You’ve probably seen one or two “life hack” videos promising you can patch up cracked teacups with milk or repair a broken sink with ramen noodles. They’re fun to watch, but do any of those hacks really work the way they’re supposed to? And are you really going to take the risk and find out?
Thankfully, plenty of legit news sites and home improvement blogs are out there documenting genuine tips for cleaning and maintaining your home with random stuff you’ve got lying around the house.
Here are 25 weird home care hacks that actually work.
1. Get Water Stains Out of Wood with Mayo
If you’ve ever committed the cardinal sin of leaving a cup of tea on wood furniture without a coaster, you’ll know what we’re talking about. But those cloudy pale rings don’t have to haunt you forever. The oils in mayonnaise can actually help dislodge moisture in the wood’s finish, according to Bob Vila. Scoop out a bit of the condiment onto a cloth and then apply it to the affected area. Leave it for a few hours or overnight and add more if necessary (like if your first coat dries up), then wipe with a clean cloth. Petroleum jelly works, too.
This hack should work as long as the water stain hasn’t been there for too long. If it’s been several weeks or months, try plain white toothpaste (not gel) instead.