Go hack yourself: my all time favourite household hacks

Before coronavirus, life was already a juggle. Between work, the kids and the housework, we'd constantly be trying to keep those little balls up in the air. Sometimes we'd drop one but we'd pick it up and keep juggling. 

But throw in a giant bowling ball of a pandemic and well... unless you're Martha Stewart, you're screwed.  

Everyone is home ALL of the time which means more mess, more laundry, more cooking, more cleaning. So how do you keep on top of it all while trying to work... oh and homeschool the kids?

Here are ten household hacks I've learnt while in isolation which will hopefully make life a little easier and save you time and money. For a step by step guide, watch the video.

1. HOLY SHEET 

Folding sheets can certainly give you the "sheets" but these two tips should make it less frustrating.

Rather than calling on a friend or reluctant family member to help fold your flat sheet, use your clothes line as your folding buddy. It saves time and there's no whinging.

The next hack on how to fold a fitted sheet is life-changing. I can't believe it took 41 years and a pandemic for me to discover!

As you'll see from the video, it's as easy as A, B, C... and D.

2. DOONA TALK

In a house with four beds to be made, the weekly doona struggle was real until I learnt how to be a bedroom boss. Hot tip - it's all in the wrist.

3. BIT DUSTY

Every house has a bag of odd socks so here's a good use for them. Put one on each hand and get dusting. The perfect solution for cleaning the blinds and you can chuck them in the wash and reuse them! 

4. BABY DON'T CRY 

This hack will make you an onion ninja, saving you time and tears in the kitchen.

5. BOILING POINT

We've all reached boiling point during this COVID-19 crisis but here's a tip to help simmer things down. To stop your cooking pots from boiling over, rest a wooden spoon on top and watch the bubbles drop.

6. SNACK HACK

A quick and healthy(ish) snack for the kids - big and small. Buy a small pot of your favourite yoghurt, whack a paddle pop stick in it, freeze and then squeeze. Voila!

7. CUPCAKE SANDWICH

This is genius. To get the perfect icing-to-cake ratio, make a cupcake sandwich. Yummo and you'll never get frosting on your nose again. Watch the video for a full demo.

8. COOK BOOK HOOK

No cookbook stand? No worries. Grab a hanger from your wardrobe, clip it onto your recipe book and hang it on a cupboard door handle. Sweeeeet!

9. WINE TIME

Now that we can welcome visitors again, don't get caught out without a chilled bottle of wine. Keep a stash of grapes in the freezer, and pop a few in your glass instead of ice cubes. They'll cool your drink, without watering it down. I'll drink to that.

10. CHILL OUT

The last life hack I have for you isn't in the video, even though it's the most important, especially in these tough times. It's this: be kind to yourself. Whatever doesn't get done today, will get done tomorrow, or next week. 

So enjoy these hacks and please share your own. But remember to give yourself a break.