55 Clever Double-Duty Uses for Household Items
Baby powder, soap, binder clips — they're all true wonders.
Try these genius tricks to get more out a few everyday things.
Keep a Door Open With Rubber Bands
Coming in and out with your hands full? Loop a single rubber band around a door's inside and outside knobs, twisting it as you do so that the "X" presses the latch open. Once finished, hang the band on the inner knob for the next time.
Make Flowers Last with a Penny
Drop one into vase water and add a pinch of sugar to keep cut flowers perkier longer. Who says you can't get anything for a cent these days?
Remove Sweater Pills With a Sponge
This kitchen workhorse can also remove pills from sweaters. Gently run the textured side of a new sponge across your knits to de-fuzz.
Protect Clothes with a Pillow Case
When storing coats or special-occasion clothes, cover each item with an old pillowcase. The blogger behind Bumblebee Linens cut a hole in the closed end to slip over a hanger. It won't hold in mildew-causing moisture like plastic does.
Unstick a Zipper with Soap
To budge a stiff zipper, hold the fabric taut and rub the soap along the front and back sides of the teeth. Then pull and see how smoothly it glides.
Add a Key Ring with a Staple Remover
No more broken nails: To add to your key ring, wedge a staple remover's teeth between the coils, then clamp down to separate them — a new key will slide on easily.
Prevent Tangled Necklaces with Drinking Straws
Tired of knotted-up necklaces? Simply thread each chain through a straw and hook the clasp. This is also a smart way to keep necklaces tangle-free when you travel; stash the straws in your toothbrush holder.
Charge Smarter with Binder Clips
Rooting around for a charging cord lost behind your desk is a small chore, sure — but still a total pain, as the blogger behind It's Overflowing knows. Thread cords through binder clips on the edge of the surface, and they'll always be within reach.
Stow Tiny Items in an Eyeglass Case
Snag a spare one to stow jewelry when packing a suitcase (like blogger Le Zoe Musings did here). Another great use? For your MP3 player and earbuds.
Fasten a Bracelet with a Jumbo Paper Clip
For a tough-to-fasten bracelet: Unfold clip into an S; hook one end through the jump ring and hold the other end. Then bring the clasp around to latch.
Remove a Sticker With Laundry Pretreater
If you've got big plans for those empty spaghetti sauce jars (may we suggest filling one with sea glass, like this?), head to the laundry room to get every last bit of sticker residue off. A laundry pretreater will loosen labels on washable hard surfaces or adhesive left by price stickers.
Get a Grip with Rubber Gloves
Snag one from the sink to help you get a grip on a stuck jar top. You don't even have to put it on your hand first.
Eliminate Water Rings with Mayo
"I use mayo to get rid of water rings on wood furniture," says reader Nicole Fisher. "Dry the area and put on enough mayo (not the low-fat kind) to cover the spot, and let sit for several hours — it'll be gone within the day."
Reach for Items with Tongs
"I use tongs to reach things on high shelves and to get items stuck behind my washer and dryer," says reader Melissa Bradley.
Get a Better Grip with Rubber Bands
To get a better grip on a stripped screw trap one side of a wide rubber band (like blogger Today I Found Out did here) between the screwdriver and the screw head, and twist.
Hang Jewelry on a Pants Hanger
"A five-rung pants hanger makes a great jewelry organizer," says reader Raye Jean Wilson. "I tend to use the top rungs for bracelets and the bottom ones for necklaces."
Untangle Rug Fringe with a Comb
Use one to unsnarl tangled fringe on an area rug. As with your hair, start at the tips and work in, to avoid making a bigger knot.
Protect Delicates with Socks
No need to buy pricey, not-so-eco-friendly Bubble Wrap. Socks, T-shirts, and towels make excellent padding when boxing up breakables for a move.
Store Fabric Around Wrapping Paper Tubes
Cover the cardboard in acid-free tissue paper and roll clean linens around it to prevent fabric from creasing when stored.
Spiff Up Shoes with Newspaper
Spiff up dark-colored leather shoes in a pinch by rubbing them with a balled-up black-and-white newspaper page (note: full-color pages won't work). No polish needed.
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