The plague of smelly sneakers has been around since, well, the invention of sneakers, probably. The odor is one that can not be mistaken, and once it is in the lining of the sneaker — you’re doomed. The smell seems to be the most daunting problem to rid oneself of. Not only is it a nuisance, particularly in potentially embarrassing social situations, It feels like something you can’t get away from.
Don’t worry! There is a way to get that persistent funk out, but it requires a four-step process in order to work. First, wash the sneakers and allow them to air dry. Once that is done, sprinkle them with deodorizing power, preferably a homemade version. Next, stuff them with newspaper and allow them to sit overnight. Finally, place them into your deep freezer for several hours.
Keeps the Critters Away With Plastic Forks
Okay, so maybe it takes a bunch of plastic forks, and there’s no guarantee that they’ll actually keep critters out of your garden or potted plants, but some people still insist it works for smaller pests. The thing about inserting a bunch of plastic forks upside down in the ground of your front lawn is this: it looks super tacky. But hey, if you’re determined to try anything to keep the pests from crawling around in your plants, you can give it a shot!
If you think about it, the forks actually do make some sense. After all, they serve the same purpose as chicken wire – to deter and block pests from certain areas. They won’t keep everything away, but they’ll make it less likely for snails and some small animals to harm your plants. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t have a drawer full of extra forks from takeout restaurants just rearing to go for this project?
Use Baby Food Jars for Spices
Anyone who has an infant or a toddler in the house can tell you that they are in no way having a shortage of baby food jars. If you do not like the idea of throwing away a perfectly good jar, let alone how they just sit in the landfills for all of eternity, then this hack is perfect for you. Take those clean baby food jars, and use them as a storage container for your spices in your spice rack.
By using the same jars for different spices, you will have a nice and uniform look, plus you will be able to see what jar contains which spice. We would also recommend labeling each jar with the name of the spice inside it. For that, you can use blank stickers or a permanent marker.
Get Rid of Garlic Smell With a Spoon
Garlic is great. It smells great, it tastes great, and it is the supreme leader of the kitchen, ruling from its throne of the little basket on top of the microwave. The only thing keeping garlic from being the best thing that has ever existed is how it leaves your hands smelling spicey for three days after you're done using it.
Luckily, there is a way around it that doesn't involve using surgical gloves. Once you're done handling your garlic, rub your fingertips on the back of a silver spoon for a few seconds. Then, wash your hands with soap and enjoy not smelling like the fish you just cooked.
Put Onions and Garlic in Paper Bags
You don’t have to be a top chef to know the flavorful benefits of cooking and sautéing with onions and garlic. By adding these two staples, you can change the game when it comes to the taste of some of your favorite foods or dishes. Veggies like onions, garlic, and even shallots last much longer than their counterparts, such as bananas, apples, and oranges (and don't even get us started on avocados).
Still, there is a simple hack to further their longevity by as many as three more months. Just take a paper bag — a standard lunch bag will do — and punch holes all in the bag using a paper punch. Once you have that done, fold the bag top down a couple of turns and secure it with a paper clip.