# 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:** 9
**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:** [February 4, 2013, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/161 "2013-02-04T23:31:29Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > Cut a rectangular piece 3 times the size you need, then fold it in thirds… When the two exposed rough surfaces are used up, refold to expose the final fresh one. Why bother? Just wrap the sandpaper around a block of wood. You know… a sanding block. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/162 "2013-02-05T00:20:23Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Do not go out & buy spray glass cleaner. > Buy sprayer bottle & a one gallon jug of _white_ vinegar. > > Dilute 50/50%. > > It is also a decent spot remover, & freshens sneaker smell. I use white vinegar and baking soda to clean my toilet. Quarter cup of baking soda, cup of white vinegar, let it sit for five minutes and brush. You can also use white vinegar to remove hard water deposits from your shower head. Fill a plastic bag full enough to cover the shower head and hold it in place with a rubber band. Let soak for an hour or two. ---
**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 5, 2013, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/163 "2013-02-05T00:26:12Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Why bother? Just wrap the sandpaper around a block of wood. You know… a sanding block. Rubbed me the wrong way as well. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/164 "2013-02-05T00:56:52Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Why bother? Just wrap the sandpaper around a block of wood. One you do, it no longer seems interested in conforming to a non-planar surface. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/165 "2013-02-05T00:57:49Z")
Cartons of copy paper have that plastic band around them. To remove: 1. Turn box over 2. Find the tab below the heat seal. The bottom end is longer than the top. 3. Turn strap so that you can grasp the bottom tab with thumb and forefinger 4. Pull straight out or slightly backwards The strap will pop off. I have seen boxes with their covers mutilated because people making 6 figures couldn’t figure out how to open the box. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/166 "2013-02-05T01:47:22Z")
This was probably already known by most people here, but since a friend expressed amazement at being unaware of it… If you mouse-click somewhere in a text-entry box, the cursor appears there. Duh. But if you double-click, it highlights the word. Sort of duh. But if you _triple click_ (which usually has to be fairly rapid), depending on the application, it will either highlight the whole line, whole paragraph, or whole page. For example, with FireFox’s URL box, one click places your cursor, two clicks highlights a word between punctuation, and three quick clicks highlights the whole URL. ETA: And it’s not only text-entry boxes, you can practice the triple-click on this very post you’re reading, and you should see that it highlights whole paragraphs. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/167 "2013-02-05T04:03:23Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > But if you double-click, it highlights the word. Did you know that if you Shift-Cursor, you can expand or contract the highlight one character at a time. But if you Ctrl-Shift-Cursor\* you expand and contract one word at a time? \*Option-Shift-Cursor for Macs ---
**Author:** ![Dancer\_Flight](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dancer_flight/32/7601_2.png) [@Dancer\_Flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dancer_Flight)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/168 "2013-02-05T04:33:15Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > Cartons of copy paper have that plastic band around them. > To remove: > > 1. Turn box over > 2. Find the tab below the heat seal. The bottom end is longer than the top. > 3. Turn strap so that you can grasp the bottom tab with thumb and forefinger > 4. Pull straight out or slightly backwards > > The strap will pop off. > > I have seen boxes with their covers mutilated because people making 6 figures couldn’t figure out how to open the box. Pull box cutter from back pocket, thumb blade open, slice band off, allow blade to retract, return knife, dispose of band. Takes 2 seconds and much less lifting. Where I work, everyone has a knife on their person. -DF ---
**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:** [February 5, 2013, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/169 "2013-02-05T23:01:38Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > I also use the [Chisanbop](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chisenbop) method of counting on my fingers; I’ve never encountered anyone else who does this, but it’s pretty handy (hur hur). I count this way all the time; ever since I saw it on Johnny Carson! :eek: ---
**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:** [February 5, 2013, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/170 "2013-02-05T23:08:54Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > I keep the whole roll at the bottom of the trash can. > > Better yet, keep the floor clear, memorize the way to the bathroom and keep the lights out, sit down when you pee, remember not to fall asleep and hit your head on the floor, and then back to bed without ever really waking up fully. Or like I have in my house is a nightlight that is motion sensitive. It barely gives off enough light to see; so it does not sear your eyeballs with blinding light. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2013, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/171 "2013-02-05T23:13:22Z")
My tip is when you have to open a box or a package of lawn bags that have that plastic band wrapped around them that is impossible to break with your hands. Find where the strap is glued onto itself, and flip it to reveal the underside. There is always a tab of unglued strap that you can pull on and undo the plastic band. Or to quote from [ehow.com](http://ehow.com): “Remove stiff plastic bands that typically bind cardboard containers by hand. Twist the band where it overlaps to expose the back side of the poly strapping. Pull the loose end of the strap away from the bind to separate the overlapped ends. The poly strapping will snap and fall off the box as you pull it apart.” ---
**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:** [February 5, 2013, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/172 "2013-02-05T23:14:22Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > Cartons of copy paper have that plastic band around them. > To remove: > > 1. Turn box over > 2. Find the tab below the heat seal. The bottom end is longer than the top. > 3. Turn strap so that you can grasp the bottom tab with thumb and forefinger > 4. Pull straight out or slightly backwards > > The strap will pop off. > > I have seen boxes with their covers mutilated because people making 6 figures couldn’t figure out how to open the box. Crap! ---
**Author:** ![MacCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maccat/32/216_2.png) [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/173 "2013-02-05T23:23:11Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > I count this way all the time; ever since I saw it on Johnny Carson! :eek: Was that the show when the young girl (I believe) was able to calculate big multiplications on just her fingers? ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/174 "2013-02-06T00:02:18Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > I count this way all the time; ever since I saw it on Johnny Carson! :eek: Me too! 🆒 > [@Xema](#): > > One you do, it no longer seems interested in conforming to a non-planar surface. Then wrap it around a firm sponge. ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/175 "2013-02-06T00:04:01Z")
> [@MacCat](#): > > Was that the show when the young girl (I believe) was able to calculate big multiplications on just her fingers? I think so. I’ve never learned how to multiply/divide with Chisanbop, though. I really need to, I suck at basic math. ---
**Author:** ![tomcar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tomcar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomcar)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/176 "2013-02-06T02:07:32Z")
If you ever get a rental car or a borrow a car and can’t find the gas cover release, put a key in the crease and pry open the cover gently. Blue shop towels are great screen cleaners. They also are great dusters. Blue shop towels are like duct tape in terms of versatility. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/177 "2013-02-06T03:38:05Z")
For cleaning baked-on burnt food from cookware, oven cleaner does a great job. Alternatively you can dissolve some lye crystals (i.e. drain cleaner such as Drano) in a bit of water and let the burnt-on food soak in that. After soaking, rinse with LOTS of fresh water. The burnt-on food should now peel off easily. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/178 "2013-02-06T03:47:56Z")
> [@Iggy](#): > > For cleaning baked-on burnt food from cookware, oven cleaner does a great job. Alternatively you can dissolve some lye crystals (i.e. drain cleaner such as Drano) in a bit of water and let the burnt-on food soak in that. > > After soaking, rinse with LOTS of fresh water. The burnt-on food should now peel off easily. those are hazardous chemicals. dangerous to skin, other body parts. very dangerous to eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Kansas\_Beekeeper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kansas\_Beekeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kansas_Beekeeper)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/179 "2013-02-06T04:06:31Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > those are hazardous chemicals. dangerous to skin, other body parts. very dangerous to eyes. To clean dirty beeswax from the frames that hold the foundation and comb on the inside of beehives, tear the comb and foundation from the frames, then boil the frames in lye water in a 55 gallon barrel over a fire. (Wire the frames together before you put them in so you can get them out easily.) Then hose the frames off when you take them out and let them dry for a few days. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2013, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959/180 "2013-02-06T04:12:15Z")
If you’re running a MinGW msys shell on Windows, you can type “cmd” in the prompt and since cmd.exe is in your path, it will give you a Windows command prompt. But not just that, this command prompt still has the environment variables retained from the msys session. So if you’re doing development with MinGW gcc, and need to run a batch file (for Windows configuration of a library release or something), you can preserve the necessary variables of your dev environment, or just avoid opening a new window by navigating to the directory and typing “cmd”! Well… **I** certainly found it really useful recently, and I’d wager most of you didn’t know about it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neat-useful-tricks-that-you-think-most-people-are-not-aware-of/648959.md?page=10)