Start a fire in a flash

Save used wine corks in a sealed jar filled with rubbing alcohol. When it is time to light a fire, place one of the corks under the pieces of wood (or charcoal). The alcohol will make the cork catch fire quickly and stay lit long enough to ignite them.

Fuzz balls on garments

To get rid of small fuzz balls on garments, grab a piece of sandpaper and use it to gently rub the fabric in just one direction. This will loosen the balls on all kind of fabrics and you will not need to pick them off one by one.

Zip up your dress easily

To zip up the back of your dress without a helper, use the end of a wire hanger to grip the slider and pull it up effortlessly.

Steaming vegetables safely

Prevent burning a pot dry while steaming veggies by improvising an alarm system. Place a metal spoon under the water and steam as usual. When the water level gets too low, the spoon will rattle and alert you to add more liquid.

Peeling potatoes

An easier way to peel potatoes is to twist a corkscrew in the base of the veggie before peeling it. Use the tool as a handle to keep the potato steady and prevent accidents with the vegetable peeler.

Perfectly cooked ground beef

Break up ground beef using a potato masher to press down on it as it browns. This will leave the meat perfectly partitioned, so the texture of the beef will be consistent and cooked evenly.

Rotisserie chicken at home

When you want to prepare a rotisserie chicken at home and you do not own a vertical roaster, just place your seasoned chicken upright over the central tube of a Bundt pan set inside a roasting pan. The heat will circulate around the meat, making a perfect golden brown juicy bird.

Easy way to chop garlic

To prevent pieces of garlic from sticking to the blade of your knife while chopping them, just sprinkle a few drops of cooking oil (olive, vegetable etc.) over the cloves. This will make them slip off the knife easily.

Keeping a loaf fresh

To maintain a homemade loaf moist and fresh longer, just slice it from the middle instead of the end, sandwich it back together and wrap it in plastic wrap. This will prevent the ends from drying out.

Storing extra basil

To store a large amount of basil, chop all the leaves and place 2 tbsp in each cavity of ice cube trays. Fill all trays with water, freeze and transfer the cubes to zipped plastic bags. When you need the herb, place the portion in a strainer until melted and use it as usual.

Curling rug corner

To undo a curled rug corner, fold it in the opposite direction of the curl, press down with a warm iron for a few minutes, unfold and place a heavy object on the area for a couple hours. The heat and weight will make the corner to go back to the original shape.

Leak-free bottles

To prevent liquids from leaking when being transported, remove the lid of the bottle and wrap a small piece of plastic wrap over its opening. Close the bottle and carry it with more confidence.

Dryer sheets substitute

Soak a clean washcloth in liquid fabric softener and let it dry. Next time you do laundry, toss the washcloth in the dryer and let the steam do its job. The results are fresh scent garments and a lot of savings, since you can reuse the same washcloth for up to 30 loads.

Cleaning blinds easily

Soak a cloth with rubbing alcohol (or white vinegar) and wrap it around a silicone spatula, tying with rubber bands. The kitchen tool can easily access hard-to-reach areas, working between the slats, cleaning and disinfecting the blinds.

Slamming door

To prevent a door from slamming shut and disturbing the area, tie a light piece of string to both sides of the doorknob, keeping it running around the door’s edge. This will provide friction to slow the door when it meets the frame.

Revive a flower arrangement

Submerge the stems in a vase of hot water until the blossoms revive, then place the flowers back in a vase of fresh and cool water. Use this tip only on flowers that have already wilted (on new blossoms will have a contrary result).

Menstrual cramps relief

To alleviate cramps during the week of your period, add some oregano to your meals (about 2 tsp per day). The herb has compounds that relax uterine muscles, preventing them from contracting and cramping.

Swallowing large pills

If you have been prescribed a big pill that feels very hard to swallow, just roll it in some olive oil before taking it. The pill will slide right down your throat.

Overstuffed sub sandwich

To prevent sub sandwich filling from falling out and making a mess, remove some of the soft interior from the top and bottom halves of the bread (save this part for croutons or breadcrumbs), before adding meat, cheese, lettuce etc. The fillings will be held neatly inside your loaf.

Fix for acidic tomato sauce

If your tomato sauce comes out too acid, add a pinch of baking soda to it. The alkalinity will counteract the acidity, and the sauce will end much milder-tasting.

Alternative oil thermometer

If you do not have a thermometer handy when deep-frying food, just drop a kernel of popcorn in the pan. The kernel will pop if the oil temperature is between 350F and 365F, the ideal temperature for this cooking method.

Storing leftover soup

To cool your leftover soup quickly before storing it in the refrigerator, improvise an ice stick. Fill a clean empty plastic bottle with water, place in the freezer, and use the frozen bottle to stir the soup while in the pot. The liquid will cool fast without losing flavors.