In the January Issue of Real Simple they had a list of 28 uses for everyday items. I found the uses of these everyday things to be very helpful so I thought I would pass them along to you.
- Open Jars with ease. Wrapping a rubber band around the lid will give you a better grip.
- Decorate Easter Eggs. Arrange rubber bands in a pattern around hard boiled eggs, then dip them into dye. Remove the bands when eggs are dry.
- Bring order to your dishwasher. Tether stemware and other wobbly items to the rack.
- Wrap a gift. Use multiple colored rubber bands instead of ribbon to add a modern flair to a small present.
- Label meat. Identify just-off-the-grill meat with different colored toothpicks, rare, medium or well-done.
- Find the end of the roll. When you have finished using tape, wrap the end around a toothpick so you can easily locate it next time.
- Glue beads and sequins. Use the sharp ends to apply teensy items to a craft project.
- Sew a better button. Place a toothpick between the button and the fabric so it doesn’t go on too tightly and end up tough to fasten.
- Press a gadget’s reset button. What fits perfectly into that tiny hole? You guessed it.
Salt (10-13)
- Clean up a cracked egg. Cover the mess with a handful of salt, then wipe up with ease.
- Dust a wreath. Place a wreath of pinecones or faux evergreen in a paper bag with a 1/4 cup of salt. Fold the top of the bag over and gently shake.
- Remove tea stains. Sprinkle salt on a lemon peel, then rub it on a tea-stained cup.
- Shine brass and copper. Make a paste of a few tablespoons of white vinegar with equal parts salt and flour. Apply with a soft cloth, rinse and dry.
- Clean a keyboard. Run the sticky side between keys to collect crumbs and bits of lint.
- Navigate the roads. Write directions on a note and stick it to the center of your steering wheel for quick reference.
- Mark Containers. Cut off the sticky zone and use it as an ersatz label for travel bottles so you don’t confuse your facial cleanser with your hair gel.
- File away. Divide a pile of paper into sections using Post-it Notes as you would folder tabs.
- Play tic-tac-toe. Use a sheet for each X and O. Peel them up and play again until they lose their stickiness.
Felt Circles (19-23)
- Secure slinky garments. Stick a felt circle onto each arm of a hanger to keep clothes from sliding off.
- Anchor a cutting board. Place a circle under each corner of the board so it stays put while you slice and dice.
- Prevent tabletop scratches. Attach a circle to the bottom of a vase so it doesn’t scuff surfaces.
- Keep your kitchen quiet. Hush a banging cabinet door by sticking a circle on a corner on the inside of the door.
- Protect the walls. Position felt on each corner of a picture frame so the edges won’t mark the paintwork.
Clear Nail Polish (24-28)
- Keep an eyeglass screw in place. If your specs are a bit wobbly, tighten the screws and top them with a dollop of polish.
- Secure buttons. Apply a thin layer of polish to the center of a button to keep the thread from coming loose.
- Avoid rust stains in the bathroom. Coat the bottom of the shaving-cream can to fend off rings on the ledge of the tub.
- Seal an envelope. When a flap wont stay stuck, find closure with clear polish.
- Extend the life of jewelry. Paint a thin coat onto a costume bauble to prevent it from losing its luster.