Why didn’t I think of that! Social media users share brilliantly simple hacks

Why didn’t I think of that! Social media users share VERY simple hacks to make your life easier – from using sponges as ice packs to keeping valuables dry in old plastic jars

  • Social media users have shared brilliantly simple hacks that’ll make life easier
  • Include rethinking of ways to use everyday objects – like sponges as ice packs 
  • Also provide solutions to common problems like lost jewellery or blocked toilets 

From DIY ice packs to an ingenious solution to stop floss slipping out of your fingers, these delightfully simple household hacks are designed to make your life easier. 

People from around the world took to social media to share the handy tips and shortcuts they use to overcome common problems using items you probably already have lying around at home. 

The best examples were shared in a gallery by Traveller Door, including re-purposing a daily medicine box as a cheep and cheerful jewellery organiser.

Elsewhere, a cleaning fan showed how you can fill a bucket with water using a dustpan to create a funnel from the sink. 

Here, FEMAIL shares some of the best examples…  

DIY ice pack: Instead of investing in medical ice packs, create your own by placing an ordinary household sponge in a plastic bag, fill it with water and seal it. When you need to use the ice pack just remove it from the freezer, wrap it in a dishcloth and it’s ready to use

Keep jewellery organised with a pill box: Pill boxes can be used as a cheap and cheerful jewellery box, as this photo shows. Ideal for keeping earrings or smaller pieces, it could also be useful for organising bits and pieces like buttons, beads or thread

Keep jewellery organised with a pill box: Pill boxes can be used as a cheap and cheerful jewellery box, as this photo shows. Ideal for keeping earrings or smaller pieces, it could also be useful for organising bits and pieces like buttons, beads or thread

Keep your valuables dry at the pool: There is no need to invest in a waterproof pouch, bag or phone case - a simple plastic or glass jar works just as well. Just remember to screw the lid on!

Keep your valuables dry at the pool: There is no need to invest in a waterproof pouch, bag or phone case – a simple plastic or glass jar works just as well. Just remember to screw the lid on!

Another use for your vegetable peeler: Put the kitchen tool to work and use it to 'chop' onions by feeding slices through the blades, as demonstrated in the image above

Another use for your vegetable peeler: Put the kitchen tool to work and use it to ‘chop’ onions by feeding slices through the blades, as demonstrated in the image above

Stop the floss slipping: Break off a piece of floss and tie it at the bottom to create a ring. This will give you a better grip on the floss and prevent the inevitable slip out of your fingers

Stop the floss slipping: Break off a piece of floss and tie it at the bottom to create a ring. This will give you a better grip on the floss and prevent the inevitable slip out of your fingers

Label your wires: This delightfully simple hack puts food tags that would otherwise be thrown away to good use as wire dividers. To be extra organised, take a permanent pen and write down the name of the device. This will definitely save you time and stress down the line

Label your wires: This delightfully simple hack puts food tags that would otherwise be thrown away to good use as wire dividers. To be extra organised, take a permanent pen and write down the name of the device. This will definitely save you time and stress down the line

A hanger full of hangers: Keep your hangers together while doing a clear out or moving house by putting them on another hanger. If you're carrying quite a few, make sure to reinforce with one or two more. You could add cable ties or another fastening if you're worried about them coming apart

A hanger full of hangers: Keep your hangers together while doing a clear out or moving house by putting them on another hanger. If you’re carrying quite a few, make sure to reinforce with one or two more. You could add cable ties or another fastening if you’re worried about them coming apart

Unblock the toilet with Coke: This social media user claims Coke is so acidic it will unblock your toilet. Take a 2l bottle at room temperature, pour it in the bowl and leave it for two hours. Flush out the remainder and it will have broken down the blockage

Unblock the toilet with Coke: This social media user claims Coke is so acidic it will unblock your toilet. Take a 2l bottle at room temperature, pour it in the bowl and leave it for two hours. Flush out the remainder and it will have broken down the blockage

Stop the computer from logging out: Keep your computer logged in by placing an analogue watch under the mouse while you're away from your desk. The second hand ticking around the clock face will trigger the mouse's motion sensor, keeping the timer from logging you out

Stop the computer from logging out: Keep your computer logged in by placing an analogue watch under the mouse while you’re away from your desk. The second hand ticking around the clock face will trigger the mouse’s motion sensor, keeping the timer from logging you out

Save your nails when putting a key on a key ring: Instead of chipping your nails and hurting your fingers while trying to separate the metal coils, use a staple remover to prise them apart

Save your nails when putting a key on a key ring: Instead of chipping your nails and hurting your fingers while trying to separate the metal coils, use a staple remover to prise them apart

Fill up a washing bucket with minimal hassle: Avoid the difficulty of manoeuvring a bucket under a small sink by creating a DIY funnel. Simply take a dustpan and place it under the tap, with the handle balanced on the edge of the basin. The water will feed into the bucket below

Fill up a washing bucket with minimal hassle: Avoid the difficulty of manoeuvring a bucket under a small sink by creating a DIY funnel. Simply take a dustpan and place it under the tap, with the handle balanced on the edge of the basin. The water will feed into the bucket below

Create an emergency lid: There's nothing worse than grabbing a pot of yoghurt or snack from the shop only to find yourself without a lid... but this ingenious social media user has a solution

Create an emergency lid: There’s nothing worse than grabbing a pot of yoghurt or snack from the shop only to find yourself without a lid… but this ingenious social media user has a solution 

Prop the spoon up in the handle: One of the better known in the life hack collection, this home chef shows how you can use the handle of a standard saucepan to keep your spoon out of your cooking

Prop the spoon up in the handle: One of the better known in the life hack collection, this home chef shows how you can use the handle of a standard saucepan to keep your spoon out of your cooking 

Ice to go: Fill half your water bottle with ice, leave it on its side in the freezer. When you take it out the water will have turned into ice and you can fill the remaining half with water

Ice to go: Fill half your water bottle with ice, leave it on its side in the freezer. When you take it out the water will have turned into ice and you can fill the remaining half with water