#so im gonna get a sponge rack too

[teenagefeeling]

we've been having issues with ants in the kitchen and it finally started to drive me crazy so i did a deep clean of the entire countertop and holy shit y'all. i don't think my parents had ever cleaned under that air fryer before. the sugar container (next to it) was also literally stuck to the counter i think i found the problem spot lmfao

[lovelyladylavie]

(Disclaimer: I am not a professional, Im just a poor person who picked up a few tricks)

That original inforgraphic seems like its trying to make you buy buy buy excessively. I personally like to try and repair what I can, macguyvering things back together bc growing up in poverty makes you either suffer from lack or become resourceful AF. So here's what I'd do for each:

Fix it up!

-sponge: boil it when stinky for five min and then pull it out and let it rest, or microwave it for 30 sec (its gonna be hot watch out), (or if its a ScrubDaddy, you can put it in the bottom rack of the dishwasher since it wont hold water.) Comes out pretty germ-free any of these ways, and that'll get the stink off. Throw it away when it's actually disintegrating or the green scrubby-fluff side is gone (if u got one of those ones)

Shower curtain liner: Throw it in the washer with a bit of bleach or just laundry soap. Hang it back up and drip dry.

Microwave filter: I, too, am astounded this exists. More research is required.

Toilet brush: spray it to keep it disinfected after you use it, but yeah, try and replace that every couple years, especially if its got build up of gunk.

Bath mat: have 2. Swap one out every month while the other one goes for a wash and waits for its turn.

Bed pillows: Take note of a place in your house where a sunbeam hits for a long time during the day. Wash your pillows in the washer, throw them in the dryer and let them sit in the sunbeam for as long as possible, as it'll help slow cook any leftover moisture out of them and it makes them fluffy. Make sure and flip them halfway thru the time limit

Sheets: If they cant reasonably be saved or are too threadbare, when they fall apart you still might be able to use them as cleaning rags, so cut em up and let them finish off their time on earth being as useful as possible. Hem them for extra life.

Bath Towels: when they get funky, use laundry sanitizer. Its 6 bucks a bottle and its a game changer. And when they fall apart: MORE RAGS! AND you can cut bath towels into new washcloths. I even hemmed mine to make them last longer instead of fraying to bits. Just toss the really warn down bits. You don't gotta keep all of it.

Nonstick cookware: Really, this stuff is just kinda bad for us and the environment. But theyre cheap, and thats why we all got them. Use soft plastic or silicone utensils so it don't scrape up that coating. And watch your dang food so it doesnt burn. Another option if you wanna replace it with something more earth/health friendly is a cast iron pan or stainless steel, some of which you might be able to find at your local thrift store. They have TONS. Stacks on stacks! They require a learning curve on care/use but just youtube it. Some might require a lil elbow grease to clean up, but if there's anything gross in them, you can boil water in the stainless steel ones, and the junk will melt away or be easier to lift up.

Throw pillows: see the above about bed pillows and getting them fluffy again. However, if the pillow skin is breaking down, you might just wanna put the pillow insert or the fluff into a new one, which is the simplest sewing project ever. A fun thing to do is take an old tshirt you love/wanna save/grown out of and sew up the sides or cut out the logo on front and a matching square of fabric off the back and put the fluff into that! Now you dont have to throw it away either!

Mattress: REPLACE THE MATTRESS REPLACE THE MATTRESS I AM NOT JOKING. A bent-spring or dipped-in mattress will give you fucking sciatica i am not joking it happened to me. It was painful as fuck and STILL flares up to this day. Keep it as long as you feesably can, and flip it occasionally (6 months, if its one that you can do that with), but if you got back pain, please save up and go get a new one for cheap or a refurbished one. Floor models on showfloors can be cheaper, and there are new, cheap mattresses in plastic sometimes available at GoodWill (they do sell new things too sometimes!!). There are discount mattress stores out there, shop around on price ranges and once you find a place you can afford, please lay on it for 10 minutes and listen to what your body is telling you. Its aches and groans. Does any pain flare up, even a little? Try the next one until you find what you like. Take your time, its for your health.

Couch: This will ALSO give you sciatica if you aren't careful! But yeah, you just gotta make the call of when "broken down" is. If you feel broken wood inside, its probably time.

Smoke detectors: Dont fuck around when it comes to fire safety. Set an event in your calendars to check these every 6 months (on mattress flipping day!). Press the awful button and test them. I know, it's sensory hell. Do it anyway. Replace the batteries if they're dead.

Small appliances: See if there's a repair group in your neighborhood or area. (There was a post floating around a bit ago about right-to-repair groups recently, if anybody's seen that, plz post the link) ((Sometimes it might just be something small and can be easily repaired. Websites of the producers of appliances sometimes sell parts! We've repaired our dishwasher twice and got a new lint trap for the dryer this way.)) And if you join a group, you might learn something new! Also: if u aren't handy, befriend people who are and ask for help. Thats why we have community, baby! Be safe, don't try anything out of your depth, but don't be afraid to ask/learn. Or just go to repair shop like Sew'n'Vac and get an estimate.

Duvet: I have never owned a duvet, idk what they're made of, but if its polyfil, you can use them to make more throw pillows.

Doormat: I always felt like doormats are a luxury, tbh? Idk, check GoodWill. If you find one u like in the wild, get it. Spray it off on occasion so you can still read it and shake the pine needles outta it.

Curtains: The material is usually p nice on these, so try and reuse it for other projects like table runners or once again, fancier throw pillows (i just really like pillows u guys and theyre so expensive for no reason. It's like 30 bucks for a new one! Insane!) Also, consider rotating different color/pattern curtains to different rooms to keep the vibes fresh and interesting. Also, give them a wash on occasion. They're dusty!

Once again, not a professional ANYTHING, just a poor person making do.

Use it up, fix it up, make it last, make it work!

Who the hell can afford to replace these things that often? Being able to buy my FIRST couch is like a daydream I come back to?! (I don't want a used bedbugs one) Also what the fuck do you MEAN microwaves have removable filters somewhere

[maldaptivedaydreamer]

Nights Like These- K.T.H

Genre: Pure Whole Sale Angst

Song: Out Of Love by: Alessia Cara (listen while reading)

Pairing: Taehyung/Reader

Word count: 1981.

Warnings: None?

A/N: I stayed up till well past 4am writing this so please spare me your thoughts on this? Requests are open. Chapter two for Strange Addictions is in progress and will not be published till I have either 4K words or I’m satisfied. In the meantime have this.

My skin is raw and sensitive from the intense heat of the water and scrubbing motions against the rough sponge. The apartment was nearly immaculate, not that it was much of a mess before. My routine for the past few weeks was to clean, work, and then clean again. My phone filled with unanswered and unopened text messages. But I can’t find the ability to mind. The messages or the routine either one. I just need the distraction from the aching in my heart and my head. Anything to keep the memories from replaying, to keep his voice from echoing, or the ghost of his touch from lingering.

Clanking the last dish into the drying rack and draining the sink, I dry my hands briskly on my jeans, turning to head back to my dimly lit bedroom. The curtains pulled open so that the only light is a gentle glow of the surrounding buildings and the stars.

“Should I stay up and gaze a bit? Or should I try to get some sleep?” I say to myself knowing it doesn’t really matter. At night you can’t run from yourself. When you are all alone and are forced to confront the truth, sleep becomes a friend and enemy. One in the same. The bed is especially colder now. More spacious. Truthfully that could be said about the whole damn apartment. A tear slips from my eyes but I still stand in place, my body knowing what’s to come already. Moving towards the window, I gaze at the people below me. It’s only 9pm and it’s Saturday so couples and groups of friends alike venture up and down the streets. Getting lost in the scenery, I begin to see the past before me; as if reliving it.

The Good

“How did you guys meet again?” A question from Jimin.

He smiles nervously and laughs a bit to himself. A night on the town to celebrate the engagement ended up being filled with laughter and teasing all around from the lively bunch.

“Aish you’ve asked that too many times now..”

“I know I know but I still can’t believe it. Our own Taehyung-ssi is getting married before the rest of us?!” Jimins smile only brightened more as Tae tightened his grip on my hand, mirroring Jimin’s smile. The warmth in my heart spread to my face while I gazed at the love of my life. Feeling my stare, he turned to me, placing a chaste kiss to my nose and forehead and rubbing his thumb thoughtfully over my knuckles.

The sky was hot pink and purple with scattered clouds here and there. A low breeze brought with it the smell of street food and honeysuckle. It was as if someone painted this moment in rose gold and garnet.

“And there she was soaked to the bone with a tiny Pomeranian on a leash wound around her legs. She looked like a mess haha!” I hit his arm playfully.

“Yea yea he caught the other dogs and helped me bring them all home. My hero”

Rolling my eyes at the fond memory despite the odd circumstances. I never imagined he would want to take me for coffee directly after despite us both being soaked.

“You’re forgetting the part where you tried to hit me with an umbrella before you realized I wasn’t stealing said dogs”

“Shhhh no one needs to remember that it’s fine it’s fine”

Shutting the curtains finally I resign myself to the bed, slipping out of my jeans and undergarments. The sheets smelled of fresh lavender and citrus. I couldn’t help but to wash them as much as possible; both to rid them of his sent and all the tears they’ve since soaked up. The cold is never enough to numb my soul in the night. No sleep is ever deep enough to drown out the loneliness. But sometimes I find comfort in the pain and the longing. I know I’ll move on someday and I’ll fall in love again. That is never my worry. Never the source of my sorrow. No the pain is in remembering the hope I had. In remembering he won’t be by my side anymore. All the futures I dreamt up, the worlds I built around him. The children I had fallen in love with before ever knowing. The family that now would never be his and I’s. The pain allows me to hold onto him just a bit longer, allows me to imagine just a bit stronger. In the broken pieces I see who I can be beyond this. The woman staring back at me, between the cracks and my weaknesses, she stands tall. Waiting for me to meet her, but I’m just not ready yet.

His scent is still here no matter how hard I try to rid myself of it. Shifting in my spot, I pull my legs just a bit higher to myself. I remember the first night I slept alone.

The Bad

The room was a mess. Clothes strewn about and the bed torn apart. Drawers were ripped open and their contents scattered across the floor. The couch was tipped over and the closet was emptied.

“Do you have any idea where you last saw it?! Any idea at all?” He asked frantically as he continued his mad search through the apartment. But I couldn’t blame his hysterics. And I couldn’t bring myself to let any tears fall. I didn’t deserve to.

“ I’ve been looking all day Tae. I even called my sister, my best friend, your hyungs. They said they haven’t seen it since we went to the theatre” the last few words were strangled. Both from holding back so much, but also from fear of the reaction sure to come. His body froze in a bent down position. Eerily calm, slid the dresser drawer back shut. He straightened himself but wouldn’t face me. His voice reached me, deep and dark, venom dripping already.

“Why would you take it off in the first place?” He whips around and strides towards me in less than three steps, grasping my shoulders tightly and searching my eyes. “Why would you take it off knowing how important it is?”

“I told you I don’t remember. I wish I did. I tried to find it desperately before-”

“Before what? I noticed? Is that it? God do you even care at all? Or is this all a game to you” He lets me go and pinches his nose with one hand while the other rests on his hip. This has been going on for nearly two hours and I was growing weak from holding in so much.

“I had thought you were sneaking around behind my back with the way you had been acting and hiding your phone but this?! Just rip my heart out next time”

“You can’t honestly believe I did this on purpose Tae??” I choked.

“I DON’T KNOW Y/N. YOU NEVER TAKE ANYTHING I SAY SERIOUSLY AND YOU’RE ALWAYS FORGETTING IMPORTANT SHIT.”

“I DO LISTEN AND I DO TAKE YOUR WORDS SERIOUSLY TAE JESUS FUCK IM GOING TO FIND IT. I KNOW ITS AROUND HERE SOMEWHERE… if....if you would just calm down” he snaps his head back in my direction at this.

“Calm down? You lost my grandmothers ring! When I proposed to you with it, told you the meaning behind it, told you all the stories about growing up with her and since her passing I thought you would protect it with the same intensity as I had. It represents more than my promise to you. A promise you let slip away”

“Baby please I didn’t mean-“

“It doesn’t matter what you did and didn’t mean y/n. Look I’m just….I’m just gonna spend a few nights at Joon’s”

And with that he walked past me, without grabbing a thing, and out the door. I found the ring the next day underneath the bed along with papers and other carnage from the night before. And all I could do was stare at it. Not daring to touch it for fear it would disappear again before me.

Despite that being over a year ago a sob rips through me and I cover my mouth with my hands. All the tears I couldn’t cry that day greet me 10 fold every night. Was that where it began? Was that when you lost your faith in me? You started distancing yourself around then so it had to be. You didn’t come home for 2 whole weeks. Even after Joon told you I had found it. You grew more agitated and impatient until you broke.

The Ugly

“I just…. I miss her so much. And I don’t have much of her left with me.” He cried sitting on the edge of the bed. It had been almost a month since that night but it had opened more wounds than it had made. I crawled up behind him, careful as he winced at my touch, ignoring the pain his reaction shot into my heart. Rubbing circles into his back as he leans into my chest and lap, eyes closed as he nestles his nose into my neck.

“I’m sorry. For how I acted. I was hurt but it gave me no right to hurt you as well.” He strokes my cheek and for a moment things are calm. Still I don’t cry. I don’t deserve to.

“She would’ve loved you if she were still here.” He kisses my cheek before making his way along my jaw, twisting to reach my lips. I let him pick me up, his hands roaming my body and searing his finger prints down to the fiber of my bones. I missed him. I missed him so achingly much that I ignored the feeling in my stomach. I might’ve been a bit of an airhead, but I always had a strong intuition.

Soon my hand isn’t enough to stop the noises and I sit up. Two sleepless hours have already passed but I’m not surprised in the slightest. To preoccupied with the storm brewing in me. He had come home less and less since then. Was less touchy. Didn’t hold me unless it was in his sleep or to assure his friends nothing was wrong. Holding the act of a happy couple for a few months. Until I came home and all of his stuff was gone save for one last box. I had caught him leaving and the image of his blank emotionless face, his arms full, in the door way of what was once Our bedroom was burned into my memory forever.

The End

“So..were you even planning on telling me?” My throat was dry. The evenness of my voice momentarily shocking me.

“I was going to before you got home actually. Look I’m sorry y/n-“

“Don’t. I don’t want an apology. I just…I just need to know when?”

“When what?” He asked cautiously.

“When did you fall out of love? When did you let our promise go?”

“Listen it was never you-“

“DON’T LIE TO ME! … please… I’m forgetful but I’m not stupid so don’t…don’t disrespect me like that.”

The words are ground out as we stare at each other. Expressions never wavering and no more words said. Once again, like so many times before, he gives me nothing. Taking the last box with him and leaving my life forever. Our group of friends silently separating. All contact completely severed.

But that doesn’t stop the gossip from spreading. Doesn’t stop me from hearing how he moved on not long after. A year later and he’s married now, celebrating his first born. Living happily with a woman he knew since he was little.

I couldn’t be happier for him. Of course I still silently wish him the best. But it’s nights like this, where I wish I had never held back.

[hyunnbinniee]

@doyeongs thank you for requesting love!!!❤

5:12 am

CRASH

"Doyoungiiieeeee." An unknown voice rang out through your apartment. You sat up, startled. "Doyoungie! Where are yooouuuu?" The voice slurred loudly. You slowly got yourself up from your bed, and grabbed the nearest thing to swing, a pillow. You wished you would've had an actual weapon, but the voice didnt sound too intimidating.

You slowly opened the door to your room and walked down the hall. Before you can make it to your living room, your kitchen light turned on.

"Doyoung I'm STARVINGGGG IM GONNA EAT!" The boy hollered. You peered around the corner, peeking into the kitchen. There stood a very young boy, swaying in front of your refrigerator. He was obviously drunk. And in the wrong apartment.

You pulled away from the doorframe, and leaned against the wall. What do you do? Do you leave him alone? Will he hurt you if you tell him to leave? You could fight back if you have to, but your prefer not to fight. Finally you decided you would step in. This is your apartment after all.

You peeled yourself off the wall, and took a deep breath before entering the kitchen. The boy stood there with a slice of pizza dangling from his mouth. You cleared your throat, causing the boy to look at you and drop his pizza.

"You're not Doyoung... are you his girlllfriend???" He questioned, a goofy smile forming his lips as he drew out the last word.

"Ummm.. I'm sorry but I don't know who he is. Or who you are for that fact..." you tried your best to explain.

He watched you with a furrowed brow. "This is Doyoungie's apartment..." he said the confused look never leaving his face.

"Its not.. I've lived here for 4 months now. Maybe he lived here before? But I'm sorry you're gonna have to leave." He stared at you in surprise before he began pouting.

"But I'm hungrryyyyy." He exclaims throwing his head back. "Where is Doyoung?? Why isn't he here to cook like he always does????" He said shoving the fridge door shut. His eyes seemed to get glossy as he spoke. "Is he mad because I went without him to the party? Please tell him I'm sorry." He pouted again.

"If I make you food will you leave?" You ask, tired of dealing with this child. He nodded his head, his black hair bouncing as he does so. "Fine." You mumble.

Why did I even volunteer for this. I dont even know him!!! You thought to youself.

You leave the pillow at the kitchen door, before walking into the kitchen. His big brown doe eyes trailed behind you. You opened the fridge and grabbed a few eggs, letting it shut right after. You grabbed a package of ramen off the counter, and showed it to him. "Is this okay?" He nodded his head, happily. He reminded you of a young child.

"Why are you awake right now?" He asks as he sloppily tries to get himself on the counter. His arm slipped from under him. Luckily he caught himself. He tried once more, and amazingly got himself up there. When he caught you watching him he smiled widely, showing his brace adorned teeth.

Cute, you thought.

"Well I was asleep. But someone barged into my apartment.. how did you get in anyways?" You ask, beginning to boil water in the pot.

"The door was unlocked! How else did I get in?" He asked as if it was the most obvious answer ever. You nodded.

That night you had come home late from school, and you went straight to sleep. You weren't surprised your door was open honestly. "Do I have something on my face?" He asks, wiping his face dramatically. You giggle at his behavior.

"No. Why?" You question, turning to the boiling pot of water. You open the ramen and place them in the water, along with the seasoning and vegetables.

"Because you were staring at me." You felt your eyes grow wide, and a blush creeping up on your cheeks. Were you really staring?

"I wasnt staring. But I didnt realize you had braces." You said over your shoulder. You cracked the egg into the pot and pulled it off the stove. "Come on. Your food is ready." You say, making your way to your living room. You definitely didnt trust him carrying this pot of hot soup in his state.

You walked into the living room, placing his noodles on the table. He wobbled his way to the living room, sitting on the floor in front of his noodles. You turned the TV on, a d flipped through the channels until he made a sound of approval. "I loove that show and I looove these noodles. Doyoung nevverrr made them this good." He states, dragging out certain words. You smile softly and the drunk boy and he shoves more food into his mouth.

"Well.. I'm glad you like it."

~~~~~~

You didnt hear much from him after that. Only the clinking of his chopsticks against the pot, and the occasional laugh from him.

He got up from the floor and flung himself on the couch hugging the pillow you placed there. You looked at him from your chair. "You should be going now you know... its 6:30 in the morning... do you want to call som-"

"No please let me finish this show! Please!" He begged, his eyes wide. You huffed, softly before nodding. He's been here this long. He'll have to leave soon anyways.

You stood up and grabbed the pot. You might as well wash it. You rinsed it with water, placed the soap on your sponge and began to softly clean the pot. Your mind seemed to wonder to the boy on the couch. His coal black hair that seemed to be a bit too long, his doe eyes crinkling at the sides as he laughed. Everything about this past hour was unexpected. But you cant say you didn't enjoy it. You placed the pot in the drying rack, and made your way back to the living room.

Surprisingly (or maybe not), the unknown boy was asleep on your couch. You sighed. Well. Might as well get some sleep too.

You laid down in the chair you previously occupied, and pushed the button to lay back. You body almost immediately relaxed into the soft plush chair.

~~~~~

8:18 am

You stirred in your chair not having been able to fully go to sleep. Suddenly, you heard the rustling of the couch next to you.

"Oh shit..." you heard him murmur. You squinted, to look at the strange boy. He ran his hands threw his hair, before standing up. He looked around before his eyes landed on you. The look on his face became soft, and he grinned. He walked over to you, before kneeling in front of you. "Thank you."

He stood up and began to slip on his shoes. He looked around and grabbed his jacket from where he threw it on the floor. His hand slowly unlocked the door. Before he could twist the door knob you sat up.

"What's your name?" He smiled, turning to face you, flashing his braces.

"I'm Jihoon."