10 Hacks to Try If You’re Always Losing Things Around the House
Updated: Apr. 10, 2024
It's been estimated that we spend 153 days in our lifetime looking for stuff, according to a study conducted by UK-based esure home insurance. If you're one of those people who can't find their keys, phone, glasses, shoes or matching earring while running out the door, ease your frustration and spend less time searching with these organization hacks.
Lego Key Chain
Twenty million apartment and car keys go missing in the US every year. That’s a lot of lost keys and a lot of waste considering they all need to be replaced. If you’re prone to losing keys, make these Lego key chains and holder. Here are the simple step-by-step instructions.
No More Lost Socks
Stuff a strip of foam pipe insulation or a foam pool noodle into the space between your washer and dryer or along the wall. That way, socks can’t slip into the abyss where you’ll never find them. Check out these 25 pool noodle hacks that will change your life.
Remote-on-a-String
Remotes are one of the most commonly misplaces items with some research supporting the notion that you will spend two weeks of your life looking for your remotes. If you have three remotes to control your home’s TV, then it’s even more likely that you’re going to lose at least one of them. For a fool-proof way to never lose a remote, glue one end of a string to the end of the remote and fasten the other end to your sofa or chair. It may look weird but this remote leash will ensure it never goes missing again.
Pin Magnet
Anyone who uses bobby pins can tell you that they disappear at an alarming rate. One way to keep track of them is to get a magnet and let it attract all of the pins. Or, purchase this nifty magnetized holder.
Hair Tie Carabiner
Why do cats like to play with hair ties? We don’t have an answer for that, but here’s what you can do to keep track of hair ties so you don’t have to search for the ones your cat has hidden. Purchase a couple carabiners and load them up with your hair ties. Then either install a magnet or hook in your bathroom or bedroom and hang it up. Organize your home with these 12 simple life hacks.
Cords Rack
Untangling cords to find the one you need is aggravating. Bring some order to your life by building these wooden hooks for all of you cable/hose/cord storage needs.
Glow-in-the-Dark Glasses
Finding your glasses when you’re not wearing them is as difficult as every cartoon makes it out to be. There are plenty of hacks for finding your glasses—a bright-colored case or hanging them on a chain around your neck. But what about at night when you’re in bed and everything’s dark? We suggest applying a tiny amount of glow-in-the-dark paint to the inside of the frame. You’ll be able to spot you glasses without making a lot of noise.
Earbud Clips
Do you find your earbuds in the weirdest places? It’s genuinely difficult to remember where you left them if you’re constantly taking them out of your ears and dropping them wherever you are. Try this: clip a few binder clips to surfaces where you most commonly use your ear buds. When you’re done using them, just wind ’em around the clip.
For buds of the AirPod variety, try a designated dish in a few rooms throughout the house. They’re either there or nowhere.
Pegboard Cubbies
Is the top of your workbench always cluttered with little stuff like pencils, files, zip ties and the like, but when you need one of those things, you can’t find one? Here’s a solution: Cut short lengths of PVC pipe (1-1/2- and 2-in.-diameter pipes work well for most items) and slide them over pegboard hooks. Then load them up with files, hacksaw blades, zip ties, pencils, stir sticks…whatever!
Search Smart For Your Wallet
If you lose your wallet or purse on a regular basis, it’s time to invest in a handy tracking device like Tile. This nifty gadget is a bit bigger than a quarter (the perfect size to slip into a wallet) and comes equipped with a Bluetooth tracker that syncs with the Tile app on your phone. It’s a dream gadget for folks who have a habit of losing their stuff. After a simple two-step process to set it up, you can open up your app and either: 1. Ring the tile so you can find your wallet in your home by sound, or 2. Spot where it is on a map if it was left in your Uber driver’s car.
Originally Published: June 30, 2021
