Have you ever received mail and noticed the post office mark didn’t hit the stamp? Bonus! You can reuse it. To get it off, simply add a few drops of water to the stamp and microwave on a medium setting for 20 seconds.

Got a stinky old sponge? First soak it, then wring it out and microwave on medium for 2 minutes. It will kill up to 99% of the germs.

Forget about the oven, this can be done in the microwave. Just put a half TS of vegetable oil on a microwave safe plate and cover it with a cup of nuts. Spread them out then cook at one-minute interval, stirring as you go. They should be done in eight minutes.

Did someone leave the bag unsealed? You can recrisp them by wrapping them in paper towel and nuking them.

Take a sliced lemon and rub both sides of your cutting board. Then simply put it in the microwave for a minute on medium to disinfect it.

Lemon is the wonder fruit when it comes to cleaning. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze it into a bowl of water including the rind. Then microwave on medium for five minutes. This will loosen up any gunk, and you can now easily wipe it off.

Tired of your onions making you cry? Cut off the ends and microwave on high for 30 seconds before chopping.

If you want to quickly peel your garlic—especially if you are using a whole head—put it in the microwave. It takes about 15 seconds on medium to life the skin from the clove.

You can do this by sterilizing the soil, which helps seeds to grow. You can do this in the microwave.

Has your mascara turned into a clumpy dress mess? Just put it in the microwave for 30 seconds!

And I mean the honey in a jar that has crystalized. Put it in the microwave at low setting, just long enough to heat up the honey and remove the crystals.

Take a pair of socks and cut the foot off and sew that end closed. Then fill the tube with rice or oats and sew the other end closed. When you need it, just pop it in the microwave.

Have some brown sugar that is now in the form of a brick? Simply moisten some paper towels, put in on top of the sugar, and start microwaving in 30-second increments.

Do you have makeup containing wax or oils that has hardened either from age or low room temps? You can microwave them at a low setting for 20 seconds and they will loosen up.

Not sure if a specific container is microwave safe? You can fill a cup that you know to be safe with water and then place it on the container and microwave them together for 1 minute or until the water is boiling. When done, if the container you are testing is cool to the touch it’s safe. If it has heated up, it is not.

If you hate shucking corn and picking out the threads that get stuck to the kernels, here is your answer. Cut the stalk off, microwave for 30 to 60 seconds, then take the cob by the uncut end and shake it. The corn falls right out.

I don’t know how often you want to peel tomatoes, but there is an easier way. Just put them on a plate in the microwave and nuke until the skin starts to wrinkle. Then you can easily peel the skin off with a fork.

If you’re into pottery you can use your microwave as a kiln. It does need something called a kiln kit, but once you install that you are good to go.

Yes, you can do this in the microwave. All you need is some Kool-Aid. Just mix it in a bowl with some water and add the yarn. Nuking it for a few minutes will bond the color to the yarn and prevent it from fading in the future.

Pop a bar of Ivory Soap in the microwave for about two-and-a-half minutes. It will grow and form a squishy cloud that the kids can mold and play with. And it’s like a science experiment too!

For fresh herbs, that it. Instead of cooking them, you can dry your herbs out in the microwave. You need to make sure all moisture is removed first, or they will cook instead of dry. Remove the leaves then press the herbs between two sheets of paper towel. Put them on a plate and heat for about a minute.

Assuming it will fit, you can disinfect your board in the microwave. Simply wash it, rub with a cut lemon, and heat on high for one minute. This will kill all the bacteria.

That final sliver of soap is hard to use, but don’t waste it! Save them, and then combine them by nuking them. Chop them into small bits first, then put them in a container with a few tablespoons of water. Heat until melted—about 30 seconds—and once the soap has melted, stir and combine. If you want to shape it, pour it into muffin tins.

If you’ve ever bought a decorative candle for the jar, and then had a problem removing left over wax so you can reuse it, use the microwave. Using a knife, remove as much as possible, then, assuming the jar is microwave safe, nuke it for about 20 seconds then wipe of the melted wax with a paper towel.

If you have a loaf of bread that has become a bit dry, you can rehydrate it in the microwave. Simply soak a tea towel and wrap your loaf or slices. Then nuke for about 20 seconds. Keep doing this until you are satisfied with the outcome.

If you need to soothe an ache but don’t have a hot water bottle, here is a backup. Simply take a hand towel, soak it in water and then nuke for a minute.

If you make a lot of fresh lemonade, or juice a lot of lemons, this will stretch them further. If you put a lemon in the microwave for a minute it loosens it up and you can extract more juice with ease.

Hmm, ice cream. You shouldn’t have to break a wrist trying to scoop it out when it’s too hard. Just pop the tub in the microwave for a few seconds, and you are good to go.

No need to spend money on a special appliance for this. All you need is your microwave and a jar to prepare a delicious cappuccino or latte.

If you’re waiting for bread dough to rise, stop waiting. Put your dough in the microwave along with a steaming cup of water and it will do the trick.

No need to soak your dried beans overnight. To speed up the process, simply submerge them in a bowl water along with a pinch of baking soda. Microwave on high for 10 minutes, then take out and let it stand for 30 to 40 minutes.

If you’re craving a hard shell taco but only have soft shells available, all you need is a glass and a microwave. Take your soft shell, put it in a round glass and microwave. You now have a shaped, hard taco shell.

What are you going to do if you spill water in your lap? How will you dry your jeans? Easy! Fold them up and put them in the microwave, but be cautious of any metal detailing.

Ever tried to put two dishes in the microwave but couldn’t get them to fit side-by-side? Simply stack one dish on top of a mug to elevate it.

If you apply foundation with a sponge, cleaning it can be a pain. No longer! Put it in a bowl of water, completely cover it with whatever liquid soap you use, then microwave for 1 minute.

Vanilla beans are outrageously expensive, so you don’t want to throw them out if they dry up. So take a wet—but not dripping—paper towel and roll the beans in it. Make a tube, then cover it in cling wrap and microwave it at 15 second intervals until it’s hot.

Fresh donuts are awesome. After a few days, not so much. But if you put them in the microwave for just 10 seconds, they will regain that just bought freshness.

Want to make banana bread but your fruit needs to ripen more? Poke the banana all over, using a fork. Once done, microwave it for one to two minutes, and it’ll be brown and ripe for the baking! But be warned, it will be too ripe for eating!

Full disclosure, you do need the right container for this. But the right pasta cooker means no longer waiting forever for the huge pot of water on the stove to boil. Measure out your portions, add the right amount of water, then nuke it.

Instead of topping your salad with cheese, why not add your salad to your cheese. Mold Parmesan or Romano cheese into bowls by microwaving grated cheese on parchment paper, then flipping it onto the outside of an upside-down ceramic bowl. The cheese will harden, creating a bowl of the same shape.

That’s right. No deep fryer necessary. Coat thin slices of potato in vegetable oil, and then spread them out on a dish. Heat for 3 to 5 minutes until brown, then enjoy!

That’s right. A science experiment. Using a microwave and chocolate! Remove the tray from microwave, then put down long piece of chocolate and cook it until it starts to become misshapen, typically around 40 seconds. Then you can measure the distance between the hot spots where the chocolate began to melt and pool. Then a little math and you know the speed of light. Or you can just Google it if you don’t already know.

Don’t have an hour to bake potatoes in the oven or on the grill? Put the potato in a bit of water in a bowl, pierce it, and microwave for five minutes on each side.

Sort of like mug bread, just mix up all of your ingredients in a mug and microwave for 15 minutes. Then slice it up. Perfect for home made egg muffins.

This is one cake like cookie that is all for you. In keeping with the mug theme, mix your ingredients in the mug, melting the butter first then adding to it. Microwave for a minute and enjoy. Hint—add ice cream!

A single serving in a mug. ½ cup of macaroni and ½ cup of water in a mug for 2 to 3 minutes. Then add milk, cheddar, salt, and pepper, and return to the microwave for another 30 seconds. Sprinkle with parmesan and lunch is ready.

In a mug! Are you surprised? Add all your fav ingredients with two eggs and microwave for 30 seconds.

Cut up a potato Julienne and layer on a plate. Add vegetable oil, spices, and salt. Make sure the oil is fully coating them, then microwave for 20 minutes.

No grill? No problem. Put a beef steak in a bowl of water, add salt, pepper, and spices then nuke for 20 minutes. Plate, and drizzle with sesame oil.

Or should I say not so fried rice. Mix together ½ cup of white rice, 1 cup of water, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil in a bowl, then cover, and cook on high for 7 minutes. Then add frozen veggies and 1 egg, beaten and cooked in a separate cup. Microwave both for 1 minute before adding the scrambled egg to the rice mixture.

Hate the way your leftovers come out after heating them up? Just place a half-filled cup of water in the microwave alongside your pizza. It will add moisture to the air and make your pizza taste fresh.

Yes, there is a way to do this without drying them out. Frozen muffins, for example, can be microwaved for 20 seconds. All you need to do is cover them with a damp paper towel. It helps add moisture.

No caramel sauce for your ice cream? If you have a can of sweetened condensed milk, pour it into a small bowl then place in a water bath in a larger bowl. Microwave for 8 minutes.

Make a small amount of dough and roll it out to be the width of the height of your mug. Cover with cinnamon and brown sugar, turn in the sides, then roll. Pop it in a mug, drizzle with oil, and microwave for 90 seconds. Make icing using powdered sugar, butter, and milk, and cover the roll.

In a small paper bag add butter, spice, salt, and kernels. Fold up the bag and microwave for 5 minutes. Much healthier than the stuff you buy!

Who knew? Are your fave socks in the laundry and you want them now? Soak them in a bowl of soapy water and then microwave for about 10 minutes.

If you want all of your food cooked or heated better, avoid using square or rectangular containers. The corners often receive more energy which means your food cooks unevenly.

You don’t need a dehydrator. You can dehydrate thin slices of fruits — such as apples — in about 30 minutes using the defrost setting. Note that juicier fruits will take longer.

If you have a cucumber and some onions, you can make a quick batch of pickles with just a few more ingredients most kitchens have. Mix your ingredients in a bowl, and microwave on high for 3 minutes. Then stir and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours and they’re done!

You can take frozen veggies right out of the freezer and pop them in the microwave. Put them in a bowl over about tablespoon of water. Cover with a lid and heat for 2 to 3 minutes.