These eco friendly life hacks will help you with everything from phones to flip flops!

By Diane Small

Once upon a time, grannies used to pass household tips down the generations. Like: ‘put nylons in the freezer to extend their life’. Or: ‘use baking soda and lemon to get stains out of clothes.’

But let’s face it: new technologies and the need to save energy may have made some of those obsolete. So may we present our own version of granny’s household tips, or, ‘hacks’, if you will.

Some of these you may know, some of them may be new, but all of them are guaranteed to help make your life a little bit easier, help you save money, time and energy. And they’re all eco-friendly, too!

20 Eco Friendly Life Hacks

1. Drink Cooler

Save energy and time cooling your drinks! Wrap them in a wet cloth and stick them in the freezer until the cloth freezes.

Image: Buzzfeed.com

2. Makeshift Speaker

On holiday? No headphones? No speakers? No need to buy cheap ones–this is just as good. Well, kind of!

Via Twistedsifter.com

3. Easy Chip Clips

There is seriously never any reason to buy plastic clips. You already have some, in your closet!

Image: Buzzfeed.com

4. Immediate Cup Holder

In a car with no cup holder? Desperately need one? Just take off your shoe. Voila!

Via Shialabeowulf.tumblr.com

5. Condiment Server

I’m seriously wondering how I never thought of this before! If you’ve got friends coming over and no serving dish, a muffin tin can hold condiments, nuts, olives, or any other small snack you’re serving up!

Via shialabeowulf.com

6. Razor Blade Sharpener

Who knew? You can keep your razor blades sharp by dragging them across a pair of jeans. (But of course, using a reusable metal razor is always the more sustainable choice, right?)

Via Buzzfeed.com

7. Phone Charging Tip

Need to charge your phone fast? Want to save energy? Did you know putting it in Airplane Mode charges it faster?

Via Quora.com

8. Energy Saving Tip

Did you know the dryer is one of the most energy consuming items in your home? It’s better to simply hang-dry clothing, but if you must use a dryer….follow this tip!

9. Jeans Conservation

No need to trash old jeans just because the zipper keeps falling down. A safety pin and keychain loop will keep it up!

Via Twistedsifter.com

10. Save The Keyboard!

Keyboard lost a foot? Easily fixed! Just use the metal part of these binder clips.

Via Twistedsifter.com

11. Easy Shower Head Cleaner

Got limescale build up? No need for a new shower head–or harsh chemical cleaners! Simply tie a plastic bag with white vinegar inside it around the showerhead overnight. The limescale will be gone in the morning!

via Buzzfeed.com

12. Furniture Fixer

Forget about looking for toxic varnishes and paints to fix up small chips in wood–a few rubs of walnut will do.

Via Twistedsifter.com

13. Ironing Hack

Still got some heat in your hair straighteners? Use them to iron out small clothing wrinkles. I’ve done this a million times, personally. It works!

Via Twistedsifter.com

14. Recycled Organiser

Old toilet rolls can be put to good use in the tool shed, for many different tasks. Personally, I use them in drawers to organise stockings.

Via twistedsifter.com

15. Free Closet Organiser

Running out of closet space? No need to buy a new wardrobe. This also helps coordinate matching trousers and jackets too! Definitely one of the best eco friendly life hacks for those of us with little closet space.

Via Tumblr.com

16. Cute Cake Idea

Having a party? This is one of the best eco friendly life hacks for moms with kids. Don’t bother buying little paper cupcakes to bake with. This trick is not only fun, but if you add a dollop of ice cream on top of the cake, it also saves on washing up too!

via Tumblr.com

17. Sneaky Money Hider

Hitting the beach? On holiday? Out for a rather drunken evening of fun? Don’t worry about getting your money stolen! Just hollow out an old lipstick tube and roll up your money there. A great way to recycle old lip balm tubes!

Via Tumblr.com

18. Save The Flip Flop!

No need to buy new thongs if the toe breaks–this trick extends their life! Glue the bread clip for extra-long durability. This is one of those eco friendly life hacks that everyone should know.

Via Tumblr.com

19. Free Kitty Litter Scoop

This is one of my favourite eco friendly life hacks! You’ll never a need to buy a plastic shovel for your kid, or poop scoop to clean your cat’s litter box. Just recycle a milk or juice jug with a few clips!

Via Tumblr.com

20. Easy Computer Cleaning Hack

No idea why people buy those little mini-vacuums for computers when a regular one and ketchup bottle top do the same thing! This is one of those eco friendly life hacks that will save you money by being a bit clever.

Via Tumblr.com

Do you know of any other eco friendly life hacks of your own? Let us know in the comments, below!