# 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:** 18
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/341 "2013-03-12T21:34:43Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > If this helps just one person my life will be complete. And on that note, speaking of paint, do not leave a 98% empty can of paint in the back of your car on a hot day because said can will explode the rest of your paint EVERYWHERE! This is not a useful trick, more a cautionary tale. (Not sure why I had a near-empty paint can in my car…I guess I needed to match the color or something.) ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/342 "2013-03-12T21:45:19Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > I just tried this and, as I suspected, the flaw is that you start off with the little “spike” in the end , which I normally discard by leaving the last half-inch or so in the bottom of the peel. You’re pinching it wrong. If you pinch the tip as you peel the, er, peel, the spike will stay in the pinched tip. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwFR0AJ40Ls](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwFR0AJ40Ls) (ff to :56, if you like.) Or, alternately, just eat the spike. 😉 ---
**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:** [March 12, 2013, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/343 "2013-03-12T22:17:40Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > Er, isn’t that what Ctrl+Home is for? Thank God I’m not the only one who wondered this. Ctrl+Home goes to the top of the doc, Ctrl+End goes to the bottom. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/344 "2013-03-13T18:53:17Z")
I thought this was too obvious to post, but it occurs to me that it has been news to my stable of supermodels over the years, so maybe not: Keep a hairdryer within easy reach of your bed. Cold sheets? It takes about 30 seconds to make them warm as toast. Cold feet? Same. Cold room? Stick it under your shirt for a few seconds, and you’re ready for the arctic. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/345 "2013-03-14T04:11:20Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Thank God I’m not the only one who wondered this. > > Ctrl+Home goes to the top of the doc, Ctrl+End goes to the bottom. Hmm I just noticed the other method may be useful if your computer does not have Home/End (Macs). ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/346 "2013-03-14T05:59:09Z")
> [@notthatagain](#): > > If you’re on a ladder and don’t have lubricant handy you can run a screw through your hair to make it easier to turn. I ran this past my screw, but she says she won’t go up a ladder with me again after what happended last time, lubricant or no lubricant. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/347 "2013-03-14T13:51:21Z")
To prevent a cut onion from stinking up your fridge, put it in a baggie and wrap the baggie in a piece of newspaper. ---
**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:** [March 14, 2013, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/348 "2013-03-14T14:03:57Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > Hmm I just noticed the other method may be useful if your computer does not have Home/End (Macs). According to Microsoft, the shortcuts on Macs are: [QUOTE=Microsoft] To the end of a document ⌘+END ⌘+FN+RIGHT ARROW (on a MacBook keyboard) To the beginning of a document ⌘+HOME ⌘+FN+LEFT ARROW (on a MacBook keyboard) [/QUOTE] [Cite](http://mac2.microsoft.com/help/office/14/en-us/word/item/f7701a9f-35bc-49c5-a5b5-8c24b085a166) ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/349 "2013-03-14T14:38:06Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > Cold sheets? It takes about 30 seconds to make them warm as toast. Cold feet? Same. Cold room? Stick it under your shirt for a few seconds, and you’re ready for the arctic. I do that all the time for the wife. I didn’t think to post about it. Also, if the dryer quits (or you are in a hurry) you can quickly dry clothing with a hair dryer. Or just warm your socks before putting them on. Hair dryer (or heat gun) most useful ---
**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 15, 2013, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/350 "2013-03-15T02:59:57Z")
I only use pickling salt since it has no additives, and it clumps. A few grains of plain unpopped popcorn in a salt shaker work better than rice for breaking up clumpy salt, and they last a lot longer. The salt will eventually abrade the rice to dust. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2013, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/351 "2013-03-15T03:28:26Z")
I just saw this one: Tell her you already got her something and have her guess what it is. She’ll probably list some things she’s been wanting. > [@KneadToKnow](#): > > According to Microsoft, the shortcuts on Macs are: > > [Cite](http://mac2.microsoft.com/help/office/14/en-us/word/item/f7701a9f-35bc-49c5-a5b5-8c24b085a166) Macs have home keys? Hmm looks like Fn + Left works the same as home, meaning the second shortcut is the same as the first. > **[Home key](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_key#Mac_OS_X)** > > The .mw-parser-output .keyboard-key{border:1px solid #aaa;border-radius:0.2em;box-shadow:0.1em 0.1em 0.2em rgba(0,0,0,0.1);background-color:var(--background-color-neutral-subtle,#f8f9fa);background-image:linear-gradient(to bottom,var(--background-color-neutral,#eaecf0),var(--background-color-neutral-subtle,#f8f9fa),var(--background-color-neutral,#eaecf0));color:var(--color-base,#202122);padding:0.1em 0.3em;font-family:inherit;font-size:0.85em}Home key is commonly found on desktop and laptop keybo... ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/352 "2013-03-24T05:09:49Z")
Need to strip wires to make an electrical connection and you don’t have a pair of strippers or a knife? Simply get out your lighter and melt the insulation so you can rub it off. Takes a second for each wire end. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/353 "2013-04-08T20:45:38Z")
When making a thick smoothie in a blender, sometimes an air bubble gets trapped around the blade and the smoothie won’t mix. To break the bubble, hold the top and bottom of the blender together and slowly tilt it backwards. It will start to mix again. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/354 "2013-04-08T21:58:47Z")
Learned a cool one the other day on Alton Brown. Want to fire the crock pot up while you’re at work? Well, of course you could start it before you head out the door but maybe 8 or 9 hours is too long to simmer. No problem. Get a plug in timer. Plug the crock pot into the timer and set it to turn on two or three hours (or whatever time) after you leave. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2013, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/355 "2013-04-08T22:31:58Z")
Most people are not aware of plug-in electric timers? ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/356 "2013-04-08T22:46:01Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Most people are not aware of plug-in electric timers? Well, I’m aware of them. I just never thought to use one for a crock pot. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/357 "2013-04-08T22:52:27Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > Learned a cool one the other day on Alton Brown. > Want to fire the crock pot up while you’re at work? Well, of course you could start it before you head out the door but maybe 8 or 9 hours is too long to simmer. > > No problem. Get a plug in timer. Plug the crock pot into the timer and set it to turn on two or three hours (or whatever time) after you leave. most lamp timers will deteriorate rapidly with such a heavy load and may be a fire hazard. maybe a heavy duty one for 20A might be OK. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/358 "2013-04-09T03:54:00Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > most lamp timers will deteriorate rapidly with such a heavy load and may be a fire hazard. maybe a heavy duty one for 20A might be OK. I don’t know what the amperage number should be, but timers built for engine-block heaters probably would be the best bet. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/359 "2013-04-09T04:19:36Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > I just saw this one: > Tell her you already got her something and have her guess what it is. She’ll probably list some things she’s been wanting. Oh, I love this one. Grabs phone, calls Bill. Hey hon, I just got your wedding present…its perfect, I can’t wait until July, just guess what it is!!! ---
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/360 "2013-04-09T07:18:29Z")
You can make an impromptu poster board with just magnets. Most homes that use sheet rock have metal edging to reinforce the corners. I don’t know if it’s still true, but in my house (60’s vintage), these are ferrous and a magnet will stick to them. Just put up an index card, sheet of paper, appt card, etc between the corner and magnet. Neodymium magnets work best and every very small ones only 1/4" square are quite strong. Ones around 1/2" can give you a very unpleasant pinch if allowed too closed to another and can be extremely difficult to pry apart. When you get much bigger than that they can actually be dangerous. They go up to an N5 rating I think but those are really expensive. I normally get N4’s which aren’t too bad for the little ones. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959.md?page=19)