Hidden Uses for Common Household Products Most People Don't Know About

Why waste money buying products that do specific things when you probably have items lying around the house that have multiple uses? Read on for some amazing and surprising ways to use things you’ve likely already got in a drawer or cabinet.

Tennis balls are so useful that you may want to buy some to keep around the house even if you don’t play. For example, half a tennis ball can help screw open tight caps. The rubber inside the ball is perfect for gripping. A tennis ball can also be used in the dryer to fluff laundry, hide cash or jewelry (put them inside a cut-open ball) or massage your feet or back.

A scooper is one of those items you absolutely shouldn’t spend money buying when you can easily DIY. Use a cut-up milk jug as a pet food scoop or outside for scooping soil or plant fertilizer. It’s pretty simple to make one, according to Family Handyman. Just make a line on the jug and cut it, then trim or sand down the sharp parts.

They’re not just for hairstyles. You’ve probably heard about using a bobby pin to pick a door lock, but how about using one to hold a nail when hammering? You’ll avoid slamming your finger when you place it at the tip of the pin instead of holding the nail.

Hold onto those pie plates after Thanksgiving, because they have multiple uses around the house. A tin pan cut in half makes an excellent dust pan. Pie plates are also useful as actual plates for picnics or camping and are reusable.

Really, what can’t paper towel rolls do? Some of our favorites: place them in boots to keep them stiff and fold-free; stuff trash bags or dog poop bags into them to keep the bags organized; use the rolls to organize cords; and finally, use them as a phone speaker. Cut a slot for your phone to stick in the center of the roll, and be amazed by how it amplifies sound.

An electric toothbrush is great for cleaning bathrooms. The small, vibrating head is perfect for scrubbing grout between tiles. Electric toothbrushes can also scrub around faucets and showerheads to get the build-up off. We suggest that you have a dedicated toothbrush for these jobs, kept far away from what you use for your mouth.

Did you know that you can use a knife to get garlic and onion smells off your hands when cooking? Place a (not too sharp) knife under warm water then rub smelly fingers against the blunt side of the knife or handle. Stainless steel attracts the sulfur molecules in these ingredients and it also works with fish smells. Take note, this trick works with anything made of stainless steel, not just a knife.

This innocuous powder has a strange ability to untangle almost anything. Sprinkle a hefty amount over tangled shoelaces, necklaces, strings, or hair knots and mats. The powder creates a barrier that can help loosen all types of knots.

They’re not just for cleaning dishes and scrubbing bathrooms. You can also use them to pick up pet hair on furniture. Dampen the gloves and rub them all over where your pet left a pile of hair.

Use a regular pencil eraser to remove scuff marks from the floor. You can even use the sole of your shoe for the same purpose, even though you would think it would be more likely to create scuffs!

Once you're done with the ketchup, save that bottle because it has multiple uses. It works great as a dispenser for pancake batter. Ketchup bottles are also perfect for storing homemade salad dressing and cooking oil.

Coffee filters have a ridiculous number of uses that go way beyond morning beverages. Some of our favorites: Use a filter upside down to cover food in the microwave and prevent splatters. Place one in a damp cast iron skillet to prevent rust. Clean stainless steel or a window with a filter — they leave no lint behind. Finally, they make great DIY tea bags for loose tea.

That old, worn-out pair of denim can also be used to sharpen blades and knives (when you’re not wearing them, that is.) The best way to do this is to place a pair of jeans on a table, and run the blade up and down, also called “stropping”.

Leftover plastic containers have so many uses we can’t even count them. They make great planters, are perfect for holding various items inside drawers, and can even be used to rig up your own self-watering planter system.

Did you ever think of wrapping a rubber band around a tight jar as a grip for opening it? Now you have. What about on the ends of hangers to keep sweaters or shirts from slipping off? And finally, wrapping a rubber band around an old misshapen broom can make it work like new again.

Protect your back by lying down on an ironing board if you have to do some work on pipes under your sink. You can even repurpose an old board into a coffee table or hanging planter, just use a little paint and imagination!

This is yet another one of those items that has countless uses. Here are some ways to incorporate duct tape into your body care routine: If you’ve run out of band-aids but have a bleeding cut, use some duct tape over a paper towel to cover it instead. 

Instead of going for expensive waxing, use duct tape to rip body hair out (if you dare). Duct tape on a wart for a few days is also supposed to help it disappear.

Before spending a fortune taking your car to a body shop to repair minor scratches, try some toothpaste. Wipe a moistened towel with a little toothpaste on it onto the scratch, and then wipe with a wet towel. Voila — your car should look better.

Next time you get a delivery of wine, save the box — those slotted spaces can come in handy. They are a great way to organize and store shoes. If you’re feeling extra creative, cover the boxes with decorative paper or spray paint them to make cute desktop storage or even a wall shelf.

Stop tossing those mismatched socks when they can be used for all sorts of projects that go way beyond sock puppets. A sock over your hand can dust in all those tiny crevices that are so hard to reach around the house. You can also fill a sock with soap and use it as a sudsy washcloth in the tub.

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