Summer Hacks
Have the Best (Laziest) Summer With These 50+ Easy, Breezy Hacks
Hey, it's hot outside and it's hot inside — no one is here to judge you for wanting to put a minimal amount of effort into your Summer activities. But just because you're feeling super lazy, that doesn't mean you can't have a fun and fulfilling few months in the sun. Whether you're just trying to make it through the day without melting into a puddle or you're hoping to have the best Summer road trip, backyard BBQ, or pool party ever, we have rounded up all the genius time-, sanity-, and money-saving hacks you need in your Summer toolkit. Are you ready for the ultimate lazy Summer?
— Additional reporting by Erin Cullum, Alessia Santoro, Rosy Pahwa, Emily Co, Nicole Yi, Sarah Lipoff, and Macy Cate Williams
1 Cut the legs off of old plastic chairs to make poolside chairs.
2 Change the direction of your fan.
3 Keep bugs away with dryer sheets.
4 Cut a bunch of cherry tomatoes at once by placing them between two lids.
5 Create a pool noodle cooler.
6 Soak strawberries in water with a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to extend their shelf life.
7 Make a two-ingredient ant trap.
8 Preserve the kiddie pool overnight.
9 Use a pool noodle for a sprinkler.
10 Stop mosquito-bite itching with a warm spoon.
11 Waterproof a tote bag.
12 Keep bugs away with scented floating candle jars.
13 Cover watermelon with a stretch-fit silicone lid for easy transportation.
14 Use a pineapple slicer to maintain the perfect shape.
15 Use a pool noodle to keep clothes free from wrinkles.
16 Bring a balloon in your pool bag.
17 Empty the toddler pool efficiently with a length of hose.
18 Mix a cup of cinnamon into your child's sandbox.
19 Roll up clothes to pack for vacations.
20 Use a cupcake liner to catch popsicle juice.
21 Fill water balloons with a condiment bottle.
22 Remove the stem and middle of a strawberry with a straw.
23 Make some fun horsies out of pool noodles.
24 Use a Magic Eraser to clean your entire pool.
25 Freeze fresh lemon juice in big batches so you have it at all times.
26 Make a natural sunburn remedy out of two ingredients.
27 Put a bottle of aloe in the drinks cooler.
28 Use apple cider vinegar on your mosquito bites.
29 Cut a watermelon into rectangles, not triangles or half-circles.
30 Make toys from old pool noodles.
31 Prevent injuries with this DIY trampoline-spring wrap.
32 Keep your kids safe with a daily photo.
33 Protect your car bumper with pool noodles.
34 Upcycle a plastic bottle for a bug trap.
35 Put your phone in a plastic bag.
36 Use a (new) toothbrush to get rid of pesky hairs on corn.
37 Get rid of fruit flies with an all-natural fruit-fly trap.
38 Slice watermelon on a cutting board on top of a baking sheet to catch all the juice for easy cleanup.
39 Save fingers with this door slammer barrier.
40 Don't turn on the oven.
41 Regrow green onions by leaving the stems in a glass of water on your countertop.
42 Make aloe cubes for sunburns.
43 Keep leftover avocado from browning by coating the flesh with a little olive oil.
44 Freeze fresh mint in an ice cube tray with a little water to add to cocktails or iced tea.
45 When packing for a trip, pack outfits in baggies so they're ready to go.
46 Take the kiddie pool inside when it's too cold for a swim.
47 Make a USB-powered mini A/C!
48 Core a bell pepper while keeping it whole for easy chopping.
49 Remove a splinter without tweezers.
50 Use a wine glass to easily peel a mango.
51 Use a blow dryer to inflate pool toys.
52 Make boot trees with old pool noodles.
53 Use a cupcake liner to keep bugs out of drinks.
54 Use Kool-Aid to remove chlorine from your hair.
55 Make DIY bath toys.
