20 DIY projects that will make your life much easier

Whether you need it to keep your lunch fresh or to place on a sprain, a kitchen sponge makes for an easy, mess-free ice pack. Simply dampen the sponge, place it inside a freezer bag, and stick it in the freezer for a few hours until thoroughly chilled. 

It might seem strange, but a walnut can work wonders on scratches in your hardwood flooring. Vigorously rub the flesh of the nut into the scratch until you can no longer see it, then wipe away any excess with a microfiber cloth. 

Pool noodles are cheap, easy to find, and have tons of uses around the house, especially in keeping unwanted items out of crevices in your home. Cut a noodle to the right length and stick it under the couch to prevent toys and other items from getting stuck, or use one in the space between your dryer and the wall to keep socks from going missing. 

With just a few sticks of hot glue and the clothes hangers you already own, it's easy to make non-slip hangers that will keep your closet's floor free of clutter. Using plastic hangers and a hot glue gun, make a squiggle of glue on each side of the hanger to prevent blouses from slipping off. 

From disinfecting surfaces to cleaning out your garbage disposal, baking soda and vinegar are seriously versatile. Combine them to unclog drains, or use baking soda on its own to scrub away stains and freshen musty odors, and employ vinegar as a cheap fabric softener or all-purpose cleaner. 

Scrubbing the shower can be a daunting task, especially if you've allowed soap scum to build up for a while. Instead of doing one massive clean every few weeks, keep a scrub brush filled with your favorite cleaner and give the tile, grout, and surfaces a quick scrub every time you step out of the shower. Don't forget a squeegee to wipe away drips! 

Vacuum cleaners can get stinky over time, especially as the filter accumulates dust, pet dander, and other debris. Use a few drops of essential oil like peppermint or lavender on your vacuum's air filter to give it a quick refresh. 

Once you've chopped green onions (or scallions) for your salad, keep the ends in a glass jar of water. You'll have a whole new batch within a matter of days. Set the jar in a sunny windowsill for maximum growth. 

If you've got a cordless drill at home, you've got a seriously powerful cleaning tool just waiting to be used. Many retailers, like Home Depot and Amazon, sell brush attachments for drills, which allow you to scrub grout and other hard-to-clean surfaces without employing too much elbow grease. 

Magnetic strips can help you save a ton of space in the kitchen and garage, and they're a cheap storage solution for knives, tools, and anything else made from metal. You can also add magnets to small containers and use those to store everything from spices to screws! 

If you're too busy to iron, tossing a few ice cubes (or a moistened washcloth) into the dryer with your clothes will make quick work of any lingering wrinkles. To add a little freshness, add a few drops of essential oils onto the washcloth. 

Keeping the space under the sink organized can be a pain, especially when you're frequently hauling out products to clean the bathroom or other spaces. Use baskets with handles to organize cleaning supplies according to their use, and simply remove the basket with all the supplies you need instead of dragging out each item individually. 

If you're tired of your kitchen table or are looking for a new bookshelf, the solution might be right under your nose. Instead of splurging on a new piece, consider adding a coat of paint in a fun color to give your table or shelf new life without spending extra cash — or tossing your old furniture in the landfill. 

Paint can be a seriously easy way to spruce up your home's decor in no time. Use textured paints to add dimension to old vases, furniture — even jelly jars and other DIY decor pieces — without putting in too much effort. 

Dried flowers are seriously trendy right now, and they couldn't be easier to make at home. Remove any leaves or foliage from the flowers' stems, then hang to dry in a cool, dark place for a few weeks until the flowers are completely dry. Then, arrange them in a vase for a decorative piece that lasts much longer than fresh flowers. 

Once you're at the bottom of a candle, don't toss out that wax! Stick the jar in the freezer for a few hours and use a butter knife to pry out the remaining wax, then toss your new DIY wax melt into a candle warmer to extend the scent just a little bit longer. 

Storing linens can be a pain, but this easy hack is seriously life-changing. Once you've folded your sheets, tuck them inside the matching pillowcase and stack them on a shelf. The sheets will get less wrinkled, and you won't have to go searching for the right matches when it's time to change the bedding. 

With a few boards, some brackets, and screws, making shelves at home couldn't be easier. If your space lacks storage, use these DIY shelves to add chic storage, or as a space to display decorative items and add visual interest to your walls. 

Whether they're wicker or wire, round or square, baskets are endlessly versatile. If you're in need of a place to store towels in the bathroom or kids' toys in the playroom, hang a basket on the wall for an easy shelving solution that doesn't require hardly any work at all. 

If your cabinets are stuffed, make use of the doors. Using Command hooks and small baskets, you can add additional storage space that's neatly tucked away. Just make sure to measure before choosing your baskets — some may be too large to fit.