Pounding cranberry juice will cure a UTI

Pounding cranberry juice will cure a UTI
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Juice is delicious, but despite the many Internet claims to the contrary, it’s not a substitute for medicine when it comes to treating medical conditions, Dr Hill says. “The only way to cure a urinary tract infection (UTI) is with antibiotics,” she says. “Cranberries may be helpful in preventing a UTI by making it harder for bacteria to attach to the bladder wall, but the juice contains lots of sugar, so it’s better to consume cranberry in a supplement form.”

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Wearing oil-infused wristbands will keep mosquitoes away

Wearing oil-infused wristbands will keep mosquitoes away
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With so many illnesses capable of being transmitted through mosquito bites, it makes sense that people are looking for a way to keep these pests away. However, many people are leery of the chemical deterrent DEET and turn to citronella, lavender, or other essential oils (often ‘infused”’ into a bracelet or candle) as a more natural bug spray – but these mosquito repellents don’t work, says entomologist, Dr Kevin Chan. Even if they did have some effect, they would only work in small, confined spaces with no wind, he explains.

Check out these tricks to keep bugs away on picnics.

Using wool dryer balls prevents clothes from shrinking

Using wool dryer balls prevents clothes from shrinking
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The theory: using a wool dryer ball in your dryer will decrease the amount of time needed to dry your clothes and thereby reduce shrinking. The reality: The real problem with dryers isn’t just the temperature or the time the clothes are in there – it’s the tumbling action, says garment expert Andrea Seemayer. “The motion of tumbling the clothes is what twists the fibres tighter and causes shrinkage,” she explains. “Using low heat may help reduce shrinking, but as soon as that garment starts twisting and turning in the tumbling machine, it is destined to come out fitting differently, and no special dryer ball will change that.”

Wrapping a pair of jeans around your neck will indicate whether they fit

Wrapping a pair of jeans around your neck will indicate whether they fit
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A very commonly repeated shopping hack advises people to wrap the waist of a pair of jeans around their neck to check for fit without actually trying them on. If the ends touch, then the jeans will fit…supposedly. But this is one shortcut you should skip, Seemayer says. “This hack does not take into account the amount of stretch that may be in the pant or the style (hip hugger, high waisted, low rise, etc.), and it surely doesn’t tell you if the pant will fit your thighs, which can vary tremendously from one person to another, no matter the waist size,” she explains. Sorry, but the only way to know if jeans truly fit is to try them on.

Wearing high-waisted pants will make you look five kilos thinner – instantly

Wearing high-waisted pants will make you look five kilos thinner – instantly
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High-waisted pants are having a fashion moment right now, but that doesn’t mean it will be flattering on everyone. And the universal advice that this cut will make you look slimmer and longer is not true, Seemayer says. People who are short or have shorter torsos, in particular, may want to try a lower rise, she says.

Discover these fashion secrets personal stylists won’t tell you.

Freezing your credit card in ice will make you spend less money

Freezing your credit card in ice will make you spend less money
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This popular finance hack would work…if the only way to use your credit card was to hold it in your hand. These days, however, many people have their credit cards stored on file on websites like Amazon or through an account like Google or Apple (not to mention everyone who’s memorised it). Plus, this hack doesn’t teach you responsible credit management, says Ryan Wright, founder and CEO of DHM Industries. “There is no reason to deprive yourself of this valuable resource if you are a responsible adult. Plus, you risk missing out on rewards like sky miles or cashback,” he says. “As long as you are paying the card off each month, you actually come out ahead.”

Putting a rubber band across a paint can will reduce drips

Putting a rubber band across a paint can will reduce drips
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Anyone who has ever painted knows the frustration of spills and drips down the can. One Internet hack suggests putting a large rubber band across the top opening of the can, allowing you to wipe excess paint off your brush without making a mess. “Great idea in theory but terrible in practice. When I tried it, as soon as I pressed the brush onto it, it went flying off the can, spraying wet paint all over the room,” says professional painter, Jason Paul. He adds that even if it does manage to stay on, you will still have to deal with oh-so-carefully removing the paint-laden band without flipping it around the room. “They make plastic pieces that attach to the lip of most paint cans that solve exactly this problem but with zero mess.”

Using coconut oil on your face will get rid of zits

Using coconut oil on your face will get rid of zits
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Coconut oil has become very popular in skincare, but just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s good for you, says beauty trend expert, Carly Ettinger. “Coconut oil is very comedogenic, which means it actually can clog your pores and create breakouts,” she says. “Everyone’s skin is different, but many people report having more pimples after using coconut oil, especially on their face.”

Taking a picture from an extreme downward angle will make you look more attractive

Taking a picture from an extreme downward angle will make you look more attractive
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When it comes to online dating, it’s understandable that you want to put your best foot (or face) forward. However, using Internet hacks – like taking a picture from an extreme angle or using FaceTune – to take a better profile picture can backfire big time, says relationship counsellor, Laurie Berzack. “It’s important for your profile photo to reflect the real you,” she says. “Online dating is simply a means of meeting people who you want to connect with in real life…not a parallel universe where everyone looks perfect.” Plus, many people are getting wise to these tricks and will wonder what you are trying to hide.

Here are some online dating terms you need to know now.

Vinegar and baking soda will get pet stains out of carpet

Vinegar and baking soda will get pet stains out of carpet
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These two ingredients are frequently featured in Internet cleaning hacks, but it’s more show than substance, says cleaning expert Mary Cherry. “Sure, the chemical reaction fizzes and it looks like some cleaning is happening,” she says. “But that fizz is carbon dioxide, and when that is gone, you are left with water. Yes, water.” Plus, baking soda can be abrasive and damage delicate surfaces.

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