Genius House Hacks · a GopherCentral & PulseTV publication
Household Hacks · Dec 19, 2023 edition

Lazy-Approved Hacks for Cleaning, Cooking, and Staying Organized

From the Genius House Hacks archive.

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Make life a breeze with these lazy-approved hacks for cleaning, cooking, and staying organized.

Lazy Susan Fridge Magic

Tired of fridge acrobatics? Add a Lazy Susan to each shelf — a simple spin is all it takes to reach that elusive item in the back.

Banana Power for Scratched Discs

Got scratched CDs or DVDs? Peel a banana and rub the inside of the peel over the disc in circular motions, then wipe away the residue with a lint-free cloth and a spritz of glass cleaner for a smudge-free finish.

Dishwasher Mesh Bag Hack

Small items causing chaos in the dishwasher? Toss them into a mesh laundry bag meant for delicates — corn-on-the-cob holders, tiny containers, measuring spoons, and more will stay together instead of falling through the grates.

Burnt Pan Saver

For burn marks on pans, fill the pan with cold water and a few tablespoons of salt, let it sit overnight, then boil it the next day. Pour out the water and give it a wash for a spotless pan.

Walnut Wizardry for Furniture

For dings and scrapes on wood furniture, rub a walnut over the marks — the nut's natural oil helps those imperfections fade.

Dental Floss Cake Precision

Hate messy cake slicing? Use unflavored dental floss for clean cuts instead of a knife, for smooth slices without smeared frosting.

Shower Steamer Wardrobe Rescue

Wrinkled clothes and no time to iron? Hang them in the bathroom while you shower — the steam and heat will loosen the wrinkles, and a quick smoothing by hand afterward finishes the job.

Clothespin Hammering Trick

Use a clothespin to hold a nail steady while you hammer, keeping your fingers safely out of the way — a simple trick that's easy to forget you need until you do.

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This edition is part of the Genius House Hacks archive: 20+ years of tips, rebuilt from the original Handy Hints newsletter. Browse more hacks →