# What's your best practical tip for around the house? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 18, 2010, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899 "2010-05-18T16:26:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Heckity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Heckity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heckity)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/1 "2010-05-18T16:26:57Z")
I’ve told a few people of my practice of taping a product receipt under the product itself - in case it needs to be returned. I taped a receipt to a “life time warranty” office chair many years ago. When it fell apart 10 years after purchase - there was my receipt - and the store replaced it with an upgrade as the model had changed. So what practical every day thing do you do that others might benefit from copying? ---
**Author:** ![SecondJudith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@SecondJudith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecondJudith)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/2 "2010-05-18T16:43:53Z")
Not an everyday tip, but last weekend we hosted an all-day barbecue party, and we stuck our heads into the kitchen every two hours or so to do a load of washing-up or clear out empty bottles. It was amazing how little cleaning we had to do at the end of the night when we’d been doing it in little pieces all day. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/3 "2010-05-18T16:45:50Z")
> [@Heckity](#): > > I’ve told a few people of my practice of taping a product receipt under the product itself - in case it needs to be returned. I taped a receipt to a “life time warranty” office chair many years ago. When it fell apart 10 years after purchase - there was my receipt - and the store replaced it with an upgrade as the model had changed. > > So what practical every day thing do you do that others might benefit from copying? That is an awesome tip! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/4 "2010-05-18T17:36:10Z")
Whenever I wash a set of sheets, I fold everything up, except one pillow case, then stuff the folded, washed sheets and pillow case into the remaining one. If I don’t do this, I wind up with all different kinds of sheets - different patterns, textures, etc. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/5 "2010-05-18T17:53:52Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > Whenever I wash a set of sheets, I fold everything up, except one pillow case, then stuff the folded, washed sheets and pillow case into the remaining one. If I don’t do this, I wind up with all different kinds of sheets - different patterns, textures, etc. I can tell I’m going to love this thread. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/6 "2010-05-18T18:04:13Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > Whenever I wash a set of sheets, I fold everything up, except one pillow case, then stuff the folded, washed sheets and pillow case into the remaining one. If I don’t do this, I wind up with all different kinds of sheets - different patterns, textures, etc. That’s a really smart idea! Thank you. I don’t think I have any tips because I am am totally inept at home making 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/7 "2010-05-18T18:09:15Z")
After I get back from shopping, if it’s something I’ve completely run out of, I’ll “start” the container as I put it away (i.e., double-sealed items (seasoning), milk, paper towels soap pads, etc.). That way, as I’m cooking and cleaning, I don’t have to interrupt what I’m doing to get to it to use it. Also, putting all your socks into a net bag before going into the laundry makes it less work to sort them, and there’s less likelihood you’ll lose them. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/8 "2010-05-18T18:11:01Z")
Tip: ‘There are people who do that.’ ---
**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/9 "2010-05-18T18:22:31Z")
This sounds so silly, but I know my sister-in-law never used to do it and it’s really cut how much time she spends on laundry: hang socks out to dry in pairs, and fold everything as you take it off the line (or out of the dryer, if you’re American) instead of throwing it into the basket and then folding it later. It makes a one minute job into a two minute job, but it saves you another job later. ---
**Author:** ![palindromemordnilap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@palindromemordnilap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palindromemordnilap)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/10 "2010-05-18T18:41:43Z")
> [@Teacake](#): > > This sounds so silly, but I know my sister-in-law never used to do it and it’s really cut how much time she spends on laundry: hang socks out to dry in pairs, and fold everything as you take it off the line (or out of the dryer, if you’re American) instead of throwing it into the basket and then folding it later. It makes a one minute job into a two minute job, but it saves you another job later. This doesn’t really work for the dryer though, since socks are all jumbled up and hanging onto other clothes; and also because most dryers are front-load, which means you have bend over to pull stuff out – better to get it all out at once, and sort through everything as you’re watching TV. On the subject of laundry, I bought two laundry baskets which I use as hampers–one for whites and the other for colors. Now I don’t have to sort them before doing laundry, and I can do a load of either when the time is right rather than doing them both at the same time. I also separate silverware as I put it into the dishwasher, which seems easier than sorting it as I unload. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/11 "2010-05-18T19:20:03Z")
If you have something you need to dry relatively quickly (like a pair of jeans), throw a dry big fluffy towel in the dryer with them. It cuts the drying time considerably. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/12 "2010-05-18T19:30:14Z")
Plastic bags from the grocery store make nifty waste-basket liners. You can lift the trash out of the waste-basket with the handles, and the waste-basket stays clean! And a personal fave, every recipe that calls for raisins will be improved by using dried cherries instead. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/13 "2010-05-18T19:36:10Z")
Or dried cranberries. ---
**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:** [May 18, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/14 "2010-05-18T19:41:02Z")
I keep a set of cleaning supplies every place that regularly needs cleaning - under the kitchen counter, in each of our two bathrooms, and downstairs. When I see the bathroom sink needs a scrub, I do it right then and there, instead of wandering off somewhere to get a cleaner and likely not getting back to it. If doing a massive clean is daunting, just clean a little every day - give yourself one or two jobs and make sure you do those. Liquid dishwashing soap is _excellent_ for getting grease and various other stains off of clothing. I keep a bottle by my washing machine for this. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/15 "2010-05-18T19:42:43Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > If you have something you need to dry relatively quickly (like a pair of jeans), throw a dry big fluffy towel in the dryer with them. It cuts the drying time considerably. Also, if you have something that dried with a lot of wrinkles in it and you don’t want to iron it, toss it back in the dryer with a damp washcloth. It will ease out a lot of the wrinkles and you can either wear the garment as is or just touch it up. Also works for blue jeans that dried all twisty and crushed. ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/16 "2010-05-18T19:49:52Z")
Kitchen drain running slowly? Make a paste of lemon juice and baking soda, about 1/2 cup worth. Put it on the drain, pour about a cup of white vinegar over it. Fun bubbles and foam, cleans grease, and smells good. Use coffee filters between your fine china place settings to prevent scratches. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/17 "2010-05-18T20:01:46Z")
Empty the dishwasher and take out the trash, without fail. Leaving these two things undone makes every other thing start to build up, and before you know it the job is overwhelming. If the dishwasher has been emptied, then you can just drop that plate into it, instead of letting the sink get backed up with dishes. . . and so forth. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/18 "2010-05-18T20:08:46Z")
If there’s a lot of dried-on crud in your microwave, take a decent-sized absorbent hand/kitchen towel, get it nice and wet (not pouring-down wet, just dripping some and evenly wet), then throw it in your microwave and nuke it for 90 seconds to two minutes. Open the microwave, let the towel cool down a little (pull it out by a corner if you want to spread it out to help speed the process), then take the warm damp towel and use it to wipe down the crudded-up surfaces, which should now be not so dried on after that steam treatment. Rewet and repeat if it’s more dried on than that. Also, maybe once a week or so, do the same thing to your kitchen sponge, if you use one for cleaning dishes/countertops. Wet it, squeeze some water so it’s just heavily damp, nuke for 2 min, let cool. Kills any germ buildup that was happening and increases the usable time before you should really throw it out. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/19 "2010-05-18T21:02:24Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > If there’s a lot of dried-on crud in your microwave, take a decent-sized absorbent hand/kitchen towel, get it nice and wet (not pouring-down wet, just dripping some and evenly wet), then throw it in your microwave and nuke it for 90 seconds to two minutes. Open the microwave, let the towel cool down a little (pull it out by a corner if you want to spread it out to help speed the process), then take the warm damp towel and use it to wipe down the crudded-up surfaces, which should now be not so dried on after that steam treatment. Rewet and repeat if it’s more dried on than that. > > Also, maybe once a week or so, do the same thing to your kitchen sponge, if you use one for cleaning dishes/countertops. Wet it, squeeze some water so it’s just heavily damp, nuke for 2 min, let cool. Kills any germ buildup that was happening and increases the usable time before you should really throw it out. I do something similar: boil water in a pyrex measuring cup for 5 minutes in the microwave and let it sit for another 10 minutes with the door closed as everything softens up. Sometimes I even remember to wipe it down afterwards. ---
**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:** [May 18, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899/20 "2010-05-18T21:05:37Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Empty the dishwasher and take out the trash, without fail. Leaving these two things undone makes every other thing start to build up, and before you know it the job is overwhelming. If the dishwasher has been emptied, then you can just drop that plate into it, instead of letting the sink get backed up with dishes. . . and so forth. That’s good advice; I’m a “clean as you go” person, too - take the dirty dishes back to the kitchen, put stuff away right away, etc. to keep things from piling up and turning your house into chaos. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-best-practical-tip-for-around-the-house/539899.md?page=2)