18 Old-School Life Hacks That Actually Still Work Today

People have devised many clever ways over the years to make their daily lives easier and faster. Many of these old-school tips still work, even if some seem out of date.

Tricia Quitales
March 10, 2025
6 min read

18 Old-School Life Hacks That Actually Still Work Today — Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels

Life hacks have been around for a long time, and many of the tips that have been passed down are still useful today. This article discusses 18 old-school life hacks that still work, from learning how to save time in the kitchen and organizing your space. Simple solutions like these show that some things are always right, even when technology and culture change. These smart tips can help you make your daily life easier, more organized, and more productive.

1. Use a Rubber Band to Remove Stripped Screws

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Putting a rubber band over a stripped screw can help your screwdriver grip it better if you are having trouble with one. With this easy trick, you can turn the screw without damaging the surface. This quick and easy fix can help you save time and stress on do-it-yourself jobs.

2. Baking Soda for Deodorizing Shoes

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Baking soda has long been used to eliminate smells and is still one of the best ways to make shoes smell better. Sprinkle some inside, leave it overnight, and shake it out in the morning. Natural and cheap, it’s a great way to keep shoes smelling good.

3. Toothpaste to Clean Scuff Marks

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Toothpaste isn’t just for your teeth; it also does a great job of getting rid of scuff marks. Put a little on a cloth and gently rub the mark off. This will make things like floors or shoes look brand new. This hack works really well, doesn’t cost much, and is quick.

4. Freeze Grapes to Chill Wine

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Freeze grapes to keep your wine cold instead of adding ice cubes that water it down. This old-fashioned tip will keep your drink cold without watering it down. It’s a smart and easy way to make your next wine night more fun.

5. Use a Lint Roller for Pet Hair

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Getting rid of pet hair can be hard, but a lint roller makes it easy to get fur off of clothes and furniture. The sticky sheets will grab the hair as you roll it over the surface. It’s quick, cheap, and great at getting rid of even the stickiest pet hair.

6. Hang Clothes on a Shower Rod for Extra Storage

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Do you lack enough room in your closet? Hang extra clothes or other things from a shower curtain rod. This hack is a quick and easy way to store things temporarily, and it’s great for small spaces or when moving.

7. Use a Bread Clip to Keep Charging Cables Untangled

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A simple bread clip can help you keep your charging cords in order. Put it on the end of your cords to keep them from getting tangled up. This will make it easier to find and use your chargers. It works well and doesn’t cost much to keep your gadgets in order.

8. Use Coffee Filters to Clean Screens

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You can clean your phone, TV, or computer screen with coffee filters and not worry about leaving behind lint. For a clean look, you only need a dry coffee filter to wipe down your screens. This simple, cheap trick cleans better than some special cloths and is easy to keep on hand.

9. Use a Binder Clip to Organize Cables

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If your desk or workspace is a mess of wires, you can use binder clips to neatly arrange them. Hold each wire in place so they don’t get tangled or fall off your desk. This hack is simple and doesn’t cost much to make your workspace cleaner and more organized.

10. Use Old Newspaper to Clean Windows

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Instead of spending a lot of money on glass cleaners, clean your windows with crumpled-up newspapers. The paper doesn’t have any lint, and it cleans your windows perfectly without leaving streaks. There is no harm done to the environment, and this method still works great.

11. Use a Spoon to Open a Stubborn Jar Lid

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Use the edge of a spoon to break the seal on a jar lid that won’t open. The pressure seal can be broken by gently poking under the lid. This makes it much easier to twist the lid off. It is a simple trick that works well and saves you time and stress.

12. Use Aluminum Foil to Sharpen Scissors

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If your knives are dull, cutting through a piece of aluminum foil a few times will make them sharp again. The foil is strong enough to move the blades around without breaking them, so this old trick works. It’s an easy and free way to keep your scissors in great shape.

13. Use Vinegar to Clean Your Coffee Maker

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You can clean your coffee maker that has mineral buildup with vinegar, which is a natural cleaner. Mix half water and half vinegar and run it through the machine. Then, run a water-only cycle to clean it. You can still keep your coffee maker going well with this simple and eco-friendly trick.

14. Use a Hair Dryer to Remove Sticker Residue

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A hairdryer can be used to heat the glue and make it easier to remove stubborn sticker residue. If you heat the paper, it will come off more easily and without a mess. This hack helps you avoid damage to surfaces and saves you time.

15. Use a Paper Towel to Seal a Leaky Faucet

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If you need to stop a leaky faucet from dripping right away, put a paper towel around its base. This won’t fix the leak, but it will help with the noise and mess until you can fix it. In a pinch, it works when you don’t have a wrench or a plumber on hand.

16. Use Salt to Clean Cast Iron Pans

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One old way to clean cast iron pans without ruining the flavor is to use salt. Add some salt to the pan and clean it with a paper towel. Making use of this method will help keep your pan’s non-stick surface in good shape and prevent rust.

17. Use Ice Cubes to Remove Gum from Carpet

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If gum gets stuck in your carpet, put an ice cube on it to make it hard, then use a spoon to scrape it off. With this process, it’s easy to get rid of the gum without damaging the carpet fibers. It’s a quick and easy way to get out of a tough spot.

18. Use a Shower Cap to Protect Shoes in Your Luggage

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During your trip, put a shower cap over your dirty shoes to keep your clothes and other things safe. This easy hack lets you keep your shoes away from your clothes and keep any dirt or smells from moving. It’s a simple way to keep your things clean and your bags in order.