How to Find Small Lost Items. PBS-TV’s Haley’s Hints shows you a truly clever idea for finding small and hard to see items lost on carpet and hardwood floors.

Losing small items can be frustrating, especially when you’re in a hurry. In addition to the really great hint in the above video, there are several strategies below you can employ to improve your chances of finding them. Here are some helpful tips from Haley’s Hints to help you locate those pesky lost items:

1. Stay Calm and Revisit Your Steps: Take a deep breath and retrace your recent steps. Think back to where you last saw or used the item. Sometimes, we overlook the obvious, so carefully examine the places you’ve been since then.

2. Visualize the Item: Mentally visualize the lost item and imagine where it could potentially be. Our minds often have a way of subconsciously remembering subtle details that can lead us to the right location.

3. Break It Down: If you can’t find the item right away, try breaking down the search area into smaller sections. This can help you focus on specific spots rather than feeling overwhelmed by searching an entire room or area all at once.

4. Use Your Smartphone: If you’ve misplaced your smartphone, use another device or landline to call your phone. Listen carefully for any rings or vibrations to locate it based on the sound. You can also use various apps or features like “Find My iPhone” to locate your device.

5. Shine a Light: For small, metallic items like jewelry or keys, use a flashlight to cast a focused beam of light into nooks and crannies where they may have fallen or gotten lodged.

6. Check Unusual Hiding Spots: Some items may end up in unexpected places. Check under furniture, inside cushions, inside pockets of clothing, between couch cushions, or even inside folded blankets or towels. Think outside the box and consider places you wouldn’t normally expect to find them.

7. Get Down Low: Get on your hands and knees to search at eye level with the surface you’re searching. Often, small items can easily be missed when standing or looking from a higher vantage point.

8. Ask for Help: Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes can make all the difference. If you’ve searched extensively and still can’t find the item, ask a family member, friend, or roommate to help you in the search. Their different perspective may lead them to spot the item in a place you might have missed.

Remember, patience is key when hunting for small lost items. By employing these practical tips from Haley’s Hints, you’ll increase your chances of finding the item sooner rather than later.