- 1 day ago
Are you using everyday objects the right way? Many common items in your home have features designed to simplify your life, but most of us overlook their true purpose. In this video, we reveal the secrets behind these ordinary objects and how they can save you time and effort. Discover the surprising ways you might have been using them all wrong and learn to harness their full potential.
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00:00Here's how you can protect your bank card from potential fraudsters.
00:04Use a marker and cover the last four digits.
00:06You can also use a sticker that's easy to remove and place it over the security code.
00:12Have you had a houseguest that didn't use a coaster?
00:14Get a hairdryer and hold it a couple of inches away from the stain.
00:18Blow it on medium heat for a couple of minutes to evaporate the watermark.
00:22If a faded ring remains, mix equal amounts of vinegar and olive oil in a bowl.
00:26So, wipe it onto the marked area and rub it in until the stain disappears.
00:30Then wipe it off.
00:32Don't waste time scrubbing the burnt stains off the bottom of a pan.
00:36Instead, fill it with water and add three tablespoons of salt.
00:40Let it sit overnight as the salt dissolves the burnt marks.
00:43And in the morning, pour the water out of the pan.
00:45This way, it will be much easier to scrub all that grease off.
00:49Picture this.
00:50You're on vacation and your shirt has become all crinkled inside the luggage.
00:54You need it tonight, but the hotel doesn't have an iron.
00:57Don't panic.
00:58Hang the shirt up in the bathroom.
01:00And while you relax in a hot shower, the heat and moisture will unwrinkle your shirt.
01:04It won't be perfect, but it will get much better without any effort.
01:08The football is on, and it turns out you've run out of standard batteries.
01:12You can use a smaller battery instead that easily fits inside.
01:16Now take some aluminum foil and crunch it up.
01:19Fit it into the gap on the negative or flat end of the battery.
01:22All done.
01:24You can turn on the TV now.
01:26Once your flip-flops crack and the plug easily slips out of the hole,
01:29it's normally a sign that you need a new pair.
01:32But there's a way to extend their mileage.
01:34Push the plug back through the hole, then take a bread clip and attach it to the end.
01:39The clip will provide enough support for the plug to remain in place.
01:43You've received a package and the receipt is taped on.
01:46You've managed to detach it from the box.
01:48But how to separate the tape without ripping the paper?
01:52Hold both ends of the tape apart, and by pulling it slowly,
01:55the tape stretches and separates itself from the paper without tearing it apart.
02:01Ziploc bags are perfect to keep things dry, but it would be great if they were larger.
02:06Take two and turn one of them inside out.
02:09They can now connect and work as one large bag, big enough to protect a keyboard.
02:14There's no need to carry your keys in your hand when you go for a job.
02:18Instead, put them inside your pocket, take a rubber band, then tie it around the pocket from the inside.
02:24This stops the keys from falling out.
02:27You've broken your key in the door.
02:29It's stuck.
02:30Great!
02:31Arranging for a locksmith could cost up to $100.
02:34But for a cheaper and quicker option, try using a hot glue stick.
02:38Heat the end with a lighter, and once it's warm enough to melt, push the glue into the keyhole.
02:43The melted glue will enter the available space, covering part of the key.
02:48Once it cools, it compresses and gains a strong hold of the key's end.
02:52Now, just pull it out.
02:55If you need to siphon liquid through a hose and want to avoid using your mouth,
02:59put one end in the liquid and hold the other upwards with your thumb closing the top.
03:04Now shake up and down.
03:05This jiggle motion pushes liquid upwards, a little each time.
03:09And once it reaches the top, lower the exit point and let gravity do the rest.
03:14You've left your keys locked inside the car.
03:17It's an older model with a roll-down window.
03:19You could get the coat hanger and begin the long process of finding the lock.
03:23Or use duct tape.
03:25Make about 20 2-foot-long strands.
03:27Stick them onto the window, allowing enough room for the tape to grab onto at the bottom.
03:32Then, with a friend, take the ends of the tape, holding them together, and pull downwards.
03:37The force will allow the window to lower enough that you can unlock the door.
03:42While drilling long screws into hardwood, your old drill might not have enough power,
03:46leaving them only halfway in.
03:49Before the drill gives up, get a block of wax and scrape the edges of the screws with it.
03:53The wax works like a lubricant, melting as it gets warm, and providing easy entry for the screw.
04:00You're out camping, but you didn't bring anything to light the barbecue.
04:04Take a small plastic bag that won't leak, fill it up with water, and close it tight, making a round
04:09bubble.
04:10Hold it over where you want to catch the light from the sun.
04:13The bag of water will work like a magnifying glass, starting up the barbecue, just as long as it's a
04:19sunny day.
04:20Missing a corkscrew or a cork breaking halfway?
04:23By using a stove lighter, heat the top of the bottle.
04:26The heat slightly expands the glass, and this forces the cork out the top.
04:31You've superglued your fingers again.
04:33Take some salt and pour it on top of your stuck fingers.
04:36Put your fingers into the water and slowly rub.
04:39The mixture will dissolve the glue and release you in no time.
04:43While hanging up a painting, it can be impossible to find that stubborn nail.
04:48Place a fork upside down and insert it so the nail is in between the middle fork teeth.
04:53The fork has provided a long arm that's separated from the wall, making it easier to slip the string of
04:59the painting over the nail.
05:00Once it's perfectly balanced, simply remove the fork.
05:06You need to put a cake into a container, but taking it out again later by lifting it up from
05:11the inside might ruin the cake.
05:13Put the lid upside down and place the cake on the lid.
05:16The base of the container is now the lid, making it much easier to access, slice by slice.
05:23Pour out water more efficiently from large jugs and bottles by swirling.
05:28This will make the liquid inside spin, creating a vortex.
05:32The vortex allows for the air to flow back into the bottle as the water pours out, much faster than
05:38the glugging alternative.
05:41There's an easier and less messy way to remove eggshells from a boiled egg.
05:45Once fully boiled, crack the shell on both ends by tapping them.
05:49On one end, pinch off the shell.
05:51Use the opened end to blow with your mouth.
05:53The force of air will push the flesh and expand the eggshell, forcing out the egg undamaged.
06:01When the hinges of your laptop break, repairing them can cost up to $300.
06:06A far cheaper fix is to buy a picture frame and tape it to the back of the screen.
06:12You've dropped a small piece of jewelry on the floor, seemingly impossible to find.
06:17Take a stocking and place it over the end of the vacuum hose.
06:20Give the area a good vacuum and check the end periodically.
06:23You will eventually find it sitting at the end.
06:26You've drilled a hole in the wall, but the drill hole is now too wide.
06:31Remove the screw and find an object that is slightly shorter and thinner.
06:35Pieces of plastic, small wires, paper clips, or even toothpicks are perfect.
06:40Place whichever item you find inside the hole.
06:42It's filled the gap enough so the screw will now re-enter securely.
06:46Taking the trash out can put you in a gross scenario of getting bin juice on you.
06:51A great way to avoid this is by placing old papers at the bottom of the bag.
06:55Now, not only does it absorb all the liquids from the food and other sources,
07:00but also helps prevent bad smells from forming within a bin.
07:04Nobody likes mosquitoes, and pesticides are pricey.
07:08A cheap alternative is to take a plastic bottle and cut the top part off from the bottom of the
07:13funnel.
07:14After removing it, turn it upside down and put it inside the bottle.
07:17Mix two cups of warm water with two tablespoons of sugar.
07:21The mosquitoes will be attracted to the formula inside and become trapped.
07:26Now just sit back and relax without getting bitten.
07:30Now bubble wrap wasn't invented just to keep your items neatly stored inside packages.
07:36It was for epic stress relief!
07:38Oh, and one other thing.
07:39Apparently, someone thought their house would look awesome with three-dimensional wallpaper.
07:44They were going to plaster painted bubble wrap all over the walls.
07:47It didn't work, so they tried selling it as greenhouse insulation.
07:51That failed too.
07:52But they nailed it on the third try.
07:55Small bubbles, big bubbles.
07:57Hey, what's your favorite?
07:59After downing a whole thing of mac and cheese, you've got to clean your teeth.
08:02It's a rule.
08:03Off you go to grab your blue toothbrush from the bathroom.
08:07Up and down, circles, rinse.
08:09Hey, good job!
08:10Now, how about a bit of mouthwash to keep your breath fresh?
08:14That mouthwash you're searching for wasn't always mouthwash.
08:17It used to be an antiseptic, you know, the type of thing doctors and nurses use to keep
08:23their hands bacteria-free.
08:25Mmm, minty.
08:27Mouthwash was also used as a floor cleaner and a cure for bad diseases.
08:31It was even marketed as a hair tonic.
08:33Hey, next time I clean my house and find myself out of cleaning products, I might just pop a
08:39few lidfuls of mouthwash into the bucket.
08:42Play-Doh.
08:43Yeah, you love it.
08:44I mean, it does whatever you want it to.
08:47Stretch it, sculpt it into a dinosaur, make the world's longest blue pasta-type thing.
08:52Just don't chuck it at the walls.
08:54Unless, yep, Play-Doh was initially supposed to be a wallpaper cleaner.
08:58And it wasn't until 20 years later that it became the clay we all love to squeeze into
09:04weird shapes.
09:05It was a popular way of getting all that soot off your wallpaper.
09:08Everyone was using coal to heat their houses back then.
09:11Rings are big business.
09:13People wear them for loads of different reasons.
09:15You even get one when you win a Super Bowl.
09:18Yippee!
09:18Back in the day, though, rings weren't just for show.
09:22Archers used to wear them to protect their fingers from their bowstrings.
09:25And people doing needlework used them to make sure they didn't hurt themselves.
09:30All while looking extra stylish.
09:32Egyptians used them as seals, a personal ring signature.
09:36You walk into your very nice Egyptian office thousands of years ago.
09:40Everything's made of gold for some reason.
09:42Your boss walks in.
09:43Sign this, please.
09:45And all you do is place a bit of wax on the paper and press your ring on it.
09:50Sweet!
09:51Great idea!
09:52What if you lose your ring, though?
09:53Along with Play-Doh, everyone loves a slinky.
09:56Especially when it's in a YouTube video with some funky music in the background.
10:01They were actually invented by accident.
10:03Back in the 1900s, an engineer was working hard at his desk to find a way to keep sensitive
10:09nautical equipment steady while the boat was swishing around all over the place.
10:14Instead, he came up with a fantastic toy.
10:17Find a treadmill, put a slinky on it, thank me later.
10:21Don't know where to store your freshly baked pie?
10:23Place it on a Frisbee if you want the chef to scream at you.
10:27In 1871, when Frisbees first came to be, that's exactly what they were used for, to serve pies.
10:34Here you go, your strawberry pie on a Frisbee tin.
10:37College students came up with a much better use for them, though.
10:41Can you do the thing where you throw it upside down?
10:44When you go to bed, you expect your pillow to be as soft as cotton.
10:48Or maybe you prefer it a bit stiffer.
10:51The first pillows, however, weren't fluffy-wuffy soft.
10:53They were as hard as stone, because, you know, they were literally made out of stone.
10:59They were designed to lift your head off the ground and stop little critters from crawling all over us.
11:06They eventually turned soft, thankfully.
11:09I don't think my neck could handle a stone pillow right now.
11:11I'm sore just thinking about it.
11:14Hey, if you're anything like me, aren't you glad you're not?
11:17You probably can't walk for even a few seconds in heels without falling over.
11:21I think even standing up might be a problem.
11:24Back in the 16th century, Persian soldiers used high heels to get more accuracy from their bows while on horseback.
11:32It helped them get that little bit taller.
11:35T-shirt.
11:35Now, why is that called a t-shirt?
11:37Come on, people!
11:38Well, they didn't used to call them that.
11:40These classics used to be standard-issue undershirts for the Navy.
11:45Back then, about 100 years ago, the word t-shirt wasn't even in the dictionary.
11:50Back in ancient Egypt, some people walked around with eye shadow.
11:54Now, you might think they were really ahead of the game when it came to fashion.
11:58That might be true, but mostly, they put it on to protect their eyes from the glare of the raging
12:03hot desert sun.
12:04No aviators back then.
12:06It was also used as a part of some ceremonies.
12:09We don't really know what they were doing or why, but for sure, they look good.
12:14Can't wait to see someone skiing down a hill with a face full of eye shadow.
12:19Okay, you're having memory problems.
12:21No worries, we've all been there.
12:24Where?
12:24I forget.
12:26Go to your drawer and grab a stack of…
12:28Yeah, those thingies!
12:30Post-its!
12:31Now, write yourself a note.
12:33I'm almost out of post-its.
12:35Ooh, very efficient.
12:36They were invented by accident by a scientist who was researching different glues.
12:40While he was trying out different mixtures, he discovered a special recipe for a glue that only stuck very lightly
12:47to most surfaces.
12:48He was actually trying to do the opposite – find the recipe for the biggest, baddest glue ever.
12:53One that could hold up framed paintings.
12:56Still, I'd argue that post-its are probably way better than an adhesive that strong.
13:02A Kleenex comes in handy anywhere, especially if you just bit into a hot dog and mustard is oozing all
13:09over your hands.
13:11They weren't originally thought to be multipurpose.
13:13They were originally invented to be a cold cream remover.
13:17What a weird specific use.
13:18Over the years, people started using them for anything and everything they could think of, especially as a disposable handkerchief.
13:26When their marketing team took notice of this, they rebranded them into what we know and love – Kleenex tissues.
13:33How generic!
13:35You're trying to blend in and look cool at a restaurant, and you spill your drink all over the tablecloth.
13:41Uh-oh, you were originally going to order water, but the waitress convinced you to order their new cherry-infused
13:47something-or-other.
13:48That's going to stain like crazy.
13:51Well, not to worry.
13:52Cellophane was designed to tackle this exact issue.
13:55The idea was to wrap the tablecloth with it, and then any and all spills could be white-clean.
14:01It didn't quite work out.
14:02But instead, we found a great new purpose for it.
14:05Storing food, and it does the job perfectly.
14:08Plus, it's great for the odd prank now and then.
14:11You know what I mean.
14:12You know pom-poms on caps?
14:14If you've ever wondered what those are for, they're just decorative.
14:17Still, sailors used to use them a bit differently.
14:21They use them as sort of antennas, the way animals do to sense if an object is too close to
14:26them.
14:27Insects have them.
14:28Cats and other small mammals use their long whiskers to test if they can squeeze into a tight spot.
14:34And humans have pom-poms.
14:37Thanks to them, no more bumps on the head.
14:39The small square patches, on a lot of backpacks nowadays, are mostly decorative.
14:45Still, they used to be nice little gadgets for outdoorsy people.
14:48They used to tie extra equipment onto those squares, or use them to tie their muddy sneakers onto.
14:54They might have lost their usage over the years, but they kept their funny name.
14:58You can call them lash tabs or pig snouts.
15:03A good pair of sunglasses completes any outfit.
15:06They're not just for show.
15:08A lot of professionals rely on them.
15:10Professional drivers, pilots, construction workers – they all use them to make their jobs safer.
15:16About a thousand years ago, judges used to wear them.
15:19Picture this.
15:20You're in a 12th century trial.
15:22Wonder how the judge is going to rule on this one?
15:25You try really hard to guess what the judge is thinking, but you can't.
15:29The judge has sunglasses on, the perfect way to hide your face while you interrogate someone.
15:37Many shirts have two buttons on the cuffs, but only one buttonhole.
15:41So what is the second button for?
15:45Turns out you can use it whenever you're wearing a watch, so the cuff is looser.
15:50Most clothing items you buy come with a small bag of fabric or a button, or both.
15:56Buttons obviously can be used as a replacement if you lose the original ones.
16:01Pieces of fabric can be used to patch up a hole, but most importantly, it's a tester.
16:07You can use it to test different washing products on it and see what happens to the fabric.
16:13Some umbrellas have a tip at the top, and it turns out it's not just a pretty design.
16:19When going inside on a rainy day, you should just close your umbrella and tap the tip against the floor
16:25to drain the water faster and more effectively.
16:29Many backpacks have this diamond with two parallel cutout slits on its front, and it's there for your comfort.
16:36You can attach something to it, like a water bottle or shoes.
16:40It comes especially handy if you travel somewhere or go hiking, so you don't have to hold your stuff.
16:48Okay, the next thing is gear loops, and probably from the name of it, you already have an idea what
16:54they're there for.
16:55You can strap in some useful gear you need to have with you, like trekking poles or shovels.
17:01Some gear will need to be secured to do it.
17:03Drop the handle through the loop and rotate it upward.
17:06Then, secure it with the elastic hook at the top, and you're golden.
17:12On the back of many makeup and hygiene products, you can find this symbol with a marking, like 6M, 12M,
17:20and 24M.
17:22This is the number of months this product can serve after you open it and before you should throw it
17:28out.
17:29The two sides of a cotton pad are different because each of them has a particular purpose.
17:35A cotton pad has several layers to ensure that it's soft, strong, and can absorb liquids.
17:42The edge is stitched to hold it all together.
17:45The smooth side of a pad is for applying products, like tonics and lotions.
17:50And the embossed side is best for cleansing and makeup removal.
17:55Also, any pack of cotton pads has those strings on the sides.
18:00They're there so you can hang the package somewhere.
18:03Then, you can open the package at the bottom, where the perforated line is, and take them out.
18:09Did you know that there is an efficient way to pull a thread from yarn?
18:13When you pull from the outside, the yarn rolls away, so you need to hold it.
18:18However, if you pull it from the center, it will stay together.
18:23We're all familiar with staplers, but I bet you don't know all its secrets.
18:28Most staplers have a compartment to store spare staples, which can be located either on top or at the bottom.
18:36Also, surprise!
18:38This metal plate you press staples against can be turned around.
18:41This way, the device will be able to staple your documents by turning the metal ends outwards.
18:48No need to wonder whether you need to get a smaller or bigger container.
18:52Turns out, plastic food containers have volume measurements on their bottoms, indicating how much food they can fit.
19:00Ceiling fans come with a small switch on the inside of the blade.
19:04You might not have noticed it because it's not in plain sight, so check yours out.
19:08This switch allows you to change the direction of rotation.
19:13Now, why would you want to do that?
19:15The blades of a fan push the air in different directions, depending on the way they rotate.
19:21In the summer, you need the air to be pushed down to create the effect of a breeze.
19:27In the winter, the direction should be changed so that the air is pushed towards the ceiling.
19:32It then heats up before going down the walls.
19:37Have you noticed that the gas tank sign on cars' dashboards has a little arrow next to it?
19:43Well, this arrow has a purpose.
19:46It points at the side of the car where the gas tank is located.
19:50It's very useful for forgetful people who constantly wonder where their gas tank is,
19:55and also for those who drive rentals once in a while.
19:58The answer is right in front of your eyes.
20:00If you can't find the arrow on your panel, then the fuel hose on the icon indicates the side instead.
20:09All car tires have 12-digit numbers printed on them,
20:12and they're actually important codes for car owners if they want to get the right tire.
20:18The first letter identifies the type of tire.
20:21P stands for a tire for light passenger cars, and LT is for heavy vehicles.
20:27Then, the following numbers stand for the width of the tire, its radial, and its diameter.
20:35Measuring tapes have that metal stud on the end,
20:38which you can use to attach the tape to the surface you measure.
20:41This way, you don't need to hold it yourself.
20:44But there's also a small slot, which can be used to hang the tape on a nail,
20:49again to free your hands and keep measuring.
20:53The bottom of the end of the tape has a ridged edge.
20:57It will help you make a mark if you don't have a marking tool with you.
21:01On the tape, there are black diamonds that are placed every 19.2 inches.
21:07They're useful for construction workers when spacing engineering joists.
21:12They can also be useful for you if you want to hang something heavy, for example.
21:17The diamond will mark the exact center of a wooden joist.
21:20Those are placed 16 inches apart from one another.
21:24There, you can drill something to that center
21:27to make sure whatever you hang is safely attached to the joist
21:30instead of the unreliable thin wall.
21:33Pictures will survive, but it's particularly important if you're hanging something heavy.
21:39Did you know that batteries have an expiration date?
21:43Yes, it's printed right on their label, but I've never noticed it before.
21:48The expiration date doesn't mean you can't use it after that.
21:52It's more like a recommended usage period,
21:55after which the manufacturer can't guarantee full battery life
22:00due to deteriorated components.
22:04These little feet keyboards have are actually a standard.
22:09The height of a keyboard should be adjustable,
22:12allowing the angle between 0 degrees and 15 degrees.
22:16The reason to fold the feet out is for you to see the keys better,
22:21in case you don't type blindly.
22:24A little problem that comes with it is that, in this case, your wrists are bent.
22:30And it's not good to keep them in this position for a long time.
22:35Pans have those holes on the ends of their handles.
22:39They're not just there for you to hang them.
22:41You can also place your cooking spoon in there.
22:44It'll hang right above the pan, and the sauce will not spill around.
22:50Make sure to tap off the sauce or food beforehand, though,
22:54so that it doesn't go down the spoon's handle.
22:58Stickers with numbers you can find on fruits
23:01can tell you some information on how the food was grown.
23:06A 4-digit code that starts with a 4
23:09means that the fruit was grown conventionally,
23:13meaning it contains chemicals and pesticides.
23:16So your best choice should be a fruit with a 5-digit number.
23:21And if you see the number 9,
23:23it indicates that the fruit is certified organic.
23:28On the bottom of plastic bottles,
23:30you can often notice a mark of a triangle
23:34with a number engraved in the middle.
23:37This number specifies the type of plastic
23:40that was used to produce the bottle.
23:43These codes help people and local recycling centers
23:46to sort returns.
23:49Products that were made of plastic of types 1 and 2
23:53are the easiest ones to recycle.
23:56Plastics of types 3 through 7 are tougher to recycle.
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