I used to do a series of Top Tips posts every year...I thought it was time I did something for 2021. Tips on what to keep in an Age of MinimalismMy aunt has lived in her home for over 50 years - but now her mobility is quite restricted. She used to do lots of baking - now the breadmaker, food processor, baking tins and many other gizmos and gadgets are stacked in the dining room unused. I know that Gillian was planning to have a big sort out next autumn, once she had retired. Staying in her home has caused me to re-evaluate many of my homewares. Which ones do I use enough to merit keeping?
There are three items, from kitchen, bedroom and bathroom which I am definitely hanging on to.
In the kitchen, my JarKey. It cost around a fiver. This is only the second one I've bought, they last for years. But they make opening jars of chutney and pickles so much easier. I'm old enough to remember jamjars having a label which said "Pierce with a pin, and push off" which amused me as a child. But this is a much safer way of releasing the vacuum. Or you can try the method Steph taught me- turn the container upside down and bang the lid hard on a folded tea towel on the counter top.In the bedroom, my nail clippers. So simple, a lever action, no parts to go wrong, and it packs away nice and flat. Great for trimming nails - but also for snipping those horrid plastic ties you get joining pairs of socks, or holding price tags on new garments. And for pulling away that little plastic strip round the top of some pill bottles.In the bathroom, my hair turban. I can wrap a towel round my head after washing my hair, but it has to be exactly the right size. To big and it collapses in a heavy wet mass down my back, too small and it comes untucked and flings itself on the floor. I can towel-dry my hair, and quickly twist on my "turbie" The sustainable bamboo fibres quickly help dry my hair, while I get oin with other jobs, then I can finish off with a brush and quick blowdry when I'm ready.None of these items costs more than a fiver. I use them all on a regular basis. [and they'd make good stockingfiller gifts too]
Great post! I use a type of can opener to unlock jar lids, but, I think your gadget is better designed! I did a quick search and I see that it is available here, too. Good to know...next time someone asks me what I want for Christmas, I'll know what to ask for!
ReplyDeleteI have nail clippers and you are right, they are useful.
I don't have a turban for drying my hair, though. I just use a towel. But, maybe I should get some of those turbans for my daughter - she claims she can never wrap a towel around her head and have it stay in place!
I love my "turbie"
DeleteDoes piercing the lid affect how well the contents will keep? It would make the lid unusable for home made jam later.......not that I make home made jam that is !! Looks like a great little gadget to me.
ReplyDeleteA simple gadget that I would hate to be without is the ring can opener. A kind of hook thing that lifts the ring and pulls the lid back, without ending up with a cut finger or cutting off the blood supply !!
Another is the long handled shoe horn. Definitely an old person's gadget but I'm not proud !!
I think piercing the lid is a bad idea in terms of hygiene/use by date. I use a teaspoon handle to assist with ring pulls
DeleteIt's always good to re-evaluate things on a regular basis isn't it. I'm currently selling some of my Le Creuset cookware as it just doesn't get used and I really don't have the space for things that look beautiful but just sit there.
ReplyDeleteYour little key for opening jars is a great idea, but I just use the bottle opening end of my tin opener for that so it's one gadget I don't need ... I do like multi-functional things :-)
I still use my Le Creuset. But many older friends find their casseroles too heavy to carry
DeleteThree things I also wouldn't want to be without. Those hair turbans are the greatest, I couldn't imagine being without mine!
ReplyDelete🙂👍
DeleteGreat gadgets .. I especially like the jar unlocker .. now that arthritis has made jar opening rather difficult .. that would come in handy! My daughters and grandgirls all got hair turbans last Christmas and love them. My hair is short so I have no need of one.
ReplyDeleteMy hair is short but I still use my turbie
DeleteI have a similar jar opener, of course nail clippers, and a turbie as well and I love them all! Funny you should post this because I have been having a good look around my kitchen thinking of getting rid of quite a few things — I seem to have duplicates, or triplicates, of almost everything! It makes every drawer look like a junk drawer!
ReplyDeleteI am learning to get rid of the duplicates... It makes my drawers much less cluttered
DeleteI agree about the jar key - my one looks identical. Cheers
ReplyDeleteThey seem to be popular world wide
DeleteI have the clippers and the Turban but not the jar opener. The turban is really useful. Sadly broke my Body Shop toe nail clippers last year- somehow the lever snapped right off but it had a good innings. Bought a new set and is going strong.
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