Why You Should Rinse Rice Until the Water Runs Almost Clear

My mom used to rinse rice three times. I thought she was being dramatic. Then I moved out and cooked […]

The Easiest Way to Peel Tomatoes Without Boiling Water

I used to skip recipes that called for peeled tomatoes. Boil a pot of water, drop tomatoes in, fish them […]

Why You Should Fold Your Towels in Thirds Instead of Halves

I folded my towels the same way for my entire adult life: in half, in half again, stack them in […]

How to Cut Your Own Hair at Home Without Ruining It

I cut my own hair for the first time in 2020 like everyone else. The first attempt was bad — […]

How to Drink More Water When You Hate the Taste of Plain Water

I spent my twenties basically dehydrated. Plain water bored me. I’d drink coffee in the morning, iced tea at lunch, […]

How to Get Pen Ink Out of Dryer-Dried Clothing Even After Heat Setting

I washed and dried a pen. Not on purpose — it was hiding in a jacket pocket. The entire load […]

The Toothbrush Trick for Cleaning Grout Lines Without Scrubbing

My bathroom floor has white grout. Whoever chose white grout for a bathroom floor should be forced to clean it […]

The Pillow Between Knees Trick That Fixes Lower Back Pain While You Sleep

I woke up with lower back pain every morning for about a year. Not the kind that sends you to […]

The Trick to Keeping Mosquitoes Out of Your Yard All Summer

I have the kind of blood mosquitoes love. I’ll be at a backyard cookout with eight other people and I’m […]

How to Dry Wet Sneakers Overnight Without a Dryer or Newspaper

I stepped in a puddle that was deeper than it looked. Like, ankle-deep. My sneakers were squelching with every step […]