Almost every item in your house has a clear, singular purpose, right?
Well, what if we told you that a lot of things can actually do double, or even triple duty around the house, and that you are, in fact, sitting on a gold mine of little tricks to make your life not only easier, but a little less expensive. After all, there’s no need to shell out for a fancy organizer when you can pick up some shower curtain hooks at the dollar store, right? Read on for more amazingly simple tricks.
1. Rubber band
A rubber band around a paint can makes a good excess paint scraper.
2. Drinking straw
Thread a necklace through a straw to prevent tangling. It’s great for storage, and for travel, you can pack them into a toothbrush container.
3. Multi-level hanger
Use this as a jewelry organizer.
4. Safety pin
A safety pin on the inside of trouser legs will prevent static cling.
5. Plastic water bottle
Squeeze a bottle and then use it like a vacuum to separate eggs mess-free.
6. Buttons
Use buttons to pair earrings, especially small ones, and prevent them from getting lost.
7. Kneaded eraser
This art supply is great for getting scuff marks out of wood as well as light-colored leather. Knead to clean.
8. Glasses case
iStock
Even if you don’t wear glasses, these are great containers for small items like keys, jewelry, and earphones.
9. Makeup brush
iStock
These soft brushes are perfect for dusting between computer keys. Just make sure they’re clean of any makeup first.
10. Emery board
iStock
This type of nail file is also perfect for gently buffing out scuff marks on suede.
11. Large paper clip
This comes in handy for fastening a bracelet. Simply hook it onto the bracelet and hold with the same hand that’s wearing the bracelet, clasping it with the other. The paper clip holds it in place.
12. Newspaper
iStock
In a pinch, a page of black-and-white newsprint (not color!) can give dark-colored shoes a polish.
13. Shower curtain hooks
Use these to make the most of a hanger. They’re perfect for scarves or belts. You can also attach them right to the rod in the closet to hang bags.
14. Wrapping paper tube
iStock
These are great for storing linens without creasing them. Simply roll the linen around the tube and stow them away. They’re also made with acid-free cardboard, so they won’t discolor the fabric.
15. Sheets, towels, and old clothes
iStock
When moving, towels, sheets, and old clothes can double as packing material for fragile items.
16. Prewash laundry spray
iStock
Laundry spray is also good for getting off tough stickers or adhesives.
17. Clear nail polish
iStock
Clear nail polish is good for reinforcing things, including the screws on eyeglasses and loose buttons.
18. Bread tags
Keep your cords neat by labeling them with bread tags.
19. Rubber gloves
iStock
A rubber glove (or rubber band) works great for opening tough jar lids, giving you the friction you need.
20. Dryer sheets
These are great for dusting baseboards. They also help repel dust, meaning you’ll have less cleaning to do next time.
21. Sticky notes
iStock
Before you throw one out, remember that the sticky side is great for gathering crumbs and grit from between keys on a keyboard.
22. Bar of soap
iStock
Run a bar of soap over both sides of a sticky zipper to get it running smoothly again.
23. Wide-toothed comb
iStock
Just like with hair, these combs are good for getting tangles out of shag carpets and fringes on curtains and blankets.
24. Soda can tab
iStock
A soda tab can link two hangers together. Put the tab over the hook of one hanger, and hang the second hanger from the other hole. Now you can store more clothing, and keep outfit pieces together.
25. Mesh bag
iStock
A wadded-up mesh bag, the kind onions and oranges come in, is great for scrubbing out pots and pans without scratching them.
26. Shower curtain
iStock
Keep a shower curtain in the car; you never know when you might want to have a picnic. They’re easier to clean than grass-stained jeans and blankets.
27. Scrubby sponge
iStock
The scrubby side of a sponge is great for de-pilling a sweater. Just make sure you use a clean scrubber.
28. Pillowcase
iStock
And old pillowcase can be reused as a clothing storage bag by cutting a hole in the top for a hanger hook to pass through. The nice thing about these is that they won’t trap moisture the way plastic does.
29. Cooking spray
iStock
Cooking spray works great on a squeaky or stiff hinge.
30. Flower pot saucer
iStock
These are perfect for putting under a plunger in the bathroom to collect drips.
31. Pipe cleaners
iStock
Wrapping these around a hanger makes for an easy no-slip surface.
32. Plastic lid
iStock
Using a lid from a finished food (think tubs of spreads like sour cream) or takeout container under metal items like shaving cream or hair spray cans prevents rusty rings on your bathroom counters.
33. Binder clip
iStock
If your wallet has seen better days, you can use this as a money clip (the clamp part) and a key chain (the handles).
34. Baby powder
iStock
A sprinkle of this helps detangle necklaces. Rub it into the knot, and then pick apart with a pin.
35. Muffin paper
iStock
Speared onto the end of a popsicle, these make great drip-catchers. If you like making preserves or other jarred items, they also make great lids when tied on with a ribbon.
36. Tissue boxes
Store plastic bags in a tissue box. This way, you can pull them out easily.
37. Masking tape
iStock
A piece of masking tape over the mouth of a dry baking item helps level off a measuring spoon. It’s also thin enough that you can snap the lid on right over it for future use.
38. Coffee filters
These can help prevent dirt from spilling through a flower pot’s drainage hole.
39. Lint roller
iStock
Clean out the inside of a purse with one of these.
40. Lollipops
iStock
This is a fun one: for a party, use lollipops as drink stirrers to add flavor and color to beverages.
(via Listotic, Good Housekeeping)
Now that you know all about the secret double duties of the things in your house, your life just might become a little easier!
There are a lot of ways to make your life simpler, cleaner, and less expensive:
