40 Things You've Been Doing Wrong All Your Life

POPSUGAR Photography | Hedy Phillips

You were probably happily chugging along in your daily routine until you came across this article. You'll soon realize after reading through these tips that there are many things you've been doing wrong without knowing. From rescuing a wet cell phone to sealing a bag of chips, get ready to have your world turned upside down with these genius life hacks.

Additional reporting by Emily Co

01
Closing a Bag of Chips

Closing a Bag of Chips

Skip the chip clip. Keep your chips fresh with a few folds.

Check out more life hacks here!

02
Organizing Spray Bottles
POPSUGAR Photography | Sarah Lipoff

Organizing Spray Bottles

Use a clothing rod to hang your spray bottles to save space.

03
Untying a Knot

Untying a Knot

The trick to untying a knot is to twist the loose end as much as you can and to push it through the knot.

04
Filling a Container With Water

Filling a Container With Water

If you have a container that can't fit in your sink, carefully position a dustpan in a way that will funnel the water into the container below.

05
Keeping Cords Untangled

Keeping Cords Untangled

Make sure your headphone and charger cords don't get tangled up by using bread ties to keep them in place.

06
Tacking on Keys

Tacking on Keys

Use a staple remover to keep your key ring open when you're adding keys.

07
Keeping Manuals
POPSUGAR Photography | Emily Co

Keeping Manuals

Whenever you buy a product, go to the manufacturer's site and upload the digital version of the manual onto Google Drive or Dropbox, and you'll never have to keep paper copies again.

08
Crossing Out Words

Crossing Out Words

Instead of crossing words out with lines, cross them out with letters so they won't be legible.

09
Removing Trash Bags

Removing Trash Bags

Drill holes in a trash can to prevent suction issues when pulling out and inserting a trash bag.

10
Making Sandwiches

Making Sandwiches

Cut round sandwich fillings in half to make sure they cover the whole surface of the bread.

11
Packing Clothes

Packing Clothes

Roll up your clothes when packing, because it'll take up less space.

12
Heating Up Food

Heating Up Food

Place one bowl on top of a cup to make sure both bowls can fit in the microwave at the same time.

13
Eating a Cupcake

Eating a Cupcake

Instead of just digging in, cut the bottom off and turn it into a sandwich. You'll get frosting in every bite.

14
Eating Popcorn From a Bag

Eating Popcorn From a Bag

Rip the bag strategically on its side instead of the top so you no longer have to dip your hand into the bag to grab popcorn.

15
Microwaving Leftovers

Microwaving Leftovers

Dig a hole in your leftovers when heating them up in the microwave so the heat will spread evenly.

16
Keeping Pastries Fresh

Keeping Pastries Fresh

Place a slice of bread on your cake or with your cookies in a bag to keep them soft and moist.

17
Using Sauce Cups

Using Sauce Cups

Spread the rims of the sauce cups so you can dip your burger in ketchup or add even more ketchup to the cup.

18
Serving Drinks

Serving Drinks

Top drinks with a cupcake liner when entertaining outdoors so you don't have to worry about pesky flies.

19
click to play video

Peeling a Banana

Learn from monkeys, and peel a banana from the bottom instead of the top.

20
Eating Cheesy Snacks

Eating Cheesy Snacks

Eat snacks with a lot of residue with chopsticks so you won't get any of the powder staining your fingers!

21
Listening to Music on Your Phone

Listening to Music on Your Phone

Put your phone in a cup when playing music to enhance the sound.

22
click to play video

Eating Chicken Wings

Eating finger-lickin' good wings has never been easier with this trick.

23
Drinking Sodas

Drinking Sodas

Keep your straw in place by turning the tab and placing the straw through the tab.

24
Using Butter in Recipes
POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim

Using Butter in Recipes

Did you know that you can use avocado instead of butter in your recipes? Mind = blown.

25
click to play video

Separating Egg Yolks

Use a bottle to suck up the egg yolk with ease, separating it from the egg white.

26
click to play video

Eating Tic Tacs

Trying to get out Tic Tacs can be frustrating, but this technique will fix that.

27
Breathing
POPSUGAR Photography | Rima Brindamour

Breathing

We're breathing all wrong. The proper way of breathing is to breathe from your abdomen, not from your chest. Breathing from your chest area will result in shallow breaths and less oxygen intake.

28
Praising Children
POPSUGAR Photography | Emily Faulstich

Praising Children

Did you know that the right way to praise your children is to praise their efforts? A Stanford study found that kids who have their efforts praised are more motivated and persistent than those who are praised for their abilities. For example, saying "You did a great job with those math problems," is better for the child than saying, "You are so good at math!"

29
Making Iced Coffee

Making Iced Coffee

Freeze coffee into ice cubes to make iced coffee that won't get diluted by regular ice.

30
click to play video

Peeling Potatoes

Ditch the peelers! Peel potato with ease with this technique.

31
Stashing Grocery Bags
POPSUGAR Photography | Sarah Lipoff

Stashing Grocery Bags

Fold your plastic bags into these origami triangles so they'll take up less space.

32
Slicing Bread

Slicing Bread

To slice bread without squishing the top, turn it upside down and slice it from the bottom up.

33
click to play video

Peeling Garlic

Peel garlic in 10 seconds by following this video.

34
Separating Pomegranate Seeds
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Separating Pomegranate Seeds

Use this water method and it won't be a chore to eat pomegranates. Simply fill a large bowl with warm water. Submerge the pomegranate in the water bath (this will contain juice splatter should any seeds rupture), and gently crack it open along the score lines, pulling each section of flesh outward. If this step proves troublesome, extend the score lines further into the flesh and try again.

35
Rescuing a Wet Cell Phone

Rescuing a Wet Cell Phone

We've heard so many ways on how to rescue a phone you dropped in water, but the best strategy is to seal your phone in an airtight pouch with synthetic desiccant. You can start saving the packets you get in food packages or clothing, or you can buy your own from Amazon.

36
Tying Plastic Bags

Tying Plastic Bags

Instead of tying plastic bags with a rubber band, use the top of a water bottle to screw it shut.

37
Freezing Ice Cream

Freezing Ice Cream

You've been freezing your ice cream all wrong. Keep it in a ziplock bag when you stuff the tub in the freezer, and your ice cream will stay soft and not harden to the point where you'll have difficulty scooping it.

38
Breaking In Shoes

Breaking In Shoes

You probably loathe breaking in shoes. Just take a thick pair of socks, wear shoes, and then use a hair dryer to blow on the tightest corners. Keep repeating until the shoes fit comfortably!

39
click to play video

Cutting Cake

Make a clean cut with cakes by using dental floss.

40
click to play video

Removing Cornhusks

Remove cornhusks with ease by microwaving the corn.

41