{"id":37356,"date":"2026-08-10T22:43:59","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T17:43:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=37356"},"modified":"2026-08-10T22:43:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T17:43:59","slug":"people-who-suddenly-realized-they-have-been-using-things-wrong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=37356","title":{"rendered":"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, people take &#8220;thinking outside the box&#8221; to a whole new\u2014and sometimes completely ridiculous\u2014level. Whether it\u2019s wildly creative solutions or downright hilarious fails, these moments prove that ingenuity can sometimes go a bit too far. You can\u2019t help but laugh while wondering, \u201cWhat were they even thinking?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From using objects in the most unexpected ways to creating situations that defy logic, these &#8220;not the right way&#8221; moments are equal parts funny and baffling. Keep scrolling for a collection of the most bizarre and entertaining examples shared online\u2014you might even find a favorite!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.msn.com\/en-us\/channel\/source\/Bored%20Panda\/sr-vid-txrs4te28kwcsdrc0dpxbbw8vxmd9pe0wskew5qma2etcx500wwa\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\" staff-link\">Click here<\/a><\/strong> &amp; follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036266\">\n<p id=\"11036266\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way30-677b8f10c54ba__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">I had a coat that I absolutely loved for over a decade. I would always say I loved everything about this coat except it didn&#8217;t have a hood. Its an army inspired style coat, so when I met this cute new guy he said he used to have one just liked it and loved it too. I asked him if it not having a hood was his only complaint about it too. He looked at me funny, took my coat, flipped the colar down to reveal a zipper. He unzipped it and pulled out a perfectly pristine hood that now sat attached this decade old worn down jacket. My jaw dropped. And I married that guy.<\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3g58vl\/\" target=\"_blank\"> Comics4Cookies <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/man-wearing-hoodie-standing-near-grass-with-building-background-during-daytime-8ItNia0nMVA\" target=\"_blank\"> Stephen Arnold\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036269\">\n<p id=\"11036269\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/using-things-wrong-way-676d422e4c045__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">So, picture this: I\u2019m at a friend\u2019s house last night, casually sipping on a lukewarm cider (by choice, don\u2019t @ me), when I see them load their dishwasher. And then it hits me.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>THEY PUT THE SOAP IN THE LITTLE COMPARTMENT.<\/p>\n<p>For SEVEN years, I\u2019ve been just chucking the soap tablet straight into the bottom of the dishwasher, like some feral raccoon who accidentally found modern appliances. \u201cWhy isn\u2019t my dishwasher working well?\u201d I\u2019d think, as I scraped dried pasta off plates. I thought it was just vibes.<\/p>\n<p>Anyway, now my dishes are sparkling, my confidence is shaken, and I\u2019m pretty sure my dishwasher has been side-eyeing me this whole time. Who else has been living a lie, and how did you discover it?<\/p>\n<p>P.S. Yes, my friend laughed at me. Yes, I deserved it. <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/\" target=\"_blank\"> Pedal_up_hill <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/a-tidy-woman-putting-dishes-into-a-dishwasher-in-her-kitchen-osIt2N12vXE\" target=\"_blank\"> Getty Images\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-2\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036271\">\n<p id=\"11036271\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way25-67768a0c7d003__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">I went to a garage sale and saw a pretty current model of Hoover upright vacuum for $5. I asked if I could plug it in. Sure, but it doesn\u2019t pick up dirt was the seller\u2019s answer. <br \/>Motor was great so I got it. And took it home to change the bag (stuffed as full as a sausage), replace the belt (broken, natch) and slice the hair packed on the brush. Really disgusting but $5!! For a virtually new vacuum!<br \/>They did zero maintenance and just bought a new vacuum instead.<\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3hai78\/\" target=\"_blank\"> Candid-Mine5119 <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/VacuumCleaners\/comments\/1be540h\/used_hoover_from_the_1990s\/\" target=\"_blank\"> diysara\/reddit <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-3\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix text-block \"> <span id=\"list-text-3\"><\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve all been there\u2014making mistakes because we were trying something for the first time, didn\u2019t have all the information, or maybe just had an off day. But let\u2019s be honest, sometimes errors happen simply because we\u2019re being a little&#8230; let\u2019s call it \u201ccreative.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Luckily, many complicated things in life\u2014like appliances or gadgets\u2014come with manuals or instructions to guide us. And if you\u2019re still stumped, there\u2019s almost always a video tutorial on YouTube to help. But when people skip the instructions entirely and decide to wing it, the results can range from mildly frustrating to downright hilarious.<\/p>\n<p><\/span> <\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036275\">\n<p id=\"11036275\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/using-things-wrong-way3-676eb0b9bad3c__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">I overheard a conversation at work, someone was talking about how their sister found a strange plastic thing inside their dishwasher and just threw it away. For years afterward she didn&#8217;t understand why her dishwasher was working so poorly. The thing she threw away was the spinny arm thing that sprays the water.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>So remember: no matter how dumb you feel, there is always someone dumber. <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3eqqfd\/\" target=\"_blank\"> Null_Singularity_0 <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/CleaningTips\/comments\/13hj6jk\/clearing_dishwasher_rotator_arm_nozzles\/\" target=\"_blank\"> antimofm\/reddit <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-5\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036277\">\n<p id=\"11036277\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way31-677b8fcbe8bdd__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">It gets worse. When I was 22, I was sharing with a girl who used to do the smallest wash loads. We\u2019re speaking 2 socks and a blouse kinda thing. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>Where I live, you don\u2019t pay for water (at least not directly). When I confronted her she claimed that it doesn\u2019t matter cause Water is free. I said well okay, but no, but also what about the electricity? <\/p>\n<p>With a serious expression she said: \u201celectricity? [why?] are you talking about? Washing machines run on water.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>I moved out a few weeks after. <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3gvxh7\/\" target=\"_blank\"> DramaticAstronaut <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/asian-beautiful-woman-put-dirty-clothes-to-washing-machine-in-house-attractive-girl-wear-apron-sit-on-floor-feel-happy-to-loads-laundry-in-washer-appliance-at-home-domestic-house-keeping-concept-IcsVKZJYc6A\" target=\"_blank\"> Getty Images\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-6\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036279\">\n<p id=\"11036279\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way29-67768cdae4f64__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">Not me, but my brother once complained to me that all toasters are c**p because after a few months they always smell like burning toast even though the toast wasn&#8217;t burnt. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>He looked at me with the blankest expression I&#8217;ve ever seen when asked how often he empties the crumb tray at the bottom. <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3fptv1\/\" target=\"_blank\"> User <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/a-toaster-with-three-slices-of-bread-in-it-YaQTktdZirw\" target=\"_blank\"> Maryam Sicard\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-7\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix text-block \"> <span id=\"list-text-6\"><\/p>\n<p>To get a better understanding of the importance of instruction manuals, we spoke with Piyush Jain, a professional manual writer who has created guides for a variety of products. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe try to make instructions as easy to follow as possible,\u201d he explains. \u201cIt\u2019s all about simplifying complex tasks for users.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><\/span> <\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036282\">\n<p id=\"11036282\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way13-67766a110533e__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">I had a cousin in her thirties who didn&#8217;t know how to boil eggs. She complained that no matter how long she boiled them (up to an hour), they never got &#8220;soft.&#8221; Turns out, she didn&#8217;t know you had to peel them after you boil them. She threw away two whole cartons of eggs because the shells weren&#8217;t boiling off of them.<\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3hnd2i\/\" target=\"_blank\"> Fancy_Artichoke_8391 <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/white-eggs-in-black-round-container-iSqO85JNVP8\" target=\"_blank\"> Alexander Grey\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-8\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036284\">\n<p id=\"11036284\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way24-6776891d6eeb0__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">I have a confession. I was at my sister&#8217;s house a while back and while we&#8217;re talking she&#8217;s getting ready to put some biscuits in the oven so she grabs a brand new box of aluminum foil out of the pantry and pushes her thumb into both sides of the aluminum foil box. I ask her why she poked holes in the box and she looks at me weird then tells me it&#8217;s so the aluminum roll stays in place when you&#8217;re grabbing a sheet. I have been fighting with my aluminum foil for all of my adult life and never knew that there were tabs on the side that you punch in to lock the roll in place.<\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3g0fya\/\" target=\"_blank\"> MSCOTTGARAND <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/infrogmation\/7676428762\/in\/photolist-2qwotYR-34Lht-B2VtU-2jRCtA9-2nKewiE-e4km58-pzq6G6-qiedWr-xRZT1-WNYcYK-dUN33U-yHY8-4vXvNq-XTWzn2-2itspfX-2n4FmnU-8BPKRX-2itVkax-6JRra6-cGkGQ3-832xiy-auCZ3W-2idGFco-ymUY5y-seTuw-4ChQWV-GdrdJf-6nuyEh-4Cn8yY-Qtzm7X-c2LzK-8gqXfQ-46WHe2-3zqUz-c2LAs-6QvdtT-2hEa54g-2j8YoqR-a3xLVA-2kPxs4e-8t3Bis-7vB8KH-5rg98w-2kS8aJW-uMijs-JUbmHC-apy9Pg-2quZwJC-2cag8UM-7Jzz7C\" target=\"_blank\"> Infrogmation of New Orleans\/flickr <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-9\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036286\">\n<p id=\"11036286\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way27-67768b56e5392__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">My lawnmower just died once and I couldn\u2019t pull the cord out to start up the motor. It was jammed. I thought it was an oil or motor issue and I\u2019d have to get a new one or a service.<br \/>I was talking to my friend and she casually mentioned that she swept hers down and cleaned the grass out every time it went back in the garage. <br \/>I got on my hands and knees and reached underneath to feel around the blades and there was thick layers of grass that were hardened like concrete caked around the blades. <br \/>I ripped them all off and lo and behold I could pull the cord out and the mower started again. <br \/>I was so happy.<\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3f7s89\/\" target=\"_blank\"> User <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/a-person-holding-a-string-attached-to-a-lawn-mower--mRHwcoSJLE\" target=\"_blank\"> Ave Calvar\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-10\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix text-block \"> <span id=\"list-text-9\"><\/p>\n<p>Piyush shares that companies often have very specific requirements for what they want included in a manual. \u201cThey might want us to cover a lot of ground\u2014from basic setup to advanced troubleshooting\u2014while still keeping the guide user-friendly,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p><\/span> <\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036289\">\n<p id=\"11036289\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way32-677b906394f04__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">I got a free office size printer because it was broken. I asked to take it and see if I could get it to work. They said sure because they had ordered a new one already. I asked what the problem was and the said it wouldn&#8217;t pull the paper in. I get it home and it was tray 2 that wouldn&#8217;t be work. I asked if they had tried tray 1. They looked at me funny. Still use it 5 years later.<\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3g5bsz\/\" target=\"_blank\"> eyelers <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/young-asian-businesswoman-using-copying-machine-h1U4VJXieuI\" target=\"_blank\"> Getty Images\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-11\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036291\">\n<p id=\"11036291\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way14-67766b3377033__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">Not my personal &#8220;living a lie&#8221; moment but, like others have shared here, that of an acquaintance which I got to witness&#8230;many years ago a coworker and I drove to an afternoon event about 90 minutes away. We met at her place, and she drove us down in her car&#8211;some kind of newer model Toyota or Nissan or something. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>On the way back&#8211;in the evening&#8211;she asked me to drive us back because she was tired. About 20 minutes in, during a lull in conversation, I noticed the windshield had gotten pretty dirty so I used the wiper lever to spray down the windshield and wipe it clean. <\/p>\n<p>It took several tries and, after she had watched it spray and wipe for a moment, my coworker screamed &#8220;WHAT&#8217;S THAT?!&#8221; in a very confused voice. <\/p>\n<p>Me, confused: &#8220;What&#8217;s what?&#8221; <br \/>Coworker: &#8220;That water! Where&#8217;s it coming from?!&#8221; <br \/>Me: &#8220;You mean this?&#8221; [Pulls wiper lever again] <br \/>Coworker: &#8220;YES! WHAT IS THAT? HOW DID YOU DO THAT?&#8221; <br \/>Me: &#8220;That&#8217;s&#8230;wiper fluid. You pull the lever here to clean the windshield&#8221;. <br \/>Coworker: &#8220;Oh my god! I had no idea!&#8221; <br \/>Me: &#8220;&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>I guess it&#8217;s conceivable that she had somehow never ever used her windshield wiper fluid before&#8211;let alone *refilled* it, because why would you think about refilling something that doesn&#8217;t exist in your reality? <\/p>\n<p>But still&#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3jxw32\/\" target=\"_blank\"> mishawhy <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/two-person-driving-on-rainy-road-IBPgeshzHvs\" target=\"_blank\"> Charlie Deets\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-12\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix text-block \"> <span id=\"list-text-12\"><\/p>\n<p>Despite these challenges, Piyush and his team strive to create manuals that are clear and helpful. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about instructions\u2014it\u2019s about making sure people feel confident and supported when using a product,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n<p><\/span> <\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036297\">\n<p id=\"11036297\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way9-677668adb17c0__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">I have a mate that spent 5+ years holding the trigger on the gas pump the entire time he was pumping. When I showed him the lock and explained that it will shut off when the car is full, his facial expression was priceless. Like a man who just found an entire world inside his own house.<\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3ejvpq\/\" target=\"_blank\"> User <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/pumping-gasoline-fuel-in-the-car-transportation-at-gas-station-mzl5iRQYW9U\" target=\"_blank\"> Getty Images\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-15\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix text-block \"> <span id=\"list-text-15\"><\/p>\n<p>Safety is another crucial aspect of writing manuals, according to Piyush. \u201cWe have to think about all the ways someone could potentially misuse a product and ensure those scenarios are addressed in the guide. It\u2019s not just about convenience; it\u2019s about keeping people safe.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><\/span> <\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036299\">\n<p id=\"11036299\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way5-677664b6b0f9f__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">I got an old stained mattress removed by the company I bought it from after buying a big fancy new one from them after just a few pandemic years, and as they took it out to the truck they unzipped and removed the full mattress-top protector that had been on the top the whole time leaving a gleaming fresh untouched mattress underneath and I just turned around and went inside and shut the door because now I had a huge heavy new bed to make with a mattress I didn&#8217;t need on it&#8230;&#8230;..<\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3emv1p\/\" target=\"_blank\"> SquirrelMoney8389 <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/159105743@N02\/36994050752\/in\/photolist-Yn3brf-XtES31-5ay1ys-k5ctK-5fc6VY-2yzh1-2jojXBY-pLpzF-4RRzYY-5Yw5MS-q3DVk-2m8wVoc-2m8rFaD-2BqCjN-S71GY-iB95sQ-iB9Bm2-n7iW7-iB8U6D-mjPin-JpPbVy-mjPjy-mPme3-m9ndrN-35FsqY-aqfKs8-phDFhv-hVSZK-35X7W2-fmSgxU-35vhL1-2iHYoFQ-71RuEM-5UDMQG-2iHZoyo-fgfqv3-2iHVEjS-71RuJB-cYUnVA-2p7QPdP\" target=\"_blank\"> Mattress Test\/flickr <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-17\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036300\">\n<p id=\"11036300\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way19-67766d59f28c9__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">58M.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In 2018 I bought a 2yo Mazda 6 with remote keyless entry. Before that, all of my cars had keyless entry but a keyhole to open the door manually from outside the car. The 6 had no keyholes in the door but a button on the outside of the handle. I had no idea that you could remote lock\/unlock one\/all door(s) with a push of the button on the handle. So I constantly used the remote. Worse, the 6 would lock all the doors the moment you shut one. So I was dating this woman at the time and I&#8217;d hold the door open for her, she&#8217;d get in, I&#8217;d shut the door and they would all lock. I&#8217;d go around to my (driver&#8217;s) door and fish out my keys, look for the unlock button and unlock my doors to get in. Every time. When I ended things after about 6 months, one of the last things she told me was something like, &#8220;By the way, there&#8217;s a button on your car door handle to unlock the doors.&#8221; She knew. <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3fgpw7\/\" target=\"_blank\"> RealisAurelioS <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/person-wearing-black-digital-watch-sd1bfpGGgIM\" target=\"_blank\"> BezeVision\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-18\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036301\">\n<p id=\"11036301\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way23-67768875032e4__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">When I was a kid, I saw my mom pour some white powdery soap from a box into the dishwasher. It was in the mid-90s, soap pods weren&#8217;t a thing yet, so you had to fill the dishwasher compartment with some of that white stuff I didn&#8217;t know about. One day, I decided to help her by imitating her, grabbed a box that had some chunky white stuff in it that was stored in the pantry, and poured a good part of the box into the dishwasher. The thing is, the soap box wasn&#8217;t reachable by a kid, but the rice box was, and it was now pretty much all in the dishwasher. I then told my mom, proud of me helping out. When she found out it was rice, tho, she was [angry], but me being a little innocent 4 years old or something saved my a*s. My parents emptied it as much as they could, but they kept finding rice grain in the dishes for quite a while.<\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3fysar\/\" target=\"_blank\"> n8_Jeno <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/front-view-of-sad-young-woman-standing-indoors-at-home-hands-on-window-shot-through-glass-E7_q6-ifUxU\" target=\"_blank\"> Getty Images\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-19\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix text-block \"> <span id=\"list-text-18\"><\/p>\n<p>Piyush also notes that while most people think of manuals as boring or tedious, creating them can be surprisingly creative. \u201cWe have to think about how someone with absolutely no prior experience can navigate a product,\u201d he shares. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like telling a story, guiding them step by step.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><\/span> <\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036306\">\n<p id=\"11036306\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way28-67768bd1a29ba__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">I just figured out you can keep your phone on silent mode and your alarm still works. This way every random notification from texts or otherwise won\u2019t wake you up in the middle of the night.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>For years I\u2019d be sleeping and get a text or whatever and wake up for no urgent reason. <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3em94p\/\" target=\"_blank\"> InfiniteRespond4064 <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/a-man-laying-in-bed-looking-at-a-cell-phone-_Ns1MyLnSg8\" target=\"_blank\"> Victoria Romulo\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-21\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036308\">\n<p id=\"11036308\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way33-677b90d925bb6__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">Hey, I met a woman recently who thought double-tying one\u2019s shoes to stop the laces from untying meant making 2 single-tie sets of bows. She\u2019d tie the first time normally, then use the loose ends to do the same again. I showed her how to tie the first set of bows together for the second tie. She\u2019s in her 60s and was stunned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>She\u2019s not stupid (nor are you). Sometimes we just miss the common knowledge, for whatever reason, and we don\u2019t even know we missed it. <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3felr1\/\" target=\"_blank\"> Certain_Mobile1088 <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/a-person-tying-a-shoelace-on-a-road-phQ6-ByUr9s\" target=\"_blank\"> Beno\u00eet Deschasaux\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-22\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix text-block \"> <span id=\"list-text-21\"><\/p>\n<p>Even with detailed manuals, though, people sometimes choose to skip reading them altogether. Whether it\u2019s out of impatience or overconfidence, this often leads to mistakes that are both entertaining and baffling.<\/p>\n<p>From assembling furniture with pieces upside down to loading a dishwasher in the most creative (but ineffective) ways possible, it\u2019s amazing how many things can go wrong when instructions are ignored. And let\u2019s be honest, these moments often end up being the funniest stories to share.<\/p>\n<p><\/span> <\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036312\">\n<p id=\"11036312\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way22-677687a11604f__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">I lost a necklace that I absolutely loved.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Found it two years later in the washing machine water trap. I watched an insta reel on how often you&#8217;re supposed to open that thing and empty the debris. I was shook.<\/p>\n<p>Miracle.<br \/>Life lesson learned. <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3fbf5k\/\" target=\"_blank\"> PaleLake4279 <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/CleaningTips\/comments\/17cgjs1\/why_do_i_have_to_keep_draining_this_smelly_water\/\" target=\"_blank\"> postaljives\/reddit <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-24\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix text-block \"> <span id=\"list-text-24\"><\/p>\n<p>At the end of the day, manuals exist for a reason\u2014to save time, avoid headaches, and prevent costly mistakes. But let\u2019s face it, when people choose to ignore them, the results can be downright entertaining. <\/p>\n<p>Whether it\u2019s a backwards piece of furniture or an overly inventive use of a household appliance, these moments remind us of the value of a good set of instructions\u2014and the hilarity of doing it wrong.<\/p>\n<p><\/span> <\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036318\">\n<p id=\"11036318\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way39-677b9cd97735f__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">A roommate once commented, \u201cman, my car seems sluggish.\u201d Me: when the last time you changed the oil?\u201d Roommate: \u201cyou have to change the oil?\u201d Four year old car that they put a ton of miles on. Apparently the oil kind of oozed out and (according to them) mechanic may have needed some compressed air. Car did run better \ud83d\ude02.<\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3frluw\/\" target=\"_blank\"> Zarnong <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/close-up-of-auto-repairman-checking-car-oil-in-a-workshop-e_6omZdSSQU\" target=\"_blank\"> Getty Images\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-27\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036320\">\n<p id=\"11036320\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way26-67768ac52ec3c__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">My best friend was complaining about how inconvenient it is to store tongs in the drawer. Until I showed her that you can pull the tab at the end and they stay closed. She is a very smart person, but this was just one of those things I guess nobody showed her because it&#8217;s assumed everyone knows \ud83e\udd23 I blew her mind that day and she went to her husband saying &#8220;DID YOU KNOW&#8230;?!?&#8221; and he looked at her like she was nuts lol.<\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3fy5lc\/\" target=\"_blank\"> 3896713 <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/stainless-steel-fork-on-stainless-steel-round-plate-30-l5M0v_m8\" target=\"_blank\"> Joshua Hoehne\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-28\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix text-block \"> <span id=\"list-text-27\"><\/p>\n<p>So, the next time you\u2019re tempted to skip the manual, maybe think twice\u2014or don\u2019t, and give us all a laugh instead! Have you ever had a moment where ignoring the instructions led to a hilarious disaster? Let us know your stories!<\/p>\n<p><\/span> <\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036322\">\n<p id=\"11036322\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way17-67766c6e70266__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">Roughly 4 years ago, my wife was living with her brother to help cover rent after his ex-gf moved out. One day, she asked if she should get more of the same brand of dish packs. He says, &#8220;Not sure. They clean well, but THEY&#8217;RE SO HARD TO PEEL OPEN.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>He was peeling open the pack and sprinkling the contents into the dishwasher for months! <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3eyb0n\/\" target=\"_blank\"> Opening_Dig_5307 <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/10515323@N08\/49265404686\/in\/photolist-rAyvYZ-7sPLXD-2j3GtkT-dyG57Q-tUAeP-2i4q5r5-u78qb-viSPP-2oDAbVS-2oDUbtH-2oDzpcj-2oDAbVG-2oDwkzS-2oDzoUf-2oDwkMR-2oDzp3r-2oDwkJ4-2oDTUti-2oDSFQJ-2oDwkHN-2oDzoYD-2oDwkES-2oDBFWQ-2oDSFQD-2oDBqMy-2oDBFXb-2oDBFZR-2oDAc6b-2oDUbuE-2oDRTCv-2oDAc7P-2oDBqLr-2oDBqNF-2oDBFZ5-2oDAceT-2oDwkTn-2oDBG8w-2oDBG8m-2oDwkZj-2oDBqUY-2oDBG9d-2oDBGjt-2oDzphe-2oDAcgw-2oDwm4n-2oDBqRS-2oDBqUT-2oDBqV9-2oDwkYY-2oDBqTq\" target=\"_blank\"> Hazel Nicholson\/flickr <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-29\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036324\">\n<p id=\"11036324\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way15-67766bab4843a__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">I used to work in a boarding school, one of the common rooms had a dishwasher that staff were allowed to run. Once I went to run it and found multiple tablets still in the silver wrapping at the bottom of the dishwasher. <\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3ekn9j\/\" target=\"_blank\"> ekita079 <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/close-up-shot-of-womans-hand-holding-dishwasher-soap-tablet-FvgHvWsgdsU\" target=\"_blank\"> Getty Images\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-30\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036330\">\n<p id=\"11036330\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way16-67766c045c12b__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">One time when I lived in an apartment the dishwasher was ruined by the previous tenants so they eventually replaced it. The guy installed it, and I loaded it right away, but for some reason it wouldn&#8217;t start. It would turn on, but just wouldn&#8217;t start. It was a cheap place so an older, used model. It took them two weeks to come out, and the guy was only there for five minutes. He switched the bottom dish tray around in the machine so that the proper bit hit the door to tell the machine it was locked. That was it, the dish tray was just backwards.<\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3eowuj\/\" target=\"_blank\"> User <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/a-woman-is-holding-a-dishwasher-in-her-hand-1uYt2lbM3g8\" target=\"_blank\"> Daiga Ellaby\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-33\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036338\">\n<p id=\"11036338\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way21-6776872540d4a__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">If it makes you feel better I knew a woman who thought lasagna noodles didn&#8217;t need to be boiled. So she couldn&#8217;t figure out why her lasagna never turned out right lol.<\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3ejc7f\/\" target=\"_blank\"> User <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/person-holding-stainless-steel-knife-slicing-food-44pKJMz9TeU\" target=\"_blank\"> micheile henderson\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-37\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036339\">\n<p id=\"11036339\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way35-677b9aff35416__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">I just found out yesterday I&#8217;ve spent the last 2 years dumping liquid fabric softener into the bleach compartment and not realizing it. There hasn&#8217;t been issues with the washer yet, but I never run the bleach cycle because we don&#8217;t bleach anything, so I wonder if there is 2 years worth of liquid softener just sitting in my washer somewhere.<\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3exkax\/\" target=\"_blank\"> Ok_Outcome_6213 <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/a-person-is-holding-a-container-with-a-liquid-in-it-x25uhrcQ3d0\" target=\"_blank\"> Kateryna Hliznitsova\/unsplash <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-38\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix \" data-submission-id=\"11036343\">\n<p id=\"11036343\" class=\"post-content-description text-open-list\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"image-size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way34-677b9a585c51c__700.jpg\" alt=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\" title=\"People Who Suddenly Realized They Have Been Using Things Wrong\"\/> <span class=\"bordered-description with-image\">Up until I was about 21 I always wondered how people used those small lighters so easily, I thought you had to just use the small bumpy part on the side until I watched someone do it up close and realized you can use that whole side. I quickly realized how easy they are to use and that you shouldn\u2019t hurt your thumb or break your nail by using them.<\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix \"> <span class=\"sources\"> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mildlyinfuriating\/comments\/1hkh41m\/i_just_found_out_ive_been_using_my_dishwasher\/m3enlic\/\" target=\"_blank\"> Commercial-Sell736 <\/a> <span class=\"open-list-submission-source-separator\">, <\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"open-list-submission-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/slgc\/4358894169\/in\/photolist-7DbtnK-7Dbtr6-7DbtjM-dUp2vA-6vJFAM-fFwS7-q27VPv-8KmN86-9BmgJ6-9nDoDy-gJUyZ-ESqLZv-dUzkBi-8i1LME-dGXpen-FQ4Fg3-5UGoNJ-2kJSTR3-7Fmte4-25AePaf-hi8M6-b2Q3qe-aqgfXd-8VyCFw-mm2Le2-7HZXKL-7rGW1C-5ofVPe-2m2wmaW-2iNH3Tt-fKkcW-5MS4UR-5nDhJe-fM95G2-e1uLh3-2iazZKC-6NGMPQ-2iaCnTp-2iaDtEJ-2iazZJv-5Ug3uc-4h3ET6-73TPFb-6CRYJB-JnUVy-8KXnnn-4h7JQE-aua8b8-m9UGAc-ce6Czy\" target=\"_blank\"> slgckgc\/flickr <\/a> <\/span> <span class=\"report\"> <a class=\"open-list-submission-report\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/using-things-wrong-way-msn\/javascript:void(0)\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/contact-us\/?report-post=https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/i-blew-her-mind-40-people-who-suddenly-realized-theyve-been-using-things-wrong-40\/\">Report<\/a> <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"open-list-item open-list-block clearfix text-block \"> <span id=\"list-text-38\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>You Might Also Like: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msn.com\/en-us\/news\/other\/37-infuriating-stories-about-mils-who-are-just-the-worst\/ar-AA29jfoU?disableErrorRedirect=true&amp;infiniteContentCount=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" class=\" staff-link\">37 infuriating stories about MILs who are just the worst<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><\/span> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script type=\"didomi\/javascript\">\nwindow._fbSDKPromise = window._fbSDKPromise || new Promise((resolve, reject) => {\nwindow.fbAsyncInit = function () {\nFB.init({\nappId  : '887842622821495',\nversion: 'v17.0',\nstatus : true,\ncookie : true,\nxfbml  : false\n});\nresolve(FB);\n};\n\/\/ Load SDK only once\nif (!document.getElementById('facebook-jssdk')) {\nconst script = document.createElement('script');\nscript.id = 'facebook-jssdk';\nscript.async = true;\nscript.src = `https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/${BoredPanda.Config.wp_lang}\/sdk.js`;\nscript.onerror = reject;\ndocument.head.appendChild(script);\n}\n});\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sometimes, people take &#8220;thinking outside the box&#8221; to a whole new\u2014and sometimes completely ridiculous\u2014level. Whether it\u2019s wildly creative solutions or downright hilarious fails, these moments prove that ingenuity can sometimes go a bit too far. You can\u2019t help but laugh while wondering, \u201cWhat were they even thinking?\u201d From using objects in the most unexpected ways&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37357,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-things-wrong-way-fb-677a830035b27.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37356","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsweek-trending"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37356","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=37356"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37356\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/37357"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=37356"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=37356"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=37356"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}