Last Updated on May 18, 2021
Life isn't quite as complicated when you have a few tips and tricks up your sleeve. It's amazing how many unintended uses there are for everyday items (rubber bands, nail polish, muffin liners). I've been using a few of these for years, but was surprised at how many of them I had never thought of. Here's to making life just a bit easier! I've compiled a collection of clever uses for things you probably already have in your house.
1. Clear Nail Polish To Secure Screws
Nail polish works like an invisible glue, helping those sometimes loose screws to stay in their place. Another tip: If it's too late and your screw is already lost, a small earring stud will hold it together until you're able to replace the screw.
2. Clear Nail Polish To Secure Buttons
Just a dab of clear nail polish will also keep button threads from unraveling. You can apply it as a prevention or to stop an already fraying thread in the unfortunate case that you don't have a sewing kit handy.
3. Makeup Brush To Clean In Between Keys
An old makeup brush is the perfect size to fit in between the keys on your keyboard and remove dust and small Doritos crumbs. 🙂
4. Rubber Band Latch Stopper
This rubber band trick keeps a door latch from opening. It's perfect for a baby's room door that needs to be kept quiet, or if you are going in and out of a door and don't have your hands free to turn the knob. This could be very useful on moving day!
5. Rubber Band Paint Scraper
To keep the edges of your paint can clean for easy clean up and sealing, stretch a rubber band around the can and use it to wipe excess paint off of your brushes.
6. Buttons As Earring Holders
Keep those earring pairs together with buttons! This is not only useful for traveling, but if you have a large collection, it will also make them easier to find in your jewelry box.
7. Pool Noodles As Boot Stands
Keep your boots looking their best in an upright position using pool noodles. They are the perfect size, lightweight, and much cheaper than boot stands.
8. Pipe Cleaners As A No-Slip Aid
I have this problem all the time, especially with my wide mouthed shirts. You can keep them from sliding off by wrapping pipe cleaners around the ends, and I've also seen this done with wide rubber bands looped around the top and bottom of both ends of the hanger.
9. Binder Clip As A Money Clip / Keychain
Use a binder clip to hold your paper money, then attach your keys to make it double as a key ring. This would be a quick solution for amusement parks and such where you don't want to lug around your purse or wallet.
10. Light Bulb Packaging As A Photo Protector
Protect photos and documents from bending in the mail with the packaging that comes with most light bulbs. Simply remove the interior cardboard and it will fold at the crease.
11. Bag Closures As Cord Labels
With all of the different cords we have plugged into our power strips these days, it can be quite puzzling which cords go to which devices. Label them with bag closures to help lessen the confusion.
12. Muffin Wrapper As A Drip Catcher
If you have little ones, you know how much of a mess a simple popsicle can be. Poke a hole in the bottom of a muffin liner with the end of the popsicle stick, slide it up, and worry less about how many drips you'll be cleaning up off of the furniture, floor and their clothes later.
13. Muffin Liner As A Jar Cover
Muffin liners are a cute and quick way to decorate small jars! Top them off with a pretty ribbon and/or label and they make for fabulous gifts.
14. Shower Cap As A Shoe Cover
I'm not sure that I've ever actually used a shower cap, but for whatever reason I've started a small collection from those freebies you get at hotels. Use them to cover the soles of your shoes before packing them in a suitcase. This keeps the dirt and grime from getting on the rest of your packed items!
15. Tape As A Scoop Scraper
Place a strip of masking tape across the top of baking containers to easily get a perfect level scoop. This allows you to scoop single handed, and the tape is thin enough to where the lid will fit back on without having to remove it for future use.
16. Shower Hooks As Closet Organizers
Use those handy shower hooks to hang purses, scarves, hats, ties, belts, or anything else your closet demands!
17. Dryer Sheets To Clean Baseboards
Why would you clean your baseboards with dryer sheets!? Because they will not only leave your house smelling amazing, but the fabric softener works as a dust repellent, and for you, this means less cleaning and less often.
18. Dryer Sheets To Clean Soap Scum
Soap scum AND water spots! They are the toughest and most frustrating part of cleaning any bathroom. I'm not sure exactly what it is in a dryer sheet that helps get rid of these two annoyances, but it really does seem to work! Bonus: they smell much better than that awful soap scum remover.
19. Tissue Box As Plastic Bag Storage
When your tissues run out, repurpose those pretty boxes to hold plastic bags! They work perfectly to disperse just one bag at a time. I especially like this idea for those little doggy poo bags.
20. Hair Straightener As A Fabric Iron
Irons work most of the time, but what about for small hems, shirt straps or in between buttons? A hair straightener fits into these small spaces much easier. You can also use one to iron and flatten out crumpled up ribbon and cloth belts.
21. Coffee Filter As A Flowerpot Liner
Stop soil from falling through the drainage hole in flowerpots by lining it with a coffee filter.
22. Lotion Bottle To Conceal Valuables
Whether at the beach or water park, keep your valuables handy but hidden in a suntan lotion bottle or case of hand wipes.
23. Colander As An Ice Bucket
No more watered down drinks! Now your party guests can scoop ice while the water drains through the colander into a bucket or bowl below.
24. Plastic Bottle As A Funnel
Save those plastic bottles and cut off the bottom to use as a funnel. This is so much better for filling the top of a small bird feeder instead of trying to get the bird seeds in there with that big hefty bag. Be sure to keep the lid so you can fill it, then remove the lid when you're ready to pour.
25. Wristband As A Coffee Sleeve
A wristband or the top of an old sock works just as well as a coffee sleeve at protecting your hands and fingers from scolding coffee. Why is it always SO hot in these cups?? The first sip scares me more than tofu hotdogs.
26. Lint Roller As A Purse Cleaner
Say goodbye to all of those loose particles taking over the inside of your purse with a few quick swipes of a lint roller. There's no telling how long those crumbs have been lurking down there!?
27. Straw As A Stem Brace
For those soft and unstable stems that bend easily, insert them into a straw (preferably clear) to keep your flower arrangements standing tall.
28. Cooking Spray As A Snow Aid
Before heading out to shovel snow and ice from the drive, spray both sides of your shovel with cooking spray so that the snow falls right off instead of building up.
29. Pool Noodle As A Bed Rail
Place a pool noodle under a fitted sheet just next to the edge of the bed to keep kids from falling out.
30. Hair Clip As A Cord Organizer
If you're anything like me, your flat iron, hair dryer and assortment of curling irons tend to all get tangled up together, leaving you frustrated to no end. Use hair clips to keep those cords with their owners.
31. Desk Organizer As A Dish Divider
Keep your cooking pans, trays, and cutting boards in an upright position using a desk file organizer. This makes them much easier to access as opposed to having them stacked on top of each other in a pile.
32. Wine Glass As A Candle Holder
Turn simple candles into a beautiful display using wine glasses. They make easy but charming centerpieces for formal affairs such as weddings, dinner parties or anniversaries.
33. Twister Mat As A Table Cloth
Use a twister mat as a table cover for parties or family game night.
34. Toothpaste As A Picture Guide
Use a dab of toothpaste on the back of a frame and press it up against the wall where you want it to hang. The toothpaste will transfer onto the wall right where you will want to place your nails.
35. Straw As A Necklace Detangler
Keep your necklaces from tangling together by placing an end of each one through a straw and then fastening it back together.
36. Baby Powder As A Jewelry Detangler
What a pain! When your jewelry tangles, sprinkle a little bit of baby powder over the knot and then loosen it to freedom with a pin.
37. Paint Chip As A Place Card
Paint chips come in, well… just about every color! This makes it easy to coordinate a party table with your theme. This one doubles as a napkin holder and place card, but you could also fold them in half, write the name on one side with a Sharpie, and then place them at each setting.
38. Cardboard Tube As A Wrinkle Preventer
Wrap scarves or other items that you want to prevent from wrinkling in your travel bag around paper towel or wrapping paper tubes.
39. Cooking Spray For Door Hinges
When door hinges get squeaky, spray a little bit of cooking spray in the cracks to quiet them down.
40. Silverware Tray As A Toothbrush Organizer
Keep those toothbrushes off the counter and hidden in a drawer with a silverware tray! This is great if you have multiple kids sharing a single bathroom.
41. Lollipop As A Drink Stirrer
Hey, this could be fun for kids and adults! Use lollipops in cocktails and other party beverages in place of your traditional drink stirrers. The lollipop will also add a bit of fun color to your drink.
42. Colander As A Cake Pop Holder
If you've ever attempted cake pops, you know the dilemma of keeping them from touching anything while they dry. Insert them into the holes of a colander, and voila! Party on.
43. Sunglass Case As A Manicure Kit
Keep all of the beauty products you like to have on-the-go (nail file, eyeliner, lipstick, polish, etc.) in an unused sunglass case where they will stay protected and organized in your purse.
44. Soap Box As A Camera Case
While traveling, keep your camera and other fragile items protected in a hard soap box. This will prevent damage while it's in your bag getting tossed and banged around.
45. Pill Box As A Earring Organizer
Another great traveling tip for your jewelry! Place rings and earrings in one of those daily pill boxes to keep them safe and organized.
46. Toothbrush Stand As A Brush Stand
Those cheap plastic toothbrush stands work just as well for storing your makeup brushes as they do your toothbrushes. This also makes them easier to find and cleaner than being mixed in with the rest of your makeup.
47. Wine Cork As A Pin Cushion
Keep all of those needles handy and organized with a simple wine cork! Who needs a pin cushion when you drink enough wine to finish every cork project imaginable?
48. Ice Cube Tray As A Craft Organizer
Use those ice cube trays that are taking up wasted space way in the back of your kitchen cupboards to store and organize small, miscellaneous craft and office supplies.
49. Post-It As A Keyboard Cleaner
Don't throw it away just yet! Use the sticky party of a Post-It note to get in between the tiny cracks of your keyboard.
50. Binder Clips As A Cable Organizer
Don't let them fall to the floor! Use binder clips attached to the lip of your desk to keep your computer cables and phone chargers handy.
51. Address Labels As Name Labels
Label your things with your return address labels in the unfortunate case that they get lost or left behind. This way there is no question who it belongs to and can be easily returned.
52. Frozen Grapes As A Wine Chiller
I love to eat frozen grapes in the summer time! But, did you know, you can also drop a few in your wine to keep it cold without watering it down?! Pure genius.
53. Bundt Pan As A Corn Holder
When cutting the corn off of the cob, place it in the center of an angel food cake or bundt pan for a secure hold. This way all of the corn falls into the pan, too.
54. Muffin Pan As An Ice Cream Server
Before the party begins, prepare individual scoops of ice cream in a muffin pan filled with liners. When it's ready to be served, you can take it out of the freezer and quickly and easily serve it with the cake.
55. Hanger Clasps As Bag Clips
You can never have enough bag clips! I recall having a drawer full of these in the kitchen that have now dwindled down to just a few. Recycle those clasps on the ends of hangers and repurpose them for the kitchen where they will actually get used.
56. Pringles Can As Spaghetti Storage
Cooking for a family of 4 means that I always have an excess amount of long pasta left over on spaghetti night. Pringles cans are the perfect size and length to store the uncooked leftovers while keeping it fresh.
57. Soda Tab To Hang Pictures
The aluminum from a can tab makes for just as good of a hook as any! This is a great solution for something that may not have been intended to hang on a wall, therefor doesn't come with the hooks required to put it up.
58. Paper Tubes As Cord Organizers
Who knew there were so many clever uses for toilet paper rolls! We go through so many of these things, why not repurpose them in a way that makes our life easier? Use them to keep your cords from tangling, or even create a custom cubby box for small cords and cables.
59. Legos As A Key Holder
I grew up obsessed with Legos. This might explain my love for this Lego key holder idea. And, there's no drilling required if you use the Lego bricks to connect to your keys.
60. Skewers As A Knife Block
Bunch skewers together in a box to hold your knives! This way you can stick them anywhere and it will work for any and every size.
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