Advertisement
Decorating 3m read
4

This One Design Decision Can Make Your Entire House Feel Larger

If you’re stumped on how to make a small home feel larger without removing any walls, simply look down. The flooring, and how it transitions from room to room, plays a key role in how spacious a home feels, no matter how many square feet it covers.

If you’re stumped on how to make a small home feel larger without removing any walls, simply look down. The flooring, and how it transitions from room to room, plays a key role in how spacious a home feels, no matter how many square feet it covers.

Imagine tile in the kitchen, laminate in the entryway, hardwood in the living room, and carpet in the bedroom, with metal threshold strips dividing each flooring type. Every division signals to your eye that one room is ending and another is beginning. String enough of those segments together and even a generous floor plan starts to feel chopped up and cramped.

The fix is simple, though not always budget-friendly: Run one flooring material straight through the connected rooms, with no strips, seams, or visual stop signs. Replacing your flooring isn’t a quick weekend project, but it’s a transformative renovation that will hopefully last for years to come. The payoff shows up every time you walk through the house.

Related: 8 Renovation Decisions People End Up Regretting

How One Flooring Choice Tricks the Eye

Visual flow is key. It works because your brain uses flooring as a cue for signaling where one space ends and another begins. When the surface stays consistent from the entryway into the kitchen and the living room, nothing interrupts the flow. Even a series of small spaces starts to feel expansive since it’s processed by the brain as one continuous zone rather than separate ones.

Advertisement

Where To Start

A full-home flooring overhaul isn’t realistic for most budgets, so begin with the sightline your eye crosses most often. The path from the entryway through the main living area is a good starting point, or if your kitchen and living room are open to each other, prioritize matching those two first.

Match the Undertone

Can’t match the floor material from room to room? Try to at least coordinate the undertones and finish between adjacent rooms. A warm walnut next to a cool gray oak still reads as a break, even if they’re both technically wood floors. Restaining to match is a far easier and cheaper fix than ripping everything up.

Advertisement
Featured Image Credit:  © Clay Banks/Unsplash.com | Updated  Jul 20, 2026 |
Megan McCarty
Writer
Megan McCarty is a Los Angeles-based writer who covers the fun stuff: design, travel, wellness, beauty, and fashion. She has written for publications including Domino, The Spruce, MyDomaine, Bustle, and Rue Magazine. Her life rules include, but are not limited to, zipper when merging, contribute to your IRA, and do the nice thing.
Megan McCarty is a Los Angeles-based writer who covers the fun stuff: design, travel, wellness, beauty, and fashion. She has written for publications including Domino, The Spruce, MyDomaine, Bustle, and Rue Magazine. Her life rules include, but are not limited to, zipper when merging, contribute to your IRA, and do the nice thing.
This article is for general informational purposes only.
Featured Image Credit:  © Clay Banks/Unsplash.com | Updated  Jul 20, 2026 |
Advertisement
Organizing 3m read
4

Organize Your Pantry Like a Grocery Store To Save Space

We all have that one area of the home that easily falls into disarray. For some, it’s the entryway — those shoes seem to multiply on their own — while for others, it’s the kitchen pantry. With so many food categories, high-turnover inventory, and the constant need to declutter, this space gets disorganized quickly.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

We all have that one area of the home that easily falls into disarray. For some, it’s the entryway — those shoes seem to multiply on their own — while for others, it’s the kitchen pantry. With so many food categories, high-turnover inventory, and the constant need to declutter, this space gets disorganized quickly.

But if there’s one place to take notes from when it comes to food organization, it’s the grocery store. Here’s how you can apply the same methods to your own pantry to save space and reduce food waste.

Give Your Pantry a Grocery Store Makeover

Between cooking and snacking, quick trips to the pantry can lead to a whole lot of chaos. Grocery stores have stockers on staff to keep their shelves organized, but you don’t need to hire help to implement some of their best retail strategies.

Related: These Pantry Items Are Probably Past Their Prime

In a subreddit dedicated to organizing, Reddit user @Violet_Crown shared the idea to sort food in a pantry “like you would find it in the grocery store.” It’s a genius way to think about organization — when you’re doing your weekly food shop, you usually know where to find what you need since similar items are grouped together. Applying this same approach to your pantry is a foolproof way to make items easier to find and ensure nothing gets forgotten. Not only does this cut down on food waste, but it also prevents you from buying duplicates of items you already own.

Advertisement

How To Organize Your Pantry Like a Grocery Store

Giving your pantry the grocery store treatment is simple. Use clear acrylic bins, wire baskets, turntables, and shelf dividers to group like items with like. Keep pasta and grains together, baking essentials together, canned goods together, and so on. Clustering categories means you won’t waste time digging through a cluttered shelf. In their post, @Violet_Crown also recommends grouping smaller items in baskets, cooking oils and condiments on turntables, and canned goods with shelf dividers “for best use of vertical space.”

Other grocery store tricks you can use to your advantage include keeping frequently used items at eye level, moving older products to the front so you can use them before they expire, and storing heavy items on lower shelves to make them easier to retrieve.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Cleaning 3m read
4

The Laundry Mistake That Makes Stains Permanent

Dealing with stains is one of the most stress-inducing parts of laundry day. While there are some powerful commercial stain removers out there, as well as tips and tricks for lifting stubborn spots, one common mistake can completely ruin your efforts and make the stain a permanent fixture on your garment. If you’re not careful, a stain that survives the wash can become nearly impossible to remove once you do this.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

Dealing with stains is one of the most stress-inducing parts of laundry day. While there are some powerful commercial stain removers out there, as well as tips and tricks for lifting stubborn spots, one common mistake can completely ruin your efforts and make the stain a permanent fixture on your garment. If you’re not careful,…

The Heat Factor

While it might seem like heat would loosen a stain and pull it away from the garment, it actually has the opposite effect. High temperatures “cook” a stain into the fabric by changing its chemical structure, causing it to permanently embed itself into the fibers. This applies to most types of stains, including those from proteins, plants, tannins, chemicals, starches, and sugars. (The only stains you should treat with heat are grease, cooking oil, and wax.)

Related: 6 Outdated Laundry Habits To Quit Immediately

This is why stain removal instructions often recommend washing the garment in cold water instead of hot. Similarly, you should avoid the dryer at all costs when trying to remove a stain. Before transferring the clothing item from the washing machine to the dryer, ensure the stain has been fully removed. To be on the safe side, you may want to air-dry the item, as damp clothing is darker and may disguise a stain that has faded but not fully lifted.

Advertisement

How To Remove Stains

When removing stains from clothing or other textiles, start by spot treating the fabric with your preferred stain remover (we swear by this cheap stain-remover bar). Use your fingertips, a laundry stain brush, or a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently work the stain remover into the fibers. Wait the recommended amount of time, then do one of the following: Either turn the garment inside out and thoroughly rinse the area with cool water (to prevent the stain from spreading), or toss it into the washing machine with your regular detergent on a cold-water cycle.

As we mentioned earlier, it’s best to let the garment air-dry after laundering, and then inspect for surviving stains. If the stain isn’t completely gone, skip the dryer and start the treatment over again.

Advertisement
Featured Image Credit:  © Maskot/Getty Images | Updated  Jul 20, 2026 |
Jessie Quinn
Writer
Jessie Quinn is a Los Angeles-based lifestyle journalist with words published in PEOPLE, StyleCaster, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, Byrdie, and more. She has a Bachelor's Degree in fashion journalism from Academy of Art University and her work spans across many categories, including style, beauty, home, health, crafts, and more.
Jessie Quinn is a Los Angeles-based lifestyle journalist with words published in PEOPLE, StyleCaster, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, Byrdie, and more. She has a Bachelor's Degree in fashion journalism from Academy of Art University and her work spans across many categories, including style, beauty, home, health, crafts, and more.
This article is for general informational purposes only.
Featured Image Credit:  © Maskot/Getty Images | Updated  Jul 20, 2026 |
Advertisement
Food & Drink 3m read
4

Why You Should Leave Half Your Muffin Pan Empty

Do your homemade muffins fall flat, both literally and figuratively, never turning out quite as good as those from a bakery? There’s something elusive about pulling off the texture and height of professionally baked muffins at home, even though the ingredients and directions are usually pretty straightforward. But a simple trick can help you achieve bakery-style muffin tops and a light, fluffy texture. Here’s how to guarantee expert-level results when whipping up your next batch.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

Do your homemade muffins fall flat, both literally and figuratively, never turning out quite as good as those from a bakery? There’s something elusive about pulling off the texture and height of professionally baked muffins at home, even though the ingredients and directions are usually pretty straightforward. But a simple trick can help you achieve…

Much Ado About Muffins

This hack changes how heat circulates inside the oven and the amount of room the muffins have to expand.

Instead of filling every cup in the muffin pan with batter, fill every other cup, leaving half of them empty. For bakery-style domes, fill the muffin cups 3/4 of the way, or nearly to the top, with batter. This method allows heat to circulate more evenly around each muffin and the batter to spread naturally without coming into contact with neighbors. The end result is a batch of muffins that rise much higher than they would otherwise. They’ll also bake faster and more uniformly, giving you a crispier top and a perfectly done center.

Related: The Baking Trick for Perfectly Flat Cake Layers

The only downside is that this process takes more time because it requires baking multiple batches. But the wait is worth it: This resting time actually benefits the muffin batter. Letting it sit for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature — or overnight in the refrigerator — further improves the texture and rise of the finished product because it gives the flour more time to thicken and hydrate. (For this reason, you should make sure your first batch has at least 15 minutes to sit, too.)

Advertisement

Other Tips for Bakery-Level Muffins

One often-overlooked method is to set the oven temperature high for the first few minutes of baking, then lower it for the remainder. A good rule of thumb is to start the muffins at 425 degrees Fahrenheit, then lower to 350 degrees Fahrenheit after five to seven minutes. Continue baking at this lower temperature for the rest of the recommended time, or approximately 15 to 18 minutes. The initial burst of heat helps solidify the tops, while the lower temperature ensures the centers cook evenly.

Sprinkling extra-coarse sugar on top of your muffins is another pro move. The sugar crystallizes under the heat, giving the tops a nice crunch and an extra hint of sweetness.

Advertisement
Featured Image Credit:  © Aneta Voborilova/Unsplash.com | Updated  Jul 20, 2026 |
Allegra Ringo
Writer
Allegra Ringo is a California-based writer who has written for publications including Reductress, The Hard Times, VICE, and The Atlantic. She loves sparkling water and old Chihuahuas with hardly any teeth, like her dog Pistachio.
Allegra Ringo is a California-based writer who has written for publications including Reductress, The Hard Times, VICE, and The Atlantic. She loves sparkling water and old Chihuahuas with hardly any teeth, like her dog Pistachio.
This article is for general informational purposes only.
Featured Image Credit:  © Aneta Voborilova/Unsplash.com | Updated  Jul 20, 2026 |
Advertisement
Home Improvement 3m read
462

Your Doorstop Has a Brilliant Second Use

The primary purpose of a doorstop is right there in its name: It stops the door, or more specifically the doorknob, from damaging the drywall. While doorstops come in many varieties, spring stoppers are the most common and the type we’ll be focusing on today. These coils have a secondary purpose you might not be aware of, and it’s just as useful, albeit in a different way. Let’s examine how to get the most out of any spring-loaded doorstop.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

The primary purpose of a doorstop is right there in its name: It stops the door, or more specifically the doorknob, from damaging the drywall. While doorstops come in many varieties, spring stoppers are the most common and the type we’ll be focusing on today. These coils have a secondary purpose you might not be…

A Proper Way To Prop the Door Open

The hack in question applies to spring-loaded doorstops mounted to baseboards — those bendy, metallic coils with a rubber or silicone cap. As it turns out, these tiny mechanisms can help prop the door open when you’re bringing groceries into the house or letting in a cool breeze — here’s how to do it.

Related: How To Silence a Squeaky Door Hinge

Begin by bending the doorstop down until the rubber cap touches the floor (you can do this with your foot to avoid squatting). Push the door as close to the wall as possible and wedge the stopper underneath it, using the rubber cap to hold it in place. The tension from the spring, plus the friction of the rubber cap, should keep your door propped open. When it’s time to shut the door, bend the doorstop down further to release. Here’s a video of this hack in action if you’re a visual learner.

Advertisement

This is a great trick that’s more convenient than having someone hold the door open or jamming a makeshift wedge underneath it. If all of the doorstop components are in good condition, the door should stay open for as long as you need it to.

Other Door-Propping Solutions

The main drawback to this hack is that it works only when a spring doorstop is attached to an adjacent baseboard. This means you’re out of luck if the stopper is installed on the floor, hinges, or back of the door. If this describes your situation, it may be in your best interest to buy magnetic doorstops. These two-in-one products are sleek, easy to install without any drilling, and stop doors from slamming just as well as they hold doors open.

Advertisement
Featured Image Credit:  © Kiwi Anne/stock.adobe.com | Updated  Jul 16, 2026 |
Bennett Kleinman
Staff Writer
Bennett Kleinman is a New York City-based staff writer for Inbox Studio, covering topics for several brands including House Outlook and Better Report. He previously contributed to television programs such as "Late Show With David Letterman" and "Impractical Jokers," and digital publications like The Onion. Bennett is also a devoted New York Yankees and New Jersey Devils fan, and thinks plain seltzer is the best drink ever invented.
Bennett Kleinman is a New York City-based staff writer for Inbox Studio, covering topics for several brands including House Outlook and Better Report. He previously contributed to television programs such as "Late Show With David Letterman" and "Impractical Jokers," and digital publications like The Onion. Bennett is also a devoted New York Yankees and New Jersey Devils fan, and thinks plain seltzer is the best drink ever invented.
This article is for general informational purposes only.
Featured Image Credit:  © Kiwi Anne/stock.adobe.com | Updated  Jul 16, 2026 |
Advertisement
Food & Drink 4m read
39

The Secret Knife Sharpener Already Hiding in Your Cupboard

Our early human ancestors began using sharp tools around 2.6 million years ago. They later developed the craft of “flintknapping,” which involved using a rock to break off pieces of flint to fashion tools for digging or cutting. Eventually, humans moved on to whetstones, which we still use today to sharpen the edges of blades, including kitchen knives. Fortunately, if you don’t have a whetstone on hand but need a sharper blade for more precise cuts, you don’t have to resort to using a rock. Instead, just take a peek under your coffee mug.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

Our early human ancestors began using sharp tools around 2.6 million years ago. They later developed the craft of “flintknapping,” which involved using a rock to break off pieces of flint to fashion tools for digging or cutting. Eventually, humans moved on to whetstones, which we still use today to sharpen the edges of blades,…

Knife Sharpening in a Pinch

Don’t have a knife sharpener in your kitchen? Don’t be so sure. You likely have a small sharpening stone, or several, hiding beneath drinkware you use every day.

Many ceramic dishes — including coffee mugs — are crafted with a raised, unglazed ring around the bottom to prevent them from sticking to the shelves of the kiln during firing. These “foot rings” also eliminate wobbling and provide thermal insulation, keeping the food or drink warm for longer and creating a buffer between the heat and the countertop.

This often-overlooked detail can function as a makeshift knife sharpener in a pinch because nearly all unglazed ceramics have a higher hardness rating than hardened steel. (We’ll explain how to confirm that your ceramic is indeed harder than steel in the next section.)

To identify a foot ring, flip over a ceramic coffee mug, plate, or bowl and look for the thin, unglazed circle. It’s not glossy, but rather grainy and abrasive. Use your thumb to feel for the grittier texture compared to the shiny surface of the rest of your dish. A coffee mug works best for this hack, although you can also use a dinner plate.

Advertisement

How To Get Clean Cuts With a Coffee Mug

To sharpen your knife this way, turn your ceramic coffee mug upside down and rest it on a flat, sturdy surface. You may want to place a damp cloth underneath it for added stability. Holding the knife by the handle, position the cutting edge of the blade at a 15- to 20-degree angle against the unglazed ring. Applying light pressure, smoothly sweep the blade across the ring, working from the heel to the tip while maintaining the angle. If you notice a dark gray or black smudge mark, this proves that the ceramic is harder than your knife and will successfully sharpen it.

Related: This Cheap Pantry Staple Will Make Your Stained Coffee Mugs Sparkle Again

Run the knife blade along the foot ring 10 to 15 times on one side, then do the same number of strokes on the other to keep the edge centered. (This method sharpens and hones your blade simultaneously.) Finally, clean and dry your knife to get rid of any metal shavings.

Advertisement

Tips and Cautions

Don’t rely on this trick for all of your knife-sharpening needs. If you’re staying at an Airbnb with dull, cheap IKEA knives, go right ahead, but avoid using it to sharpen your nice, expensive cutlery. It’s best to use a chef’s knife (or something smaller) and stick to standard steel materials, such as carbon steel or stainless steel. Don’t attempt this hack with ceramic, super steel, Damascus steel, or titanium knives.

Whetstones, such as this one from Sharp Premium, are constructed with varying grit sizes to ensure the sharpest blade and the safest process, for both you and your knife. These can be used with premium knives but require some skill and practice. For extra-safe sharpening, tools like the KITCHELLENCE Three-Stage Knife Sharpener come with a cut-resistant glove. Pull-through manual sharpeners such as this one are generally not recommended for high-quality knives, but if you have an inexpensive set, they can promote cleaner cuts and safer usage.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Cleaning 3m read
28

The Diaper Bag Essential Pros Use To Spot-Clean Upholstery

If you’re prone to spills, you’re probably well versed in laundry stain-removal hacks. Here at House Outlook, some of our favorites include hydrogen peroxide and the one-two punch of vinegar and baking soda. However, furniture messes are a whole different beast. While you can invest in portable upholstery cleaners and spot treatments, these often saturate the fabric, requiring ample time to dry completely. They might even leave behind residue, which could turn sticky and attract more dirt. Fortunately, there’s an alternative that safely cleans most fabrics and dries in minutes — and you can find it in the baby care aisle.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

If you’re prone to spills, you’re probably well versed in laundry stain-removal hacks. Here at House Outlook, some of our favorites include hydrogen peroxide and the one-two punch of vinegar and baking soda. However, furniture messes are a whole different beast. While you can invest in portable upholstery cleaners and spot treatments, these often saturate…

The Unexpected Upholstery Spot Cleaner

Instead of dragging out the upholstery cleaner or reaching for the spray bottle, grab a pack of baby wipes. As it turns out, these diaper bag essentials have multiple uses beyond the bathroom and are surprisingly effective at spot cleaning, especially on upholstery.

Related: The Trick That Makes Red Wine Stains Disappear

Since baby wipes have mild surfactants, controlled moisture, and dry quickly, they are a great alternative to traditional upholstery cleaners. These wipes can lift fresh, water-based spills and even erase marks from art supplies and dirt without leaving a trace.

Advertisement

How To Remove Spills With Baby Wipes

Baby wipes work best on fresh spills that haven’t had a chance to set, so achieving an effective clean requires a quick response. As soon as you notice a mark — whether it be from a leaky pen or spilled coffee — use a baby wipe to gently dab, blot, and wipe it away. Avoid applying firm pressure or rubbing the area, as doing so will push the stain deeper into the fabric fibers. Once you’ve spot-cleaned the stain, use a clean, damp microfiber cloth to remove any residue.

While baby wipes are safe to use on many upholstery fabrics, they can cause damage to leather, velvet, silk, viscose, and microfiber with an “S” cleaning code, so be sure to read the product care tag before you begin. Opt for wipes that are water-based and free of any fragrances or alcohol. It’s also a good idea to conduct a spot test in an inconspicuous area before treating the stain.

Advertisement
Featured Image Credit:  © Redd Francisco/Unsplash.com | Updated  Jul 16, 2026 |
Jessie Quinn
Writer
Jessie Quinn is a Los Angeles-based lifestyle journalist with words published in PEOPLE, StyleCaster, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, Byrdie, and more. She has a Bachelor's Degree in fashion journalism from Academy of Art University and her work spans across many categories, including style, beauty, home, health, crafts, and more.
Jessie Quinn is a Los Angeles-based lifestyle journalist with words published in PEOPLE, StyleCaster, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, Byrdie, and more. She has a Bachelor's Degree in fashion journalism from Academy of Art University and her work spans across many categories, including style, beauty, home, health, crafts, and more.
This article is for general informational purposes only.
Featured Image Credit:  © Redd Francisco/Unsplash.com | Updated  Jul 16, 2026 |
Advertisement
Cleaning 3m read
52

The Trick Realtors Use To Make Homes Smell Amazing

Have you ever walked into an open house and wondered how it smelled so good? Scent is something that real estate agents take very seriously, as it has a strong impact on a potential buyer’s first impression of the space. While some agents bake fresh cookies just before an open house to create a warm, inviting atmosphere, not everyone has the baking skills — or bandwidth — to pull that off.

All featured products and deals are selected independently and objectively by the author. House Outlook may receive a share of sales via affiliate links in content.

Have you ever walked into an open house and wondered how it smelled so good? Scent is something that real estate agents take very seriously, as it has a strong impact on a potential buyer’s first impression of the space. While some agents bake fresh cookies just before an open house to create a warm,…

Fortunately, there’s an easier way to make your home smell amazing that busy real estate professionals have been relying on for years. And it’s not just for open houses; you can use this trick to scent your space before a party or to mask lingering cooking smells.

Fake It Till You Bake It

Pour 1 to 2 tablespoons of pure vanilla extract — not imitation vanilla — and 1/2 cup of water into an oven-safe dish or ramekin. Preheat the oven to a low temperature, ideally 275 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the oven reaches your desired temperature, place the dish on the center or bottom rack, and let it “bake” for 30 to 60 minutes. The warm scent of vanilla will fill your home within 10 to 20 minutes. When the timer goes off, you can turn off the oven, crack the door, and allow the scent to continue permeating the air.

Customize the Scent

Much like with simmer pots, you can add ingredients to your vanilla ramekin to customize the scent. An easy addition is lemon zest, which you can grate directly into the dish. For best results, use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of fresh zest — any citrus fruit will do. You can also experiment with warm spices by introducing cinnamon sticks or ground nutmeg. For a vanilla latte-like scent, sprinkle a tablespoon of whole coffee beans over your vanilla and water mixture.

Just make sure that the ingredients you add can withstand up to an hour in the heat of the oven, as you don’t want them to burn.

Advertisement

Tips and Cautions

Before turning on the oven, double-check your ramekin or dish to make sure it really is oven-safe. You can’t be too careful in this regard.

Related: The 5-Second Fix for a Fresher-Smelling Trash Can

When the oven is on, the one thing you don’t want to do is accidentally leave it on for too long, which is an easy mistake to make when you’re not actually cooking food. Make sure you set a timer, and take the vanilla out after 60 minutes at most. This will keep the vanilla from burning, and the pleasant scent will still linger after you take it out of the oven.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Home Improvement 3m read
22

The Fastest Way To Cool Down a Scorching Hot Car

When you get into a hot car, your first instinct may be to roll down the windows and let the stifling air escape. Or perhaps you crank the AC so high that it drowns out the directions from your GPS. Neither of these methods is particularly productive, and it often takes several minutes to start feeling the effects. Rather than stew in discomfort, here’s a trick to help your car cool down quicker.

When you get into a hot car, your first instinct may be to roll down the windows and let the stifling air escape. Or perhaps you crank the AC so high that it drowns out the directions from your GPS. Neither of these methods is particularly productive, and it often takes several minutes to start…

A Slam Dunk Solution

The fastest way to cool down a car is to create a vacuum to suck out hot interior air and draw in cooler outdoor air. The science behind this hack is explained in this video from mathematician Hannah Fry. In the video, she notes that the solution has to do with fluid dynamics, the subject of her Ph.D. Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved — we’ll explain why they work afterward.

Related: A Gentle Way To Get Bug Splatter Off Your Car

1. Start the car and roll the rear passenger-side window all the way down.

2. While standing outside of the car, open and shut the driver’s door in rapid succession five to 10 times. Repeat this step as often as needed.

3. Get in the car and roll down the rest of the windows. As you begin driving, this will help flush out the remaining hot air.

4. Turn on the AC while the car is in motion to lower the temperature further.

5. Once the car’s interior reaches a comfortable temperature, close the windows.

Advertisement

Why It Works

By rolling down a rear window and repeatedly opening and closing a door on the opposite side, you create a makeshift air pump. This motion physically pushes the hot air out through the open door, while drawing in fresh, cooler air through the window. (The quicker you open and shut the door, the more successful your efforts will be.)

Swinging the door causes a pocket of low pressure to form inside the car. The pressure difference in the cabin forces the trapped hot air to rush toward the low-pressure zone and exit through the open door, while simultaneously pulling in fresh air from the open rear window.

You may be wondering: Isn’t the air outside just as hot as the air inside the car? The answer is no. Even if it’s 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the air inside a hot car can reach 140 degrees Fahrenheit or more. If you displace the 140-degree air with 90-degree air, it makes it easier to cool down the car further.

Advertisement
Featured Image Credit:  © DimaBerlin/stock.adobe.com | Updated  Jul 13, 2026 |
Bennett Kleinman
Staff Writer
Bennett Kleinman is a New York City-based staff writer for Inbox Studio, covering topics for several brands including House Outlook and Better Report. He previously contributed to television programs such as "Late Show With David Letterman" and "Impractical Jokers," and digital publications like The Onion. Bennett is also a devoted New York Yankees and New Jersey Devils fan, and thinks plain seltzer is the best drink ever invented.
Bennett Kleinman is a New York City-based staff writer for Inbox Studio, covering topics for several brands including House Outlook and Better Report. He previously contributed to television programs such as "Late Show With David Letterman" and "Impractical Jokers," and digital publications like The Onion. Bennett is also a devoted New York Yankees and New Jersey Devils fan, and thinks plain seltzer is the best drink ever invented.
This article is for general informational purposes only.
Featured Image Credit:  © DimaBerlin/stock.adobe.com | Updated  Jul 13, 2026 |
Advertisement
Organizing 3m read
45

The Trick to a Permanently Decluttered Closet

Cleaning out your closet is a task you can delay for only so long. Even if you get rid of a couple of items on occasion, most of us probably buy more clothes than we declutter. Eventually, your closet becomes so disorganized that you have no choice but to do a massive cleanout, which is a day-long event at best. But with one easy fix, you can keep your closet clutter-free for the long term.

Cleaning out your closet is a task you can delay for only so long. Even if you get rid of a couple of items on occasion, most of us probably buy more clothes than we declutter. Eventually, your closet becomes so disorganized that you have no choice but to do a massive cleanout, which is…

How To Permanently Declutter Your Closet

While the best way to declutter your closet is to take out every single piece of clothing, there’s one item you can add in: a donation bag or box. These vessels may be a common sight during a wardrobe purge, but keeping one in your closet year-round is an easy way to declutter consistently.

When you’re going through your closet to find something to wear, take note of the items you haven’t worn in ages. If you suffer from clutter blindness, reversing all the hangers in your closet and rehanging worn items in the opposite direction will help you easily identify which items you wear and which you don’t.

If you haven’t worn a garment in several months, put it into the donation bag (or bin). Rather than making the decluttering process long and tedious, this can incorporate it into your daily routine. Once the container is filled, take it to your local donation center.

Advertisement

A Seasonal Reset

This method is also a great way to reset your closet every few months when you switch out your wardrobe for the new season. At the beginning of the season, you can weed out the items you no longer want, whether it’s a sweater that isn’t your style or a pair of shorts you’ve outgrown. By the end of the season, you’ll have a clearer idea of which clothes you gravitated toward and which ones you can part with.

The hack isn’t limited to just the clothes in your bedroom, either. You can also put a donation box or bag in a hallway closet to set aside household items, such as a coffee mug or holiday decor, that you no longer want or need.

Advertisement