The Latest Viral Cleaning Hack Isn't What It Seems

The best way to have a healthy breakfast in a hurry, why SOS Mix beats cream soup, and more. September 2, 2021 [View Online]( TOGETHER WITH [Babbel]( Good morning! We all have enough experience with the internet to know you shouldn’t believe everything you see online, and this lesson came in handy for me after seeing the latest viral cleaning trend on TikTok. Find out why I don’t think the wooden spoon cleaning hack is all it’s cracked up to be in Today’s Good Thing. And if you’re like me and you regularly misplace the same handful of items, Jillee’s Pick features a handy gadget that can help. It’s things like this that make me really appreciate living in the digital age. Jillee TODAY'S GOOD THING The Latest TikTok Cleaning Hack Isn't What It Seems [Photos of a wooden spoon in hot water.]( This viral hack for cleaning wooden spoons isn’t as brilliant as it seems, but it does have some merit. One of the latest viral cleaning trends on TikTok shows people putting their wooden spoons into boiling water. The hot water causes the wood to expand, releasing a greasy substance that floats to the surface of the water to form a shiny pool of oil. And to be fair, it does look pretty gross at first glance. The people in these videos are delighted by how much “grease” came out of their spoons using this cleaning hack, but something about it didn’t sit right with me. After giving it some thought, I realized that wooden utensils are supposed to have oil in them, because oil-based conditioners prevent wooden utensils from drying out and splitting. But I wasn’t ready to dismiss the hack completely, and after doing some more thinking, it occurred to me that boiling the oil out of wooden spoons could be useful as a deep cleaning method. It would be a relatively easy way to purge old or rancid oil from your spoons in order to replace it with fresh wood conditioner like [my DIY spoon butter](. Realistically, if your wooden spoons are relatively new or well maintained, you probably don’t need to boil them at all. But if your wooden spoons happen to be really grimy, or if you decide to buy one at a yard sale or thrift store, purging the old oil from the wood and reconditioning it probably wouldn't be a bad idea. Related • [Why Are People Taking Laundry Baskets To The Grocery Store?]( • [This Colorful Cleaner Is Trending Online For Good Reasons]( ⚡️QUICK TIPS⚡️ • Give your homemade oatmeal all the creaminess of instant oatmeal packets by adding this simple extra step. [Read more ➜]( • Spilled glue on your clothes or carpet? Whether it’s school glue or super glue, learn how to remove it here. [Read more ➜]( • If your home is feeling cramped, free up some space by getting rid of these 7 things you don’t actually need. [Read more ➜]( WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT? Smoothie Packs Put The “Fast” In Breakfast [A photo of smoothie ingredients in ziplock bags.]( Feel like you never have time for breakfast? Then make it ahead of time with some simple smoothie packs. We've all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but that doesn't mean much when you’re more focused on trying to get everyone where they need to go. I suggest working with your busy mornings instead of against them by putting together some single-serve [frozen smoothie]( packs. Add a cup or two of fresh or frozen fruit to each of several quart-sized ziplock bags or food storage containers. (A cup or two of greens would make a nutritious addition to each pack too, but if that’s not your thing, your secret is safe with me.) When you're done assembling, seal them up and toss them in your freezer. Then the next time you're in a hurry to get out of the house, just empty one of the smoothie packs into your blender, add 1-2 cups of liquid (like a fruit juice, milk, or a nut milk), and blend. Pour it into a tumbler or travel cup and you'll be out the door in no time. TOGETHER WITH BABBEL Exercise Your Mind While You Learn A New Language [A photo of a woman using the Babbel app.]( You can improve your memory and cognitive skills by using Babbel to learn a second language. In order to preserve our memories and keep our minds sharp as we get older, we need mental exercise. And if you have 10 minutes to spare between swinging by the post office and your next appointment, you have time for a mental workout with [Babbel](. Babbel’s language learning app makes it easy to improve your memory and cognitive skills. Completing their language lessons is like sending your brain to the gym, and you get to learn a language you’ve always dreamed of knowing! • Their 10-minute lessons were created by 150+ language experts (human ones, not computers like other apps) who know the most effective ways for you to learn • Lessons are voiced by native speakers, so you can hear the language exactly how it should sound Start flexing your mental muscles and improving your memory with this special offer for OGT readers: [get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription](. Did you know? Supporting our sponsors makes it possible for me to continue sharing the tips and tricks that make your life easier! Check out [Babbel]( for language lessons that can help keep your mind sharp in just 10 minutes a day. SWAP THAT 🔄 FOR THIS Use This 4-Ingredient Mix Instead Of Cream Soup [Photos of SOS Mix.]( Whenever I’m making a recipe that calls for cream soup, I reach for my SOS Mix instead. Having SOS Mix (AKA "soup or sauce" mix) on hand is one of the easiest ways to save time and effort in the kitchen. You can swap SOS Mix in for a can of cream soup in any of your favorite recipes that call for one. With this in your pantry, you would never have to buy another can of cream soup again if you didn't want to! It’s also gluten free, contains just four inexpensive ingredients—five if you count the optional one—and it's super easy to make too. Here's how to make it: To a mixing bowl, add 2 cups of nonfat dry milk, 3/4 cup of cornstarch, 1/4 cup of instant chicken bouillon, 2 tablespoons of dried onion flakes, and 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning (optional), then whisk to combine. Store in an airtight container. To use it in a recipe in place of cream soup, add 1/3 cup of SOS Mix and 1 1/4 cups of water to a saucepan and whisk until well blended. Cook the soup mixture until thickened, then add it to your recipe. [See The Full Recipe]( [See The Full Recipe]( JILLEE'S PICK Find Your Keys, Find Your Sanity [A photo of a Chipolo ONE bluetooth tracker on a key ring.]( No one likes losing their keys, wallet, or purse all the time. In fact, I think that if any of us could simply “stop forgetting” where we put them, we would have chosen that option a long time ago! But luckily for us forgetful types, tech wizards have come up with a quick and easy device that can help us locate those frequently misplaced items, and they’re more affordable than ever. I’m referring to bluetooth trackers like the [Chipolo ONE]( which some people refer to as “key finders.” Attach a tracker to your car keys, purse, or even your pet’s collar, and you’ll be able to locate the tracker and what it’s attached to from an app on your phone. And if you know your keys are close but still can’t find them, you can use the app to “ring” the tracker and find it that way. (If that’s not worth $25, I don't know what is!) [See the Chipolo ONE on Amazon](. YOUR ONE GOOD THING Use Your Ironing Board As A Craft Table Kelly from California has a great tip for crafters: "Use an adjustable ironing board as a craft table. You can adjust it to your height for knitting, crocheting, etc." I like the way you think, Kelly. (Or, to borrow a phrase that’s been popular with the OGT Team recently, “I like the cut of your jib!”) Buying a dedicated craft table can be expensive and take up a lot of valuable storage space, so using the ironing board you already own is an excellent alternative. This tip will come in handy when I finally get around to making a few more [distressed candlesticks]( which I’ve been meaning to do for a while now! Have a great tip or trick of your own? [Share YOUR “one good thing” here]( for a chance to see it featured in a future newsletter! A FEW MORE THINGS... It’s World Coconut Day! Having made [extensive use of coconut oil]( over the years, I wholeheartedly agree that coconuts deserve to be celebrated. Whether you’d rather learn if coconut is a [fruit, nut or seed]( bake [coconut macaroons]( or [watch baby orangutans]( learn how to open coconuts, there’s no wrong way to do it! Reopening Today: The [National Children’s Museum]( will reopen today for the first time in 18 months. If you’re looking to take your little ones to experience the many interactive and kid-friendly exhibits, advance tickets are required and can be [purchased online](. LOVE OGT? SHARE IT! If you’re enjoying the OGT newsletter, it would mean so much to me if you'd share it with your friends and family! When you share it allows me to continue sharing the tips and tricks you love with you! 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