“Why Didn’t I Think Of That?” – Part Three

Here on my blog, I strive to share simple, everyday tips and tricks that can help make life a little bit easier. But sometimes, the tips that I want to share aren’t something I can write a whole blog post about, so I tuck them away to use at a later date.

I’ve built up quite a catalog of these quick tips and tricks, and I’m sharing another batch of them today! To explore other installments in this series, visit the “Why Didn’t I Think Of That?” series archive.

Use Baking Soda Twice

When it’s time to replace that box of baking soda in your fridge, don’t throw it out! You can still use that baking soda for its abrasiveness to clean things like countertops, sinks, bathtubs, and toilets.

Use Bread To Keep Leftover Cake Moist

When you’re finished serving cake and want to save the rest for later, here’s an easy trick to keep the cut edges from drying out. Simply use a couple of toothpicks to secure a piece of bread to the cut edges. The bread will become stale over time, but the cake behind it will stay moist and delicious!

Use A Muffin Tin As A Cooling Rack

Don’t have a cooling rack, or find yourself in need of an extra one? Use your muffin tin! Just flip it upside down and rest whatever you’re cooling on top. The spaces between the cups will allow for enough air flow that it will work as a cooling rack in a pinch!

Use A Dish Towel As A Placemat

Having a messy meal (or maybe you just have messy eaters)? A dish towel makes a great placemat in a pinch, since they’re easy to toss in the laundry afterwards. You can even use some dish towels as a placemat for two people sitting opposite each other, if you place it across your table.

Mix Almost Anything In A Blender Bottle

That blender bottle in your cupboard isn’t just good for mixing up protein shakes; it can also be a versatile kitchen tool! Use it to mix up salad dressings, pancake batter, scrambled eggs, and more.

Serve Treats In A Cereal Box

If you’re taking baked goods to a neighbor or a Bake Sale, you don’t have to give away or keep track of your storage containers! Just cut the front face off of a cereal box, line it with some parchment paper, and use that to serve or deliver your delicious treats.

Keep Your Picnic Blanket Dry With A Shower Curtain

Spring and fall provide perfect temperatures for heading outside for a picnic, but the ground can often be damp from rain or dew. Keep your blanket (and your behinds!) dry by placing a cheap shower curtain liner under your blanket. It’s a simple fix, and only costs a few bucks! Plus, this makes it so  you can use any blanket in your house as a picnic blanket. Even this super soft faux-fur throw blanket from our studio! :-)

Make Giant Ice Cubes In A Muffin Tin

When you’re serving a beverage or punch at a party, it’s a pain to keep adding more ice as it melts. You can make ice that will melt much slower by freezing water in a muffin tin or a silicone mold with larger cavities. Or, go all out and freeze one large ice cube in a bundt pan!

Wrap A Cake Without Ruining The Frosting

Wrapping up cake and cupcakes without ruining the frosting seems like an impossible task. But it’s easy to do with a few toothpicks or skewers! Just stick them into your cake or cupcakes, and drape the plastic wrap over the top. No more pulling off all that good frosting when removing the plastic wrap!

Make Salad Dressing In A Mayo Container

When your mayo container is mostly empty, you can get one last bit of life out of it by making a quick, creamy dressing right in the container. Just add some olive oil, vinegar, and herbs of your choice, and shake it up really well. Delicious!