When used imaginatively, ordinary items can have practical magic. Here’s some inspiration for employing everyday household goods in unusual—and helpful—ways.
By Andréana Lefton
The Mother of Invention
Do you need to clean? Organize? Throw a dinner party? Instead of buying new products to aid in your endeavor, dig deep into your cupboards. Ordinary items have dozens of extraordinary uses, so you may already have what you need right at your fingertips. To get your creative juices flowing, we’ve compiled 35 repurposing ideas that unlock the magic hidden in common household goods.
Pillowcase Laundry Bags
Use an old pillowcase to keep your delicate laundry separate in your hamper. Then, when it’s time to do the laundry, just toss the filled pillowcase into the machine, where it will function as a wash bag to protect your underwear, slips, stockings, and other garments. To prevent the contents from spilling out into the wash, first turn the pillowcase into a drawstring bag: Hem the opening of the case, leaving a small space for a cord to be inserted, then feed the cord through the hem. Pull the drawstring tight before you drop the pillowcase in the wash, and take comfort in knowing that this special treatment will help your delicates last longer.
Lemon Bug Repellent
It may be true that you’ll catch more flies with honey, but paint seems to work too—which can be a huge annoyance when you’re working on an outdoor paint job. Small winged insects seem to be drawn to paint cans and freshly painted surfaces. There are plenty of theories as to why this is so—odor, color, reflection, moisture—but theories won’t keep the critters away from your painting project. Lemon juice, on the other hand, will. Ward off insects by squeezing a few drops of lemon juice directly into your can of paint. Bugs hate the zesty scent of lemon, so they’ll they’ll steer clear, leaving you with fewer pesky pests buzzing around your ears—and a smooth, professional finish.
Take Two for Sweat Stains
An ordinary aspirin tablet can do more than just treat a headache. When sweat stains discolor your white T-shirts, crush a few uncoated aspirin tablets, mix them with warm water to form a paste, and apply it to the affected area. Allow the mixture to sit for a few hours, then throw your clothing in the washing machine and wash as normal to ditch the unsightly yellow marks. For especially dark stains, let the garment air-dry. (Don’t toss it in the dryer, which could set the stains.) When it’s dry, check to see if the stains are still there. If so, re-treat the area, run the garment through the washer again, then air-dry and check the stain.
Vinegar to Boost Your Blooms
The next time you buy cut flowers, add two tablespoons of white vinegar and two tablespoons of sugar to the water. The vinegar cuts down on bacteria, while the sugar feeds the blooms. During the day, keep the flowers away from heat sources and bright sun; at night, place the vase full of flowers in the fridge to preserve them even longer.
Vinegar Itch Soother
Apple cider vinegar is a kitchen staple that should also be in your first aid kit. For mosquito bites, soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply to the affected area to help tame the itch.
Toothpaste Cleanser
A baking-soda-based toothpaste not only freshens your breath but also cleans things around the house. For starters, you can eradicate stale odors from reusable food containers by scrubbing them with a non-gel toothpaste. You can even scrub your kitchen sink with toothpaste for a bright shine.
Saucer Soap Dishes
Cut back on liquid soap—and the disposable plastic containers it comes in—by switching back to bar soap. When you make the switch, repurpose old china saucers into pretty, functional soap dishes to add a little antique charm to your bathroom design.
Coffee Maker Pancakes
If your stove’s pilot light goes out, or if your hangout spot or work space lacks a full kitchen, or you’re just looking for a way to entertain the kids on a Sunday morning, use your coffee maker’s warming plate for cooking pancakes. Just line the plate with aluminum foil, add a dollop of batter, and watch for bubbles to know when to flip. Plate up the pancakes, toss the foil, and voilà— breakfast without the mess.
Salty Shoe Deodorizer
Gym shoes smelling a little funky? Table salt is the answer. The sodium chloride crystals help fight bacteria and the odors bacteria create. Just sprinkle a little salt inside your sneakers, let them sit for an hour (or overnight), and shake them out over the sink. Odor eliminated.
Fresh Herb Centerpieces
Why spend on cut flowers when you can use your kitchen herbs as centerpieces for your next party. Not only are herbs pretty and aromatic, but they’re also practical and delicious. And when the meal is over, have guests snip off a sprig of parsley to chew—it’s an instant breath freshener.
De-Germ in the Dishwasher
Pet toys, sports equipment, and even your nighttime mouth guard can all be sanitized in the dishwasher. Just be sure to skip the dry cycle to prevent damage to delicate plastics and other materials.
Foil to Banish Tarnish
Bring a quart or so of water to boil in a saucepan, sprinkle in a tablespoon of baking soda, and drop in a three-inch square of aluminum foil. Remove the mixture from the heat, then submerge your tarnished silver completely for 10 seconds. Using a set of kitchen tongs, lift out your shiny, tarnish-free silver, and dry with a soft towel.
