20 Genius 100-Year-Old Life Hacks That Still Work Today

20 Genius 100-Year-Old Life Hacks That Still Work Today

There's a reason your grandma always had baking soda on hand.

New isn’t always better. Case in point: All of these tricks that have lasted the test of time, because (you guessed it) they really do work. Prepare for your clothes to be fresher, your grocery bills to be lower, and your life to be simpler in no time.

Clean with baking soda.

Use this ingredient to freshen up things all over your home. It's a gentle abrasive and a natural deodorizer, making it ideal for whitening grout, refreshing a stinky fridge, de-greasing dishes, and more.

Dust fans with a pillowcase.

Stretch the entire case over the blade and wipe the dust inside as you pull it back. This will prevent particles from raining down on you the next time you tackle this chore

Use meat as an accent.

Even though it's easy to meal plan around a protein, when meat takes on a supporting role (like in pasta e fagioli with sausage soup), you'll save major money.

Remove stickiness with oil. 

We're talking temporary tattoos, tar on your shoes, you name it. Just put a little olive oil on a soft cloth, rub on the mess, and it'll come right off.

Use soap on burn marks.

Don't worry: Your pot isn't ruined. Just fill it with hot water and a few squirts of dish soap, bring it to a simmer, then use a spatula to carefully coax the burnt-on bits off as they soften. That's it!

Sleep on your back.

This position divides your body weight more evenly, meaning less pressure on your spine. You'll also avoid getting unwanted sleep lines (a.k.a. wrinkles!) on your face.

Kill weeds with boiling water.

All you need is tap water that's piping hot to kill weeds in the cracks of your sidewalks and driveway. Pro tip: add a tablespoon of salt to make it even more effective.

Wash walls from top to bottom.

While you might worry this will leave you with a sloppy mess, don't. The water that runs onto the still-dirty surface will leave “clean streaks” to help you out as you move down the wall.

Shake your hard boiled eggs.

The key to making sure your egg's yolk is cooked all the way through is shaking it when it's done. When if it feels like a rock, it's fully cooked.

Shine silver with toothpaste.

If you have guests coming over, but don't have a silver polish on hand, use toothpaste. Just rub it onto silverware with a soft cloth, rinse, then dry, and you're all set.

Remove clothing stains with lemon.

Just combine lemon juice and salt, apply to your stain, and let sit for half an hour. Rinse vinegar with warm water and wash per usual. This cleaner is safe to use on even delicate or vintage fabrics.

Always meal plan.

There's a reason our grandmothers are basically chefs: they've spent a lot of time cooking at home from scratch. But why? It saves serious money in the long run.

Clean jewelry with seltzer water.

Your favorite drink (minus the lemon) will revive gold jewelry if you combine it with dish soap and let it soak for 5 minutes. The combination loosens soil and removes debris.

Use peanut butter on gum.

The next time your kid gets gum stuck in her hair, pull out this sandwich spread. The oil in peanut butter makes gum harden and become less sticky, so you can remove it without scissors.

Cut your sponges in half.

It might seem simple, but this action will double the lifespan of your sponge. Plus, it'll help your dish washing tool dry faster and fit into tight spaces more easily.

Exfoliation is everything.

You don't need fancy creams or devices to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy. Combine coconut oil and sugar to make a DIY scrub or use a textured washcloth to remove dead skin cells.

Polish copper with ketchup.

Put a dollop of ketchup on a rag, sprinkle salt on top, then rub the mixture on your copper pot or mugs the next time you're in a rush without a proper polish. Watch and see how it's done here.

You can't over-moisturize.

When full of moisture, your skin is more supple and is less prone to things like eczema, wrinkles, itchiness, and infection.

Shop at farmers' markets.

Even though grocery stores are convenient, cutting out the middle man saves money. Not to mention going straight to the farmer means your produce is fresh and local.

Rainy days are for cleaning.

Even though you might be tempted to curl up on the couch, being stuck inside is the perfect opportunity to be productive. That way, when the sun comes out you can go outside and enjoy it.