Everyday things you’ve been using wrong

They say old dogs can’t learn new tricks but these really are some smart ways of using everyday products! Even if you’ve been doing it another way for years, giving these a go could save you time, plus they will definitely impress your friends….

1. Peeling a banana

How you’re used to doing it:

Grabbing the stem and pulling down – sometimes it’s successful, sometimes you end up squashing the top of the banana.

The best way to do it:

If you can’t see the video, essentially all you need to do is pinch the bottom of the banana (the end without the longer stem) and pinch. This breaks the skin so you can peel it right off in seconds. It’s how monkeys have been doing it for years!

2. Soft drink straws

How you’re used to doing it:

You put your straw in a can and it either keeps bobbing up or it sinks to the bottom

The best way to do it:

Simply slip the straw into the pull ring of the can as shown below!

3. Aluminium foil and cling wrap

How you’re used to doing it:

You pull the foil or wrap and the whole roll comes out too so you have to awkwardly hold one side down as you rip it off the roll.

The best way to do it:

As shown in the pictures below, there’s a little tab on either side of the roll. Push these in as a sort of holder for the wrap or foil and never have the roll fall out again!

4. Elevators

How you’re used to doing it:

You hop in an elevator alone and are late to an appointment but it’s on the 25th floor so you’ll have to wait for everyone on other levels to get on or off.

The best way to do it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbor4KLjbaM

If you can’t see the video: If you’re alone in the elevator and want to fly up to your level with no stops, all you need to do is hold down your level and the close door button at the same time until the doors close.

5. Strawberries

How you’re used to doing it:

When you have a punnet of strawberries you want to serve, you painstakingly cut off the stems, taking a good portion of the strawberry with it.

The best way to do it:

If you can’t see the video, simply stick a straw in the bottom of the strawberry….it’ll push the stem right off cleanly.

6. Perfect ponytail

How you’re used to doing it:

If you have grandchildren or even if you have long hair you like to pull up, you brush it and put a hairtie around it, sometimes taking 2 or 3 gos to get it right and smooth.

The best way to do it:

If you can’t see the video: grab a vacuum and slide a hair tie over the nozzle, then use it to suck up your hair…. yes, that’s right! Brush the hair so the vacuum sucks it straight and then roll the hair tie onto the ponytail. Done!

7. Peeling a potato

How you’re used to doing it:

You peel with a vegetable peeler and if you have a kilo of potatoes, it can take ages.

The best way to do it:

If you can’t see the video: boil the potatoes with the skin on, then straight away transfer into a bowl of ice water. Leave for a minute and then grab the potato on either side and pull…the skin will just fall off!

8. Cutting cherry tomatoes

How you’re used to doing it:

You get each tomato one by one and cut it in half with a knife

The best way to do it:

Put all the cherry tomatoes on a plate. Put another plate on top and hold down firmly with one hand. Slice steadily through the tomatoes and take the plate off the top. Perfectly cut tomatoes in a fraction of the time!

If you can’t see the video: put all the cherry tomatoes on a plate. Put another plate on top and hold down firmly with one hand. Slice steadily through the tomatoes and take the plate off the top. Perfectly cut tomatoes in a fraction of the time!

9. Breaking in new shoes

How you’re used to doing it:

You get a new pair of shoes but they’re too small or tight. You can either take them back or just deal with it and end up getting blisters.

The best way to do it:

Grab a hairdryer, thick socks and your tight shoes. Slip the shoes on with the socks, turn the hairdryer on to hot and blast over.

10. Peel hard boiled egg

How you’re used to doing it:

You boil your eggs and when they’re ready, take them out and peel them, which can take ages if you have heaps!

The best way to do it:

If you can’t see the video: put your eggs in a saucepan with water covering them. Add a teaspoon of bi-carb soda to raise the pH and wait for them to boil. Put in some ice to cool the eggs down so you can handle them. Now, tap the egg on the counter on the top and peel off the piece, then bang on the other end and peel off the piece. Hold the egg in your hand and blow hard into one side where you’ve taken a piece of shell off. The egg shell with come off and the egg will fly out the other side!

Were you doing any of these things before? What other tips do you have for everyday products? Tell us below!