That DIY Hack You Saw on Instagram Doesn't Necessarily Work
Social media is full of clever DIY hacks that promise to save time, money, or effort - but not all of them live up to the hype. Some are just impractical, while others can actually make things worse. Get off TikTok and read this list instead – it might even spare you an injury!
Using Toothpaste to Fix Scratched Headlights
It seems like a great hack on video, but the toothpaste shine doesn’t last. It might slightly improve cloudy headlights for a day or two, but after that you're back to hazy plastic. Professional polishing kits or a UV sealant give longer-lasting results, so try those instead.
Vinegar and Baking Soda for Clogged Drains
This looks impressive and super satisfying in videos, but it’s mostly fizz and very little function. It won’t dissolve major clogs, especially grease or hair. You’re better off using a drain snake or an enzyme cleaner. Don’t be fooled by TikTok, cleaning influencers are just out to make money.
Crayon Wall Hole Filler
No, no, no! This doesn’t work at all! It looks okay until the wax melts in warm temps or smears under pressure, and then you’ve just got a huge mess. It doesn’t blend well with paint either. A dab of real spackle takes just as long and actually works.
Banana Peel Shoe Polish
Sure, a banana peel might make your shoes a little shinier for a few hours, but it leaves a sticky residue and attracts dust. Real polish is affordable and way more effective. Just put the banana skin in your composting and forget about it, it’s trash.
Microwave “Self-Cleaning” With Vinegar Steam
On TikTok this looks like it melts off grime in seconds, but the steam mostly just softens the gunk - you still have to scrub. Plus, if you overheat the vinegar, it can smell awful and even damage your microwave. It helps a little, but it’s not the miracle it claims to be.
Nail Polish to Stop Runs in Stockings
To be fair, this isn’t just a social media trend, your grandmother might have told it to you too. It technically works… for about an hour. Then your stockings still rip and now there’s crusty polish stuck to your leg. Ewww. Sorry, Granny.
Freezing Candles to Make Them Last Longer
Some claim freezing candles slows the burn, but in reality, it often causes them to crack or burn unevenly. Cold wax can even break glass holders when lit. Let candles do their thing at room temperature.
Aluminum Foil as a Dryer Sheet Substitute
Yes, it can cut static, but it doesn’t soften clothes or add scent. If you’re just trying to keep socks from clinging to shirts, it kind of works - but don't expect the cozy feel or fresh smell of actual dryer sheets. It's a shortcut with limited benefits.
DIY Mirror Cleaner With Vinegar and Newspaper
This one’s hit-or-miss. Vinegar helps, sure, but newspaper today isn’t what it used to be - it’s coated and leaves streaks. Paper towels or microfiber cloths are better. You’re not saving much, and you’ll spend more time trying to buff out those ink smudges.
Rubbing a Walnut on Scratched Wood
You’ll see some color fill in briefly, but it’s temporary. The oil from the nut darkens the scratch, but it fades fast. It’s a fun trick for guests arriving in five minutes, but it’s not a real fix. Use a wood touch-up marker for better, longer-lasting results.
Using Cola to Clean Toilets
Cola contains mild acids, but it’s not a replacement for real toilet cleaner. It might loosen some stains, but you’ll still need to scrub. Plus, it leaves a sticky, sugary residue behind. Why not just buy toilet cleaner from the store? It’s usually quite cheap.
Mayonnaise to Remove Water Rings
Slathering mayo on your wood furniture sounds like a joke, but people really do try it. It can sort of work by rehydrating the wood, but it also leaves oil stains and a weird smell. A proper wood polish or a dab of petroleum jelly is much better.
Using a Potato to Remove Broken Lightbulbs
People try this, and then they end up with glass stuck in their hand. It only works if the break is clean and the base isn’t jammed. A bulb extractor or even needle-nose pliers are safer. Potatoes are for dinner, not electrical work.
Rubber Band to Strip a Stuck Screw
It looks like a good idea in videos, but if the screw is truly stripped, a rubber band usually won’t save you. It might help a little, but most times you need a screw extractor or drill. It's a hack that works once in a while - not the magic fix TikTok would have you believing in.
Mixing Your Own Cleaning Sprays With Soap and Vinegar
This combo can actually cancel itself out. Vinegar is acidic, and soap is basic, so they don’t mix well. You’ll often end up with a curdled mess that doesn’t clean much. Just buy your own cleaning sprays from the store.
Dryer Lint as Fire Starter
It’s popular with campers online, but dryer lint can burn too fast and unpredictably - especially if synthetic fibers are involved. It might flare up but won’t give you a steady flame. Plus, it smells terrible when it burns.
DIY Bleach Pen With Cornstarch and Bleach
Trying to make your own bleach pen usually ends with clumpy gel and uneven results. It’s hard to control the mixture and even harder to apply precisely. You risk bleach stains in all the wrong places. Store-bought pens exist for a reason, so just use them instead.
Using a Comb to Hold Nails While Hammering
This one gets passed around as a clever safety tip, but in practice, it’s awkward. The nail wiggles, the comb breaks, and you still risk bent nails. A clothespin or needle-nose pliers work much better. Cute idea, but not as helpful as the videos make it seem.
Using Cooking Spray to Prevent Snow Buildup on a Shovel
It sounds like a clever winter trick, but cooking spray wears off quickly, and it turns sticky over time. You’ll end up with greasy hands and a gross garage. If snow is sticking to your shovel, a silicone spray or just a non-stick shovel works way better.
Using Bread To Pick Up Glass
Dropping glasses is inevitable, but so many people think you can use bread to pick up the shards. But bread is actually one of the worst things to do this with – it’s too soft. The glass might well end up in your fingers instead.
