# Domestic tricks to make life easier. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 14, 2010, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089 "2010-10-14T04:08:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/101 "2010-10-21T18:59:55Z")
:rolleyes: I’m glad you like a disgusting, filthy home, but not all of us do. This thread is about tips and tricks and advice, not “fuck the people who keep their homes clean”. Not everyone likes to roll around in cat puke and balls of dusty hair. ---
**Author:** ![Gestalt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/90ced4/32.png) [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/102 "2010-10-21T19:18:36Z")
Pretty sure he wasn’t saying, “fuck people who like clean houses,” but rather, “sometimes the cleaning can wait; you don’t necessarily need to stress about it right now.” ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/103 "2010-10-21T19:33:16Z")
Call me a germophobe, but I’m pretty sure animal vomit is somewhere in between “hazard waste” and “clean up ASAP” realm. ---
**Author:** ![Tortuga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@Tortuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tortuga)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/104 "2010-10-21T20:11:31Z")
Um, I’ve already established myself here as a bit of an icky person, so my words won’t have much weight but sometimes it cleans up better if you leave it for a little while, especially on carpet. Sometimes vomit can practically peel cleanly off carpet when if you go at it immediately it will force it down into the fibers and sometimes into the pad. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/105 "2010-10-21T20:14:21Z")
I say clean up dog puke as soon as possible. However, if you leave the cat puke for just a moment the dog will get it for you. ---
**Author:** ![Tortuga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@Tortuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tortuga)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/106 "2010-10-21T20:15:20Z")
> [@cedman](#): > > Here’s another hint to make the shower curtain less gunky and easier to clean… > > cut a few inches off the bottom and sides of the thing. […] > > So, get out the sissors and hack away! Thanks, that’s another great idea as there is still some mildew trapped in the seam at the bottom of the curtain, and cutting that off should mean water will just sheet smoothly off instead of collecting, I hope. I don’t think I’ll trim the sides or so much besides the seam off the bottom (I don’t want to trim off the magnets, I hate the “attacking shower curtain” phenomena, but this tip will make the curtain good as new. Thanks again! ---
**Author:** ![stargazer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@stargazer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stargazer)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/107 "2010-10-21T20:21:35Z")
> [@Tortuga](#): > > Wow, this really works great, thanks so much for the tip! I was dreading buying a new one as I hate the smell–it seems to take forever for them to stop offgassing. You can also get a polyester one like [this one](http://www.crateandbarrel.com/bed-and-bath/shower-curtains-rings/shower-curtain-liner/s286281) that I have. No offgassing whatsoever, and it’s supposed to go into the washing machine! Also, not being plastic, it doesn’t get as mildewy in the first place. I love it! ---
**Author:** ![abderian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@abderian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abderian)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/108 "2010-10-21T21:52:55Z")
I absolutely LOVE this thread. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Wrapping celery in aluminum foil extends its life amazingly long. We’re not big celery eaters, and I’ve thrown out a lot in the past. But by wrapping it tightly in foil, I’m pretty much assured that it will be good when I need it a week later. There is a limit to how long it will keep, but it’s longer than in a plastic bag or container. Wow, FairyChatMom, I didn’t know that. As an on-and-off celery eater, this will be a great help to me! > [@Hedda\_Rosa](#): > > My hint is for making lunches for kids. Each kid has 5 ziplock bags, with their name and the day of the week on it. On Sunday night I get out everything that needs to go in a lunch, except fruit and veggies and pre-pack their lunches. So their juice boxes, crackers, rice cakes, cheese sticks, yoghurts what have you get tossed into the ziplocks. Plus a note from mom XOXOXO. My kids are grown, so I make lunches for only myself, but I do this too and find it really helpful to spend my Sunday afternoons filling Ziplock baggies with washed grapes, celery sticks, etc. I generally try to cook some sort of low-fat, high-fiber stew or stir-fry and spoon it into plastic lunch-sized containers. That way, during the busy weekdays, I can easily assemble a healthy, varied lunch in mere minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/109 "2010-10-21T22:51:56Z")
I empty the dishwasher when I boil water for my first cup of tea of the day. Then I fill and close the detergent cups, and every time I dirty a plate or pan or whatever, it goes into the dishwasher. Bonus: my husband is actually pretty good about dumping HIS dirty plates and such with this system. When the dishwasher is full, I run it. If it’s close to full right before I go to bed, I run it. The detergent cups indicate whether the dishes are clean or dirty. The cats like to sleep on top of the dryer and various bookshelves. We have an assortment of baby blankets, both store bought fleece and some that I knitted to keep my hands busy. We put the blankets on areas where the cats sleep, and throw the blankies in the washer and dryer when they need it. It helps keep cat hair from floating around so much. Also, air filters help, somewhat. I want a Roomba for the new house, but I suspect that it would end up as a [Weapon of Feline Destruction](http://icanhascheezburger.com/2010/10/11/funny-pictures-video-roomba-kitteh-massacre/) more than a housekeeping tool. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/110 "2010-10-21T23:16:06Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > I say clean up dog puke as soon as possible. However, if you leave the cat puke for just a moment the dog will get it for you. Dog gets his own half the time too. Just give him a minute and see if he wants it, alls I’m sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![Moonchild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@Moonchild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonchild)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/111 "2010-10-22T00:09:18Z")
> [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > I dunno. I find myself wiping tables and sinks, cleaning stains and dust off stuff, getting tomato sauce on them, getting them wet a lot… when I only had a couple, I was constantly needing a clean kitchen towel, so I just got a pile of them. I seem to be using them a _lot_. > > Am I weird? 😕 I take all old tee shirts and jeans (that were just going to get thrown out anyway) and tear them into strips for washing and wiping counters and floors and then just throw them away after they’ve been used. I hate using mounds of paper towels to clean up stuff. My wife disagrees.☹ ---
**Author:** ![Moonchild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@Moonchild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonchild)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/112 "2010-10-22T00:10:21Z")
Make as much of my son’s lunch as possible the night before. ---
**Author:** ![Moonchild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@Moonchild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonchild)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/113 "2010-10-22T00:15:10Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > I say clean up dog puke as soon as possible. However, if you leave the cat puke for just a moment the dog will get it for you. On a related note, wipe the coffee off your computer screen immediately after reading this post!😛 ---
**Author:** ![Waxwinged](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c2a13f/32.png) [@Waxwinged](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waxwinged)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/114 "2010-10-22T01:03:20Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > I spread plastic wrap over a sheet pan with enough extra to fold it back over itself. I slice the bananas and lay them out on the sheet pan. Fold the plastic wrap over the top of the slices. Stick in freezer. Once frozen transfer the slices to a plastic bag. Use the slices for smoothies (use frozen) or baking (defrost). Save the plastic wrap for the next batch or you can just roll up the plastic wrap and store the slices that way but it’s much easier to pull the slices out of a bag. > > I do the same thing with fresh berries that might be getting a little too old and squishy for eating as is. I love using the frozen fruits for smoothies because it makes the smoothie thicker. Neat! Bet’cha you could use them for banana breads, too.. … Mmm… banana bread. ---
**Author:** ![PeskiPiksi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e495f1/32.png) [@PeskiPiksi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PeskiPiksi)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/115 "2010-10-22T01:12:34Z")
I find it helps to do one tiny “project” a day in addition to the regular routine. Clean out a drawer. Organize a shelf. Throw out your old and mismatched socks. It doesn’t have to be big–don’t do the whole closet, just one shelf. Takes five minutes. But if you do it everyday, the house is always pretty well organized. Another one is “if you see it, clean it.” That smudge on the hallway mirror that you can only see in certain light or from a certain angle? Clean it now. You’ll never remember to come back and do it when you do the regular housecleaning. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/116 "2010-10-22T06:44:44Z")
> [@Moonchild](#): > > I take all old tee shirts and jeans (that were just going to get thrown out anyway) and tear them into strips for washing and wiping counters and floors and then just throw them away after they’ve been used. I hate using mounds of paper towels to clean up stuff. > > My wife disagrees.☹ Your system is a huge source of wiping tools in many households. Cleaning rags (specially the cotton ones) are much better than paper or newer cloth for dusting and wiping liquids off, too! Mind you, most of the people I know do wash the rags, but then, we wash our kitchen cloths too. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/117 "2010-10-22T07:17:46Z")
The greatest tip I ever got was from a lady I rang (I work as a telefundraiser) who was elbow deep in cleaning her oven. She told me the bestest thing for helping to clean oven racks was to pre-soak them in a bleach solution for a couple of hours beforehand. I have no idea why it works, but it makes cleaning the bastards a helluva lot easier. ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/118 "2010-10-22T08:36:46Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > She told me the bestest thing for helping to clean oven racks was to pre-soak them in a bleach solution for a couple of hours beforehand. I have no idea why it works, but it makes cleaning the bastards a helluva lot easier. My wife buys oven cleaner packs that contain cleaner and a large plastic bag - you place the racks and tray in the bag, add the cleaner and leave for several hours (turning occasionally). Take the clean metal-ware from the bag, and wash, and discard the bag. Absolutely magic. Si ---
**Author:** ![Moment\_Slayer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Moment\_Slayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moment_Slayer)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/119 "2010-10-22T10:55:41Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > :rolleyes: I’m glad you like a disgusting, filthy home, but not all of us do. This thread is about tips and tricks and advice, not “fuck the people who keep their homes clean”. Not everyone likes to roll around in cat puke and balls of dusty hair. I didn’t know it was the fuck the the people who feel guilty for not being a clean fucking freak. So shove a sponge up your ass ---
**Author:** ![Moment\_Slayer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Moment\_Slayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moment_Slayer)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089/120 "2010-10-22T10:56:47Z")
> [@Gestalt](#): > > Pretty sure he wasn’t saying, “fuck people who like clean houses,” but rather, “sometimes the cleaning can wait; you don’t necessarily need to stress about it right now.” Yep… Thanks [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-tricks-to-make-life-easier/557089.md?page=7)