These Amazing Household Hacks Will Make Things So Much Easier For You

Published on 10/13/2020

Have you ever walked through your house and really had a look at the standard household item? Did you know that certain things might actually have some clever tricks that can save you both time and effort? If you are looking to save cash and improve your household efficiency, this article is certainly for you. Is that item heading for the garbage? Didn’t you know about it’s alternative use! Continue through the article to discover just how that standard item can actually be used as a perfect household hack.

These Amazing Household Hacks Will Make Things So Much Easier For You

These Amazing Household Hacks Will Make Things So Much Easier For You

Arrow On Gas Gauge

Have you ever noticed that there is an arrow close to the gas gauge? This only applies if you have a car made from 2010 onwards. The arrow points either to the right or to the left, but what does it indicate? It turns out that it shows you where the gas cap of the car is! Once you are familiar with the vehicle, it is not all that useful. Despite this, it still comes in handy when you are driving a new car or a rental.

Arrow On Gas Gauge

Arrow On Gas Gauge

How To Stop Snoring

Do you have problems getting a good night’s rest? If you snore or sleep beside someone who does, it is indeed going to be tough. There are many studies citing the importance of sleeping well at night. CPAP machines help, but they are expensive and loud. Some people get operations to help as well! The good news is that it will be simpler to get Sleep Connection. This is a watch-like device that uses biosensors to detect snoring. It will then send natural electrical pulses that will reposition your body to end snoring.

How To Stop Snoring

How To Stop Snoring

Loop In Back Of Shirt

Have you ever noticed that loop in the back of your shirt? It turns out that this is something that comes from the Navy! You should not expect tons of closet space when you are out at sea. Sailors installed these things so that they can hang their clothes on hooks. In the ‘60s, this was also a popular way for college kids to keep their garments wrinkle-free when they go to the gym. Nowadays, this feature is only added as a sign of quality and class. This is actually really practical if you want to save up space.

Loop In Back Of Shirt

Loop In Back Of Shirt

Fix Your Slow WiFi Connection

It is annoying when you have a weak internet signal! Most of the time, internet service providers won’t do anything to help you with this. They will just tell you to upgrade to a better speed. You might want to try RangeXTD WiFi Booster, which does not just boost the internet speed but also extends its reach in the house. Say goodbye to dead spots since this will ensure that everyone in the house can use the internet.

Fix Your Slow WiFi Connection

Fix Your Slow WiFi Connection

Colored Squares On Toothpaste

You must have noticed those colored blocks at the ends of toothpaste tubes. They are often red, blue, black, or green. People assume that they are random aesthetic features or signals about the chemicals used. The truth is that these “eye marks” let the assembly line machines know which part to cut and fold! If it weren’t for these things, the tubes would stay connected to each other. Now you know!

Colored Squares On Toothpaste

Colored Squares On Toothpaste

Bedding That Wards Off Germs And Odors

It is not pleasant to think about all the bacteria and dirt that accumulate on the bedsheets. You are often breathing in various microbes and bacteria when you sleep no matter how often you wash them. If this is a concern to you, allow us to introduce the concept of antibacterial silver. Miracle Sheets use them to eliminate nearly all microbial and bacterial growth. This is a great way to ensure that you won’t get acne, suffer from allergies, and inhale dust. This will lead to the comfiest sheets you have ever used. On top of that, these things regulate temperature to keep you cool and happy throughout the night.

Bedding That Wards Off Germs And Odors

Bedding That Wards Off Germs And Odors

How To Melt Belly Fat

Isn’t it frustrating to exercise and diet but not lose weight? You can use this trick if you want to get rid of stubborn fat. This does not require you to change your lifestyle! SuperSonic Keto is the real deal, ladies and gents. It will help you lose weight, feel better about yourself, and enjoy more energy. It will tell your body to burn fat and not carbs. Who would have thought that you can burn fat without lifting a finger?

How To Melt Belly Fat

How To Melt Belly Fat

The Random Buttons On Jeans

Anyone who wears jeans has seen those extra buttons all over them. What do they do anyway? The buttons actually have an important purpose no matter how odd they seem. Known as rivets, these button-like objects are often found near the pockets. They are placed to prevent the seams from wearing out and ripping. Apparently, the patent is owned by Levi Strauss of Levi’s. He came up with this when he noticed how often miners complained that their jeans wore out quickly.

The Random Buttons On Jeans

The Random Buttons On Jeans

Shoe Insoles For Back, Knee, And Neck Pain

A lot of people have no idea that the feet can have something to do with knee, hip, back, and neck pain. It makes sense since we spend a lot of time on our feet. A slight misalignment is enough to wreak havoc on your body, particularly the back and spine. MindInsole kept this in mind when they created an insole by using modern technology and ancient reflexology. The product puts pressure on more than 400 acupoints that give you instant relief and better foot circulation. Trust us, it is worth the investment.

Shoe Insoles For Back, Knee, And Neck Pain

Shoe Insoles For Back, Knee, And Neck Pain

Pom-Poms And Winter Hats

How can you survive cold weather without winter hats? You might have one with a pom-pom or fluffy ball on top. This feature actually has its roots in Scandinavia, which is a very cold place. In the past, they were added to gather the seams while knitting. Even though this is no longer the case, the headgear has retained the features for aesthetic reasons. At any rate, we have to admit that they are very cute.

Pom Poms And Winter Hats

Pom-Poms And Winter Hats

The Hole In Pan Handles

You must have no idea why pot and pan handles have a hole at the end. There are two reasons for their existence. First of all, it comes in handy when you need to hang them via hooks. Aside from this, chefs use them to hold utensils! When you are stirring a stew or something similar, you can simply pop in the ladle or spatula in the hole. This way, it won’t have to make contact with the counter or stay in the pot!

The Hole In Pan Handles

The Hole In Pan Handles

Clip Your Nails Without Any Pain

Skip the cheap nail clippers and use a more ergonomic alternative instead. After all, the drugstore ones get annoying when you suffer from arthritis. It is not a good idea to risk it since you might hurt yourself. ClipperPro was made using surgical grade steel and comes with a swivel blade that lets you cut your nails in a comfier way. This also lets you clip the nails at any angle to let you get the desired shape.

Clip Your Nails Without Any Pain

Clip Your Nails Without Any Pain

Glue Coins To Shoes

While it is hard to be a parent, it is a rewarding job. Sadly, you need to keep finding new ways to keep little kids entertained. When they are bored, you should try out this easy trick. Called “pennies for entertainment,” you only need to stick coins to the bottom of their shoes. They will enjoy tapping away on the floor. On top of that, this might be what they need to get ready faster in the morning.

Glue Coins To Shoes

Glue Coins To Shoes

Get Rid Of Annoying Barking

Are you training your dog to stop certain bad behavior? We know that it is not ideal for your pet to bark loudly over the smallest things. It is worse when this happens at night. They just want to make us happy and keep us safe, but it is still annoying. You can turn to BarxBuddy, which helps put a stop to these habits and correct them in no time. It emits a high-pitch sound that we can’t hear, so it won’t bother us.

Get Rid Of Annoying Barking

Get Rid Of Annoying Barking

Dish Soap In The Toilet

There are a lot of products that claim to make the toilet look new, but which one should you buy? Do not waste your money and time because you can just use dish soap! It is actually really simple. Just take ¼ cup of it and mix with ¼ cup of water and ¼ cup of baking soda. Combine them and then pour them down the toilet. Leave it alone overnight and then lightly scrub the toilet in the morning. This will be enough to give your toilet a good clean. Dish soap also helps if it is clogged. Pour a cup of it into the toilet and wait for half an hour. After this, pour hot water into the bowl!

Dish Soap In The Toilet

Dish Soap In The Toilet

Portable AC Device

Most people turn on the air conditioning when it gets hot. But no one likes to see high charges on their power bill. We are glad that Blaux Portable AC exists. This tiny cube is powered by a rechargeable battery but can dramatically make the air cooler. It also has a built-in filter to purify the air of pollen, dust, and other things in the air. It costs much less to charge the batteries than to keep the A/C on.

Portable AC Device

Portable AC Device

Clean Your Shower With A Dishwasher Tablet

Our least favorite household task is to clean the bathroom. For starters, it is a thankless job. You need to work long and hard if you want the shower to be spotless. It might look dirty even though you have put in hours to scrub it down. You can make the task a lot easier by using dishwasher tablets. Cut a tiny hole in a sponge and slip in a tablet before you start to scrub. You will be surprised by how well this works!

Clean Your Shower With A Dishwasher Tablet

Clean Your Shower With A Dishwasher Tablet

Use Outlet Air Filters

When the sun shines inside the house, you will see all the tiny particles floating in the air. Did you know that your house comes with double the pollutants that you would find outdoors? It is important to fix this for your own safety. Get rid of outlet air fresheners and use air filters instead! Thanks to negative ions, these things destroy the airborne particles instead of just masking them. You just have to plug it in.

Use Outlet Air Filters

Use Outlet Air Filters

Black Microwave Grating

The microwave is a very handy appliance, but have you ever looked at it long and hard? Allow us to tell you more about the black grating that is on the door that prevents you from seeing your food. It is known as a Faraday shield. This part of the gadget is there to stop electromagnetic fields from escaping the microwave and harming everyone in the area. On top of that, it makes heating the food possible.

Black Microwave Grating

Black Microwave Grating

The Dimples On Golf Balls

First of all, golf balls are not exactly round. Take a closer look and you will find a lot of tiny dimples on them. It has not always been this way, but things changed once golfers realized that bumpy and nicked balls travel further. The imperfections create turbulence and reduce drag. Sadly, this little tidbit is not going to help you very much if you play putt-putt. Still, it is pretty cool to hear how this came about.

The Dimples On Golf Balls

The Dimples On Golf Balls

Long Neck Bottles

Just so you know, it is not a coincidence that adult beverages come in long-necked bottles. This is great for the drinker since it is comfy to hold for long periods of time. On top of that, it is also easy to pour the liquid into a glass or mug. This type of bottle distributes the heat once you touch with warm hands. For the brewer, bottles with long and bulbous necks collect sediment and particles in unfiltered beer. Cool!

Long Neck Bottles

Long Neck Bottles

Soda Can Tabs

Why do soda cans come with those tops on top? Apparently, there was a specific use for these things in the past. They are meant to be turned over again so that you can put your straw in there. No one really uses straws with cans anymore, especially once manufacturers started making cans with wider mouths.

Soda Can Tabs

Soda Can Tabs

The Extra Holes In Sneakers

What are those unused holes in your shoes for? This is not a design error since they have a specific purpose. You can actually prevent blisters from forming on your feet by slipping your shoelaces through them. The tighter lock is handy if the shoes are a little too big for you. Just so you know, this little trick is called “heel lock” or “lace lock.” It is ideal if you want your shoes to be as comfy as possible.

The Extra Holes In Sneakers

The Extra Holes In Sneakers

The Extra Fabric Patches

Most people assume that the extra fabric patch that comes with clothes are meant to fix rips. This is not the case! They are given by fashion lines as a test fabric that you can use in the wash. This way, you will know if itis going to shrink or fade depending on your settings. If you ask us, this is actually a great idea.

The Extra Fabric Patches

The Extra Fabric Patches

Flatten Your Takeout Boxes

Do you simply dump your Chinese takeout into your own plate at home? You are doing it wrong, then. Chinese takeout boxes have been designed to serve as their very own plates. You can just pull at the sides and then leave it flat on the table. Assuming that you did it correctly, the dish should be resting flat on it. Who would have thought that you can just do this? It sounds like a very convenient tip to us.

Flatten Your Takeout Boxes

Flatten Your Takeout Boxes

Two Keyboard Bumps

Look down and check out your computer keyboard. There should be two small bumps on the F and J keys. They have been added to guide your fingers! The presence of the bumps will let you know where your hands are on the keyboard. This way, you can figure out the keys without having to look down.

Two Keyboard Bumps

Two Keyboard Bumps

Markers On Your Measuring Tape

There is no need to force your friend or sibling to hold up the measuring tape. There is a tiny metal piece at the end that you can use instead. It is there for several reasons. You can place it around a nail to keep the tape in place! On top of that, it is slightly serrated. This lets you mark the wall when necessary. The standard measuring tape comes with black diamonds that lets you measure the center of two studs.

Markers On Your Measuring Tape

Markers On Your Measuring Tape

Why There Are Holes In Padlocks

Even though smart locks are now available, we still use padlocks every now and then. Look at the bottom, and you should see a tiny hole in there. They let water pass through to keep the lock free from rust when it rains. Aside from this, you can also pour WD-40 or oil to fix a lock jam!

Why There Are Holes In Padlocks

Why There Are Holes In Padlocks

The Hole In Cap Of Ballpoint Pens

There is nothing wrong with your pen just because there is a hole in the cap. This was done on purpose! People like to chew on their pens, so this is important. Thanks to the hole, a person will be able to breathe even if they accidentally swallow this. It actually happens more often than you might think.

The Hole In Cap Of Ballpoint Pens

The Hole In Cap Of Ballpoint Pens

How To Shut And Open Doors Quietly

We all have spare rubber bands all over the house. Do you have young kids in the house? It is annoying when you accidentally wake them up when they are already asleep! You can avoid making noises when you check in on them at night by securing a rubber band around the doorknob. Make sure that the lock or latch has been covered. This way, you can open and shut the door without making a sound.

How To Shut And Open Doors Quietly

How To Shut And Open Doors Quietly

The Hole Beside The iPhone Camera

Why do iPhones come with a small hole beside the camera lens? It is not a secret camera that lets the FBI spy on you. In reality, it is nothing more than a microphone. The models that came after the iPhone 4 actually have three microphones. Aside from this one, there is another one below the speaker grill and one more at the bottom edge. This makes it possible to record sound no matter how you are holding it.

The Hole Beside The IPhone Camera

The Hole Beside The IPhone Camera

Two Sides Of Bobby Pins

Have you ever wondered why bobby pins come with two sides? One of them is wavy, while the other side is straight. Most people assume that this was done for aesthetic reasons, but the wavy one should face the scalp instead! This method helps keep it in place since it is not going to slide down your locks.

Two Sides Of Bobby Pins

Two Sides Of Bobby Pins

Cylinder On Your Cable Cord

Certain power cords have a huge cylinder near the end. In case you do not know what they are, they are known as ferrite cores or chokes. They come with magnetic iron oxide and prevents high-frequency electromagnetic interference. This prevents your call from getting a lot of noise when you are near it!

Cylinder On Your Cable Cord

Cylinder On Your Cable Cord

Apple Power Cord Wings

What are those wings on the power cord of your MacBook for? We bet that you were once confused about them. The truth is that not a lot of people know their purpose and rarely use them. You might be happy once you hear what they are for! Once you flip up the wings, you can wrap your cord around the block. This makes for a neater way to organize your things. You should start using it from now on.

Apple Power Cord Wings

Apple Power Cord Wings

The Blue Part Of Erasers

When you were a child, you probably used those erasers with two different colors. People used to tell us that the blue part can erase pen ink. This is not true. That part was made for thick and strong papers used by artists and the like, while the white one is used for common notebook or loose-leaf pages.

The Blue Part Of Erasers

The Blue Part Of Erasers

Those Square Patches On Backpacks

It turns out that those square patches on your backpack do not only make you look cool. They come with a purpose! Known as the pig snout or lashing square, you can use it to hang extra stuff. You can slip cords through it so that you can carry items that do not fit inside the bag. This is great for camping trips.

Those Square Patches On Backpacks

Those Square Patches On Backpacks

Ice Cream Scoop Colors

Did you know that ice cream scoops come in a variety of colors? There is a specific reason for this. You see, the color represents different scoop sizes. They come in more than a dozen variations! The sizes are based on the number of scoops that it takes to fill up a cup and 32-ounce containers. How cool is that?

Ice Cream Scoop Colors

Ice Cream Scoop Colors

Why Brass Is Used For Doorknobs

No one really focuses on door handles, but you might have noticed that many are made of brass. There is a reason behind this. Brass surfaces tend to be more resistant to the buildup of bacteria and germs. This makes it more sanitary, which is important since so many people touch handles throughout the day.

Why Brass Is Used For Doorknobs

Why Brass Is Used For Doorknobs

A Bar Of Soap Under The Sheets

It might be weird to sleep on top of a bar of soap, but we swear that this really helps with leg cramps. This tip has gotten so big that it has even been featured on a TV show called The Doctors. After polling the audience, 40% of them said that it gave them relief for restless legs syndrome and leg cramps! It is said that the ions transfer from the soap to the body until it reaches the nervous system.

A Bar Of Soap Under The Sheets

A Bar Of Soap Under The Sheets

Discs Beneath Bottle Caps

Have you ever noticed the plastic disc below the bottle cap? We know that it sounds unnecessary, but it actually keeps the carbonation under lock. We are not science experts, but we do know that the discs seal carbon dioxide and keep the soda fizzy. If it were not for them, we would have a lot of flat soda!

Discs Beneath Bottle Caps

Discs Beneath Bottle Caps

WD40 And Bathroom Faucets

The bathroom faucet often gets hard with gunk after some time. It can be annoying when the build-up makes it hard to turn the knob! The good news is that this is not permanent. You can actually get rid of it with the help of WD-40. Pick up the can with the flexible hose and use it to spray inside the faucet. This will loosen all the hard water and help the diverter work like it used to.

WD40 And Bathroom Faucets

WD40 And Bathroom Faucets

Rearview Mirror Tab

You better look at your rearview mirror when you drive! A lot of people do this but still have no idea that there is a tab at the bottom. Apparently, it is there to let you change the mirror position to avoid getting blinded by the light from behind you. This deflects light but still lets you see what is going on.

Rearview Mirror Tab

Rearview Mirror Tab

Why There Are Ridges On Coins

Why do dimes and quarters have rough edges but not nickels and pennies? In reality, this actually dates back to an old practice in which coins were made in weights that reflect their face value. People would shave the edges to melt them and make new coins, which is why the mint added the serrated edges!

Why There Are Ridges On Coins

Why There Are Ridges On Coins

Loops On Grocery Carts

The grocery cart is very handy when you are out shopping, but you might not have realized that the loops can keep certain items safe. The loops allow you to hang bags with fragile things like bread and eggs. You do not want them to get crushed or squished, right? Make sure to use this trick next time.

Loops On Grocery Carts

Loops On Grocery Carts

Margins On Lined Paper

Why are there margins on notebook paper in the first place? The answer is actually quite fascinating! Back in the day, rats often took up residence in people’s homes. As you can imagine, they chewed on anything and everything. By adding the margins, students could somehow rest assured that the work would stay intact. This feature has since become less useful, but it does minimize the wear and tear.

Margins On Lined Paper

Margins On Lined Paper

The Size Of Paper Condiment Cups

It is annoying when you are eating at a fast food joint and want ketchup for your fries. The paper cups for the condiments are so tiny that you need six of them! At least, that was what you thought. The truth is that you only need one of them since you can unfold them to turn them into a bigger cup!

The Size Of Paper Condiment Cups

The Size Of Paper Condiment Cups

Pocket In Women’s Underwear

If you are a man, you might not even know about the hidden pockets in some female underwear. It is a good idea to use them for small items like cash, but that was not the original purpose. They are known as panty gussets! They are nothing more than extra fabric sewn in to make the process simpler.

Pocket In Women’s Underwear

Pocket In Women’s Underwear

Plastic Lids On Cups

This one is probably going to blow your mind. The plastic lids that go with disposable cups also work as coasters. Of course, you can always use them normally when you are in the car and want to avoid spillage. But when you take a seat at a table, you can keep the cup on top of the lid instead.

Plastic Lids On Cups

Plastic Lids On Cups

Detachable Headrest In Cars

Are you aware that it is possible to pull out the headrest of the passenger’s seat in the car? This is not a weird car design flaw. It is actually made with a particular thing in mind: your safety! If you ever find yourself trapped inside a car, this might help you. Pull it out of there and break the windows with the metal bars. This is a tip that we hope that you never have to use in your lifetime, but it is good to know.

Detachable Headrest In Cars

Detachable Headrest In Cars

Lines In Red Solo Cups

When you drink out of a red solo cup, you probably don’t take the time to really look at it. There are actually horizontal lines on them! The ridges come with a purpose. They are supposed to tell you how much alcohol is in the cup. The first one is for one ounce or a shot of liquor. The next one is for five ounces, which is equivalent to a glass. The top one is for 12 ounces, which is equal to a bottle of beer.

Lines In Red Solo Cups

Lines In Red Solo Cups

Three Handles On Jerry Cans

Jerry cans are very handy when you are camping and traveling. It can hold as much as five gallons, but this does not explain why it has three handles. This is actually super practical! If you are carrying it on your own, you are meant to hold the middle one. When you carry it with a friend, you should grab onto the outside handles instead! This way, the fuel will be distributed evenly.

Three Handles On Jerry Cans

Three Handles On Jerry Cans

Airplane Window Holes

Did the holes on the window planes freak you out at first? There is no need to worry. We can see where you were coming from. Known as the breather hole, it actually helps maintain the air pressure in the cabin. This is the reason you feel comfortable and safe even when the airplane ascends or descends. As a heads up, you should be super concerned if there is an air leak passing through the hole.

Airplane Window Holes

Airplane Window Holes

Wooden Coat Hangers

Don’t you just love how classy and fancy wooden coat hangers look? Aside from the aesthetic appeal, they are also amazing at keeping moths and other critters away from your clothes. Heavy clothing like wool dresses and coats tend to attract them. Luckily, the smell of cedar wood repels the insects that can cause damage to your clothes.

Wooden Coat Hangers

Wooden Coat Hangers

Flaps On Juice Boxes

Juice boxes often have heavy flaps. You might not have thought long and hard about them in the past, but this tip will come in handy if you have little kids. Apparently, you can fold them outward so that children can hold onto them better. This will prevent them from letting go of the box. It is high time to put the flaps to good use, especially if you have kids that are anywhere from 2 to 10 years old.

Flaps On Juice Boxes

Flaps On Juice Boxes

Dips In Wine Bottles

Can you really call yourself a wine lover if you do not even know what the punt or kick-up is? This refers to the dip you will see at the bottom of each bottle. It provides the bottle with more stability. You have to thank this feature for the fact that the wind does not knock out the bottle! The punt also strengthens the bottle and lets it hold high pressure, which is very useful when it comes to sparkling wine. It also makes cleaning easier since it distributes steam before the wine is added into each bottle.

Dips In Wine Bottles

Dips In Wine Bottles

Relieve Pain, Anxiety, And Sleep Issues

There are plenty of great benefits to growing older. Sadly, an aging body also suffers from painful afflictions. Most people try painful exercises, addictive pills, and surgeries to ease the pain in the knees, neck, back, and other parts of the body. You can instead try CBD, a 100% natural and safe “miracle oil.” You just have to add several drops below your tongue to enjoy instant relief. This will bring down your stress and anxiety levels in no time at all. Trust us, you are going to thank us for this little tip!

Relieve Pain, Anxiety, And Sleep Issues

Relieve Pain, Anxiety, And Sleep Issues

No More Mosquito Bites

Warm weather is always nice, but it would be nicer without annoying mosquitos. We all hate it when we are bitten and get itchy. Ditch those candles or bug sprays and just use Buzz B-Gone instead. This is a simple yet brilliant solution when it comes to dealing with mosquitos. With the use of UV light, it attracts the critters and kills them right away. You can use it both indoors and outdoors as well.

No More Mosquito Bites

No More Mosquito Bites

How You Can Erase Wrinkles

It might be a cliché, but life really goes by fast. You might be surprised when wrinkles and crow’s feet crop up on your skin. This often happens more quickly if you are always stressed out. In the past, people just accepted them unless they could pay for plastic surgery. Luckily, Beau Skin Serum has shown us that it can erase wrinkles and smooth the skin to keep aging at bay. Try it for yourself and enjoys its effects.

How You Can Erase Wrinkles

How You Can Erase Wrinkles

Salt Gets Rids Of Clogs

Salt is a very common mineral that most people associate with cooking. However, it actually offers more than just making your dishes taste better. For one thing, it is great at fixing clogged drains. Get rid of the blockage with your hand as much as you could. After that, combine half a cup of salt and half a cup of baking soda before pouring the mixture down the drain. Finish it by adding vinegar into the hole. You should see it bubble up, but the clog will disappear by the time the bubbles disappear. You can also use salt to put out grease fire or as an abrasive when cleaning dirty pans and pots.

Salt Gets Rids Of Clogs

Salt Gets Rids Of Clogs

Keep Your Mental Health In Check

It is important to keep your mental health in check since we are living in stressful times. Americans are allegedly the unhappiest they have been in five decades! When you are stressed and lack sleep, you probably suffer from mood swings, fatigue, and “brain fog.” Please take care of your brain. It is a good idea to take natural supplements such as SF180 since it boosts your brainpower, stabilizes your mood, brings down stress, and helps you sleep better. You can even compare it to the “limitless” pills!

Keep Your Mental Health In Check

Keep Your Mental Health In Check