25 Double-Duty Tips 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.

Photo Credit: Saso Novoselic/iStock

Rubber Gloves

Get Fido's fur off the couch faster: Don slightly dampened rubber gloves (who knew they did so much more than prevent dishpan hands?) and run them over upholstery to quickly collect pet hair.

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Eyeglasses Case

Snag a spare one to stow jewelry when packing a suitcase. Another great use? For your MP3 player and earbuds.

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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.

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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.

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Wrapping-Paper Tube

Cover the cardboard in acid-free tissue paper and roll clean linens around it to prevent fabric from creasing when stored.

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Emery Board

Use this manicure staple for more than just shaping your nails — it can gently buff away stains on suede bags and shoes.

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Spoon

After slicing onions or mincing garlic, neutralize smelly hands by rubbing fingers on a stainless steel spoon under running water.

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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.

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Drinking Straw

Spring bouquet to display? Firm up the soft stems of flowers like tulips or daffodils by inserting each into a wide straw before adding to a vase. You can rinse straws and reuse for the same purpose.

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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.
 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Sticky Note

Before you toss one of these paper reminders, run the sticky side between the keys of your computer's keyboard to collect crumbs and other grime.

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Wide-Tooth Comb

Use one to unsnarl tangled fringe on an area rug. As with your hair, start at the tips and work in, to avoid making a bigger knot.

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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.

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Candle Stub

Don't toss a votive once it's flamed out. Use the nub as a pincushion — the wax helps pins slide more easily. Just make sure to wipe off any visible flecks before piercing fabric.

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Paper Plates

A great use for those too-flimsy disposables in your pantry: Use them between stacked nonstick cookware to keep it scratch-free when stored.

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Scrub Sponges

This kitchen workhorse can also remove pills from sweaters. Gently run the textured side of a new sponge across your knits to de-fuzz.

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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?

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Colander

This pasta drainer is great for wring-free removal of water from hand-washed delicates. Rinse clothing in the colander; let drip for a bit; lay flat to dry.

Photo Credit: Lynn Seeden/istockphoto

Mesh Produce Bag

Use the plastic mesh bag that your onions or oranges came in as a no-scratch scrubber for a gunky pot or pan. Ball up the bag, scour away the grime, and throw the whole mess away.

Photo Credit: Amanda Tohde/istockphoto

Folded Shower Curtain

Stash an old shower curtain in your car's trunk to line it when carting potentially messy plants, picnic coolers, or beach gear in the summer.

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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.

More clever uses for clear nail polish from Carolyn Forte on the next slide...

• Add a drop of clear polish to keep eyeglasses screws in place
• Brush it on earring posts, backs, or hooks (to prevent earlobe irritation)
• Dip the unraveling ends of shoelaces in it to seal them
• Brush it on pantyhose to stop runs (its original off-label use!)

Photo Credit: Lara Robby/Studio D

Find more household items with multiple duties here.

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