We’re always finding ingenious workarounds to life’s problems, big or small. This year we treated pool noodles as all-purpose cushions, removed and saved wine corks, got the most out of a burner phone, and used a simple test to see if the power went out.
Hatch Eggs In Pokémon Go With a Turntable
Certain aspects of Pokémon Go, like hatching eggs, require a great deal of walking, running, or biking. If moving is more difficult for you, however, a basic turntable can help even the playing field.
Leave a Coin on a Cup of Ice Before Leaving Home to See If the Power Went out While You Were Away
Whether you’re evacuating because of a hurricane or you’re just leaving for vacation, you’ll want to know if the power went out while you were away for any substantial amount of time. Fill a cup with water, put it in the freezer until it’s solid, then pop a coin on top. Leave it in there, and when you get back, check.
How to Turn Your Bike Into a Pokémon Go Machine
Pokémon Go is great for adventures on your feet, but just like the original Game Boy games, having a bike makes everything better. You travel faster, you can carry more stuff, and it’s a shitload of fun. Here’s how I built the ultimate PokéBike, and how you can build your own.
Spiral-Cut Pool Noodles Make Great All-Purpose Cushions
Have some extra pool noodles around? This video is chock-full of great pool noodle tricks, including a way to spiral-cut them into padding you can wrap around almost anything.
Five Useful Things You Can Do With a Burner Phone Number
When you think of “burner” phone numbers, espionage and spies probably come to mind. But there are plenty of reasons regular folks would want a burner number, and a few apps, let you create as many as you need. Here are a few ways you can use a burner number professionally, to protect your privacy, and even kill text message spam.
Organize Cables with a Zip Tie Weave
Weave zip ties around a group of cables to keep them organized and neat.
The Surprising Things You Can Safely Wash In Your Dishwasher
Just because that fancy washing box in your kitchen is called a dishwasher doesn’t mean that’s the only thing it can wash. You can also clean things like gardening tools and plastic toys with it.
Clean Rusty Grill Grates With Some Oil, Salt, and a Potato
If you don’t grill very often that probably means you don’t clean your grill regularly either. If your grill grates are covered in burnt food and rust, you can get it ready for a cookout with a few household staples.
Trick a Guard Box-Protected Thermostat Into Warming Up the Office
Is your office thermostat locked behind a plastic guard box? This clever trick can help you raise the temp of your freezing office building a little without having to touch the thermostat at all.
Can You Open a Bottle of Wine Without a Corkscrew?
What do you do when you have a lovely bottle of wine but your corkscrew has gone missing? When teetotaling is not an option, there are countless unconventional ways that people claim you can open a bottle of wine. We put them to the test.
How to Hack the IKEA Food Market
I have long loved IKEA, not just for the LACK units of my college days or the little table I’m sitting at right this moment, but I love them for their food. No trip to the Swedish superstore is complete without a helping of meatballs, but their market is equally worth checking out.
Make a Secret Bookshelf Stash for Hiding Valuables With Some Old Binders
Hiding your valuables is a great way to protect them. Even if someone breaks into your home, they may not get away with the goods. This clever hiding spot makes use of some old three-ring binders you probably have lying around somewhere.
Remove a Cork Stuck Inside a Wine Bottle With a Ribbon
You go to pop open a fresh bottle of wine—maybe you don’t have a proper wine-opening tool—and the cork, or part of it, plummets into the bottle. You’re left with two choices: finish the bottle, or use this handy trick.
Use an Upright Glass In the Dishwasher as a Dirty Dish Indicator
If the people in your household do a good job of scraping or rinsing off their plates before sticking them in the dishwasher, it can be hard to tell when the dishes inside are clean or dirty. A small, upright glass makes for a great indicator.
The Best Way to Split Open a Coconut Without Any Tools
Fresh coconut is delicious, but they’re tough to break into, especially when you don’t have any tools with you. This trick might save your life if you get stranded on a desert island. Or at least save the day at a picnic or barbecue.
Why A Plastic Bag Is a Photographer’s Best Friend
Whether you’re a pro or an amateur, pack a plastic bag in your bag with your camera the next time you go out to take pictures. This video features five great reasons why you should, including the old rain protection trick and a beautiful soft, weathered effect for your photos.
If you want some more clever tricks, be sure to check out our best clever uses and MacGyver tips from 2015, 2014, and 2013.
via Lifehacker
Most Popular Clever Uses and MacGyver Tips of 2016