91 Everyday Life Tips - Kitchen, Cleaning & Time-Saving Hacks
Everyday Kitchen Tips
- Keep a small bowl for food scraps while cooking to save trips to the bin and make cleanup faster.
- Freeze fresh herbs in olive oil using an ice cube tray to make instant flavour cubes for cooking.
- Sharpen knives regularly—a dull knife is slower, more tiring, and more dangerous than a sharp one.
- Use a wooden spoon across the top of boiling pots to prevent water from bubbling over.
- Store herbs upright in water like flowers and cover loosely with a plastic bag to keep them fresh longer.
- Keep a magnetic strip on your wall for knives or metal utensils to free up drawer space.
- Line baking trays with parchment paper to reduce washing up and prevent sticking.
- Use the ‘FIFO’ method—first in, first out—so older food gets used before newer purchases.
- Batch chop vegetables once a week and store them in containers to save prep time.
- Use a lazy Susan or rotating tray in your fridge or pantry to make items easier to reach.
- See also: Health & Fitness Tips - Nutrition, Exercise & Wellbeing
Everyday Cleaning Tips
- Clean mirrors and windows with vinegar and water for a streak-free shine without chemicals.
- Wipe down kitchen surfaces as you cook to avoid overwhelming messes later.
- Keep a lint roller in each room—it’s great for quick dusting and picking up pet hair.
- Put lemon slices and ice cubes in your garbage disposal and run it to clean and deodorise.
- Use a pillowcase to clean ceiling fan blades without spreading dust everywhere.
- Set a 15-minute cleaning timer and focus on one area to make tidying up manageable.
- Keep bathroom cleaning wipes under the sink for quick touch-ups during the week.
- Wash your shower curtain liner monthly to prevent mould and soap scum buildup.
- Vacuum baseboards and vents regularly—they collect more dust than you think.
- See also: Home Organisation Tips - Declutter and Simplify Your Space
Everyday Travel Tips
- Roll clothes instead of folding them to save luggage space and avoid wrinkles.
- Pack a reusable water bottle and refill it after airport security to avoid buying plastic bottles.
- Photograph your passport, travel documents, and itinerary and store them in the cloud for emergencies.
- Keep a small pouch for cables, chargers, and adapters so you never lose them in your bag.
- Always pack one full change of clothes in your carry-on in case your luggage is delayed.
- Book flights early in the day to reduce the chance of delays or cancellations.
- Bring a scarf or large shawl—it doubles as a blanket, pillow, or outfit accessory.
- Download offline maps and translations before travelling to areas with weak signal.
- Use packing cubes to keep your suitcase organised and unpack quickly at your destination.
Everyday Wardrobe Tips
- Organise clothes by category—work, casual, exercise—to simplify morning choices.
- Use velvet hangers to prevent clothes from slipping and make wardrobes look tidier.
- Rotate seasonal clothes out of sight to reduce visual clutter and decision fatigue.
- Keep a small sewing kit for quick button or hem fixes before items pile up for repair.
- Donate anything you haven’t worn in a year—if it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind.
- Hang tomorrow’s outfit the night before to save time and stress in the morning.
- Use a spray bottle with water and a drop of fabric softener to smooth out wrinkled clothes without ironing.
- Keep cedar blocks or sachets in drawers to deter moths and keep clothes smelling fresh.
- Group accessories by type—belts, scarves, jewellery—to make getting ready easier.
Everyday Home Repair Tips
- Keep a small tool kit handy with essentials like a screwdriver set, hammer, and tape measure.
- Use toothpaste or baking soda paste to fill tiny nail holes before painting walls.
- Fix a wobbly chair or table by sliding a folded card or coaster under the shorter leg.
- Apply clear nail polish over small window cracks to temporarily stop them spreading.
- Tighten loose screws by wrapping them in a bit of plumber’s tape before reinserting.
- Keep super glue, duct tape, and WD-40—they solve most small household problems quickly.
- Use vinegar to remove rust from small tools or metal parts overnight.
- Test smoke alarms every month and replace batteries once a year for safety.
- Label breaker switches clearly so you know which circuit controls each area.
Everyday Morning Routine Tips
- Lay out your clothes and pack your bag before bed for a smoother morning.
- Drink a glass of water first thing to rehydrate and wake up your metabolism.
- Avoid checking your phone for the first 30 minutes to start your day with calm focus.
- Write down three priorities for the day before opening your email or messages.
- Do a short stretch or walk upon waking to boost circulation and alertness.
- Prepare breakfast items in advance so mornings feel less rushed.
- Open your curtains or go outside early to get natural light and regulate your body clock.
- Play energising music instead of hitting snooze to lift your mood quickly.
- Keep your alarm across the room so you have to get up to turn it off.
Everyday Tech Use Tips
- Use keyboard shortcuts for frequent actions to save time across your day.
- Schedule phone-free periods to protect your focus and mental space.
- Use cloud storage so important files are safe and accessible from any device.
- Keep a small cable organiser or pouch to stop cords from tangling in your bag.
- Set low-battery mode automatically during work hours to reduce distraction from notifications.
- Back up your phone monthly to avoid losing important photos or contacts.
- Use browser bookmarks folders by topic—work, research, shopping—to reduce clutter.
- Delete unused apps regularly to free up space and mental bandwidth.
- Set up two-factor authentication for all important accounts to protect your data.
Everyday Time-Saving Tips
- Batch similar tasks—emails, messages, errands—to reduce time lost switching between them.
- Cook double portions and freeze extra meals for future busy days.
- Set recurring reminders for routine tasks like bills or maintenance to avoid last-minute rushes.
- Use waiting time—queues, commuting—for small tasks like reading or planning.
- Plan your outfit and meals the night before to streamline mornings.
- Group errands by location to save fuel and time on the road.
- Use voice notes instead of typing long messages when multitasking.
- Pre-schedule weekly chores to make them habits instead of decisions.
- Automate small digital tasks with tools like calendar syncing or bill payments.
Everyday Self-Organisation Tips
- Use one main to-do list instead of scattered notes to stay clear on priorities.
- Do a quick five-minute tidy before bed so mornings feel calmer and cleaner.
- Set aside time weekly to review goals, appointments, and unfinished tasks.
- Keep a designated ‘drop zone’ near the door for keys, wallets, and daily essentials.
- Label storage boxes and folders clearly so you can find things instantly.
- Use colour coding for categories—bills, health, work—to simplify your filing system.
- Store similar items together so you always know where to look first.
- Regularly delete or archive old emails to keep your inbox manageable.
- Set up daily, weekly, and monthly checklists to stay on top of recurring responsibilities.