# Neat useful tricks that you think most people are not aware of **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 31, 2013, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959 "2013-01-31T21:35:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/201 "2013-02-06T21:24:36Z")
Use the flat thing that holds the bread wrapper closed on the end of masking tape to keep up with the end. Zinc oxide for burns — I don’t know if it works as well on sunburn but is AMAZING on other burns. I grabbed the handle of a sautee pan I’d just removed from the oven, and practically melted my palm. :eek: I slathered zinc oxide on it, wrapped it, and in the morning no more burn. Just a dried-up crusty place. And no more pain. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/202 "2013-02-06T22:00:21Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Awwwwwwwww, man. Just brush your damn teeth. ☹ Um, sometimes someone might wake up in a place where we don’t have a toothbrush. > [@Oukile](#): > > Old drawing/notes on a dry erase board are hard to erase because the ink has dried. Just put some drops of water on a towel or tissue and rub the ink with the wet part. Don’t use too much water, though, or you’ll make a mess. It’s much more convenient to just rub over the dried ink with one of the markers and then erase. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/203 "2013-02-06T22:05:13Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > Aren’t all ice cream containers for home use single serving? I seem to remember sitting down with a gallon of vanilla as a pre meal snack during my teen years… > No wonder my parents never bought the good stuff till I left the house. > > Use a blob of red nail polish on your shower handle (single handle styles work best) to indicate where you like the temperature; no fiddling with it before you jump in. Mine changes with the seasons, though, because in the winter the tap water is cold and in the summer it’s much warmer. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/204 "2013-02-06T22:31:54Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Um, sometimes someone might wake up in a place where we don’t have a toothbrush. [that’s why one keeps these handy.](http://www.smilesaverbrush.com/) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/205 "2013-02-06T22:46:20Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Um, sometimes someone might wake up in a place where we don’t have a toothbrush. Your breath smells like Cindy’s Cootch, a cracker or bread ain’t the answer. Sorry, a pet peeve. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/206 "2013-02-06T22:59:19Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Your breath smells like Cindy’s Cootch, a cracker or bread ain’t the answer. Sorry, a pet peeve. Which reminds me, if someone offers you a breath mint, take it. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/207 "2013-02-06T23:11:34Z")
> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > Use the flat thing that holds the bread wrapper closed on the end of masking tape to keep up with the end. I’ve heard things like this before. Am I the only person who just folds the last inch of masking tape under itself? ---
**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:** [February 6, 2013, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/208 "2013-02-06T23:25:05Z")
Here’s one that kinda goes along with the previously mentioned olive oil getting pine sap off skin- baby oil works great on stuff like that, too. One summer I worked for the state highway department painting salt trucks and snow plows. I came home really covered in overspray- hair, face where it was not covered by the respirator, hands, and forearms. A few days I got road tar on me. Baby oil slathered on dissolved all the paint and/or tar and allowed further complete cleaning with soap, water, and a washcloth. I have found since then that it works on most anything that’s not water soluble- paints, adhesives, etc. Oh- veggie oil’s a better choice for pet cleaning. I once had to use salad oil to clean vinyl flooring adhesive off of my (stupid) dog. Worked fine. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/209 "2013-02-07T00:00:26Z")
"and use your finger to coat the rim of the lass with the alcohol. " ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/210 "2013-02-07T00:04:12Z")
> [@Truman\_Burbank](#): > > "and use your finger to coat the rim of the lass with the alcohol. " Which makes a lot more sense than leaving the alcohol out of the glass. Unless you’re a crooked bartender I don’t where the intended advice would be useful. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/211 "2013-02-07T00:08:18Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > I heard a good one on the radio last night. I’ll leave it up to the individual to decide the usefulness of this tip, if its us to coat the rim of the lass with the alcohol. i.e. if you want to fool someone your sereful at all: > > To fool somebody into thinking they are drinking a decently measured alcohol drink just use the mixer straight and use your fingerving them a proper vodka and orange, just give them pure orange and brush the rim of the glass with vodka. If I could coat the rim of the lass with alcohol, I probably wouldn’t even need to be buying her drinks. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/212 "2013-02-07T00:12:15Z")
The truly adventurous can add salt and a lime… ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/213 "2013-02-07T00:23:33Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > I’ve heard things like this before. Am I the only person who just folds the last inch of masking tape under itself? I fold 1/4" under. I think I like the bread tab idea though - that way you don’t have to tear off and dispose of the folded-under piece. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/214 "2013-02-07T00:28:32Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > Got morning mouth but can’t brush your teeth? Eat something starchy like a cracker or bit of bread. Obviously a toothbrush is the best thing. But sometimes you’re camping don’t have the opportunity to brush first thing in the morning. Or you slept on a long flight and don’t have a toothbrush. In situations like that, eating something can help clean up your mouth. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/215 "2013-02-07T01:24:04Z")
Failsafe reaheating in the oven: Use the Time Cook option on your stove (if it has one) to automatically turn the oven off after a certain time. You don’t necessarily have to let the oven preheat. Put the frozen pizza or whatever in, turn the oven on, and set the timer for a minute or two more than the recommended time. You’ll come back to a perfectly cooked meal no matter how long it’s left in. I finally figured this out after burning umpteen pizzas because I got involved in a game or something and didn’t hear the timer go off. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/216 "2013-02-07T02:15:52Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > This year, I’m trying to collect these “Life Hack” pictures: [https://picasaweb.google.com/102844392150412393724/201305LifeHacks](https://picasaweb.google.com/102844392150412393724/201305LifeHacks) Some seem promising, some don’t make sense. I’m trying to collect everything without discrimination. These are great - [this is a brilliant idea for pasta](https://picasaweb.google.com/102844392150412393724/201305LifeHacks#5837651416390037090); I’m one of the few people in the world who has a tall, thin container for spaghetti, but I would use this if I didn’t. > [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > I heard a good one on the radio last night. I’ll leave it up to the individual to decide the usefulness of this tip, if its useful at all: > > To fool somebody into thinking they are drinking a decently measured alcohol drink just use the mixer straight and use your finger to coat the rim of the lass with the alcohol. i.e. if you want to fool someone your serving them a proper vodka and orange, just give them pure orange and brush the rim of the glass with vodka. Why would you want to do this? > [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > \ > > I’ve also found that this works when my RLS manifests as a phantom itch (fortunately rare, but when it happens I can be clawing at my feet for hours and get no relief). I found that it did NOT work when I had itching caused by gallbladder / liver issues. I take a vitamin C pill when my legs get to jumpin’; it really seems to work for me. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/217 "2013-02-07T02:28:14Z")
> [@Telperion](#): > > The Finnish power-mixer at the end cracks me up. I guess there’s a reason no-one’s ever heard of a famous Finnish chef. How did you know it’s Finnish? That wasn’t listed as a life hack, but I thought it would be useful. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/218 "2013-02-07T03:00:27Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > Obviously a toothbrush is the best thing. But sometimes you’re camping don’t have the opportunity to brush first thing in the morning. Or you slept on a long flight and don’t have a toothbrush. In situations like that, eating something can help clean up your mouth. A disposable brush/paste takes the space of a pen. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/219 "2013-02-07T06:12:17Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > This year, I’m trying to collect these “Life Hack” pictures: [https://picasaweb.google.com/102844392150412393724/201305LifeHacks](https://picasaweb.google.com/102844392150412393724/201305LifeHacks) Some seem promising, some don’t make sense. I’m trying to collect everything without discrimination. You might want to check out [Pinstrosity](http://pinstrosity.blogspot.com/) Some of those things floating around don’t work very well. For instance, nail polish can melt in a car that gets hot enough. > [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > Having Sex the night before will allow you to sleep longer. Actually, this is true for everyone. One of my favorite cures for insomnia. 😃 > [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > To fool somebody into thinking they are drinking a decently measured alcohol drink just use the mixer straight and use your finger to coat the rim of the [g]lass with the alcohol. i.e. if you want to fool someone your serving them a proper vodka and orange, just give them pure orange and brush the rim of the glass with vodka. I’ve heard this as a trick that bartenders use when they’re dealing with someone whose already had too much to drink. I suspect that if you aren’t plastered already, you’d probably notice the lack of alcohol. Not to mention the bartender wiping his finger on your [g]lass ---
**Author:** ![Telperion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telperion/32/509_2.png) [@Telperion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperion)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/220 "2013-02-07T09:13:08Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > How did you know it’s Finnish? That wasn’t listed as a life hack, but I thought it would be useful. From the box. Suklaamousse is Finnish for chocolate mousse. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959.md?page=12)