13 hidden uses for household items
Get organised with these double-duty household items.
1. Keep doors open with rubber bands – Loop a rubber band around the inside and outside door knobs, twisting it so it makes an X across the latch.
2. Remove pilling with a sponge – Get rid of those unsightly pills in jumpers by gently rubbing the textured side of a new sponge across it.
3. Unstick zipper with soap – If your zip won’t budge, rub soap along the front and back side of the zipper teeth.
4. Stop tangles necklaces with straws – Thread your chain through a straw and clasp it so it always remains untangled and neatly organised.
5. Open stuck jars with rubber gloves – Grab those rubber gloves to get a better grip on those stuck jar lids.
6. Polish up shoes with newspaper – No shoe polish needed! Rub dark-coloured leather shoes with balled up newspaper pages (only black and white papers will work).
7. Stopped scratched pans with paper plates – Between stacked pans, place disposable paper plates to prevent scratches.
8. Secure clothes on hanger with rubber bands – Clothes keep slipping from your coat hangers? Loop rubber bands over the ends of each hanger to keep them intact.
9. Collect pet hair with rubber gloves – Get rid of pet hair quick by running dampened rubber gloves across your upholstery.
10. Double-up hangers with a soft drink can tab – Slip a soft drink can tab over a clothes hanger’s hook and then slip the other hanger on the other tab’s end. Voila, two clothes hangers in one.
11. Buff stains on suede with emery boards – Gently buff away stains on your suede shoes or bags with a nail emery board.
12. Organise lids with CD holder – Store all your plastic container lids in a neat and orderly fashion with a CD holder.
13. Manage knick-knacks with shoe organiser – A see-through shoe organiser over the back of a door not only takes up less space but makes it easier to find your stuff when you need it.
Related links:
12 cleaning tricks for hard-to-clean areas around the home
Homemade laundry powder and fabric softener recipes
The best ways to clean your mattress