15 Indian Home Organisation Hacks: Curd, Towels, Linen & Laundry
Smart home management comes down to three habits: setting curd correctly in any weather, reusing what you already own instead of buying organisers, and respecting your washing machine’s limits. This post pulls together the practical hacks from Jasmine’s video — curd-setting, towel fixes, linen storage and laundry care — in one place.
How do I set thick curd at home in any season?
Curd-setting fails for most people for one of three reasons: the milk is too hot or too cold, the starter curd has lumps, or it is poured into only one spot in the vessel. Fix all three and curd sets reliably even in changing weather.
Here is the exact method shown in the video, using one litre of Amul toned (without-cream) milk:
- Warm the milk until you can dip a finger in briefly — it should feel hotter than lukewarm but not scalding. Do not bring it to a rolling boil.
- Take two spoons of starter dahi in a separate bowl. Whisk it with a fork or beater until it is completely smooth — no lumps at all.
- Check the milk temperature with a fingertip one more time.
- Pour the whisked starter into the warm milk in different directions around the vessel — not all in one place. Add another spoon and stir gently.
- Cover and leave overnight in the kitchen. In peak summer, two to three hours is enough.
- Once set, move the bowl to the fridge for an hour or two. It thickens further as it chills.
If you prefer malai, use full-cream milk instead — the same steps work.
Does the bowl material matter?
No. Curd sets equally well in steel, glass and ceramic. The video shows side-by-side results from a steel bowl and a glass bowl — both came out thick with no water separation. Clay pots are skipped here because soap cannot be used to clean them, so they stain and smell after a couple of uses.
How can I stop my towel from slipping off the hook?
Towels that slide off hooks are a daily annoyance. The fix uses two things you already have: a hair scrunchie and a safety pin.
- Thread the scrunchie through the towel’s hanging loop.
- Use a safety pin at the back to lock the scrunchie to the towel so it cannot slip out.
- Hook the scrunchie onto the wall hook.
Now you can yank the towel as hard as you like — it stays put and will not fall. If you do not have a scrunchie, a glass bangle or a metal kada works the same way: pin it to the towel and hang the bangle on the hook.
Can I store sweaters and bed sheets without buying organiser boxes?
Buying a separate organiser or box for every category of clothing is not always practical — and then those boxes themselves take up space. Old pillow covers and cushion covers solve this for free.
- Sweaters and school jackets: slip them into an old pillow cover and store inside the almirah, under the bed, or on top of any shelf. They stay dust-free until next winter.
- Spare bed sheets and odhne sheets you only use once or twice a year: fold them into a pillow cover or cushion cover so they do not gather dust on the shelf.
- Costly clothes, saris and woollens already inside the almirah: even closed cupboards collect dust over months. This is why sari bags exist — reused pillow covers do the same job at zero cost.
A pillow cover with a small tear still works perfectly for under-bed or shelf storage where it will not be seen. Do not throw old covers away on impulse.
How do I stop small items like visiting cards and receipts from getting misplaced?
Little things — a visiting card, a delivery receipt, a small key — get lost the moment they are put down on a counter. Reuse old cups as catch-alls and place them on a lazy Susan on top of the fridge or in a corner of the kitchen. Each cup holds one category, and the lazy Susan spins so nothing gets buried at the back.
How much weight should I put in my washing machine?
This was the most asked question after the previous washing machine video. The rule is simple: load two kilograms less than the rated capacity.
- 10 kg machine → load only 8 kg
- 7 kg machine → load only 5 kg
Overloading damages the drum, which is the most expensive part of the machine to repair or replace. A small digital weighing hook (the kind used for luggage) makes it easy to check — in the video, four items of clothing weighed 1 kg 26 g, so you quickly build a sense of how much a normal load weighs.
Should I use the same detergent for top-load and front-load machines?
No. Manufacturers make separate top-load and front-load detergents for a reason — different foaming behaviour matters in each drum design. Do not experiment by swapping them. Use top-load detergent in a top-load machine and front-load detergent in a front-load machine.
Which other settings actually help the machine last longer?
Modern machines like the one shown have useful cycles worth using: hygiene steam wash, delicate-fabric cycle, energy-saving mode, a jeans cycle, a tub-clean cycle, and a dedicated 15–30 minute monsoon cycle. You can also pause mid-cycle to drop in a forgotten garment and the machine resumes from the same point. Pair sensible cycle selection with correct loading, the right detergent, and timely servicing, and the machine will run reliably for years.
Is a front-load machine worth the higher price?
Front-load machines cost more than top-load ones. Both can last a long time if you respect the weight limit, use the matching detergent type, and get them serviced on schedule. Pick by budget and usage — neither is inherently better if maintained properly.
📺 About this video. This post draws on Jasmine Choudhari’s YouTube video 15 Home Organisation Hacks You Need To Know Now | Viral Secret Homemaking Ideas Get Motivation Today. Watch the full video for visual demonstrations of every tip.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I set thick curd at home in any season?
Warm the milk until you can briefly dip a finger but it feels hotter than lukewarm — do not bring it to a full boil. Whisk two spoons of starter curd until completely lump-free, pour it into the warm milk in different directions around the vessel, mix well, and leave overnight. In hot weather it sets in two to three hours; refrigerate afterwards for an even thicker result.
Do I need a clay pot to set curd properly?
No, curd sets equally well in steel, glass, or ceramic vessels — the material of the bowl makes no difference. Clay pots are also hard to wash because soap cannot be used on them, and they get stained after a couple of uses. What matters is the milk temperature and how thoroughly the starter curd is mixed in.
Why does my homemade curd turn watery?
Watery curd usually happens when the starter curd has lumps in it before being added to the milk. Whisk the starter with a fork or beater until it is completely smooth, then pour it into the warm milk in different spots around the vessel and stir gently. Also avoid using milk that is too hot or only lukewarm — it should be warmer than lukewarm but not boiling.
How can I stop towels from slipping off the hook?
Loop a hair scrunchie through the towel's hanging tag and secure it at the back with a safety pin, then hook the scrunchie onto the wall hook. The towel will not slide off the scrunchie or fall from the hook even when pulled hard. A bangle or metal kada works the same way — fix it to the towel with a safety pin and hang it on the hook.
Can I store sweaters and bed sheets without buying organiser boxes?
Yes — old pillow covers and cushion covers work as free fabric organisers. Slip sweaters, school jackets, woollens, or spare bed sheets into old pillow covers and store them inside the *almirah*, under the bed, or on open shelves. They stay dust-free, look tidy, and you do not need to buy boxes or find space to keep those boxes.
Why should I cover clothes that are already kept inside the almirah?
Even inside an *almirah*, costly clothes, woollens, saris, and seldom-used bed sheets collect dust and look untidy over time. That is why sari bags exist. Reusing old pillow and cushion covers does the same job for free, keeps stacks looking neat, and means you do not have to re-wash these items when you finally pull them out for the season.
How much weight should I actually put in my washing machine?
Load about two kilograms less than the machine's rated capacity — for a 10 kg machine load 8 kg, for a 7 kg machine load 5 kg. Overloading damages the drum and shortens the machine's life. A small digital weighing hook makes it easy to check the weight of your clothes before putting them in.
Can I use top-load detergent in a front-load washing machine?
No — use the detergent type that matches your machine. Manufacturers make separate top-load and front-load detergents for a reason, so do not experiment by swapping them. Combined with loading two kilograms under the rated capacity and getting timely servicing, using the correct detergent helps the machine last much longer.
About Jasmine Choudhari
Jasmine Choudhari shares practical, no-frills ideas for organising small Indian kitchens and homes. Follow her on YouTube (600K+ subscribers · Silver Play Button), Instagram and Facebook. For collaborations: collab@jasminechoudhari.com.