Multi-Use Household Items

Chopsmom · ‎10-19-2022

It dawned on me this morning, as I was opening a new bottle of Tylenol with my handy seam ripper, that I have never used it for its intended purpose. I use it to open the plastic shrink wrap around the cap that a pair of scissors wouldn't be able to.

Do you use a household item, meant for one purpose, and use it for something totally different?

mizree · ‎04-04-2016

denture tablets to clean drip coffeemaker, swell and contigo bottles, flower vases

playtex gloves (or similiar) to collect hair off floor before vacuuming.

frenchie · ‎03-12-2010

I use an adjustable wrench to open soda and juice bottles. Also on the cat food pull tab cans. They kill my fingers. I use an exacto knife to open boxes, Q or Amazon. We get plenty of those don't we? I wish they made products as well as the glue on packaging.

Marsha2003 · ‎03-12-2010

The only thing I can think of is how I use the sponge scrubber on a stick that's meant for cleaning bathtubs and showers. I use it dry to pick up dust and hair from the bathroom floor. It works much better than a broom and doesn't require pulling the vacuum out of the closet.

Jk9 · ‎07-18-2013

I use an ice pick for lots of stuff like opening plastic shrink wrap etc. I don't think I ever used it for breaking up ice.

If my dog doesn't like you, neither do I.

Flatbush · ‎07-18-2015

I use cotton balls with a bit of alcohol on it to clean the mungy film on my stove controls and refrigerator handles. Also use it to clean the munge on the fan above the stove.

Clothes pins to hold my sleeves up when I am cooking or washing dishes and also to hold back curtains so they stay clean when they brush against the screens if the windows are open.

I save old newspapers on counters to use when I am chopping or peeling vegetables and fruits.Then I wrap the peelings etc. up and pitch it in the garbage.Saves me cleaning the counters and time.

Also I keep a good stack of newspapers available for a handy trivet when I take some thing out of the oven and don't want to put the hot pan or plate on my counter.

A plastic throw away knife to run around the edges of a cake or muffins to help it easily release after baking. It does not scratch the pan. esp non stick pans.

Ainhisg · ‎03-09-2010

@Flatbush wrote:
I use cotton balls with a bit of alcohol on it to clean the mungy film on my stove controls and refrigerator handles. Also use it to clean the munge on the fan above the stove.
Clothes pins to hold my sleeves up when I am cooking or washing dishes and also to hold back curtains so they stay clean when they brush against the screens if the windows are open.
I save old newspapers on counters to use when I am chopping or peeling vegetables and fruits.Then I wrap the peelings etc. up and pitch it in the garbage.Saves me cleaning the counters and time.
Also I keep a good stack of newspapers available for a handy trivet when I take some thing out of the oven and don't want to put the hot pan or plate on my counter.
A plastic throw away knife to run around the edges of a cake or muffins to help it easily release after baking. It does not scratch the pan. esp non stick pans.

@Flatbush 60 years old, and I learned something new today! I am headed to the kitchen right now to try the alcohol on my stove knobs. And I use clothespins in the kitchen to clip chip bags...heck, any kind of bag, so now I am going to use them to hold up my sleeves. Goodbye, wet sleeves! Thank you for posting!

catter70 · ‎10-11-2017

Straight bladed screwdriver for opening pop tops and clothes pins for closing chip bags, etc.

Chopsmom · ‎10-19-2022

@frenchie wrote:
I use an adjustable wrench to open soda and juice bottles. Also on the cat food pull tab cans. They kill my fingers. I use an exacto knife to open boxes, Q or Amazon. We get plenty of those don't we? I wish they made products as well as the glue on packaging.

I use a wrench too especially if I can't find one of the many rubber jar opener thingies I have all over.

Maybe all the research and development goes into the glue😉

Chopsmom · ‎10-19-2022

@Marsha2003 wrote:
The only thing I can think of is how I use the sponge scrubber on a stick that's meant for cleaning bathtubs and showers. I use it dry to pick up dust and hair from the bathroom floor. It works much better than a broom and doesn't require pulling the vaccuum out of the closet.

That's Great!

I have maybe three inches on either side of the toilet. It's between the sink and tub and that will be perfect! Thanks.