You use them all the time—plungers, cereal boxes, even soda cans—but what if you’ve been doing it wrong? Many household items have built-in features and smarter ways to use them that most people overlook. From securing your straw in a soda can to keeping your cake fresh longer, these small tweaks can save time, prevent messes, and make life a little easier. Ready to change the way you use common items? Let’s dive into 20+ things you’ve been doing wrong—and the simple fixes that will surprise you!
1. The Correct Way to Use a Plunger
Most people grab the first plunger they see, but not all are meant for the same job. A cup plunger (flat bottom) works for sinks and bathtubs, while a flange plunger (with an extended rubber flap) is designed for toilets. If you’ve been struggling with clogs, it might be because you’re using the wrong one. To get the best seal, make sure to submerge the rubber in water before plunging.
2. The Right Way to Store Peanut Butter
Tired of the oil separating in natural peanut butter? Instead of stirring endlessly, store the jar upside down. This redistributes the oil throughout the butter, making it smooth when you open it. No more messy, uneven spreads—just flip and enjoy.
3. Why Your Bobby Pins Keep Falling Out
If you place bobby pins with the wavy side up, they’re more likely to slip. The grooved side should face down for better grip against the hair. This small adjustment can make your hairstyles last longer with fewer pins.
4. The Best Way to Pour Milk and Juice
Ever noticed how milk or juice glugs when you pour? That happens because of air trying to get into the container. Instead of pouring with the spout on the bottom, tilt the carton so the spout is on top. This allows air to flow smoothly, preventing spills and splashes.
5. How to Use a Can Opener More Efficiently
If you’re placing the can opener on the side, you’re making things harder than they need to be. Instead, attach it to the top of the lid (parallel to the can’s edge). This method cuts the seal rather than the lid, resulting in smoother edges and less risk of injury.
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6. The Mistake Everyone Makes with Tic Tac Containers
Most people shake Tic Tacs into their hands, but the lid actually has a built-in dispenser. If you flip the container upside down and open the cap slowly, a single Tic Tac rests in the groove of the lid, ready for easy access. No more accidental handfuls!
7. The Proper Way to Peel a Banana
If you peel a banana from the stem down, you’re making it harder than it should be. Monkeys know best—pinch the bottom and pull. This method avoids the struggle of a stubborn stem and reduces stringy bits along the sides.
8. Using Aluminum Foil Without the Roll Slipping Out
Ever pulled a sheet of aluminum foil and had the whole roll come out? The little push-in tabs on the sides of the box are there to secure the roll in place. Press them in, and you’ll never have to chase the foil across the counter again.
9. The Smarter Way to Eat Cupcakes
Cupcakes can be messy, especially when the frosting gets all over your face. Instead of taking a bite from the top, cut or tear off the bottom half and place it on top of the frosting, creating a cupcake sandwich. This keeps the frosting in place and makes for even bites.
10. The Right Way to Use a Grocery Cart Loop
You’ve probably seen those small loops on the child seat of a grocery cart but never knew their purpose. They’re designed to hook your grocery bags, keeping fragile items like eggs and bread from getting squished under heavier groceries. Next time, use them to keep your cart organized and damage-free.
11. The Right Way to Use a Keyring
Struggling to pry open a keyring with your fingernails? Use a staple remover instead. Just slide its teeth between the coils and gently squeeze. This makes it much easier to add or remove keys without bending nails or breaking a sweat.
12. The Trick to Keeping Paint Cans Clean
When you pour paint straight from the can, it drips everywhere. Instead, stretch a rubber band across the opening and use it to wipe excess paint off your brush. This keeps the rim clean and prevents the lid from getting sealed shut later.
13. The Proper Way to Use a Measuring Tape
Ever noticed the small hole at the end of a measuring tape? It’s designed to hook onto a nail or screw, allowing you to measure without needing a second person. The serrated edge is also there so you can mark a surface if you don’t have a pencil handy.
14. The Mistake Everyone Makes with Toothpaste
You don’t need to cover the entire toothbrush with toothpaste like in commercials. A pea-sized amount is enough for adults, and even less for kids. Using more doesn’t improve cleaning—it just creates extra foam that makes you spit sooner than you should.
15. The Right Way to Microwave Leftovers
Ever had food heat unevenly in the microwave? That’s because piling food in the middle creates cold spots. Instead, spread your food in a ring around the edge of the plate. This allows for more even heating and prevents those dreaded cold bites.
16. The Better Way to Cut Cherry Tomatoes
Cutting cherry tomatoes one by one takes forever. Instead, place them between two plates or lids, then slice horizontally with a knife. This lets you cut multiple tomatoes at once, saving time and effort.
17. The Trick to Getting Ketchup Out of the Bottle
If you’ve been slapping the bottom of a glass ketchup bottle, you’re doing it wrong. The trick is to tap the embossed “57” on the bottle’s neck (on Heinz bottles). This helps the ketchup flow smoothly without making a mess.
18. The Right Way to Peel an Orange
Struggling with orange peels? Instead of digging your fingers in and getting sticky hands, cut off the top and bottom, then make a vertical slit down the side. You can then unroll the orange into an easy-to-eat strip. No more juice-covered fingers!
19. The Hidden Trick on Fuel Gauges
Ever pulled up to a gas station and realized you don’t know which side your fuel tank is on? Look at the tiny arrow next to the gas pump icon on your dashboard. It points to the side where your fuel cap is, so you never have to guess again.
20. The Correct Way to Break in New Shoes
New shoes rubbing your heels? Instead of suffering through blisters, put on thick socks and use a hairdryer to warm up tight areas while flexing your feet. This helps soften the material and mold the shoes to your feet faster.
21. The Right Way to Use a Straw in a Soda Can
Ever had a straw pop out of your soda can? The tab on top of the can isn’t just for opening it—it’s designed to hold your straw in place. Just swivel the tab over the opening, insert your straw through the hole, and enjoy a hassle-free sip.
22. The Trick to Keeping Cake Fresh
Cutting a round cake from the side leaves the exposed edges dry. Instead, cut from the middle and push the remaining halves together. This keeps the cake moist longer, so you don’t end up with stale slices the next day.
23. The Proper Way to Use a Hotel Room Iron
If you need to quickly get wrinkles out of your clothes but don’t want to iron, hang them in the bathroom while you shower. The steam works like a natural wrinkle remover, making your clothes look fresh without extra effort.
24. The Mistake Everyone Makes with Q-Tips
Many people use cotton swabs to clean their ears, but they’re not meant for that. Instead of removing wax, they push it deeper into the canal, which can cause blockages. The safer way? Use ear drops or warm water to soften earwax, and let it drain naturally.
25. The Right Way to Close a Cereal Box
If you’re just folding the flaps down, your cereal is going stale faster than it should. Try this: Tuck the side flaps in, then fold one top flap inward and push the other down over it. This creates a tighter seal that keeps your cereal fresh longer.
26. The Trick to Using a Shopping Cart’s Bottom Rack
Most people overlook the bottom rack of a shopping cart, but it’s not just for big boxes. It’s perfect for heavy or fragile items like watermelons and big packs of bottled water. Keeping them below instead of piling them in the cart prevents squishing your bread and eggs.
27. The Better Way to Hold a Burger
Burgers always fall apart because most people hold them with just their thumbs and index fingers. The trick? Use your pinkies underneath the bun for extra support. This keeps everything together so toppings don’t slide out with every bite.
28. The Right Way to Use a Car Headrest
Did you know that your car’s headrest is detachable for a reason? If you’re ever stuck inside a car with the doors jammed, you can pull the headrest out and use the metal rods to break a window in an emergency. A lifesaving feature most people never think about!
29. The Smarter Way to Use a Wooden Spoon
If you’ve ever had boiling water overflow while cooking pasta, you’ll love this trick: Place a wooden spoon across the top of the pot. The spoon pops the bubbles before they spill over, helping to prevent messy stovetop disasters.
30. The Proper Way to Store Eggs in the Fridge
Many fridge doors have an egg compartment, but that’s actually the worst place to store them. The constant temperature changes from opening and closing the door can make eggs spoil faster. Instead, keep them in the main body of the fridge, where it’s cooler and more stable.
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