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Everyone loves a good life hack, right? Especially when you can finally make your life a little bit easier by simply using them. You may save some time, materials and more easily deal with things that constantly make you nervous. For example, I believe quite a few of us have struggled with the garlic smell on our hands after cooking a meal. Well, apparently touching stainless steel can remove it easily. Or did you know an easier way to remove gum from the carpet? Basically, you can put a bag filled with ice cubes on top of the gum and wait for approximately thirty minutes. Once the gum is solid, break it apart and extract it from the carpet.

Well, one Reddit user recently posed a question asking folks online to share a life hack that's so simple yet so effective that it shocks them that more people don't know about it. So scroll through them, upvote your favorites and share your easy life hacks below!

More info: Reddit

#1

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of From working technical support for longer than I dare think about, most angry customers just want to be heard. Let them have their rant, do active listening, and make notes about what they're saying. They will eventually run out of steam. Then, read back everything they talked about and go through it step by step. Works almost every time, and often they are very thankful by the end of the call.

zerbey , Alex Green Report

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ammara
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also holds true for upset patients or their family. As a health care worker in an overburdened health system,its not always possible to hear them out, but it works almost everytime I gave this strategy a go

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#2

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of My grandmother always said that if you feel terrible, get out of bed, take a shower, do your hair and put on clothes, down to your shoes, and have a good meal. Either this will fix it or you're dressed and fed and in a better place to deal with the problem.

She was right.

LadyAlexTheDeviant , Nadin Sh Report

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Couragetcd
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is very good advise for those of us able to do so. If you can't do it today, don't stress yourself more about it.

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#3

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of To increase your peace of mind don't waste your time arguing with random strangers on internet.

SuvenPan , Peter Olexa Report

#4

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of If you're putting together furniture, leave all the screws a little loose.

Finish the whole thing.

Place it where its going to be.

Wiggle it so it settles into place.

THEN tighten all the bolts. No wobble!

Sendmedoge , cottonbro studio Report

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#5

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of When looking at recipes online, click the print link. This cuts out the unnecessary backstory and random musings. You can also save the recipe as a PDF to your computer or even just the link to the printable version.

FriedChickenDinners , Jeff Sheldon Report

#6

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of If ordering something online, since places can fake a good review, only read the negative reviews, a bunch of complaining about shipping/damaged items/trivial s**t is good, where as multiple broke in the first week/won't charge/leaks means the product is s**t.

Smackulater , PhotoMIX Company Report

#7

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of Always write down momentarily good ideas. Don’t lean on your memory

The-Proud-Snail , George Milton Report

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Couragetcd
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So so true. I've lost more good ideas than I probably have left in my lifetime

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#8

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of Percentages are reversible. Working out 4% of 50 will give you the same result as 50% of 4

sunbearimon , Karolina Grabowska Report

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#9

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of If you want a comfortable pair of high heels, invest in a pair of dance heels.

Lots of beautiful designs and colors, designed to be flexible and comfortable. Worth every penny.

Just make sure they’re not felt-soled if you plan on wearing them outdoors. A good quality pair from a company like Repetto are worth getting rubber-soled if they aren’t already.

Your feet will thank you.

ETA: So glad some of you found this helpful. My mother has permanent foot deformation from wearing heels daily since 1977 and my discovery of wearing dance heels was born out of my desire to look elegant but avoid pain and disfigurement!

Rarefindofthemind , Snack Toronto Report

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Gabby M
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

HUH another TIL. I have never heard of "dance heels" ... Not that I wear heels much anymore but totally a good to know tidbit.

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#10

I’m going to give two tips.

1- “no.” Is a full sentence and the only needed response to many requests or questions. Stop feeling the need explain yourself. Occasionally I reply with no thank you, and end the conversation. Also effective.

2- I love a clean and tidy house but can be a procrastinator. When it’s time to get things done writhe house, I set my timer for one hour and clean the whole time. You’d be surprised how much you will get done in one single hour!

Ridiculousnessjunkie Report

#11

There's a Youtube video showing how to do that thing you don't know how to do.

Lammtarra95 Report

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Laura Williams
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4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pigs eat anything. Just a farming tip. Guy boiled himself in Yellowstone, active volcanoes temperature is high enough destroy human body. Hope that helps.

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Chez2202
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I ordered a part for my tumble dryer and had a guy fit it for me and I paid £7 for the part and £40 for it to be fitted. Daughter broke it again 18 months later so I went and collected the part and when I got home she had already started to take the machine apart. Got on YouTube and within half an hour it was sorted. No bodies needed to be hidden during this process.

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Alexej Dvorak
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a video yet to be made on "how to actually find what you're fu©king looking for on youtube"

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David
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So true - so many times. More than once I have learned some not obvious 'gotchas' for vehicle repairs. Often on my exact make and model of vehicle so that when I did the job everything was expected / went smoothly. Or the not obvious sequence of control buttons to push to make the air mixers (flappers) in my heating system recalibrate themselves. Or how to do some craft / project.

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Kraneia The Dancing Dryad
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A good channel is "Dad, how do I?" For things like changing a tire and tying a tie.

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Ms.GB
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is how I fixed my vacuum cleaner and many other things for my mom after my dad who was very handy passed away.

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Mairlady
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love Utube, ! It’s a great visual library for me. I hate, reading the info/instructions that comes with Product. Tiny lettering, having to sort out which language you need, etc. and a waste of paper!

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Kelly Hartle
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yet another reason my 78 year old mother knows more than I do.

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Liz Siemens
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh man. YouTube has taught me so much useful and even more less useful stuff lol

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Lydsylou (she/her)
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are YouTube videos explaining the most specific things it's always worth searching for one

acey-ace16 avatar
Ace
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate Youtube instruction videos. Can't you just write it down please?

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Dragons Exist
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's not the point of the videos, if you want it written down then do to literally anywhere but a video site

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#12

Completely cut out 24 hour hyper partisan propaganda news and your stress and anxiety levels immediately like halve, turns out it’s all horses**t designed to make you angry and unhappy

Marsupialize Report

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Couragetcd
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ground.com is my new source for news. It's interesting how even the most innocent subjects still get spun differently by the left and right. Really not trying to solicited for them, promise! I haven't paid them anything yet and they'll never pay me

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#13

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of Buy a bunch of the same style and color socks and you never have to match socks again. I have a drawer with just socks, and every time I reach in and grab two...I have a pair of matching socks. Game changer.

bex021 , Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto Report

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#14

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of Library cards are worth their weight in gold.

My physical library comes with (mostly for free)

* Tool rentals
* laptop rentals
* studio rental space (video cameras, audio equipment)
* 3D printer usage in library
* woodshop
* sewing kits
* free classes
* This with the usual book rentals

Digitally/web-wise, my library card comes with

* Digital movie checkout
* Hoopla
* Libby
* kanopy
* Free subscription to skillshare
* Free subscription to linkedin learning (lynda if you're old)
* free ebook app
* free online courses (very limited though)
* Udemy
* Language learning apps
* Virtual Workshops

Along with other community events for people of all ages. Everyone should get a library card.
*Edit to add other prominent features mentioned*

Gai_InKognito , Lukas Report

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Couragetcd
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My library does not come with all of this. It does come with a kid's section where my 7 actually remembers he needs to be quiet though, and that is more rare and valuable than gold.

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#15

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of If you get something that comes with a unique charger/power cable, label it with what it’s for.

rhinofeet , Karolina Grabowska Report

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Head_on_a_Stick
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I though charging was standardised to USB-C now? Take that Apple, you bunch of twats.

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#16

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of If you have an itchy mosquito bite, hear up a spoon under semi-hot water (like 45-50°C), dry it off and tap or press it on the bite. Just as short as you can tolerate it but also as long as possible.

The heat dissolves the protein that makes the mosquito bite itch.

CMYKawa , icon0 com Report

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Couragetcd
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmm, I wonder if that would work for me. I'm allergic to mosquito bites to the point they react like a spider bite and have to be lanced.

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#17

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of When driving for long periods. Turn off recirculating air. One of the reasons you get tired in the car is not from lack of sleep but from too much co2 in the car. You ever been so tired driving home and when you get home you’re no longer tired. It’s because of lack of oxygen in the car. Especially if you have passengers in the car.

Corecenter , JESHOOTS.com Report

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Ace
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Recirculating can also lead to misting up on damp conditions. Really I'd only ever use it when it's very smelly outside or very hot where it uses less power to keep the air cool than to re-cool it coming from outside all the time. But yeah, open a window occasionally if you are, just to let some fresh air in.

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#18

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of Hack 1: When you paint a room and remove the light switch plate, on the inside of the plate write down the color of the paint you used and the brand. Great for when you need to repaint a spot a couple of years later.

Hack 2: After you wash and dry a set of sheets, put the top sheet, bottom sheet and pillow case all inside of one of the pillow cases. Then you have the whole set together in one neat little package and don't have to look for matching sheets and pillow cases.

marid4061 , Blue Bird Report

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MrsFettesVette
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or (in reference to the sheet sets) don't buy "sets", buy the sheets you need separately but in coordinating colors. Same goes for pillow cases. Then you don't have to worry about keeping a set together.

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#19

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of Spend an hour finding something in your house? When you are done with it put it in the first place you looked.

RedShiz , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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#20

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of Never gossip no matter how much you dislike a person. It can be really helpful in particular at work when that person you dislike and you consider to be dumber to actually save your a*s in certain situation rather than have him/her as your rival.

I keep receiving gossips from various colleagues about others and always pretend to never know anything while I know lots of details and I agree with many of these sometimes.

This is really helpful in your career being neutral and have people not being against you.

trueselfhere , Keira Burton Report

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Head_on_a_Stick
Community Member
4 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Say nice things about people behind their backs. It still feels like gossip but without the comeback if the person ever finds out.

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#21

If your bed is tucked into a corner or against a wall, but there is still like a 2 inch gap where your remote, glasses, game controller, etc can fall down between the bed and the wall, buy a pool noddle and shove it down into that gap. It'll stop anything that tries to slide down into that PITA gap there.

You can also cut one to size and shove it between your driver's seat and the center console to stop your phone or keys from falling into That PITA gap.

The_Firedrake Report

#22

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of I am extremely organized except where my keys were concerned. I lost them several times a week. Then I saw the comedian Jon Richardson saying that people with keys are "putters" or "leavers" I was a leaver, leaving my keys lying around so i decided to be a putter. As soon as I get in i PUT my keys straight into my bag. It seems so stupid but it totally works and has saved me a lot of stress!

TheNinjaPixie , Ingo Joseph Report

#23

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of Casseroles provide far more servings with far less cost and effort of many other dishes.

Glade_Runner , Marcelo Verfe Report

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Jennik
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4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Add volume to your casseroles by including a lot more vegetables than most recipes call for. Carrots are especially versatile. You can add loads and they give the casserole/stew a bit of sweetness whilst taking on the flavours of the dish. I used to dislike cooked carrots but now use them all the time. My family always asks me to add more of them and, as they are currently one of the cheapest vegetables, I'm happy to oblige. Canned beans (any sort - white, black, kidney etc) are also great for extending casseroles and making them a more complete meal without extra dishes or prep.

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#24

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of Store cans of baked beans upside down so you don't have to scrape them out the bottom when you open the can.

tonycocacola , Ron Lach Report

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Mike F
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Especially since the cans now have a rolled bottom that seems to magnetically draw the beans into them. It can be maddening.

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#25

If you need to go to the bathroom in the night, cover one eye whilst you have the light on. Then when you turn the light off, you have one eye in night mode so you can still see where you're going.

remosquito Report

#26

After making ramen that is presumably boiling hot, add frozen peas to cool it down and increase your veg count for the day.

This is also the perfect way to cook frozen peas (quickly so as to not leech out all the sugars).

Other frozen veg can be added as well/instead of but some of them actually need cooking for a number of minutes which just won't be done in the bowl of ramen.

KoBoWC Report

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Erik Rydbom
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Since I was gifted with a meat slicer, I have been slicing thin pieces of beef to add to my ramen along with onion, jalapeno, and mushrooms. I jokingly call it "poor man's pho" and I absolutely love it.

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#27

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of The 5 minute rule - If you have something that needs doing, and it can be accomplished in 5 minutes, or less, then why not do it immediately?

monetarydread , JESHOOTS.com Report

#28

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of Sick of losing socks in the laundry? Wash them in one of those mesh garment bags. I never lose them and it’s so much easier to put them away when you’re only sorting through them out of the bag than across the whole pile of shirts and whatever else out of the dryer.

YellHound , Sarah Chai Report

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Robert Trebor
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I also put my sheets in mesh bags. One sheet per bag. That way they cannot gather other stuff up into a ball that stays wet.

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#29

Do you have children that have yet to lose their teeth? 1) decide what the tooth fairy will leave under their pillow (half dollar, $2 bill, etc.) 2) go to the bank and get at least 20. Your kiddos teeth will fall out at the most random/inconvenient times 😬…doing this will have you prepared.

radicalradiographer Report

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Bored Trash Panda
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We did this with special coins like half dollars, Susan b Anthony's, gold dollars. Now he loves collecting special coins and has a ton of them that people have given him from all over.

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#30

The act of showing up, again and again and again.

We all want to do new stuff, or get better at things, or master something etc.

So we start, we try some, and then we quit because its not easy or the results are not showing up fast enough.

My take - if its something you really want — you just need to show up to it, whatever it is, again and again and again.

You WILL get better at it, and at some point, things will get easier and the returns will start to compound.

Show up and do your best, again and again and again, and if you flop around, fail at it for a time — good - that’s part of the process, the bump in the road you have to work around, or thru, to get to where you want.

It’s life, forging you, molding you, into that YOU that you want to be.

plytime18 Report

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El Dee
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would say that you must be perfectly willing to fail. I once went on a course where I was struggling and said to someone on our break. She was glad she wasn't the only one who felt like that and was happy to share that she felt the same. I struggled but managed to pass, but the lady I spoe to on our break never came back - she was scared she would fail..

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#31

Stainless steel can remove the smell of garlic from your hands. When you rub your hands on stainless steel, the sulfur compounds in garlic bind to the steel's surface, transferring the smell to the metal.

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#32

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of If you're making coffee in an automatic drip coffee maker, especially a cheap one, leaving a little bit of water in the carafe (about an ounce ir so) will significantly improve the flavor.

It prevents the first bit of brewed coffee from becoming scorched from the hot plate and flavoring the entire pot.

i-sleep-well , Karine Monteiro Report

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Ace
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With a picture of a capsule machine where this would absolutely not be the case. Well done guys.

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#33

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of Create a routine for BEFORE exercise. I do the exact same things every time I go to the gym. When I'm not motivated, those little pre workout habits just trigger me into action.

Elrond_Cupboard_ , Victor Freitas Report

#34

35 Life Hacks That Are So Simple Yet So Effective That More People Should Be Aware Of When you finish a bath or shower, before toweling off, rub your hands over your body like a windshield wiper in a car to get off excess water. You brush off a ton of water, meaning there's a lot less to towel off after and less dripping into the floor. Takes only a few seconds and keeps your bathroom from getting soaked while you dry yourself with a towel.

AurelianoTampa , Yaroslav Shuraev Report

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Couragetcd
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Other options include towelling off mostly before getting out plus these new fangled things called bathmats.

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#35

Hang dry your shirts inside out to avoid the little shoulder horns.

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Note: this post originally had 47 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.