13 Life Hacks Grandma Forgot to Tell You

Ever wonder how our grandparents managed to thrive with less? It turns out, they knew a thing or two about simplicity and ingenuity. They’re a bit wiser than us and they definitely mastered the art of doing more with less.

We’re looking at 13 old-fashioned tricks that Grandma forgot to tell you about but you could definitely use.

Olive Oil for Her Shining Hair

Thinking about splurging on that fancy hair product? Hold that thought and consider what Grandma would do. Back in her day, a little olive oil went a long way.

She didn’t bother with shelves filled with pricey products. Instead, she relied on the natural goodness of olive oil to keep her hair lustrous and healthy. Just a small amount could add a beautiful shine and vitality to her locks.

Tea Bags for Puffy Eyes

Ever wonder how Grandma managed to look so radiant without all the modern skincare routines? One of her simple secrets was using tea bags to soothe puffy eyes. Yes, that’s right—plain old tea bags!

Next time you brew a cup, don’t toss out the bags. Chill them in the fridge or use ones loaded with caffeine, known for its puffiness-reducing magic. Just place them over your eyes and let them work their wonders.

Salt and Lemon for Cleaning Copper

If you’ve ever admired Grandma’s copper pots and wondered how they stayed so sparkly, here’s the secret: lemon and salt. Yes, it’s that simple. Just mix a bit of salt with lemon juice to create a paste, and then rub it onto the copper.

This combination works wonders in lifting tarnish and restoring the metal’s natural gleam. So next time you notice your copper items losing their luster, skip the chemical cleaners and opt for this natural, tried-and-true method.

Grow Your Own Flowers for Bouquets

Tired of shelling out cash for fresh flowers? Why not grow your own or pick some wildflowers, where it’s allowed, to make your own bouquets?

Not only is this cost-effective, but it also allows you to unleash your creativity. Explore your garden and see what you can gather—from flowers to vines and even branches.

Shopping Hack

Do you find grocery shopping eats up too much of your week? Marguerite Dodd back in the 1950s called it a major time-sapper and suggested a more organized approach. Her strategy? Limit your store trips to just once a week for perishables like dairy, fruits, and veggies.

For meats and select frozen veggies, consider a monthly buy to stock your freezer. And those pantry staples—canned goods, pasta, rice? Buy them in bulk and stash them wherever there’s space, even if it means keeping beans in the linen closet!

Upcycling Hack

Long before the blue recycle bins became a curbside staple, Americans were masters of reuse, driven by necessity and thrift. After WWII, however, reusing materials was often seen as a sign of poverty, shifting the trend towards donating rather than repurposing at home.

Nowadays, with the DIY movement in full swing, reusing is back and viewed as a savvy skill. Take old garden hoses—slice them up to pad bucket handles or transform them into a homemade irrigation system by drilling holes along the top.

Got old pantyhose? They make great dust protectors for storing shoes or delicate gloves during travel.

Less Trips to the Grocery Store by Buying in Bulk

Ever stopped to think how much time you spend on grocery shopping each week? Consider this: if you reduce your store visits to just once a week, or even better, bulk buy your dry goods monthly, you’ll save heaps of time.

On your first trip of the month, why not stock up on essentials like flour, rice, and other pantry staples? This way, you’re not only saving on repeated trips but also ensuring you have everything you need at hand, making weekly meal planning a breeze.

Gargle Saltwater for a Sore Throat

Feeling that scratchy, irritating sore throat coming on? Granny had just the remedy: a warm saltwater gargle. This simple solution is a powerhouse when it comes to easing throat pain and reducing swelling.

Just dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and gargle away. It’s an easy and effective way to manage sore throat symptoms at home.

Make Your Own Gift Cards, Gift Tags, and Wrapping Paper

Why spend a fortune on gift wrap and cards when you can make your own? It’s not only budget-friendly but also adds a personal touch that store-bought items can’t match.

Got some old grocery bags? They make fantastic wrapping paper or can be cut into tags and cards. Unleash your creativity with some markers, stickers, or whatever crafts supplies you have at hand.

Making your own wrapping supplies saves you money and also shows you really care about who you’re giving the gift to.

Cleaning Hack

Ever feel like you’re just adding more to your cleaning list with every little item around the house? Peg Bracken felt the same way back in the 1960s. In her book The I Hate to Housekeep Book, she gave a piece of advice that might just lighten your load: get rid of unnecessary covers and layers.

Why have a rug in the kitchen when your linoleum or vinyl flooring was chosen for easy cleaning? Bracken said to ditch toaster covers, shelf liners, and throw rugs to cut down on the cleaning effort. It’s about working smarter, not harder!

Easier Hosting

Imagine this: it’s 1962, and there’s a common joke about husbands springing last-minute dinner guests, like their boss, on their wives. Peg Bracken debunked this in her book, labeling it a myth.

Fast forward to today, and you might find yourself with an unexpected guest who missed the RSVP.

Bracken’s advice? Serve “things under things.” Placing the main dish on a bed of potatoes or veggies not only stretches the meal but also makes the plate look more full.

Phone Hack

In the 1950s, having a single phone line at home was the norm, and Dorsey Connor came up with a clever solution for those moving around the house. If you had to dash down to the basement for laundry, just place your phone in a dishpan on the floor.

The dishpan worked like a charm to amplify the phone’s ring, making sure you didn’t miss a call even from two floors away. Pure genius!

Rainy Day Cleaning

It’s the 1950s, and you’re juggling cooking, cleaning, and home management for over 40 hours a week. Every little time-saving trick counts, right?

Here’s a trick straight from the 1957 “Encyclopedia of Household Hints and Dollar Stretches“: keep a sponge by the back door. On rainy days, this sponge becomes your best friend to quickly mop up drips from umbrellas and wet shoes.

Need to clean the sponge? Just soak it in salt water.