# Life hacks you figured out on your own **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 11, 2023, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041 "2023-03-11T20:36:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/61 "2023-03-13T03:22:36Z")
If you’re having trouble opening a new jar of pickles, slide the tip of a butter knife between the lid and the jar and push inward while holding the jar still with your other hand. You’ll pop the airtight seal and the lid will come off easily. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/62 "2023-03-13T04:43:51Z")
When drilling holes in drywall (e.g. - for hanging a shelf), take a piece of printer paper and fold it in half, and then tape one edge with painter’s tape just beneath where the hole will be drilled. This will catch all the drywall dust and obviate having to vacuum up the mess afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/63 "2023-03-13T05:13:56Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > I use lingerie bags for washing socks, one for whites, one for darks. That way, when I pull them out of the dryer, the socks are all together and not stuck to other bits of laundry or finding there’s still a single wet sock that I missed taking out of the washer. I use one of those for my fabric masks (I have all white ones, specifically to allow for sanitizing levels of bleach in a load that also includes white socks and underclothes). Easier to make sure they don’t sneak into the dryer and get horrendously shrunk. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/64 "2023-03-13T05:18:31Z")
I’m probably gonna get flamed for this, but here goes: I have a good bit of vintage stereo stuff. Belt-drive turntables are included. Their stock belts don’t last. However, home made drive belts carefully cut from an old semi inner tube last for years. All it takes is a free junk inner tube from a tire place and a sharp pair of scissors. One tube can provide hundreds of belts. In the same vein, I have also repaired VCRs using a rubber band instead of the proper drive belt. When I was a young whippersnapper, everyone used rubber bands to replace the drive belts in under dash 8-track players, so I can’t claim that one! ---
**Author:** ![Nyvaak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nyvaak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nyvaak)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/65 "2023-03-13T10:48:13Z")
Stuck zippers on jackets, etc. can be more easily unstuck if you lubricate the teeth nearest the zipper pull with some Chapstick. How handy that there’s, a lubricant always in my pocket. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/66 "2023-03-13T11:18:04Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Also, don’t touch my god damn monitor. I don’t want fingerprints all over it. can you explain this in felinese(aka cat)? I am constantly dealing with nose and paw prints … ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/67 "2023-03-13T11:39:21Z")
For changing high up light bulbs, I use a pole and kit like this [Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/Bayco-LBC-600SDLB-11-Feet-Light-Changer/dp/B001AH7CU8/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?adgrpid=55435545829&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk7ugBhDIARIsAGuvgPbxekwrKI1b8dBjJGefYJKzlJMO8jDO9vcGTvLp_pEFDCrmdqoH488aAmTIEALw_wcB&hvadid=274711162709&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9008139&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=3958346821415942986&hvtargid=kwd-331243938663&hydadcr=13933_9748734&keywords=light+bulb+changer+for+high+ceilings&qid=1678707410&sr=8-9) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/68 "2023-03-13T11:53:51Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > If you’re having trouble opening a new jar of pickles, slide the tip of a butter knife between the lid and the jar and push inward while holding the jar still with your other hand. You’ll pop the airtight seal and the lid will come off easily. I find a spoon (as long as you can get it between the lid and glass) to work better. They don’t usually bend as easily as knives and spoon shape tends to work as a fulcrum against the threads without your hand being up against the jar. With a knife, I often end up having to twist it a bit to pop the seal. Alternatively, hitting the corner of the lid on the counter, not too hard, but enough to dent the lid usually works for me. But the first thing I usually do is grab one of my silicone oven mitts. That gives me a much better grip on the lid. > [@nightshadea](#): > > can you explain this in felinese(aka cat)? I am constantly dealing with nose and paw prints … “Fuck you too, cat.” What I hate about the monitor thing is the person will often tell me I can ‘just clean it’. Well, for one, I don’t want to, it didn’t need to be cleaned in the first place. And, for two, if I clean it, I’ll end up spending the rest of the day trying to get rid of all the streaks from doing that. I’ve very content with the perfectly even layer of dust on it and as soon as touches it, it’s a whole big thing. Hell, I’ve never cleaned my home TV in all the years I’ve had it for the same reason. I’d rather it have an even layer of dust than worry about a bunch of streaks on it. This is one of the very few reasons I don’t mind touch screens. Granted, I usually turn off the touch screen interface, but whatever they’re coated with is usually very good at resisting fingerprints. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/69 "2023-03-13T12:58:16Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Store tins of anything thick (like baked beans) upside down. I buy the just-peanut peanut butter, so it’s always got the layer of oil on top. I buy several at a time and store them on their lids and it makes it easier to mix the oil back in. Then I keep the jar in the fridge. > [@Joey\_P](#): > > the paint in the rim No paint in our rims - when we first open a can of paint, we poke drain holes around the rim with a small nail. Just gently tap with the hammer, tho, lest you dump the entire can all over creation. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/70 "2023-03-13T13:04:31Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > If you’re having trouble opening a new jar of pickles, slide the tip of a butter knife between the lid and the jar and push inward while holding the jar still with your other hand. You’ll pop the airtight seal and the lid will come off easily. I do this with a “church key” bottle/can opener. Just pry the edge of the lid until it pops. * * * * * * > [@california\_jobcase](#): > > I’m probably gonna get flamed for this, but here goes: Does your post contain something controversial? 'Splain, 'cause I missed it. (And I hate missing stuff.) * * * * * * > [@Typo\_Knig](#): > > For changing high up light bulbs, I use a pole and kit like this [Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/Bayco-LBC-600SDLB-11-Feet-Light-Changer/dp/B001AH7CU8/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?adgrpid=55435545829&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk7ugBhDIARIsAGuvgPbxekwrKI1b8dBjJGefYJKzlJMO8jDO9vcGTvLp_pEFDCrmdqoH488aAmTIEALw_wcB&hvadid=274711162709&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9008139&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=3958346821415942986&hvtargid=kwd-331243938663&hydadcr=13933_9748734&keywords=light+bulb+changer+for+high+ceilings&qid=1678707410&sr=8-9) I have one of these for a very high-up outdoor light that I would have to use the extension ladder to reach. It takes two steady arms and some patience, but I **hate** getting that big ladder out. Not to mention I hate close encounters with the bugs and critters that have established their residences in the light bulb alcove since I last changed the bulb. * * * * * * > [@needscoffee](#): > > I have a fair amount of counter space, but don’t want to waste it on a dish drainer. I mounted [a vinyl-coated wire shelf above my sink and use that as my dish drainer](https://imgur.com/a/E0CKO7f). Water drains into the sink. I did exactly the same thing. Except the counter space you see in this picture is the ONLY counter space in my 1925 kitchen. I’ve squeezed in some tables and stuff. But if you want to do anything on any surface you usually have to move a couple of things elsewhere first. [![](https://i.imgur.com/fere8dr.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/fere8dr.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/71 "2023-03-13T13:28:51Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > If you have a sound bar take a rubber band and tie the sound bar remote to the bottom of your regular TV remote and flip them whenever you need to change either the sound or channel, instead of buying a universal remote. Better yet, make sure you connect your soundbar to the HDMI-CEC input on your tv, so you can just control the volume with your TV remote. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/72 "2023-03-13T13:54:53Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Does your post contain something controversial? 'Splain, 'cause I missed it. (And I hate missing stuff.) Controversial? Only to certain hard-core audiophiles. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/73 "2023-03-13T14:27:16Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I did exactly the same thing. Nice! ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/74 "2023-03-13T16:59:31Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Not sure if this counts: don’t put drinks next to electronics. I’m continually amazed that this isn’t something everybody has figured out. I have a mug of water a foot and a half from my laptop right now. Yeah, there’s some risk. But I can’t recall ever overturning a mug. And I want my drink within reach when I am working. ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/75 "2023-03-13T17:04:38Z")
I insta-destroyed my previous laptop by having a large mug of tea close to it, as I had had a thousand times before. Due to an innocent loss of balance for a second, the 0.7 liter mug tipped, and that was it for the device. I haven’t kept a container with liquid in close to my laptop since, lest the container is at a lower level than the computer. ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/76 "2023-03-13T17:06:21Z")
Or freeze 'em! Even less messy. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/77 "2023-03-13T20:54:19Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I have a mug of water a foot and a half from my laptop right now. Yeah, there’s some risk. But I can’t recall ever overturning a mug. You obviously don’t have a clumsy sister-in-law. Her spilled iced tea ruined a six-month-old laptop. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/78 "2023-03-13T21:17:14Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > I have a good bit of vintage stereo stuff. Belt-drive turntables are included. Their stock belts don’t last. However, home made drive belts carefully cut from an old semi inner tube last for years. All it takes is a free junk inner tube from a tire place and a sharp pair of scissors. It’s unclear to me how you can do this. Turntable belts need to have a very specific length and a tension to reasonable tolerances, and also have a precise and consistent width or you’ll get wow and flutter on the turntable. I don’t see how you can do that by cutting up an inner tube with scissors. > [@Smapti](#): > > If you’re having trouble opening a new jar of pickles, slide the tip of a butter knife between the lid and the jar and push inward while holding the jar still with your other hand. You’ll pop the airtight seal and the lid will come off easily. Oxo makes a jar opener that’s served me well for many years, looks like this … [![](https://www.oxo.com/media/catalog/product/cache/0896d24226ba929ed2cdc43dc64054aa/1/1/1173600_1.jpg) ](https://www.oxo.com/media/catalog/product/cache/0896d24226ba929ed2cdc43dc64054aa/1/1/1173600_1.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/79 "2023-03-13T21:48:59Z")
If you get the kind you mount under a cabinet, you can use both hands to turn the jar. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2023, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041/80 "2023-03-13T21:51:27Z")
I bought and installed one of those a few months ago! Best gadget I ever bought. It’s wonderful when you want to hold onto the cold, slippery pickle jar with both hands as you twist it. Much safer. And it will work on something as small as the cap on a bottle of vanilla extract. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-hacks-you-figured-out-on-your-own/981041.md?page=5)