January 18, 2016

VERY Clever: Home Hacks to Make Life Easier

Here are some of our VERY favorite home hacks that will make life a little easier (and more fun). We’d love to hear from you – connect with us on Twitter and Facebook, and tell us about your favorite tips!

Bring the Spa Home
Remember how refreshed and relaxed you felt after being pampered at the spa resort last summer? What if you could recreate that every single day in the comfort of your own home? It’s easier than you think – all you need is a small bunch of eucalyptus and some twine, hang it upside down and tie it to your shower head. Steam from the shower will rise and voila…close your eyes and you can pretend your back in Bali (almost). This, plus more secrets to transforming your shower experience here.

Carpet Dents Be Gone
Rearranging furniture? Pesky indentations in your carpets can make a rearranged room look like it wasn’t meant to be. Instead of waiting it out, place ice cubes on the indents and your carpet will spring right back to its old self.

Quick Chill
To quickly cool a drink, wrap a wet paper towel around it and put it in the freezer for a few minutes. For more food hacks, like how to avoid chewy pizza crust when reheating, click here.

Eliminate the Shuffle 
Paint your keys for ease of use – your house cleaner and/or babysitter will thank you!

Make it Sparkle
Make your glassware sparkle again by putting a few drops of tablespoons of vinegar on a dish rag…give it a wipe and any fogginess will disappear.

Secret Shoes 
Create a second shoe closet with a shoe rack and hanging curtain.

Brighten and Broaden 
Put a mirror behind a lamp. This magic trick causes the light of the lamp to bounce off the mirror, creating the feel of a brighter, larger room.

Sweater Refresher
Bally sweater? A textured kitchen sponge can de-pill it. And, who knew – there are actually a lot of uses for kitchen sponges here.

Sparks Fly
‘Tis the season for static electricity. Yes, there’s static guard, but putting a safety pin on the inseam of your pant leg’s hem can also do the trick (without the weird scent). Another hint: if you run out of dryer sheets, place a rolled up ball of aluminum foil in the dryer for the same effect.

Clip it
Use binder clips to more efficiently store items in your freezer (or pantry) by securing them to the wire rack, and save yourself the trouble of digging through piles of frozen food.

On the Hook
Hang your jeans on shower hooks for easier access.

Reimagine Decorative Frames 
A decorative frame is for more than just photos – use it for a lovely cupcake tray. Or, mount it on the wall and use a dry erase marker to write your grocery list or notes on – a classy alternative to an ugly whiteboard.

What did we miss? Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook to tell us about your favorite home hacks!