15 Dec 1922, Fri The Nebraska Farm Journal (Topeka, Kansas) Newspapers.com
Looking for household tips and tricks? It’s not a new phenomenon! Historical newspapers reveal that folks in past decades struggled with some of the same conundrums around the house that we do today—and wanted easy solutions just like us.
So we searched Newspapers.com™ to find 15 vintage hacks that claim to solve some common household predicaments that still give us grief!
1. How to avoid crying while chopping onions (1935)
Tip: Avoid crying while chopping onions (1935) 13 Apr 1935, Sat The North Adams Transcript (North Adams, Massachusetts) Newspapers.com
2. How to cool baked goods (1940)
Tip: Use oven rack to cool baked goods (1940) 10 Mar 1940, Sun The Times Herald (Port Huron, Michigan) Newspapers.com
3. How to keep cut flowers fresh (1959)
Tip: Keep cut flowers fresh (1959) 13 Aug 1959, Thu The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com
4. How to easily measure shortening (1947)
Tip: Easy way to measure shortening (1947) 12 Jun 1947, Thu Harrisburg Telegraph (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com
5. How to remove air from a plastic freezer bag (1959)
Tip: Use a straw to remove air from plastic bags (1959) 30 Nov 1959, Mon Valley Times (North Hollywood, California) Newspapers.com
6. How to prevent meat grease from spattering (1950)
Tip: Use a colander to prevent meat grease from spattering (1950) 23 Nov 1950, Thu Greensboro Watchman (Greensboro, Alabama) Newspapers.com
7. How get wrinkles out of pants without ironing (1958)
Tip: Avoid wrinkles in pants by hanging them by the legs to dry (1958) 30 Jan 1958, Thu Star-Phoenix (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada) Newspapers.com
8. How to easily wash bowls used for dough (1941)
Tip: Soak bowls used for dough in cold water before washing (1941) 03 Oct 1941, Fri Chattanooga Daily Times (Chattanooga, Tennessee) Newspapers.com
9. How to clean windows lint-free (1955)
Tip: Use tissue paper for cleaning windows (1955) 23 Mar 1955, Wed Okemah News Leader (Okemah, Oklahoma) Newspapers.com
10. How to prevent nuts and dried fruit from sinking in baked goods (1958)
Tip: Shake nuts and dried fruit with flour before baking (1958) 30 Jan 1958, Thu The Journal Times (Racine, Wisconsin) Newspapers.com
11. How to separate egg whites and yolks (1941)
Tip: Use a small funnel to separate eggs (1941) 15 Apr 1941, Tue The Wagoner Tribuner (Wagoner, Oklahoma) Newspapers.com
12. How to water house plants without a fuss (1956)
Tip: Water plants with ice cubes (1956) 02 Dec 1956, Sun The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, Kansas) Newspapers.com
13. How to lightly season soup (1943)
Tip: Use a tea ball to season soups (1943) 07 Jan 1943, Thu Geneva County Reaper (Geneva, Alabama) Newspapers.com
14. How to remove grease from gravy (1949)
Tip: Remove extra grease from gravy (1949) 10 Jun 1949, Fri The Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio) Newspapers.com
15. How to re-use empty egg cartons (1958)
Tip: Use empty egg cartons as storage (1958) 08 May 1958, Thu The Decatur Daily Review (Decatur, Illinois) Newspapers.com
Got any home hacks of your own? Share them with us in the comments! Or find more household tips and hints on Newspapers.com™.
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