# 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:** 21
**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:** [January 30, 2016, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/401 "2016-01-30T20:23:46Z")
[Easy way to peel boiled eggs.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkWISKfgqZ0) ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2016, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/402 "2016-01-30T20:42:41Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > [Easy way to peel boiled eggs.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkWISKfgqZ0) That works, and is the only way I peel boiled eggs now. ---
**Author:** ![Last\_Glacial\_Maximum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc79bd/32.png) [@Last\_Glacial\_Maximum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Last_Glacial_Maximum)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2016, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/403 "2016-01-30T22:05:16Z")
My wife insists on buying the expensive bathroom hand soap that foams up when you press the dispenser. Too me the contents are just diluted dish soap. When the bottle is getting close to empty, I wait until my wife is in another room and I sneak downstairs and fill up the dispenser halfway with normal dish soap. Then I add water to top it off and shake it. It foams up great ! My wife has not caught on yet šŸ˜‰ . ---
**Author:** ![Hopeful\_Crow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/da6949/32.png) [@Hopeful\_Crow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hopeful_Crow)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/404 "2016-01-31T00:56:34Z")
For those of you who shop at Costco, you know the section with the plastic jars of goodies like peanut-butter pretzels and chocolate-covered raisins? Sure you do! Donā€™t deny it, now. Youā€™ve probably bought more than your share of these sorts of delightful delicacies Iā€™m talking about. Yeah, I mean you with the sheepish look on your face. OK, well, let me get to my point. Sure, those jars are convenient for storing odds and ends in when the goodies _ahem_ vanish but I keep a few of them empty. Their mouths are just the right size to fit a quart-sized Ziploc bag on. The rest of the bag hangs inside as you fill it with other things you got from Costco. I like to get the frozen blueberries they have but they come in five pound bags. So, when I get them home I put them in several Ziploc bags using this method before stashing them in the freezer. Itā€™s easier pulling out a smaller bag at breakfast time and keeps the condensation to a minimum so you donā€™t wind up with a big solid chunk of berries. Fill the bags about half full and then ease it out of the jar. Now itā€™ll easily stand on the counter and you can top it off, if needed. If youā€™re enterprising and have a small saw, you could cut out one side of the jar to make bag removal even easier. ---
**Author:** ![48Willys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/db5fbb/32.png) [@48Willys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/48Willys)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/405 "2016-01-31T02:44:26Z")
> [@Last\_Glacial\_Maximum](#): > > My wife insists on buying the expensive bathroom hand soap that foams up when you press the dispenser. Too me the contents are just diluted dish soap. When the bottle is getting close to empty, I wait until my wife is in another room and I sneak downstairs and fill up the dispenser halfway with normal dish soap. Then I add water to top it off and shake it. > > It foams up great ! > > My wife has not caught on yet šŸ˜‰ > . Are you sure about that? I am guessing that she has found a great way to get you to fill the soap dispensers.šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/406 "2016-01-31T05:10:20Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Most peopleā€™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. ??? If you are right thereā€“and I assume you are if you can put the pants around your neckā€“why not put them around your waist? Or even try them on? ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/407 "2016-01-31T14:15:14Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > ??? If you are right thereā€“and I assume you are if you can put the pants around your neckā€“why not put them around your waist? Or even try them on? I donā€™t know if this is true or not, but if so, it could be handy for when you are wearing outerwear while shopping, and donā€™t want to hassle with opening your coat, etcā€¦ Like in winter. And especially if you are browsing at a garage sale. Actually, come to think of it ā€¦ I suspect this only works for people of certain builds. We all know people who put on/take off weight in different patterns. A guy prone to beer belly is likely to see his waist grow faster than his neck, for example. So take a pair of your pants that fit and try them against your neck, and see if itā€™ll work for you or not. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2016, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/408 "2016-01-31T16:21:22Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I started a linen revolution on this board when I mentioned that I store each set of sheets in its own pillowcase for easy storing on a shelf and grabbing; full sets in an inside out pillowcase and queen sets in a right-side out pillowcase, so I donā€™t have to remember which is which. Iā€™ve since seen the tip oodles of times on the internet, though, so itā€™s probably pretty well known by now. šŸ™‚ I read this for the first time today, and I am re-organizing my linen closet today. My thanks. šŸ™‚ ---
**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 1, 2016, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/409 "2016-02-01T13:21:21Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Most peopleā€™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. Wouldnā€™t it be easier (and less embarrassing) to just try them on?šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/410 "2016-02-01T19:24:45Z")
You can seal your Kindle in a small ziplock bag and then you donā€™t have to worry about ruining it if you drop it in the tub. Make sure the reading side is on the side that doesnā€™t have writing/logo (if thatā€™s the kind of ziplock bag you have). ---
**Author:** ![Daylate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9dc877/32.png) [@Daylate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylate)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2016, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/411 "2016-02-01T19:35:39Z")
> [@](#): > > Quote: > Originally Posted by bot3 View Post > To prevent wood from splitting when nailing, blunt the tip of the nail. > Erm, what? Counter intuitive this sounds. See examples I would like to. > Reply With Quote I can vouch for this. For one summer way back when I was a carpenterā€™s apprentice, and my mentor showed me this trick. works like a charm. Honest! ---
**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:** [February 1, 2016, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/412 "2016-02-01T21:50:24Z")
My pants trick should have been phrased ā€œput the front and back of the waist together and then try them around your neck.ā€ Itā€™s easier than trying them on, and works for most people. ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/413 "2016-02-02T02:13:24Z")
The ā€œSmallā€ cardboard storage box at Home Depot is perfect for storing DVDā€™s in their cases. A 12x10x10 box is perfect for storing audio CDā€™s in their cases if you donā€™t mind having a snug fit. It also works for storing papers and books, so itā€™s a highly versatile box size, but interestingly not available at my local UPS store. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/414 "2016-02-02T16:42:57Z")
Before cooking anything greasy/oily, wipe down the stove top with dish soap and leave it. Grease/oil will settle on top, instead of the finish. No splatters will get dry and stuck, even if you leave them to be cleaned later. Dry newspapers are probably one of the best ways to get the final super-clean and shiny look to any glass or mirror. Many garage door openers have a button mounted to the wall that will also lock the garage door and prevent the remotes outside the garage from working. For example, press the little lock symbol on the garage-wall-mounted control, then not worry that someone could break into your car outside and open the door with the remote. So many people do not know this. . ---
**Author:** ![BubbaPickles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8dc957/32.png) [@BubbaPickles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaPickles)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/415 "2016-02-02T19:24:55Z")
Iā€™ve been collecting these tips for many years. Hereā€™s a couple of my favorites: Computer tip: Instead of paying through the nose for one of those fancy encryption programs to protect your sensitive emails, set your font color to white. That way if your email gets lost or stolen, all the thief will see is a blank space! Also, disconnecting the black cable from the back of many computers will prevent most virus infections. Fancy coffee: If you have one of them newfangled multi-language coffee makers, you can make ā€˜specialtyā€™ coffees very easily. Pop in a vanilla-hazelnut coffee pod, set the language on the machine to French. Et voila! French Vanilla-Hazelnut coffee. Use a plain old ā€˜regularā€™ coffee pod, set the language to Spanish. Que Loco! Columbian Dark Roast. Hot chocolate + French = Swiss Chocolate. (as long as youā€™re not serving it to someone from Switzerland, you should be ok with this one) Arabica beans + German = Eiskaffee (let it get cold before serving) A nice frothy latte made in Spanish. Cafe con leche! Your guests will be really impressed. Just donā€™t get too carried away, Russian green tea (zelenyy chay) doesnā€™t usually go over well. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/416 "2016-02-02T19:57:47Z")
> [@moejoe](#): > > The little plastic tabs on the bread bags are color coded alphabetically by delivery day. If you want to buy the freshest bread, stand there in the aisle like a dork staring at the ceiling and singing the alphabet 'til you get to your day/color! > [@InsomniaMama](#): > > Iā€™m always up for being dorky. So, to clarify: > Blue ā€“ Monday > Green ā€“ Tuesday > Orange ā€“ Thursday > Yellow ā€“ Friday [QUOTE=moejoe] Exactly [/quote] šŸ˜• šŸ˜• šŸ˜• \*scrolls down thread to see if anyone else isnā€™t following along at home, so I donā€™t have to be the one to look stoopid \* : sigh : OK. Singing the goddam alphabet til I get to my day/color. Alphabet starts with ā€œAā€. There are no day names that start with ā€œAā€ although I guess there are a few colors ā€” amber, aqua, apricot ā€” ? OK, stare at what **INsomniaMama** wrote. Blue is Monday, apparently. Why the fuck is Blue Monday or vice versa? ā€œBā€ is second in the alphabet and Monday is second day of the week if you started with Sunday? Next line says Green is Tuesday. Green isā€¦ 7th letter in the alphabet. By what coherent logic is Green a Tuesday, then? Orange is ā€œOā€ which is 15th in the alphabet. Which tells me WHAT? How come I always feel like other peopleā€™s minds keep making right hand turns without a proper signal or something? :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/417 "2016-02-02T20:16:45Z")
Apparently, not a single person I know can: \> ā€˜open link in new tabā€™ by right clicking the link or setting a mouse short cut. Very helpful to never lose your starting point and not have to page back over and over and over \> highlight text and ā€˜search Google forā€™ it via a right click. Also, if you have more car seat memory settings than you have drivers, you can make one very far from the steering wheel for easy ingress/egress. Save that setting as 1, use it to get out of the car. Then you get in comfortably, too, and press 2 and automatically be positioned as you had saved that setting for driving. . ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2016, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/418 "2016-02-02T20:32:28Z")
When travelling I pack my computer/Kindle/phone chargers in empty toilet paper rolls. It cuts down on rustling in my carry-on to find a damn cord. Although, my brother did point out that a cord stuffed in a cylindrical object might look a little suspicious to TSA screeners šŸ™‚ ---
**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:** [February 3, 2016, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/419 "2016-02-03T00:07:16Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Wouldnā€™t it be easier (and less embarrassing) to just try them on?šŸ˜ƒ Depends on whether you want to go into a fitting room šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/420 "2016-02-03T01:22:54Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > šŸ˜• šŸ˜• šŸ˜• > > \*scrolls down thread to see if anyone else isnā€™t following along at home, so I donā€™t have to be the one to look stoopid \* > > : sigh : > > OK. Singing the goddam alphabet til I get to my day/color. Alphabet starts with ā€œAā€. There are no day names that start with ā€œAā€ although I guess there are a few colors ā€” amber, aqua, apricot ā€” ? > OK, stare at what **INsomniaMama** wrote. Blue is Monday, apparently. Why the fuck is Blue Monday or vice versa? ā€œBā€ is second in the alphabet and Monday is second day of the week if you started with Sunday? Next line says Green is Tuesday. Green isā€¦ 7th letter in the alphabet. By what coherent logic is Green a Tuesday, then? Orange is ā€œOā€ which is 15th in the alphabet. Which tells me WHAT? > > How come I always feel like other peopleā€™s minds keep making right hand turns without a proper signal or something? > > :mad: Youā€™re thinking too hard. Color names comes later in the alphabet = day baked comes later in the week. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959.md?page=22)