There’s a significant chance that upon reading that headline, you rolled your eyes. But stay with us. Sure, the social media giant TikTok may have 1.39 billion users… but it has plenty of substance, too! 

While the app has faced scrutiny for its ability to spread misinformation, there is also some good stuff circulating there, too. If you manage to get your algorithm right, between videos of strangers performing group dances to songs you don’t know, you can find some pretty helpful life hacks!

For this blog, we’ve separated the useful hacks into three categories: cleaning hacks, money-saving hacks, and random/fun hacks.

Happy hacking!

Cleaning Hacks, a.k.a. #CleanTok

1. Use a dishwashing wand to clean your shower… while you’re in the shower.
2. Deodorize your furniture using three household ingredients. This creator, @vanesamaro91, dedicates her page to cleaning hacks and has over 5.5 million followers!
3. @cleanthatup is another #CleanTok account to follow. His videos range from cleaning tips to cleaning inspiration, such as cleaning dirty blinds. 
4. If there’s anything TikTok cleaners all seem to agree on, it’s that you can’t go wrong with a Scrub Daddy smiling scrubber. 

Money-Saving Hacks

Note: be aware of the difference between money-saving hacks and financial advice. While there are real finance professionals creating on TikTok, there are also creators with no financial expertise. Always double-check your sources before taking any financial risks. The hacks we’re sharing today are simple ways to either reduce spending, find great deals, or squirrel away a little extra cash.

1. Want to save an extra thousand bucks per year while barely noticing the difference? Move the last digit of your checking account balance into your savings account at the end of each day. For instance, if your balance is $1,254, move $4. Repeat every day.
2. The 52-week $5 challenge helps you save over $6K in a year––but it’s truly a challenge!
3. Don’t buy pre-packaged produce––opt for loose fruits and vegetables, which are generally cheaper. This TikTok shows you how.
4. Creators like @erikakullberg specialize in helping you get the best deals from corporations such as Costco and various airlines. She reads the fine print so you don’t have to!

Random/Fun Hacks

TikTok will have you wondering if there’s anything you can’t hack. Granted, some of the videos are for entertainment purposes only. It seems that a new genre of absurdist hacks is a major trend, and if you’re here for a laugh, they’re perfect. 

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of things you can hack, thanks to TikTok.

1. Bodysuits
2. Painting
3. Bacon grease
4. Mood lighting (when you don’t have enough outlets)
5. Chicken tendons
6. Opening Nutella
7. Drinking straws in aluminum cans
8. Tucking in a wide shirt
9. Egg sandwich
10. Folding towels

People are pretty creative, that’s for sure!

What are your life hacks? If you don’t see them on TikTok, you could always make your own account and join the chorus of creators trying to make everyone’s life a little easier.