In this guide we’re going to talk about some great life hacks for the modern gentleman.
Our Top Life Hacks
1. Use Windex to Clean Patent Leather Shoes
In a rush? No problem at all. A few shots of Windex on a clean, soft towel will take the scuff right off your patent leather oxfords or pumps and leave them with a mirrored shine.
Fort Belvederes Black Grosgrain Faille Evening Shoelaces
2. You’ve Been Tying Your Shoelaces Wrong
That’s right, we all have. It’s not your fault, though. Blame your parents for teaching you how and then watch this video to learn how to tie your shoes so they never come undone and always look perfect.
Get wrinkles out quickly with ice cubes
3. Use Ice Cubes to Get Wrinkles Out of a Shirt
Put your dryer on the highest setting, throw in the shirt and place three or four ice cubes in the dryer. As the ice melts, it turns into steam, ensuring a perfectly wrinkle-free shirt when you take it out.
Keep Your Shirt Collar Stiff with a Belt While Traveling
4. Keep Your Shirt Collar Stiff with a Belt While Traveling.
Roll the belt up and put it in the collar of the shirt to keep the shirt from bending or the collar from folding over while traveling.
Sharpen Cartridge Razor Blades with Denim Jeans
5. Sharpen Cartridge Razor Blades with Denim Jeans
Take an old pair of denim jeans you don’t mind ruining and run the razor blade down the jeans on a flat surface just like a strop. Then save money by getting more use from each blade. Lots of money.
6. Open a Wine Bottle with your Shoelace
Take a sharp paring knife and a boot lace. Tie a knot at the end of the lace and use the paring knife to push it through the cork in the wine bottle. Once it’s through all the way, pull the lace slowly and the cork will pop out. If the lace comes through, just tie a bigger knot.
Use a real clothes brush and forget the hacks
7. Un-Hack It: Use a Real Clothes Brush
We’ve tested all the hacks for removing lint, hair, and dust, and nothing does a better job than a real clothes brush. There is no substitute and it’s friendlier to our environment since there’s no waste.
8. Use Your Neck to See if Pants Will Fit
Next time you’re at the store and don’t want the hassle of trying on pants, take the waistband of the trousers and wrap it around your neck. Chances are if it fits around your neck, it will be the right size for your waist.
Use Baby Powder to Remove Oil Stains
9. Use Baby Powder to Remove Oil Stains
Oil stains are notoriously unsightly and difficult to remove. Thankfully, baby powder can remove them if you put it on fast enough. The oil gets soaked out and you get to wear your shirt once again. If you don’t have baby powder, press a fresh oil stain with something designed to be absorbent, like a paper towel or tissue.
Open Your Beer with Another Bottle
10. No Bottle Opener? Open Your Beer with Another Bottle
Hold the second bottle around the neck and use the bottle cap to pop off the cap of the beer you want to drink. Just be careful not to slip and cut your knuckle. We probably should have bought stock in Band-Aids before testing this trick. It works, provided you’re not a klutz.
11. Use Clear Nail Varnish to Prevent a Loose Button from Falling Off
No sewing kit nearby? No tailor? No problem. Grab some clear nail varnish and apply it to the button and it will hold on until you have a chance to fix it.
Use Stale Bread to Clean Suede Shoes
12. Use Stale Bread to Clean Suede Shoes
It’s really as simple as rubbing the bread against the shoe. The staler the better so long as it’s not moldy.
Stretch Tight Shoes in the Freezer
13. Stretch Tight Shoes in the Freezer
Fill two bags with water and place them in the shoes. Put it in the freezer and as the water freezes it will expand, causing the shoe to stretch.
14. Rub Deodorant on your Feet to Prevent Chaffing and Odor When Wearing Shoes with No Socks
You don’t need a ton, just a little goes a long way. We recommend roll-on or stick deodorant and not spray.
White Wine removes red wine stains
15. White Wine Removes Red Wine Stains
Spilled some red wine? Grab a bottle of white and use it to blot out the red and prevent a stain.
16. Use Lemon Juice to Prevent Sweat Stains
If you’re prone to sweat stains, fill a small spray bottle with lemon juice and mist the armpits of your shirts before putting them on.
17. Use a Paper Clip as a Collar Stay
Can’t find the collar stay you put aside? Did the cat get it? Grab a paper clip for a quick fix when you’re in a rush.
Add Salt to Ice to Cool Things Instantly
18. Add Salt to Ice to Cool Things Instantly
Fill a sink or bucket with ice, add cold water, then add about a cup of salt for every three cups of ice and stir. Put the beer, wine or whatever you want to chill in the mix. Move it around and it will be ice cold in about three minutes. Rinse well before consuming.
Use a Hair Straightener as a Collar Iron
19. Use a Hair Straightener as a Collar Iron
Is your collar flapping in the wind? Grab a hair straightener and use it to quickly press the collar back into shape. It’s perfect when traveling without an iron, and can be used on the rest of the shirt too.
20. Stuff Socks in Your Shoes When Travelling
Instead of carrying heavy shoe trees, stuff your shoes with socks to save room and keep the shoes in the right shape.
21. Use a Safety Pin on the Back of Your Lapel to Secure a Boutonniere
We’re often asked how to secure Fort Belvedere boutonnieres on jackets that don’t have a loop on the back of the lapel. Our answer: Use a small safety pin. It works every time. Just double check it doesn’t show through the front of the lapel.
22. Repurpose Your Wife or Girlfriend’s Old Pantyhose for Polishing Shoes
It’s the cheapest and best shoe cloth you’ll find. Simply use it on your favorite shoes to add polish.
23. Use Conditioner in Place of Shaving Cream
Forgot to pack shaving cream? Ran out mid-shave? No problem. Grab a bottle of conditioner and use it for a quick and painless shave.
Dryer Sheet to Freshen Smelly Shoes
24. Add a Slice of Lemon Peel or a Dryer Sheet to Freshen Smelly Shoes
Summer shoes sure take a beating. When you take them off at the end of a hot day, throw in a piece of lemon peel or a dryer sheet to keep them smelling fresh.
Use the Urinal Without Backsplash
25. Use the Urinal Without Backsplash
Few things are worse than backsplash at a public urinal. Aim for the side of the bowl next time and you’ll prevent getting hit.
Store valuables secretly at the beach
26. Protect Your Goods at the Beach
Use a clean diaper, an old lotion bottle (that’s clean) or an empty coffee thermos to store valuables at the beach so no one takes them while you’re in the water or soaking up the rays.
Soda Can Tabs to Hang Multiple Hangers From the Same Spot
27. Use Soda Can Tabs to Hang Multiple Hangers From the Same Spot
Running low on closet space? Use the tab from a soda can and run it through the hook of the hanger. Then hang another hanger from the tab and so on and so forth…
28. Put a Corkscrew in Sideways to Get a Cork Out with No Fuss or Mess
Always breaking the cork? Line the corkscrew up with the middle of the cork every time by lining it up from the side. Simply hold the corkscrew sideways so the tip is touching the middle of the cork. Then move it into position while keeping the tip touching the cork to make sure it’s perfectly centered every time.
Use a Clothes Pin to Hold a Nail while Hammering
29. Use a Clothes Pin to Hold a Nail while Hammering
Avoid hitting your thumb or forefinger by grasping the nail with a wooden clothes pin when hammering a nail.
30. Fill a 1qt Bag with 50ml Liquor Bottles for a Personal Cocktail Bar While Flying
Stop paying a small ransom for the airplane-size liquor bottles mid-flight. They may not advertise it, but so long as you pack it according to FAA regulations, you can pack as many 50ml liquor bottles as you want and carry them on the aircraft. Then just accept the free soft drink, juice or mix and add your own alcohol to make a cocktail in the air.
Use a ziploc bag and sponge to store cigars
31. Use a Ziploc Bag and Sponge to Store Cigars
If you don’t have a humidor and need to temporarily store some cigars, put them in a sealable freezer bag with a sponge dampened with distilled water to create a DIY humidor.
32. Pour Cheap Vodka Through a Water Filter to Give it a More Premium Taste
You read that right. On a budget? Need a martini? Filter your vodka in your Brita for a more premium-tasting vodka.
33. Gargle Whiskey and Warm Water to Instantly Relieve a Sore Throat
Many spirits were used medicinally in the past. Some still work that way. Add strong whiskey to warm water next time you have a sore throat and you’ll get some instant, temporary relief, though we don’t recommend driving afterward.
Drip Drop can cure your hangover quickly
34. Use Drip Drop to Avoid a Hangover
Had too much to drink? Drink some Drip Drop. It works better than any other trick or life hack we’ve tried.
Use wine boxes to store off season shoes
35. Use Wine Boxes to Store Off-Season Shoes
In most cases, you don’t even need to buy the wine. Most wine stores are happy to get rid of their boxes with cardboard dividers that 750ml bottles are shipped in. What’s awesome is that most shoes fit perfectly in them, which gives you a quick storage solution if you have a lot of shoes with minimal space.
Conclusion
There you have it. Our top life hacks that the editorial team at Gentleman’s Gazette recommends. What life hacks do you use? Any tips to improve on ours?