# 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:** 20
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2013, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/381 "2013-04-14T18:28:02Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > I just remembered one of my favourites: if you’ve forgotten someone’s name, and are too embarrassed to ask them again, ask them how to spell it. Tip: it doesn’t work so well if their name is Joe, though. I usually ask, with a polite I-really-care look, “What’s your full name again?” ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2013, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/382 "2013-04-14T23:59:55Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > Or just use a [Clocky or Tocky](http://www.nandahome.com/). Falls off table and runs away. Invented by MIT kid, now for sale. Hurray, you have just given me a very annoying way to annoy the geeks in our wedding party. The gifts are supposed to remind them of “our special day”, so how would that not make people think of us day after day after day? ---
**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:** [April 15, 2013, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/383 "2013-04-15T13:45:13Z")
About burns- if you have a minor burn that won’t quit hurting unless you keep something cold on it, dip it in warm water. Leave in the warm water as long as you can stand it (it’ll hurt!), then take it out (ahhh!). It will quit hurting for good. A warm shower on sunburn has the same effect. Make sure to test the water temperature on unburned skin to make sure it’s not too hot. ---
**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:** [April 16, 2013, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/384 "2013-04-16T02:51:57Z")
Do not take a hot shower as a cure for sunburn. That is an evil trick and completely wrong. Which brings us to a neat useful trick. Do not trust everything you read on the internet. > **[How do you treat sunburn? - Answers](https://www.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_treat_sunburn)** > > Treating SunburnThe best thing for a sunburn is Epsom salts (it isn't like regular table salt and does not sting). Take 1 full cup and add boiling water. Run a bathtub full of TEPID water (body temperature) and add in the Epsom salts, swishing it... No, heat does not remove heat, Which is why nobody credible advises you to run a burn under warm water. Or treat sunburn with hot water. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/385 "2013-04-17T20:34:35Z")
> [@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. I love the lifehack about putting pancake batter into an empty ketchup bottle. How the hell are you going to get it in there without making a giant mess? ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/386 "2013-04-17T20:49:30Z")
A funnel??? ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/387 "2013-04-17T22:58:14Z")
Neat and useful trick at least one Doper hasn’t heard of: use a funnel to pour stuff into other containers. 😃 ---
**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:** [April 17, 2013, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/388 "2013-04-17T23:09:54Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > A funnel??? Can’t have a funnel without fun. And nel. ---
**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:** [April 17, 2013, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/389 "2013-04-17T23:45:14Z")
Well, FXMastermind, it always works for me. Mind you, I said warm water, not hot. Always check the temperature with uninjured skin first. The same trick works for poison ivy itching too, which has been stated on this board many times. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/390 "2013-04-18T05:27:22Z")
An iTunes trick I just ran across: you can use your mouse scroll wheel to position within a song. Just hover the cursor over the song progress bar and scroll. I’m using XP, and a song can be scrolled thru in 20 clicks. This is a godsend to me because ctl-alt left or right arrow for 5-second positioning can be very tedious. You can use the scroll wheel on the volume control in the same way. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/391 "2013-04-18T06:29:03Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > 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. I’ve been doing that since I was about 9 years old. Be warned, there are some plastics that burn very very hot. As in, you will burn yourself doing this hot. If you have enough wire it’s best to burn it 1 inch from the end so you have a cool piece to grab and twist while pulling. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/392 "2013-04-18T07:50:09Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > I love the lifehack about putting pancake batter into an empty ketchup bottle. How the hell are you going to get it in there without making a giant mess? I recently bought a couple of FIFO bottles. You know the sauce bottles they use at Subway? Those are the ones. I like their design because they stand upside down, so you don’t need to wait for things to flow. They also use a nifty valve so you can just pick them up and squeeze. I think they’d be great for pancake batter. I’m using one for dish washing liquid now and it’s so much faster than the original bottle. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/393 "2013-04-18T14:37:12Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > I recently bought a couple of FIFO bottles. You know the sauce bottles they use at Subway? Those are the ones. I like their design because they stand upside down, so you don’t need to wait for things to flow. They also use a nifty valve so you can just pick them up and squeeze. I think they’d be great for pancake batter. I’m using one for dish washing liquid now and it’s so much faster than the original bottle. That does sound nifty. For pancakes, one might even just mix the stuff _in_ the bottle vs, say, mixing the batter than pouring it in. Saves a mixing bowl. Obviously this depends on bottle size and batter quantity but you could just put the ingredients in, and shake the bottle up or stir with a long-handled spoon or something. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/394 "2013-05-01T18:18:53Z")
Thought this would be a good thread to share this link to “50 Life Hacks”. My favourite has to be the tip about rubbing walnuts on damaged wooden furniture. Not sure if it’d work though… > **[50 Life Hacks to Simplify your World](https://twistedsifter.com/2013/01/50-life-hacks-to-simplify-your-world/)** > >   Life hacks are little ways to make our lives easier. These low-budget tips and trick can help you organize and de-clutter space; prolong and preserve your products; or teach you something (e… ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/395 "2013-05-03T01:43:21Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > Thought this would be a good thread to share this link to “50 Life Hacks”. My favourite has to be the tip about rubbing walnuts on damaged wooden furniture. Not sure if it’d work though… > > [50 Life Hacks to Simplify your World » TwistedSifter](http://twistedsifter.com/2013/01/50-life-hacks-to-simplify-your-world/) That’s the one I actually tried. But on my floor. It actually did cover up a few small scratches. I was impressed. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/396 "2016-01-28T17:30:52Z")
I know this is an old thread, but might as well use it to add some more tricks: **Use soapy paper towel as improvised wash cloth to clean dirty hands.** If you’re hands are really dirty and oily and you don’t have any special cleaner, get a paper towel really soapy and use it to scrub your hands clean. Works great when you’re out at a gas station or whatever. **Core an apple with a teaspoon** There are special apple slicers which you press down on the apple and it removes the core and slices it into 8 pieces. If you don’t have one of those, you can easily remove the seed pod if you have a semi-circular spoon like a teaspoon or melon baller. Cut the apple in half and then use the spoon to scoop out the seed pod and leave behind a perfectly round hole. There’s a trick to scooping it out. Don’t just plow the spoon through straight. Instead, press the edge of the spoon to the edge of the seed pod and then pivot the spoon so it scoops around the bottom of the seed pod. It should come out neatly and look like when you take the pit out of an avocado. Then use the knife to trim the small bit of stem at top and bottom of each half and slice as you wish. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2016, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/397 "2016-01-28T23:17:43Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > **Use soapy paper towel as improvised wash cloth to clean dirty hands.** If you’re hands are really dirty and oily and you don’t have any special cleaner, get a paper towel really soapy and use it to scrub your hands clean. Works great when you’re out at a gas station or whatever. If your hands are really dirty, you should wash them 3 or more times. First, you wash them with soap etc in **cold** water. This is so that the dirt doesn’t get into your pores. Repeat until your hands are modestly clean. Then wash with hot water. This opens up the pores in your skin and allows a deeper clean. Then a final wash and rinse in cold water to close up those pores again. And has coring a strawberry with a straw been mentioned yet? Just insert the straw from underneath and push up through the core. With regard to the Pringles tubes, they’ve just shortened them because they’re now putting less product inside. ---
**Author:** ![OffByOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/45deac/32.png) [@OffByOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OffByOne)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2016, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/398 "2016-01-29T18:38:20Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > Both of these are much worse than the old standby: 22/7 3√31 (cube root of 31) ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2016, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/399 "2016-01-29T22:55:41Z")
My husband came up with this one himself: how to inflate a plastic kiddie pool in seconds, using a milk carton and a vacuum cleaner. He made this youtube video to demonstrate. My son holds the camera. [Quick Swimming Pool Inflate Hack using Vacuum Cleaner and Milk Carton - YouTube](http://youtu.be/L5HL5ZJ4RYE) ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2016, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/400 "2016-01-30T19:20:13Z")
Most people’s necks are about half the size of their waists. So to determine if a pair of pants will fit around your waist, put the tops together and wrap them around your neck. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959.md?page=21)