Things You Have Been Using Wrong Your Whole Life (You’re Probably Just As Confused As Us)

Have you ever found yourself muttering, "There's gotta be a better way to do this?" Then you're in the right place because we're going to make your life so much easier by telling you how to fix certain things you've been doing wrong every day.

We've been using these everyday items wrong this entire time, but we're about that change that now.

No Muss, No Fuss

chinese take out plate different
Reddit/bobalmigty
Reddit/bobalmigty

Believe it or not, but you've been using Chinese takeout cartons wrong your entire life. Next time you get takeout, skip breaking out dinnerware and use the cartons as God...well, the manufacturers...intended.

Simply remove the wire handle, unfold the carton, and you've got yourself a plate.

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Use A Can Opener For Hard-To-Open Packages

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Reddit/Rewarded_Panda
Reddit/Rewarded_Panda
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That hard clamshell packaging is almost frustrating enough to make not buying something worth it. Almost. Next time, skip almost cutting yourself with scissors or scratching up your fingers and use a can opener to open the package.

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Yes, a can opener -- it works like a charm. You can thank us later.

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Your Ice Cream Will Always Be Scoopable

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yni8srpsxhx51
Reddit/Kondri1213
Reddit/Kondri1213
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Ice cream is amazing, but it can be a pain to scoop out because of how hard it gets in the freezer. Save yourself some frustration and enjoy a cone sooner by putting the carton in a gallon bag.

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The ice cream will be softer and easier to scoop out this way.

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Your Juicebox Has Handles

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handles on juicebox
Imgur/stretcch2stretch
Imgur/stretcch2stretch
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Every little kid will lift up the triangle tabs on the side of their juicebox just for fun, but as an adult you should now know there is a good reason behind it. The tabs on the side can double as a handle for the drink!

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That means no more juice accidentally and abruptly squirting out of the straw. Less mess is always a good thing.

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So That's What That Hook Is For

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cn8ele39t7yb1
Reddit/Jeeperscrow123
Reddit/Jeeperscrow123
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That little hook near the food tray on your flight actually serves a purpose. Instead of stuffing your coat or sweater in the overhead bin (and picking it up off the floor when it falls out), hang it up there instead.

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This little hack will come in handy one day, so it's a good thing you know it now.

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Starbucks Lids Are The Perfect Coaster

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starbucks lid hack
Imgur/Lopetrisava
Imgur/Lopetrisava
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You know all those hot days when you're sitting on a patio with the sun hitting your shoulders? You're just trying to enjoy your cold Starbucks drink to beat the heat but those little drips of condensation are running down the sides of the cups and creating a huge puddle of water.

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Luckily, Starbucks has a secret hack where their lids turn perfectly into coasters! Try it out next time.

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Behold, The Cupcake Sandwich

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cupcake
Reddit/klaraclarkk
Reddit/klaraclarkk
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You might think that it's impossible to eat a cupcake wrong, but think about it. How often do you make a mess with the frosting? Follow the steps in the picture and you'll never go back to the old way.

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Cupcakes aren't the only food you've been eating wrong all your life.

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Surround Sound

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Life-Hack-10-103790-84429
Reddit/Jorgzs
Reddit/Jorgzs
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This is one of the most useful life hacks if you're someone who enjoys having company over. No, this isn't going to give you the same sound coverage as a massive speaker, but it does significantly increase the sound.

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Speakers are expensive and this is a creative way to get the most out of your toilet paper rolls.

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A Penny For Your Thoughts

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Reddit/GirlShapedAnomaly
Reddit/GirlShapedAnomaly
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Your life has officially been changed after looking at this life hack. Life completely opens up once you figure out a way to use AAA batteries in a AA battery slot. AAA batteries are like the little brother trying to reach the cookie cupboard but can't because he's too small.

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The pennies, in this case, are the chair he needs to get a full grasp on the chocolate chip deliciousness.

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Bake Like A Pro

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yolk
Reddit/MahatmaGuru
Reddit/MahatmaGuru
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Another thing most people don't do right is separating egg yolks. Instead of using the shell method to separate egg yolks from the egg whites, try this trick -- grab a clean water bottle and suction the yolk into it to separate it.

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You'll waste much fewer egg whites this way.

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No More Splash Back

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Reddit/lucahammer
Reddit/lucahammer
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Nothing beats a good glass of orange juice in the morning, but it can be annoying to pour with how much it splashes all over the place. Reduce the mess by flipping the carton around and pouring with the spout at the top.

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You'll never go back to the old way.

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Collar Iron

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Reddit/BayanBennett
Reddit/BayanBennett
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Ironing clothing is really inconvenient and takes an enormous amount of time to do it right. Any life hack that can troubleshoot the process is something that every man or woman can get behind. Hair straighteners make for insanely effective collar irons.

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The collar of a shirt gets overlooked quite often but can make or break the sharpness of an outfit. Treat it as such.

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Flying Low

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Life-Hack-9-103795-51290 (1)
Reddit/piebald
Reddit/piebald
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One of the most embarrassing things that can happen to someone is when they walk around with their zipper undone in public. If you're a good friend you'll tell that person that they're flying low, but if you're their BEST friend you won't because you think it's hilarious.

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Any life hack to ensure that this doesn't happen is something most of us can get behind.

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Pen Cap Holes Save Lives

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Imgur/DaveGrohlsBrokenLeg
Imgur/DaveGrohlsBrokenLeg
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Those holes at the top of pens might seem like a minuscule little detail that no body cares about...but they can save a life. The tine little hole in the top is actually there just incase you accidentally swallow it.

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The hole will allow for fluids and air to pass through it if it's in your body.

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Up Your Soda Game

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IfeW6q-CeHpD-ULnxPl8EjNIWUbvXQLxQaf-v2ziqTY
Reddit/johntehfisherman
Reddit/johntehfisherman
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This one won't change your life, but it will stop you from wasting time unloading cans of beer or soda into your fridge.

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Open both ends of the box, push the cans out while pulling the box forward, and you're on your way to enjoying carbonated goodness much quicker.

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Your Cords Won't Unplug Ever Again

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twisted-cords-33750-92682.jpg
Reddit/randomusefulbits
Reddit/randomusefulbits
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This hack is so simple and straightforward we don't even know how it's possible that we missed this before. Just weaving the cord and its extension cord together like this will prevent them from coming undone, in case someone trips on it or tugs it.

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So here it is, in all its glory. You're welcome.

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Hello, More Social Media

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Reddit/Kgonz
Reddit/Kgonz
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If you don't use Airplane Mode for charging your phone, then you're doing it wrong.

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Putting your phone in Airplane Mode will cut off radio frequencies and shave some time off of how long it takes to get a full charge, which means you can get back to Snapchatting on the move much quicker.

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Pack More Efficiently

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Reddit/No_Leader_9361
Reddit/No_Leader_9361
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If you like paying fees for extra checked luggage, then keep packing your suitcase like you always do. Or you can do it the right way -- tightly roll up each piece of clothing, bag it, and be amazed at how much space you've freed up.

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Keep reading to find out the right way to use earbuds.

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Iced Iced Coffee (Baby)

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Reddit/danghunk312
Reddit/danghunk312
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The problem with iced coffee is that if you don't drink it in less than 20 minutes it'll be mostly water or at the very least watered down. So instead, if you pour coffee into the ice tray and freeze it, you won't have watered down iced coffee.

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This is revolutionary if you've ever been someone who enjoys making iced coffee at home and not paying like $12 at a Starbucks.

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Bags On Bags

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Life-Hack-12-103794-83685
Reddit/lathesand
Reddit/lathesand
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Is there anything worse than having to take two trips up to your fifth-floor apartment because you have one-to-many bags to carry at once? The answer is a hard NO. The limit per hand is two, sometimes three bags if you don't want to feel your fingers anymore.

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This hack is great for anyone who considers themselves a "one trip wonder" and will do anything to carry every bag up the stairs in one go.

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Soda Bottle Sprinkler

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Life-Hack-5-103797-35562
Reddit/yeadude
Reddit/yeadude
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Ever wanted a sprinkler that is unique and, uh, different from every other family's? Look no further than the Pepsi sprinkler which may look cheap but gives an unpredictability that just doesn't come with other "normal" sprinklers.

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Don't be normal, don't be boring, be unpredictable and fun. Make a Pepsi sprinkler today.

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Double The Size Of Your Ziplocs

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keyboard sealed up within two ziplocs
Reddit / Vega_128
Reddit / Vega_128
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Have an object you want to keep protected but it's too big for one ziplock bag?

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Take two, flip one inside out, and then use the treads to seal the two bags together.

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Where Has This Been My Whole Life?

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people playing splitscreen video game use cardboard divider to ensure the two players can't see each others' screens
Reddit / Parisauce
Reddit / Parisauce
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Anyone who grew up with siblings knows the pain of playing split-screen games and having the other person take advantage of the fact they can see your screen.

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I wish I had thought to physically split the screens.

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Actually Get Double Meat

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photo of burrito with caption: When I'm at Chipotle, I always wait until after the employee puts the first scoop of chicken on my burrito to ask for double chicken. so the size of the first scoop isn't compromised by the knowledge I'm getting a second scoop and now the employee has shown their hand in terms of their default scoop size so they can't play games with my second scoop
Reddit / SmoothBrews
Reddit / SmoothBrews
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This is actually a great method that applies to orders across the board.

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For example, order a single scoop cone of ice cream and "decide" you actually want two after they've already scooped the first.

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Pan Too Big? No Problem

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person used a few strips of aluminum foil to push all of recipe into one side of the pan
Reddit / tw272727
Reddit / tw272727
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If you're stuck in a last-minute situation or you simply don't want to buy a new pan for a single recipe, just use some tin foil to create an impromptu smaller pan for the meal.

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How have we not thought of this before?

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The Right Way To Use Pockets In Athletic Shorts

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man tied rubberband around pocket from the inside
Reddit / Alec_ACBF
Reddit / Alec_ACBF
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When you're trying to go for a run, it can be difficult to ensure your belongings don't fall out of zipper-less pockets.

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However, you can solve this by putting your keys/wallet in and then tying a rubber band on the pocket from the inside of your shorts to keep everything secured inside.

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This Is Highkey Brilliant

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standing dish rack flipped over on top of tupperware containers in dishwasher top rack
Reddit / thecatunderthebed
Reddit / thecatunderthebed
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You have a dish rack beside your sink, but let's be honest: you really only use the dishwasher.

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Place the dish rack over the Tupperware containers in your dishwasher to keep them from flipping over and filling with water.

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The Correct Way To Prepare Queso Dip

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jar of queso dip on a small hotplate
Reddit / cjslc1
Reddit / cjslc1
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Rather than trying to scoop and melt the queso dip in the microwave, you'll get a much more consistent texture and heating distribution using a small candle warmer plate instead.

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There's usually a clever second use for just about everything.