More on running a home
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Start with a chef's knife, a bread knife, and a paring knife.
These three cover almost everything you would want to do in the kitchen.
- One person noted that omitting a cleaver is blasphemy for Chinese cooks.
3 people, independently
Keep eggshells out of the garbage disposal.
They do not sharpen blades and might damage the unit over time or create a mess.
- Some users report their specific disposals tore up eggshells without issue.
4 people, independently
Place a damp (not dripping) washcloth, sock, or t-shirt in the dryer with wrinkled dry clothes to remove wrinkles.
The moisture spreads between items during the cycle, acting like a fabric steamer.
- Special fabrics, sweaters, and dresses may be ruined by this method.
- Do not use dripping wet items.
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- Toss a couple of ice cubes into the dryer with wrinkled clothes to help remove wrinkles.3
Collect used cooking grease in an old jar with a lid, store it until full, then discard the sealed container.
This method prevents smells and contains the waste safely.
- Some users store the jar in the freezer; others leave it on the counter.
6 people, independently
Tape the included Allen wrench to the back or side of the furniture so it is available for future moves or adjustments.
It ensures you have the tool when needed.
- The metal may be poor quality and round out easily.
- You may forget where it is taped later.
5 people, independently
- Secure the included hex keys to the bottom or rear of the assembled furniture for easy future access.6
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Replace the locks right away after purchasing a new home.
There is no way to know who else might possess keys to the property.
6 people, independently
Use a cordless drill with hex bits or a ratcheting screwdriver for faster assembly.
Cuts assembly time compared to hand tools.
- Start threads by hand to avoid cross-threading.
- Adjust torque on power drills to prevent stripping.
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Maintain sharp blades, as dull ones tend to be riskier.
Blunt edges demand greater force, which can reduce control and increase the chance of slipping; this may result in worse injuries than a sharp blade would.
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- Keep blades sharp to ensure safe and effective cutting.4
Avoid posting photos of your house or work keys on social media.
Duplicates can be created from images; some people have successfully made copies based solely on cellphone pictures.
- Some locksmiths refuse to make keys based on pictures.
4 people, independently
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Apply WD-40 to your snow shovel prior to use so snow does not adhere.
The snow slides off faster and more easily, reducing the need to knock it off manually.
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Expect cuts from sharp knives to heal faster and leave fewer scars because they cause less tearing than dull knives.
A clean, precise cut causes less damage and tearing than jagged cuts from dull blades.
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Use the spine or dull edge of a knife to push food off a cutting board.
It prevents dulling the blade and avoids scraping bits of the board into your food.
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Purchase a plunger before an emergency occurs so you do not have to make a last-minute trip to the store.
It is preferable to possess the tool without requiring it, rather than needing it while lacking the tool.
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Purchase knives one at a time as specific needs emerge, instead of buying a complete set upfront.
This ensures you only acquire the tools you truly require; many people never use every blade in a pre-planned collection.
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Store folded bed linen sets inside one of their matching pillowcases to save space and keep items together.
It prevents searching for matching sets and keeps the bedding organized.
7 people, independently
Close or cover the sink drain before handling small parts or jewelry near it.
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Extinguish candles by dabbing the wick with melted wax using a tool like a pen cap or pencil tip, rather than blowing them out.
The wax prevents smelly smoke.
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Select a flange-style plunger featuring an additional rim or cylindrical section for use in toilets.
This design creates a seal against the toilet's curved outlet and performs better than standard cup plungers.
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Use wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets to eliminate static and wrinkles without waxy buildup.
Dryer sheets leave a waxy buildup on clothes and dryers.
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When disassembling furniture for moving, place all nuts, bolts, and fasteners in a bag and tape it to one of the legs.
Prevents losing parts during reassembly.
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Do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets on towels.
These products break down fibers and reduce absorbency over time.
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Mount knives on a magnetic wall bar to stop edge wear.
Blades contact only food and sharpening stones, avoiding unnecessary dulling.
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Avoid hovering over or constantly supervising workers while they are working.
Hovering is annoying, uncomfortable, and applies pressure; monitoring via cameras or checking occasionally is acceptable.
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Untwist garments by shaking them when transferring from washer to dryer.
This stops clothes from remaining in wet clumps, allowing faster drying and reducing wrinkles.
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Hone your knife before and after each use to keep the edge aligned.
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Start with a cheap set of knives and replace individual tools with quality versions only when they break or are used frequently.
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Repurpose plastic bags from the supermarket as trash liners to save money and cut down on litter.
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Skip manual can openers from dollar stores; they may be dull and ineffective.
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Consider Victorinox Fibrox knives for their quality, reliability, and sharpness relative to their price.
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Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed during a power outage to preserve cold air.
Opening the door lets cold air escape; keeping it shut keeps food cool for hours or days.
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Install fans blowing air away from your seating area to prevent mosquitoes from approaching.
Mosquitoes are poor fliers and cannot fly in strong wind.
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Once you switch off the oven, leave the door slightly open so leftover heat can escape into the room.
The released heat helps warm the house a little.
- Ensure the oven is turned off before leaving the door open.
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Light an incense stick or candle and observe the smoke or flame direction to pinpoint where drafts are entering.
The opposite direction of the smoke or flame indicates the source of the draft.
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Install high-quality mosquito nets or screens on windows and beds to physically block entry.
Correctly installed netting prevents new mosquitoes from entering.
3 people, independently
Hang dry clothes to extend their lifespan and save on energy costs.
Excessive heat can damage fabric longevity.
3 people, independently
Pack black electrical tape for vacations to cover irritating lights in hotel rooms like smoke detectors, AC units, phones, and door cracks to improve sleep.
It helps you fall asleep and stay asleep by blocking ambient light from electronics that towels cannot easily cover.
4 people, independently
Point a flashlight towards a white or light-colored ceiling to illuminate a room evenly and reduce shadows.
Reflection and diffusion of light makes it easier on the eyes, eliminates shadows, helps identify items, and makes the environment feel less creepy.
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Review your lease and building regulations before setting up a portable washer, as some landlords ban them.
Violating these rules in many condos or apartments can lead to eviction.
3 people, independently
Clear every pool of stagnant water on your land, such as in gutters or shaded spots, to lower mosquito numbers.
Mosquitoes deposit eggs in pooled water, even inside tiny vessels like a bottlecap.
3 people, independently
Vacuum up fruit flies or mosquitoes using a handheld vacuum cleaner.
4 people, independently
Wrap exposed pipes with foam pool noodles and zip ties to prevent freezing.
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Check if snow melts unevenly on a roof compared to neighbors; this may indicate poor insulation, though sun exposure or roof heating systems can also cause melting.
Heat leaking through bad insulation melts snow, while good insulation keeps it intact.
3 people, independently
Uncover window coverings while it is light outside to allow solar heat into the house, and draw them back when darkness falls.
Allowing daylight in can assist with warming the interior.
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Place a computer in a small room to use the heat generated by its components for warming the space.
Computer hardware, such as GPUs, emits significant heat that can raise room temperature.
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Check digital clocks on appliances like stoves, microwaves, or alarms for blinking lights or incorrect times to detect power loss.
Appliances without battery backup will reset or flash after a power interruption.
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Reprogram your garage door opener upon moving into a new house to erase previously programmed remotes.
You cannot rely on prior owners having surrendered every remote, particularly those integrated into vehicles.
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Create a portable heat source by filling a cloth bag or tube sock with rice or non-poppable corn kernels, sewing/tieing it shut, and microwaving it.
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Install a door sweep and adhesive weatherstripping to seal gaps under and around doors.
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Keep sandwich bags filled with water in the freezer to act as thermal mass during outages; they keep the freezer colder longer and provide drinking water if needed.
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Connect a radio to the outlet under repair and increase the volume until it is audible near the breaker box; toggle switches until the audio cuts out to locate the active circuit.
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Block drafts at the bottom of doors and sliding glass doors by using draft stoppers or piling throw pillows along the base.
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Tap or knock on the wall to listen for sound differences; hollow sounds indicate no stud, while solid sounds indicate a stud.
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Be aware that high heat production from activities like crypto mining or growing marijuana can mimic signs of poor insulation.
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