Everyday objects often hide surprising potential beyond their usual functions. With a bit of creativity, items around the house can take on new and inventive roles. You can discover some clever uses for common things that most people might overlook.
Egg Cartons as Seed Starters
Fill each compartment of our empty egg carton with soil and seeds to start a small indoor garden. 55% of Americans engage in gardening, and with this hack, it becomes easier to start gardening in your home. Egg cartons are the perfect size for individual seedlings and can be easily transplanted into the ground later.
Shoe Organizer for Pantry Storage
Hang a shoe organizer on your pantry door to store snacks, spices, or cleaning supplies. In an average American home, there are around 2-3 pantries. With this hack, you can further maximize the available space. You can see and reach your pantry products with ease thanks to the clear compartments of a shoe organizer.
Shower Cap for Shoes
To keep your garments clean when packing for a trip, wrap the bottom of your shoes with a shower cap. In the U.S., people have an average of 19 pairs of shoes, making this a smart packing hack. Shower caps create a barrier between the dirty soles of shoes and the rest of your packed items. This prevents the transfer of grime and dirt.
Wine Corks as Drawer Knobs
Attach a wine cork to a screw and use it as a quick drawer pull. With 38% of Americans enjoying wine regularly, this is an eco-friendly way to repurpose corks. It gives your house a distinct personality. Wine corks make for fun, one-of-a-kind drawer pulls that can add a rustic or whimsical touch to any room.
Binder Clips as Cable Organizers
Attach binder clips at the edge of your desk by clipping them there. You can thread your cables through the metal handles to keep them from tangling. With thousands of Americans using binder clips regularly, it makes them a simple and affordable way to tame cable clutter. You can also use these clips to keep cords and wires bundled together neatly. It prevents a messy deck.
Coffee Filters as Screen Cleaners
To avoid leaving lint behind, you can use a coffee filter to wipe electronic screens such as those of a computer or TV. About 73% of Americans drink coffee daily. This means most households have an ample supply of these lint-free cleaning tools. Coffee filters are gentle on delicate screens and would not scratch the surface.
Muffin Tin as a Snack Tray
You can fill a muffin tin with different snacks for a simple and organized party platter. A muffin tin has a minimum of 3 to 12 holders, with each up in the size of 3.5 fl oz. This is a versatile way to serve a variety of food or individual portions. The individual compartments in a muffin tin keep snacks separated and portion-controlled.
Aluminum Foil to Sharpen Scissors
Fold a piece of aluminum foil several times and cut through it with dull scissors to sharpen the blades. The use of this foil is projected to be over 320 million in 2024, showcasing its increasing demand. Having aluminum foils on hand makes it a convenient way to extend the life of your scissors. The abrasive action of the foil helps to realign and sharpen the scissor blades.
Dryer Sheets for Dusting
Use a dryer sheet to dust surfaces. It reduces static and repels dust. Considering more than 80% of American households own a clothes dryer, this tip can help simplify the cleaning process. Compounds in dryer sheets aid in drawing in and collecting dust particles. It makes them an effective and convenient dusting tool.
Silica Gel Packs to Dry Wet Electronics
Place silica gel packets, the ones you found in new shoes or bags with wet electronics. It helps them dry faster. Over 90% of Americans own a smartphone, making this a valuable tip for protecting these devices. Silica gel absorbs moisture and draws the water out of the electronic device, thereby, preventing further damage.
Toilet Paper Rolls as Cable Organizers
You can store cables inside empty toilet paper rolls to prevent them from getting tangled. With the average American using 141 rolls of toilet paper every year, this is an effective way to upcycle these cardboard tubes. The rolls provide a snug fit for cables and keep them neatly contained and untangled.
Tic Tac Box as a Bobby Pin Holder
Use an empty Tic Tac box to store and dispense bobby pins. Thousands of American women use bobby pins regularly, and this hack can help keep them organized. This slim Tic Tac box is the perfect size to neatly contain a collection of bobby pins. It prevents them from getting lost or scattered.
Rubber Bands for Opening Jars
You can use a rubber band by wrapping it around a jar lid to create extra grip. This makes it easier for the jar to open. With more than 30 million pounds of rubber bands sold each year, it highlights the increasing usage and versatility of this item. Rubber bands can offer enough grip to cry open even the hardest-to-open jars.
Lemon as a Microwave Cleaner
Microwave a bowl of water with a few slices of lemon for a few minutes. The steam loosens the grime, making it easier to wipe clean. More than 90% of U.S. households own a microwave. This hack makes cleaning it a simple, chemical-free task. The citric acid in lemons acts as a natural degreaser, helping to break down and dissolve stubborn food particles.
Toothpaste for Cleaning Headlights
Rub toothpaste on car headlights to remove fog and make them shine again. Most vehicles after regular use, have at least one foggy or hazy headlight. Toothpaste can be an effective DIY headlight restoration solution. The abrasives in toothpaste help to gently buff out the cloudy film, restoring clarity and brightness.