Ten Clever Life Hacks for Everyday Problems

In a pinch, flip over a ceramic coffee mug and use its unglazed bottom to touch up a dull blade. It's not a substitute for a proper sharpening kit, but it works well for quick fixes.

Wipe a clean white rag soaked in glass cleaner up and down the length of wiper blades to banish streaks and extend their life.

Remove the back of a dried-up permanent marker, add a few drops of isopropyl alcohol to the felt inside, and shake to bring it back to life.

In a power outage, cut a stick of butter in half (each half burns about four hours), fold a square of toilet paper diagonally and twist it into a wick, make a hole in the butter with a toothpick, insert the wick, rub the top with a bit of butter as starter fuel, and light it.

Wet a sponge and freeze it in a zip-top bag for a reusable, budget-friendly ice pack.

Cut a pool noodle to the right height, slice it lengthwise, and set it flat-side-down in front of the keyboard for an easy ergonomic wrist rest.

Slip a clean sock over a hand, spray on some all-purpose cleaner, and run fingers along each blind slat for an easy dusting tool.

Stand empty toilet paper rolls upright in a small box and thread one cord through each roll to keep cords untangled and easy to find.

Fill a sock with uncooked rice, tie the end, and microwave it for a few minutes for a heating pad that conforms to the body. Adding a fragrant herb like cinnamon or lavender gives it a pleasant scent.

Cut small notches into the end of a long zip tie to hook and pull out hair clogs from a bathroom sink, a simple alternative to harsh chemical drain cleaners.