Let There Be Light

Organic stains are a common, messy part of everyday life. They include sweat stains underneath your pits, blood stains from an unexpected bloody nose, and the many puke and poop stains that come with having a newborn. If you’re dealing with any or all of these stubborn stains, you may be able to eliminate them with just water, vinegar, and the heat of the sun.

First, wet the stained garment, either by running it through a wash cycle or by submerging it in water. (Tip: Always use cold water for organic stains; warm water can “cook” the protein in the stain, causing it to set.) Next, lay the item as flat as possible with the stain facing upward. Apply an acid, such as lemon juice or distilled white vinegar, directly to the stain. Finally, let the garment sit in direct sunlight for two to three hours. Once enough time has passed, bring the garment back inside.

Upon inspection, you should notice that the stain has either completely disappeared or at least started to fade. If it’s still obvious, simply repeat the process until the stain is gone.

Word to the Wise

While this hack seems fairly straightforward, there are two important things to keep in mind. First, only use this method on durable garments, as the sun’s harsh rays can damage delicate fabrics. Second, stick to plain white items to avoid bleaching out more vibrant hues. At the end of the day, it’s best to take any delicate or valuable items to a professional cleaning service rather than risk ruining them further.

Take bay leaves, for example. While they can last for up to three years with proper storage, some leaves inevitably go to waste once their flavor starts to degrade. Don’t throw away those old bay leaves, though, because they’re capable of more than just flavoring food. They’re also a natural remedy for keeping bugs out of the pantry — here’s why.

Bye Bye Bugs

In a culinary context, bay leaves produce a subtle, woodsy flavor that enhances stews, sauces, and other low-and-slow recipes. As appealing as this aroma is to us humans, it actually repels bugs and even some mice. It all has to do with an essential oil called eucalyptol, which is abundantly present in your average bay leaf. Once pests catch a whiff of it, they are far less likely to pillage the pantry.

However, you can’t just leave the bay leaves in their jar and expect them to work. Take a couple of stale leaves and place them inside potential problem areas where pests like to gather (e.g., bags of flour, sacks of rice, or bowls of beans). Unlike other popular repellants, bay leaves are completely natural and won’t contaminate your food. Since stale bay leaves have already lost most of their flavor, they won’t leave behind any earthy residue either. They will, however, successfully keep pests at bay. Just remember to remove any bay leaves before cooking with those pantry staples.

You can also use crumbled bits of bay leaves outside the pantry. Sprinkle them inside your garbage bins to prevent bugs from congregating, or scatter some on a windowsill to deter pests from entering your home. (Warning: Bay leaves are toxic to dogs and cats, so keep them out of your pets’ reach.)

What You’ll Need

You don’t need much to get started — just an iron, an ironing board, and a roll of aluminum foil. The foil is the key to this hack; when you place it under your garment, it reflects the iron’s heat back up through the fabric, smoothing wrinkles from both sides. Since there’s no need to flip your clothes, you’ll save valuable time and effort.

Iron in Half the Time

The first step is to line your entire ironing board with the aluminum foil, so make sure you have a full roll handy. (A roll of about 25 square feet should provide adequate coverage, but it’s a good idea to have a little extra just in case.) Make sure the shiny side of the foil is facing up, then place your ironing board cover on top.

Next, lay your wrinkled shirt, dress, or other article of clothing flat on the foil-covered ironing board and iron as usual with the steam setting. Instead of turning the garment over the way you normally would, let the foil do its thing and passively remove wrinkles from the underside of your clothing. Since the aluminum foil can be left on your ironing board, this is a hack you’ll be able to use for months to come. Replace the foil when it becomes crumpled, wrinkled, or torn. The goal is to keep the surface smooth so it remains heat-reflective.

Bonus Tip for a Flawless Finish

In addition to enjoying the time you saved by not having to flip your clothes, be sure to let them cool completely before putting them on. Failure to do so runs the risk of rewrinkling your garment, which is more likely when the fabric is still warm. The final step is to decide between keeping this home hack to yourself or impressing your friends and family with your newfound knowledge, earning you a deserved reputation as a true iron (wo)man.