This trick also works for small screws, nails, nuts, or bolts that are always getting away from you in the workshop.
Mini Corndogs in a Ziploc Bag
It’s time to take corndogs out of the ballpark and into the kitchen with this simple Ziploc brand bag corndog hack. Just make your batter in a Ziploc brand bag and use it for dipping your dogs before they hit the oil. Less messy batter flying everywhere and an easy clean up!
Gourmet Hamburger Patties
Ah, hamburgers—everyone loves their mouthwatering char-grilled goodness. But with that amazing taste comes “hamburger hands”…the dreaded sticky mess on your hands from making the patties. Not to mention portion size and prep time. Here’s the perfect solution: Create delicious gourmet hamburgers in a Ziploc® brand bag beforehand, then score the bag for individual portions and freeze for later. Once you’re ready to cook (our delicious red onion burgers) crack along the scored lines to break off what you need. Grill what you want to eat and put the rest back in the freezer.
Resealable Refresher
Don’t waste money on pricey, store-bought scented drawer liners. Make your own disposable scented sachets by filling a ziplock bag with your favorite potpourri, dried rose petals, or lavender buds. Poke a bunch of tiny holes in the bag with a sewing needle, and place the sachet in your drawers to infuse your clothes with the lovely fresh scent.
Recipe Rescuer
If your favorite recipe cards are starting to show a little wear and tear, use a sandwich-size ziplock bag to protect them from spills and splatters. Consider storing groups of recipes, like desserts or chicken dishes, in one bag and labeling the tabs appropriately. Alternatively, use a larger size bag as a cookbook holder—not only does it protect the pages from grease and grime, it can also hold the cookbook open to the appropriate page. Or, if you’re the high-tech sort that surfs for recipes online, place your tablet or phone in a ziplock bag to protect it during cooking—the touch screen will still work through the plastic covering.
Breakfast Burritos
Freeze Frame
It always happens: You’re in the middle of a painting project when something comes up that pulls you away. Don’t worry about cleaning up your paint-filled roller or brush before rushing out the door. Instead, place it in a ziplock bag, squeeze out all the air, and stash it in the freezer. When you’re ready to pick up where you left off, simply take the package out and let the brush thaw for about 15 minutes. Not only will this save you time with messy cleanup, it will also conserve paint, saving you a few hard-earned dollars in the long run.
Keep chargers and wires in ziplocks, to organize them without them tangling into one big ball.
Plug It In
Today’s wired world requires a seemingly infinite number and variety of chargers, plugs, and accessories. Keep all those cords neat and organized by coiling them carefully and securing them with binder clips or twist ties. Place them in a ziplock bag along with any related plugs or chargers, label the outside with a permanent marker—”extra cell phone charger,” “USB connectors,” and so on—and you’ll never be at a loss for the proper plug-in again.
Clean Lines
Working with caulk in the bathroom can be a fairly messy project, especially when you’re trying to get straight, smooth lines. Simplify the process by using a quart-size ziplock bag as an impromptu smoothing tool. Place your hand inside the bag, and moisten the outside. Then, use the tip of your finger to smooth your line of caulk and wipe off any excess without getting your hands dirty.
Nice Ice
Need a block of ice for a party or to fill your cooler on a long trip? Pour water into a one- or two-gallon ziplock bag until it’s about two-thirds full, and place it in the freezer to create a solid block of ice that will last longer than cubes and cut down on cleanup. Remember not to fill the bag to the top, as you need to leave room for the water to expand. Similarly, you can use this method to make a DIY reusable ice pack to soothe sprains, bruises, and whatever else may ail you.
Shower Savior
Shower head running a bit slow these days? Don’t blame your water pressure; the holes are probably clogged with limescale. Clear the pipes by using a ziplock bag as a DIY descaling solution: Fill a bag about halfway with white vinegar, and place it over the entire shower head; secure with rubber bands or string. Let stand overnight, and then rinse clean for like-new results.
Packing Pal
Sure, everyone knows you need to pack your carry-on toiletries in a quart-size ziplock bag to get through airport security, but you can also use larger versions to keep snacks, medicines, and full-size shampoos and conditioners from oozing out into your luggage. Be ultraorganized and stash a few extra bags to hold wet swimsuits, dirty clothes, or muddy sneakers on the trip back home.
Kitchen Companion
A ziplock bag makes a great disposable piping tube for decorating cakes and cupcakes, or making specialty-shaped cookies. Fill the bag about halfway with icing or dough, and twist the top to force the sweet treat into one corner. Snip off the edge of this corner, and then pipe away using gentle, steady pressure.
source: bobvila,
