulting in a safer drive.
22:38Another cool car tip?
22:39If you're borrowing from a friend, using a rental, or have the memory of a houseplant,
22:44cars feature a handy indicator to let you know which side the gas tank is on.
22:49It's a tiny arrow next to the pump icon that points either left or right.
22:54Where the arrow points, that's where the gas tank can be found.
22:57And that's one less thing you have to remember.
23:00Okay, off to the grocery store.
23:03A regular shopping cart has a useful feature you might have been overlooking.
23:07Carts usually include loops in the metal frame, often behind the child seat.
23:11As you bag your groceries, hang the ones with fragile or squishable items, like eggs or bread, on these loops.
23:19Now, they're out of harm's way when you toss that giant watermelon into the cart.
23:24Later, when you're unloading your groceries, do yourself a favor and grab that box of plastic wrap.
23:31You know, the one that is impossible to unroll without the whole tube coming out while the plastic wrap sticks
23:36to itself.
23:38Check out either end of the box, and you'll see small tabs that you are supposed to push in.
23:43This helps to hold the roll in place, so you can easily pull the plastic wrap out without all the
23:49fuss.
23:50Aluminum foil boxes also have these tabs.
23:53Now that you can finally use that plastic wrap, try this appealing hack.
23:58Separate that bunch of bananas and cover each stem in some plastic wrap.
24:02The stem releases a gas called ethylene.
24:05When it reaches the rest of the banana, it encourages the fruit to ripen and turn black.
24:11If you wrap the stems, your bananas will last longer.
24:15And since you're in your kitchen, you might as well warm up that coffee from this morning.
24:20Just remove the gross skin that has formed on top.
24:23Don't eat it!
24:24Of course, as you open the microwave, you'll notice that the glass in the door has a strange black mesh
24:30inside.
24:30This mesh is designed to stop any radiation from passing through the glass.
24:35Like the electromagnetic waves we discussed earlier, radiation can't pass through metal.
24:40That mesh keeps it all safely inside to help you heat up your food.
24:45Thank you, science!
24:46Oh, and about that cup of coffee.
24:48Did you know that the handle size can help you determine how much the mug actually holds?
24:53Let your fingers guide you.
24:55If you can fit two fingers into the handle, then the mug holds 8 ounces or 1 measuring cup of
25:01liquid.
25:013 fingers, 10 ounces or 1 1⁄4 cups.
25:054 fingers, 12 ounces or 1 1⁄2 cups.
25:08Pretty cool, huh?
25:11So, next time you head over to your local coffee shop for your morning energy booster,
25:16you may want to keep the cup lid and take it home with you.
25:19Of course, they're meant to keep the beverage hot and prevent spillage,
25:22but the lids are also designed to be used as coasters.
25:26There are ridges that are specially made on the top of the lid to help hold the base of each
25:30cup.
25:31The fact that lollipop sticks can be turned into whistles after finishing the candy is just a nice added bonus.
25:38The actual design is meant to feature that hole for another purpose altogether.
25:42Each time the candy is poured into the molds, some of it is supposed to leak into that hole,
25:48creating a tight grip to make sure the candy doesn't simply fall off.
25:52How about the tab on soda cans?
25:55Did you know it has a lesser-known purpose as well?
25:57If you prefer to enjoy your fizzy drinks through a straw,
26:01just rotate the tab and place the straw in the can through the existing hole in the can key.
26:06It helps to keep the straw in place, since they can sometimes float up and slide out of the can.
26:11The people that came up with glass soda bottles also gave it a lot of thought.
26:16Not only are they cool to look at, but the narrower end of the bottleneck
26:20is the only surface you're supposed to be touching
26:22to prevent the beverage from overheating due to your own body heat.
26:27Plastic bottles also feature meticulous designs
26:30to help prevent spillage and keep carbonated sodas fizzy for as long as possible.
26:35The little object that helps with that
26:37is the soft little disc underneath the lid of a plastic bottle.
26:40You may think it useless at times, but hey, now you know.
26:44Most Greek yogurt cups come with a little something extra,
26:47like fruit, cereal, or cookie crumbs.
26:50However, the compartments in these cups are sometimes extremely narrow and hard to access.
26:55Without a tiny utensil, it can be very difficult to transfer the entire contents into the yogurt itself.
27:02Well, these yogurt cups come with a nifty design feature to help out.
27:06These small compartments are supposed to be flipped over,
27:09so you won't need to go searching for a toothpick
27:12next time you're looking for breakfast on the go.
27:14There's also a reason why single-serving yogurt,
27:17applesauce, or gelatin containers
27:19have packaging designs that feature a tin foil covering.
27:23Next time you peel away the lid,
27:25don't be in such a hurry to throw it away.
27:27Creasing the foil nicely can easily replace a standard utensil,
27:32like a spoon, for example.
27:33You can scrub dishes with it,
27:35line your kitchen cabinets with it,
27:37and even scare birds away around your garden with it.
27:40But most standard aluminum foil packaging
27:42comes with a feature that can easily be described as secret.
27:46If you take a closer look at the box it comes in,
27:49you'll notice there are a bunch of rounded perforations
27:52that are perfectly shaped or punching through with your finger.
27:55When you perforate this,
27:57it keeps the roll in place by way of the aluminum roll hole,
28:01and it's easier to pull it and cut it when you need a piece.
28:04You're probably using it to keep your coffee warm on your commute to work,
28:08but did you know the classic thermos
28:10was initially designed for a completely different purpose altogether?
28:13A Scottish scientist by the name of James Dewar
28:17came up with the idea,
28:18but his idea was to keep certain chemicals at a specific temperature.
28:22The system he invented featured a small bottle placed inside a larger one,
28:27with the air between the two bottles removed.
28:29The vacuum created keeps beverages hot
28:32by not allowing the heat to escape the container.
28:35Speaking of fancy packaging,
28:37we bet you've noticed that your plastic milk containers
28:40sometimes feature a big round dent on the side.
28:43Let's not be so eager to judge.
28:45It's not a way for dairy producers to cheat us out of a full gallon.
28:49The specific outline for these bottles has a double purpose.
28:52It helps to absorb shock should the container ever be dropped.
28:56Hey, I didn't do it.
28:57Mm-mm.
28:58And it can provide some wiggle room in case the bottle needs to expand.
29:02If the dent has disappeared,
29:04that means the milk has gone bad,
29:06and you can figure that out without ever having to open the lid.
29:10McFlurry ice cream treats come with square-handled spoons
29:13that seem eccentric, to say the least,
29:16with some even considering it a waste of plastic altogether.
29:19It's there for a reason, though,
29:21and you can rest assured it's not poor design after all.
29:25When the ice cream melts to a certain degree,
29:27it's difficult to enjoy it with a spoon,
29:29so the hollow, square-shaped handle can transform into a straw.
29:33That means you'll never waste a single drop of your favorite dessert.
29:37Well, here's one controversial design found in a very common snack
29:41you'll most likely find in your kitchen.
29:43I'm talking about the Ritz cracker and its dainty little edges.
29:48A TikTok user recently discovered that those scalloped edges
29:51are actually quite practical
29:53if you're looking to slice cheese so it fits on a Ritz.
29:56You just need to roll the cracker back and forth
29:58across your cheese slice of choice,
30:00and voila!
30:02Perfectly shaped cheese.
30:03Some people were a little skeptical of this recent discovery,
30:07even saying that the brand simply made it up.
30:09The response appeared soon after on the Ritz TikTok account,
30:13simply reposting the video with the caption,
30:16The more you know.
30:17While we're still discussing perfectly shaped food items,
30:21should you ever find yourself with a craving for cookies,
30:24but you don't have a cookie cutter, don't stress!
30:27Just use a vegetable can or a small water glass.
30:30It'll do just fine.
30:32If you do have a collection of cookie cutters already in your kitchen,
30:35don't limit yourself to those shapes.
30:37With just a little online research,
30:39you can figure out how to make watermelon slice-like cookies
30:42out of that moon-shaped cutter,
30:44little bumblebees out of heart shapes,
30:46and even farm animals out of flower shapes.
30:49The little indents on the bottom of most cups
30:52aren't a manufacturing defect.
30:54Apparently, they were meant to allow water to flow
30:57after the cups are placed upside down in the dishwasher.
31:00They're also meant to protect the cups from being damaged
31:03when they're filled with hot drinks,
31:05since cool air can then flow underneath.
31:08Now, when was the last time you checked your kitchen scale
31:11to see if it's still accurate?
31:13There's an easy way to do that, you know.
31:15You just need a couple of pennies.
31:17Well, nine pennies to be precise.
31:19When you place the nine pennies on the scale,
31:21they should weigh exactly one ounce.
31:24All of us are not always up for a fancy, intricate dinner.
31:28So, it's easy to have a nice, heartwarming bag
31:31of microwavable rice on hand in the kitchen
31:33that you can pair up with your main course.
31:36However, if you've struggled with steadying the bag upright
31:39in the microwave, you'll be pleased to know
31:42most of them feature some flaps on the bottom.
31:44Place there for just that reason,
31:46to create an even, sturdy base.
31:48It's better for your teeth to enjoy an apple
31:51by slicing it into thin pieces,
31:52but it does become kind of tedious
31:55given how easily they oxidize.
31:57To keep peeled apples from browning,
31:59place them into a small water container
32:01with an added tablespoon of fresh lemon juice.
32:05If you've already bought some tomatoes,
32:07but they're not ripe enough to use,
32:09place them near a bunch of fruit.
32:11Pears work best for this trick,
32:12since they will help the tomatoes reach the perfect consistency
32:15for sauces in a jiffy.
32:18Now, while I'm still on the subject of helping you out
32:20with your bolognese sauce,
32:22here's a nice trick to make sure you'll never cover
32:24the entire kitchen in tomato sauce ever again.
32:27The holes on the pan handles are not just for
32:30hanging them neatly around the kitchen.
32:32They're also there to keep your cooking spoons in place
32:35while cooking.
32:36Not everyone has mastered the perfect baked potato recipe,
32:39but here are a bunch of ideas to help you out
32:42in creating your own household technique.
32:45First, start by pre-boiling the potatoes
32:48in salted water for up to 10 minutes.
32:50The heat from the water will basically pre-heat the vegetables,
32:53while the salt will add some flavor in advance.
32:56Second, if you don't mind more rustic-looking potatoes,
32:59don't be afraid to press them with the back of a spoon just a bit
33:02before placing them in the oven.
33:04Creating some edges on the vegetables will add some nice,
33:08delicious crispiness after baking.
33:10Lastly, before turning the oven on,
33:13mix in some spices and oils like rosemary, olive oil,
33:16thyme, goose fat, or even orange peels.
33:19Trust me, you'll never want to bake your potatoes
33:22another way again.
33:23Now, who doesn't love a nice, juicy,
33:26homemade chocolate cake?
33:27Here's a little tip that's more on the aesthetic side.
33:30To prevent the cake batter from sticking to the pan,
33:33use cocoa instead of flour to coat the inside.
33:36You'll prevent it from getting that white flour dust on it,
33:39especially if you're not looking to coat or glaze the cake.
33:42Sounds like a plan.