With a little creative re-purposing, you can breathe new life into many common household items; including those destined for the trash can!
Rubber Bands
1.) 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.
2.) To get a better grip on a stripped screw, trap one side of a wide rubber band (like the ones used on produce bundles) between the screwdriver and the screw head, and twist.
3.) Keep slippery tops and strappy dresses from sliding into a heap on your closet floor by looping wide rubber bands over the ends of their hangers.
Rubber Gloves
Get pet fur off the couch faster: Slightly dampen rubber gloves and run them over upholstery to quickly collect pet hair.
Eyeglasses Case
Snag a spare one to stow jewelry when packing a suitcase. Another great use? For your MP3 player and ear buds.
Chocolate-Box Insert
Once the tasty treats are just a sweet Valentine’s memory, use the rinsed-out tray to hold tacks and paper clips in a desk drawer.
Wrapping-Paper Tube
Cover the cardboard in acid-free tissue paper and roll clean linens around it to prevent fabric from creasing when stored.
Emery Board
Use this manicure staple for more than just shaping your nails — it can gently buff away stains on suede bags and shoes.
Spoon
After slicing onions or mincing garlic, neutralize smelly hands by rubbing fingers on a stainless steel spoon under running water.
Cooking Spray
Spritz a little on a squeaky door hinge, then swing the door back and forth to work it in and quiet the creaking. Wipe away any drips with a paper towel.
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.
Spare Buttons
If you’re always misplacing one earring or its back, take a moment to pair them through the holes of an old button. Bonus: They’ll look cute and be easier to find in your jewelry box.
Pillowcase
When storing coats or special-occasion clothes, cover each item with an old pillowcase (cut a hole in the closed end to slip over a hanger). It won’t hold in mildew-causing moisture like plastic does.
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?
Aluminum Foil
If you never knew it was safe to put aluminum foil in dryers, join the club! Wad foil into balls that are approximately 3 inches in diameter and use them to reduce Static created in the dryer.
Clear Nail Polish
Button hanging by a thread? Avoid this by coating a button’s center with a drop of clear nail polish. Once it’s dry, it will prevent the stitches from fraying over time.
2.)Add a drop of clear polish to keep eyeglasses screws in place
3.) Brush it on earring posts, backs, or hooks (to prevent earlobe irritation)
4.) Dip the unraveling ends of shoelaces in it to seal them
5.) Brush it on pantyhose to stop runs (its original off-label use!)