Double Duty Tips for Household Items
We have some solutions for you. Here, some alternative uses for household items.
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.
Eyeglasses Case
Snag a spare one to stow jewelry when packing a suitcase. Another great use? For your earbuds.
Laundry Pretreater
It does more than help with tough stains. Use it to loosen labels on washable hard surfaces or adhesive left by price stickers – the ultimate trap for clingy dusty bunnies.
Emery Board
Use this manicure staple for more than just shaping your nails – it can gently buff away stains on suede bags and shoes.
Parmesan Cheese Shaker
Clean it out, then fill it up with your preferred granular plant fertilizer for an easy way to feed your garden.
Kneadable Eraser
This art-class must-have does more than zap errant pencil marks. Use it to rub out scuffs on hardwood or tile floors, as well as smudges on light-colored leather bags and shoes. Once the eraser is dirty, knead to reveal a clean spot.
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.
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.
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.
Plastic Lid
Create a “coaster” for a shaving-cream can with the top of a small sour cream, potato chip, or other food container — and end rusty rings on bathroom surfaces.
Shower Cap
Snag those hotel-freebie shower caps to cover shoes before packing them in a suitcase. The plastic keeps dirty soles from sullying clothes.
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.
