Mental Floss

HACKS

If only they had an onion or a potato.

This winter car hack can make scraping ice off your windshield even easier. And the best part of all? You might have everything you need already, right in the kitchen.

A steady tempo is key.

From Taylor Swift's "22" to Missy Elliott's "Work It," these CPR songs will help you find a life-saving tempo.

Next time, bring socks.

Slipping and falling on the ice is always a serious risk during winter, but this sock hack from TikTok could help.

Wawel Cathedral in Kraków, Poland.

Hoping to travel on a budget? You may want to rethink that trip to Rome.

You definitely don‘t want this stuff going down your pipes.

You may already know not to pour cooking oil down the sink, but properly disposing of it in the trash presents its own challenges.

Just don’t overdo it.

Tea and sugar are a classic combination. But salt may actually be more helpful when it comes to improving tea’s flavor.

It's not just the product of some bizarre kitchen sorcery.

Why do plastic containers stay wet, even after they’ve gone through the dishwasher? Turns out, science is to blame.

Because no one wants a messy kitchen.

A simple trick will keep your counters splatter-free.

Winter isn't always great on cars, but it still has its upsides.

Winter maintenance isn't always fun, but these clever car hacks can make navigating icy roads and snow flurries a lot easier.

Not as clever of a move as you might think it is.

Putting your windshield wipers up to prevent them from freezing to the glass might seem like a good idea before the next snowstorm, but you may actually be doing more harm in the long-run.

Not a place you would typically think to order a cake from.

Unlike some “secret menu” items, this one actually exists.

Volunteering may help you to feel more fulfilled (and shelter pups will appreciate your efforts, too).

New Year’s resolutions have a habit of being broken more than any other goals. This year, arm yourself with the best methods for making your resolutions a reality.

Here‘s how to make your floors sparkle.

You deserve pretty floors—here’s how to keep them that way.

It's a good idea to prioritize it after getting back from a trip.

Get your suitcase ready for holiday travel season with these luggage cleaning tips, including what steps you can probably just avoid.

Most folks don't like it—so here's what to do about it.

Tired of seeing AI-generated responses at the top of each Google search engine results page? From how to set up a custom Google search engine to using specific operator codes, these hacks will come in handy.

Chopping onions can be annoying, but it doesn’t have to be.

Here’s what you can do to avoid the sniffles while preparing dinner.

It isn't as complicated as it might seem.

Stressed about how to wash an electric blanket? Luckily, it isn’t nearly as complicated as it might seem.

Maximize your PTO so you can catch up on your reading.

Americans get an average of only 11 vacation days per year. Use them wisely.

An old toothbrush makes threading a needle a breeze.

If you have an old toothbrush lying around, you never have to stress over threading a needle again.

It's a chore the whole family can get in on.

Discover the easiest ways to clean your dishwasher, plus the spots you definitely don't want to forget about (like your dishwasher seals).

Keep these antioxidant-rich fruits firm and fresh for longer with these tips.

These tips can help extend the shelf life of your grapes and keep them fresh for weeks to come.

There's a certain technique that could be worth mastering.

There is an art—and perhaps even a science—to putting on Band-Aids correctly.

Some people swear by the cleaning properties of citrus, but it’s not a magic bullet.

Some people swear by the cleaning properties of citrus, but will it really get your dishwasher clean?

Arguably the grossest things in your kitchen.

Your kitchen sponges are grosser than you could possibly imagine, but here are some of the easiest ways to clean and disinfect them.