15 Surprising Ways to Life Hack Your Food
When you're cooking or eating a meal your first thought probably isn't, "Oh wow, I bet I can use these delicious ingredients to do things like unclog my toilet!" So that's what we're here for! Here are 15 inexpensive foods that can come in handy outside of the kitchen.
Hate when it's a crazy night out and someone spills beer on your hair? Don't. Although we'll acknowledge the annoyingness of that stale smell, beer actually gives give your hair shine, softness, a little volume, and even a little extra strength to reinforce those locks. So next time someone spills on you, just take that whole glass of beer and pour it all over your hair! Not really, but you get the point.More »
That bubbly, sweet, delicious soda you adore? It can fix your toilet. Wait, what?! Yes, you read that right. Coke (and similar sodas) can dissolve toilet rust rings by breaking down the stains. And no, it does not actually dissolve teeth.More »
While baking soda is usually added to baked goods to make them rise, this handy-dandy inexpensive kitchen item has more uses than you can imagine. From shampoo to carpet cleaner, baking soda is definitely one of the more versatile ingredients around. But can you use baking powder instead of baking soda for these tasks? You may want to know the differences between the two first. More »
It's likely you know this already if you live anywhere that gets snow, but salt can melt ice! This means that if it's slippery out, salt is the way to go. So how does it work? Click here to find out.More »
Like baking soda, vinegar has a myriad of uses. With how acidic it is, it's no surprise that it can be used for things like killing weeds and cleaning your car. Plus apple cider vinegar specifically has a ton of health benefits, not only from ingesting it, but using it for things like treating dandruff, foot odor, and acne! Here are over 50 uses for vinegar. Just be careful how you use it...More »
Are you a neat freak? Do you ask your guests to use coasters, but when they don't you go crazy? Never fear, mayonnaise is here! Mayonnaise helps you remove those water marks on your precious wood table. Now you can have people over again!More »
Oatmeal is great for your skin, whether you're a two year old with chickenpox or a twenty-two year old who wants a great DIY face mask. An oatmeal bath can help with an assortment of uncomfortable ailments, such as eczema, poison ivy, diaper rash, and insect bites.
"Oatmeal contains avenanthramides, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that soothe itchy, dry and irritated skin. Oatmeal is also great for acne-prone skin because it absorbs oil from the skin’s surface. All of which makes oatmeal a perfect ingredient for facial masks."More »
You may be getting the idea by now that foods with health benefits can also be good for your hair/skin/nails/etc too! Avocados mixed with honey make for the perfect mask for dry skin. And if you mix them with bananas instead? Voila! You have a deep conditioning treatment for dry hair.
Want something a little sweeter? Do a brown sugar face mask instead for some fantastic exfoliation. You can eat it when you're done too!More »
Coffee grounds are good for your garden! They're a great source of nitrogen in your compost bin, so they can enhance the soil in your garden. They also help with pest control too.
You can also use coffee grounds to clean with as well, since they act as a deodorizer, and their rough texture can help you scrub your dishes without damaging them. More »
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade... or make all of these other things! Lemons can be used as an oven cleaner, flea treatment for your pet, underarm stain remover, bleach, toner, and more! More »
1. Beer
Hate when it's a crazy night out and someone spills beer on your hair? Don't. Although we'll acknowledge the annoyingness of that stale smell, beer actually gives give your hair shine, softness, a little volume, and even a little extra strength to reinforce those locks. So next time someone spills on you, just take that whole glass of beer and pour it all over your hair! Not really, but you get the point.More »
2. Coca-Cola
That bubbly, sweet, delicious soda you adore? It can fix your toilet. Wait, what?! Yes, you read that right. Coke (and similar sodas) can dissolve toilet rust rings by breaking down the stains. And no, it does not actually dissolve teeth.More »
3. Baking Soda
While baking soda is usually added to baked goods to make them rise, this handy-dandy inexpensive kitchen item has more uses than you can imagine. From shampoo to carpet cleaner, baking soda is definitely one of the more versatile ingredients around. But can you use baking powder instead of baking soda for these tasks? You may want to know the differences between the two first. More »
4. Salt
It's likely you know this already if you live anywhere that gets snow, but salt can melt ice! This means that if it's slippery out, salt is the way to go. So how does it work? Click here to find out.More »
5. Vinegar
Like baking soda, vinegar has a myriad of uses. With how acidic it is, it's no surprise that it can be used for things like killing weeds and cleaning your car. Plus apple cider vinegar specifically has a ton of health benefits, not only from ingesting it, but using it for things like treating dandruff, foot odor, and acne! Here are over 50 uses for vinegar. Just be careful how you use it...More »
6. Mayonnaise
Are you a neat freak? Do you ask your guests to use coasters, but when they don't you go crazy? Never fear, mayonnaise is here! Mayonnaise helps you remove those water marks on your precious wood table. Now you can have people over again!More »
7. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is great for your skin, whether you're a two year old with chickenpox or a twenty-two year old who wants a great DIY face mask. An oatmeal bath can help with an assortment of uncomfortable ailments, such as eczema, poison ivy, diaper rash, and insect bites.
"Oatmeal contains avenanthramides, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that soothe itchy, dry and irritated skin. Oatmeal is also great for acne-prone skin because it absorbs oil from the skin’s surface. All of which makes oatmeal a perfect ingredient for facial masks."More »
8. Avocado
You may be getting the idea by now that foods with health benefits can also be good for your hair/skin/nails/etc too! Avocados mixed with honey make for the perfect mask for dry skin. And if you mix them with bananas instead? Voila! You have a deep conditioning treatment for dry hair.
Want something a little sweeter? Do a brown sugar face mask instead for some fantastic exfoliation. You can eat it when you're done too!More »
9. Coffee
Coffee grounds are good for your garden! They're a great source of nitrogen in your compost bin, so they can enhance the soil in your garden. They also help with pest control too.
You can also use coffee grounds to clean with as well, since they act as a deodorizer, and their rough texture can help you scrub your dishes without damaging them. More »
10. Lemons
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade... or make all of these other things! Lemons can be used as an oven cleaner, flea treatment for your pet, underarm stain remover, bleach, toner, and more! More »
