Life is full of tiny details you might never have noticed… and they’re right under your nose. Go to any one of our homes and you’ll find hundreds of items, big and small. Of course, we all know how to use each and every one of them. There’s no question about that. Right? Well, not quite.
As it turns out, you might have been using some of these common items completely wrong or you might not have known about their alternative uses. Meanwhile, even things that you use every single day have some features that might have sparked your curiosity to ask your parents about when you were just a kid, but now you just gloss over and ignore them completely.
Bored Panda invites you to enjoy this list, going from learning how to peel bananas “the right way” and how to get Tic Tacs out of their container to learning all about the hidden functions of the various weird parts of pens, backpacks, pants, and much, much more. Upvote your fave pics and, when you’re done, check out our earlier post about the hidden side of even more common everyday things right here.
Warning: you might accidentally become a Ravenclaw and want to bombard your friends with all of this new knowledge.
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Eating An Orange
Peeling an orange doesn’t have to be hard and messy. If you cut the top and bottom off and then make a cut on its side, it will unroll in a nice line of orange segments.
Heating A Meal In A Microwave
When heating up food in the microwave, make sure to create a small hole in the middle. This way the heat will distribute evenly and your meal will all be the same temperature.
Codes On Your Makeup
On the back of your makeup products, you can often find numbers like: "6M", "12M" or "24M". They represent the life of the product on your shelf after opening. So in the above example, you have about 12 months to use this face cream before you should think about throwing it out and replacing it.
According to Dieter Rams, one of the most influential industrial designers in the world, what sets good design apart from bad design is that the former is innovative, makes the product useful, aesthetic, and understandable. That's why form, not just function is important; while over-design products tend to fail because they might make customers and users confused as to what exactly they're supposed to do.
It’s fascinating how many seemingly simple items have hidden features because they're integrated into the product so seamlessly. The design decisions behind many of these probably took dozens (if not hundreds) of hours to get just right as RnD employees sketched everything out, built prototypes, and then went back to the drawing board.
What you see in front of your eyes is the condensed labor of countless minds polishing, honing, and improving details to their limits.
Cleaning Blenders
After you’ve made your smoothie you have to wash that blender. It can be difficult and, no matter how hard you try, the smell of the ingredients can stay for a long time. But there is a very simple way to get your blender perfectly clean. After making your smoothie, just pour some water in it, add a splash of dishwashing liquid, blend it, and it will wash itself. All you need to do now is just rinse it off.
Little Metal Plate On A Stapler
Nearly every stapler has two functions! The more common setting bends the staple back onto itself, ensuring that your papers will be held together tight. But if you rotate the base plate, the staple will bend outward, which is meant to be used for a looser hold that you can more easily remove later.
Drink Cartons
If you pour milk from the other side of the carton there’s less milk sloshing around and it’s easier to hold it steady. It may seem weird, but give it a try and see how it works.
Some of these design decisions are quite literally life-saving. Like the holes in pen caps and popsicle sticks being hollow to prevent choking if swallowed. Other design details are a matter of functionality. Like the lash tabs on backpacks used to attach rope and tools.
Meanwhile, parts of products that look like they were made solely for aesthetic reasons sometimes have actual functions. For instance, the raised ‘57’ mark on Heinz condiment bottles is actually the sweet spot that makes ketchup pour out faster if you tap it.
The holes near the bottoms of some trainers aren’t just for show, either: they’re used for ventilation and give you the ability to tie your laces in a different way to better support your ankles. Do you know of any other things with hidden purposes that we might all have been using wrong all this time? Let us know in the comment section, dear Readers!
Extra Little Piece Of Fabric
Sure, you can use the button to replace a missing one and you can use the piece of fabric to patch up a hole. But they're actually there so you can test how the fabric reacts to different detergents.
You're Probably Using Too Much Toothpaste
Toothpaste ads usually show a gorgeous dollop of toothpaste that runs along the entire length of the brush, but the truth is that you only need a pea-sized amount to get your teeth clean. The ads feature larger amounts for the sake of aesthetics and to encourage you to use up more product.
There's a technical name for the right amount of toothpaste: it's called a nerdle. Same root as nerd, meaning a small piece.
Non Wire Hangers
Wooden hangers were created with a specific purpose in mind. The specific type of wood used in most hangers is hand-selected to repel moths and other unwanted insects and pests that can harm clothing. The wood in the hanger helps make sure that clothes are not only unwrinkled, but that they stay undamaged while they are hanging out in closets.
A Little Arrow Next To The Gas Icon On A Car's Dashboard
The arrow points to the side of the car your gas cap can be found on. If your car is older, or doesn't have an arrow, the direction of the fuel hose sometimes indicates where the gas cap can be found.
Shopping Cart Loops
There are loops on shopping carts that can be used to hold your grocery bags, keep them upright if they have fragile items, or store extra if you’ve got a lot of groceries.
Using A Microwave More Efficiently
The limited space inside a microwave has always been inconvenient when you want to have a meal together with your friend or partner. It would be easier and more convenient if you could prepare both meals at the same time. Most of us don’t realize that the whole space in the microwave is good for heating, even above the spinning plate. To heat 2 plates at once, simply put the first plate on the microwave platter pushed to one side, then place an upside-down coffee mug next to it and place the second plate on top of the mug.
To Chill A Drink Bottle Faster
Wet a paper towel, wrap it around any warm drink, and put it in the freezer. It’ll be cold in literally 5-10 minutes!
Getting Tic Tacs Out Of The Container
There is a thing inside the lid that's designed to get just one piece out. Flip the box, then turn it on its side, and open, there should be one Tik Tac sitting in its place.
Prevent A Locked-Down Work PC From Sleeping
If you need to step away from your computer, place your laser mouse over the top of your analog watch. The mouse will read the ticking of the second or minute hand and will keep your computer active, so you don’t have to retype your password.
that's what I thought too, but I think it is wear-marks.
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that way someone can steal your computer, optical mouse, and watch. and since you left it unlocked, they can also steal all your files. 9/10 thieves appreciate this! (the hold-out doesn't like analog watches. strictly an apple watch kind of thief.)
They could do the same at night, the thing with both cases is, they would need to get into the building.
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I don't know which is more hassle, removing and reattaching your watch or just entering the password again..
Nooo! Your work computer may contain confidential data not ment for other employees. Also, if you work in a public setting, this is a good way to get data stolen. This is such bad advise and if IT sees you doing this they will not be happy.
It would be easier and less time consuming to type in the password ... with this plan you have to take off your watch, balance the mouse on the watch, put your watch back on ... it's a futile attempt to save a second when you actually spend more time doing this.
Or you can have a positive attitude and take your watch off once in the morning, use this trick all day, and put your watch back on before you head out.
Load More Replies... It's a stupid tip and it can get you fired if your company has a policy that you need to lock your PC whenever you have to leave I have disabled people's accounts because of this. Some of them got fired after they got in touch with HR complaining about a disabled account. It just isn't worth it.
I thought it was for people at home, where they wouldn't necessarily have their watch on their wrist. I can't imagine doing this at work in a company office.
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The function is to prevent others to use your account/log-in. Why surpass it?
The person is working from home, so nobody else is around. They want to bypass the security, but can't because of company IT settings.
Load More Replies... There is an app called Caffeine that will keep your computer awake for as long as the app is active.
"Locked-down work PC". For corporate security reasons, many companies prevent the lock screen from being disabled. This prevents others from seeing sensitive info on the screen when the user steps away.
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It's a matter of security to lock your work computer when you're away from it... although if you're working from home and there is no one else there to access the proprietary information, there's no need. Many of the customers I deal with have key cards/fobs and a password to access their PCs.
I just hire an orphan to jiggle my mouse all day. Office thinks I'm at work and a kid gets paid. Win-win.
Crumbs from corn chips open his top drawer and feel up under the top and the bag is there taped to the underside of the desk with an opening for two fingers to get a chip when no one is looking.
How many people have a watch that ticks and an optical mouse in 2021?
What kind of mouse do you have? Most are optical.
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Looks like you need a new hard boiled egg. That one is going all dry and flaky.
My fussy friend. He has an old clock/watch fetish.
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Change settings or put on a video are easier solutions, then take off the clock every time you have to leave the computer for a short time. Also if it's your working computer, I advise lock the computer every time you leave it without your super vision.
i pull up a fireplace video on youtube and that keeps my computer awake for hours
Like everyone has an analog watch. Optical mice and analog watches are not even from the same universe.
NOT a good idea to leave a non-private place computer unlocked while you step away!!
Or you could run a foreground application, perhaps a video, even one with a static image. Processor will register work being done and OS won't lock because not idle. Also, they put these measures in place for a reason. If you don't like the policy then either discuss it with management or IT or don't sign the contract.
This seems to be an unnecessary tip. I can't think of a situation that needs it, but it is interesting.
this is brilliant. i hate queuing for games that kick you out for not being active
No, bad person. Either learn how to change the settings on the computer, or respect the security put in place by your IT department.
that is not safe - locking computer is used to avoid that someone that IS NOT YOU does something YOU DO NOT WANT on YOUR computer
Key Rings
Use a staple remover to remove keys from key rings instead of abusing your nails.
Using Foil
Isn't it annoying when you need to use foil, often the whole roll comes out. There’s a simple solution right there on the box, it even says: “Press Ends To Lock Roll” and that’s exactly what it does. If you look on the sides of the box, you will see the little grips, you just push them in and they hold the roll in place.
Peeling Bananas
Most people peel their banana from the top part, which is wrong. The best way to peel a banana is from the bottom, so you don’t squeeze the fruit. In fact, monkeys apparently figured this out a long time ago.
Slotted Patches On Backpacks
It's called a lash tab, and it's there for you to attach whatever you'd like to your bag. For instance, a hiker could lash a sleeping roll to their bag using the lash tab. Originally, it was added to bags to carry tools like axes.
I like how everything is designed with carrying axes and knives in mind...
Loading Your Blender
You might be loading your blender incorrectly. Start with liquids and go from there. Add the solid components last. The motion created by the swirling liquids will suck the solid items down and keep the blades from simply tunneling through the middle of the solids.
Rearview Mirror
Use the rearview mirror tab to stave off those bright lights. Next time some guy has his high beams on and blinds you through your rearview mirror, remember to press down on the tab of your rearview mirror, so it angles down. That way, the light reflects downwards without impacting your field of vision.
On manual tilt versions, a tab is used to adjust the mirror between “day” and “night” positions. In the day view position, the front surface is tilted, and the reflective back side gives a strong reflection.
Storing Peanut Butter
Store your peanut butter upside down. That way, rather than pooling on top, the oil is easier to mix back in and you can enjoy your peanut butter with much less hassle.
Using Plungers
Spending a bit of time understanding your plungers can be useful, though, because different plungers are used for different problems. A flat plunger is fine for a sink, but if you need to use one on your toilet you’ll need one with a tapered end.
I didn't realized you could use plungers for sinks, it just never occurred to me *face palm*
Padlock Hole For Smoother Use
If the key isn’t turning because it’s rusty, just pour a few drops of oil in the hole, and it will get everything moving again.
Better to just keep a tube of graphite around and use that as the oil can attract more dust and gunk
Using Kitchen Sponges
Your sponges might be making your dishes dirtier. If you’re not regularly sanitizing your sponges, you could just be wiping your dishes and counters with bacteria.
Keep your sponges away from raw meat. If you're dealing with leftovers of meat juice, use a paper towel instead. To properly sanitize your sponges, immerse them in boiling water for five minutes. Alternatively, soak a sponge in water and heat it on high in a microwave for one minute, or pop it into the dishwasher with a heated dry cycle.
Cutting Soft Cheese
Use dental floss to cut soft cheeses.
A Potato Peeler
A potato peeler is a versatile tool. Use it to grate cheese as well. Put your peeler to work shaving long, thin strips of parmesan cheese from the block, creating paper-thin carrots for salads, or even slicing an onion in record time.
The Bottom Drawer
That drawer at the bottom of your oven will keep your food warm.
One Side Of A Bobby Pin Is Bumpier
Many hairpins have a grooved and a smooth side. The grooved side is meant to face in towards to scalp to provide a little extra grip.
A Strip Of Black Dots That Runs Along The Outside Edge Of Your Windshield
That black strip is called a "frit" and it essentially has two purposes. It provides an etched surface for the adhesive to adhere to, which bonds the glass to the frame. And on the outside of the glass, it protects the adhesive from ultraviolet light and covers any unsightly adhesive. The dots are there just to make it look nice.
Note: this post originally had 41 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Half of these are just fun facts or uses and have nothing to do with using the product wrong.
If the threads attaching the cloth of your umbrella to the spines is worn out, use flat waxed dental floss. Flat floss threads through the eye of a needle more easily than round floss, and waxed floss can be warmed with your fingers so it binds together. The spines have holes to attach the thread/floss to them, including on the ends, so all you need to be sure to do is carefully line the seams up so the umbrella opens properly and smoothly. Thing is, though, floss only comes in a limited number of colors, mostly bright white, though I have seen some light mint green for the flavored flosses, so you have to be OK with it not matching your umbrella color (I care less about that as I do with getting soaked when the original cotton thread breaks and the cloth detaches from the spines).
Only 2 or 3 were feature no one knows, the rest were just life hacks, and old ones at that.
A few of these reminded me of five minute crafts hacks.
To inherit 14 fleas, run a dry tree under a waterfall whilst becoming awe inspiring. God, I miss taking LSD.
Half of these are just fun facts or uses and have nothing to do with using the product wrong.
If the threads attaching the cloth of your umbrella to the spines is worn out, use flat waxed dental floss. Flat floss threads through the eye of a needle more easily than round floss, and waxed floss can be warmed with your fingers so it binds together. The spines have holes to attach the thread/floss to them, including on the ends, so all you need to be sure to do is carefully line the seams up so the umbrella opens properly and smoothly. Thing is, though, floss only comes in a limited number of colors, mostly bright white, though I have seen some light mint green for the flavored flosses, so you have to be OK with it not matching your umbrella color (I care less about that as I do with getting soaked when the original cotton thread breaks and the cloth detaches from the spines).
Only 2 or 3 were feature no one knows, the rest were just life hacks, and old ones at that.
A few of these reminded me of five minute crafts hacks.
To inherit 14 fleas, run a dry tree under a waterfall whilst becoming awe inspiring. God, I miss taking LSD.
