Sometimes it’s hard to open doors, jars, beers and other things when you have a hard time getting a good grip or you’re just plain weak. Thankfully, there are plenty of good tricks out there to get things open using common household objects.
Jars
The perilous task of opening a stuck jar has plagued mankind since the first jar and lid were put together, but it doesn’t have to be that way. While it will always be a long-running joke on TV, there are plenty of ways even the weakest among us can open a stuck jar.
The Wrapping It Method: Wrapping the lid of a stuck jar with an object that’s easier to grab is one of the best ways to open it. You can use rubber bands, tennis balls, a sheet of non-slip drawer liner or a latex glove.
The Tapping It Method: If wrapping it doesn’t do it for you, tapping it against a table works, as does smacking it with a spoon.
The Heating Method: If all else fails, you can try running the lid under hot water, so the metal expands and opens more easily (or heat it with a lighter, if you prefer). If all else fails, try these tips in tandem with each other.
Photo by How can I recycle this.
Doors and Bonnets
Having a stuck door or hood is a hassle. You might be stuck outside, or with a hood that can’t open and a car in desperate need of window washer fluid. Thankfully, you can get both open with hardly any tools.
Doors at home: Unfortunately, the only way to open a jammed door in your house is to run into it as hard as you can, or pull on it. If the lock is stuck, you can always remove it or use a pencil’s graphite to loosen it up. Provided you can get the door open, take a look at the hinges and make sure your screws are tight. If they’re loose, tighten them up to prevent it from happening in the future.
Bonnets: If you’re trying to make some car repairs, the worst possible way to start your day is finding out your bonnet is stuck. The first and easiest method is to smack the bonnet while pulling on the release hatch. If you don’t have the brute force to bump it out of its lock, you can start by trying to use a small hook to wiggle out the hood latch. You can try this directly through the front of the car above the grill or from underneath. If that doesn’t work, you can look underneath the car near the bumper, under the radiator, and you’ll find an arm that controls the latch. The same basic principles can be applied to opening a stuck trunk and none of them require a lick of strength.
Photo by Matt McGee.
Windows
Not being able to open a window sucks, especially if you just burned a pizza in the oven and the house is filling with smoke. It’s a good thing one of the tips for opening a stuck window uses a pizza cutter.
The Pizza Cutter Method: The pizza cutter method detailed in this video requires nothing more than a spray of WD-40 and a quick once-around with a pizza cutter to open a stuck window.
The Wood and Hammer Method: If the pizza cutter doesn’t work, you can set a piece of wood against the frame and hit it with a hammer. This way, you’ll use the power of the hammer to help your puny arms smack it open.
Clamshell Packaging
Clamshell packaging can thwart even the strongest person, but that doesn’t mean you have to hack into it with a pair of scissors or rip it apart with your teeth.
This previously mentioned tip still holds true, if you fingers and muscles aren’t up to snuff, your can opener will hack right through the plastic casing.
Drinks
Wine: Sometimes a corkscrew just makes things too difficult for weaklings. Thankfully, you can just use a shoe to open a bottle of wine. If you can’t get it out, just give up, tie a piece of string around the cork and push it down. If you don’t like the idea of leaving a cork in there, a pen and an apron are an excellent alternative.
Beer: Opening a bottle of beer is the best way to show off your strength, even if you have none. You can use a countertop, a ring, a piece of paper and a lighter. None of these tricks take any muscles, but they’ll make you look a real boss.
Photo by pwever.
Do you have any clever ways to open stuck things? Share your tips in the comments.
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