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Usually products are designed and created with a specific purpose in mind. They are perfected to deal with a particular issue or they are just commonly used for one thing. If you need your windows cleaned, there’s a specific product for that. You use salt to season your food and usually use bleach to take out stains from white clothing.

But all these products can be used for different intentions. A person whose nickname is secondhandsisters probably had that thought and went to Reddit to ask people “What are some lesser-known secondary uses for an everyday product?” And that created a big and very useful thread with people sharing so many products that don’t have to be used just for what they were initially intended to.

Do you have any advice that really works on how to use everyday items or products? Tell us about it in the comments and then upvote the answers that you will try out yourself!

More info: Reddit

#1

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Condensed milk for those with chronic vomiting. Not only is it great for cooking, but I had a pharmacist tell me about adding some water till it is the consistency of thick soup. Get the person to sip small amounts of it slowly. It helps line the oesophagus to reduce vomiting, and allowing medication time to hit the stomach and work. Also provides much needed sugar. I’ve used it on kids and adults and it’s worked a treat every time

[deleted] , Ming Xia Report

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Lisa Bond
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good to know. My mom always used Jello water. Diluted about same maybe a little thinner. But this was used after the violent bout when nothing stays down. This coats stomach & hydrates.

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#2

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products add salt to your hand wash to get gasoline smell off

Love,

Dad

bloodflart , Francesco Alberti Report

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mcborge1
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And salt (or suger) mixed with washing up liquid is great for getting machine oil off your hands.

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#3

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products I carry a garlic press in my purse so that when I'm out at a restaurant I can make a small amount of baby food out of any steamed vegetable.

crinnaursa , Jakub Sisulak Report

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#4

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products As a mechanic, a flat-head screwdriver is a pry-bar, package opener, square-head (Robertson) screwdriver, hose-pick, a punch, test-lead, electrical bridge, scraper, chisel, and least importantly, a flat-head screwdriver.

newzer0kanada , Connie Posites Report

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Xottel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I inherited some kind of multi-purpose tool from my grandpa. It's basically a flat steel on a handle and became one of my favourite tools within days.

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#5

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Corn starch is a good blood coagulant if you need to stop bleeding

drdoom , kalaya Report

#6

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Clean mascara wands are used in animal shelters to soothe the animals by brushing, and to remove fly eggs and larva from fur.

Drink-my-koolaid , Pxhere Report

#7

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products If you have a landline telephone, the dial tone is a concert F.

By holding the phone to your ear and your finger on the first fret of the first string of your guitar (for example) you can use the dial tone as a reference pitch and accurately tune up without a tuner

KnitBrewTimeTravel , Keith C Report

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#8

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Coffee grounds are quite versatile. Among other things, you can use them for:

A soil additive to improve the pH balance for plants

Place them in a refrigerator to neutralize odors

Scour pots and pans

De-icing your steps and driveway

An ant repellent

An exfoliating scrub for your skin

DeathSpiral321 , thena Lam Report

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#9

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Hair conditioner as shaving cream

RobynRuLo , Supply Report

#10

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Any kind of cooking oil will easily get pine sap off of your hands. Just use it like soap.

OxfordBombers , Roberta Sorge Report

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Ariel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good for getting sap off dog fur too if you rub it in for a few minutes.

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#11

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products I wrap those thick rubber bands (you know the ones that come around broccoli crowns) around tight jar lids to make them grippy and easy to undo.

CLNA11 , Harry Somers Report

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Elsker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is neat to. But what works great woth jars for me: sticking a tableknife or back of a teaspoon between the edge of the lid and just twist it a little to break the vacuum, and then you can twist of the lid easily.

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#12

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Blue Dawn dish soap works really well on clothing stains.

PresidentSuperDog , amazon Report

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Warloew Brinn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I spent years in the Marina Industry and it works really well for zipping people down water slides as well.

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#13

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Vagisil for chafing. It's antibacterial, lubricating, and an anesthetic. I learned that in the army

Churonna , Harry Somers Report

#14

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Vinegar is amazing. It can be used as a cheap household cleaner, refresh the coffee maker, and it can cure foot fungus and jock itch.

Mystic_Squirrel , Caroline Attwood Report

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H Edwards
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please note that this refers to white vinegar (white wine or cider vinegar can work too) and definitely NOT balsamic like the picture. I use diluted vinegar with a few drops of essential oil as a spray for the garbage bin, and you can put it in the washing machine to get rid of musty smells in clothes. I always have a massive jug of white vinegar in the house, it's very useful. Oh, and for cleaning glass.

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#15

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Your library card can do a lot more than let you borrow books.

It allows you to take free courses on Lynda, or learn a language, and even stream movies. A lot of libraries also have video game rentals, which a lot of people don't know about.

-eDgAR- , Sarah Report

#16

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Bottom shelf cheap VODKA.... Put it in a spray bottle and squirt in on your bathroom walls to kill mold, squirt it on clothes to remove any odors, use it to clean mirrors, glass, windows.

Squeaks23 , Dmitry Karyshev Report

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#17

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Peroxide gets blood stains out

dovesandravens , foodless Report

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Karina Henschel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

baking powder does the job as well. had some bad blood stains on my favourite pants due to bleeding while pregnant. when I came home after an emergency c-section I restored said pants the their former glory. but you have to put it in cold water beforehand.

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#18

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Liquid Laundry detergent glows under blacklights but is clear under normal light. You can dip a qtip in some detergent and draw/write on your walls and only see it with a blacklight on. Different brands glow different colors. Lots of fun in dorm rooms.

SWtoNWmom , Mike Mozart Report

#19

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Scissors make for an excellent pizza cutter

elenapng , fifa ltec112 Report

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Burs
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually prefer to use them. You have more grip and control, with the pizza cutter I always make a mess

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#20

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products WD 40 removes old adhesives from any thing with out damage or staining or discoloration

kwtransporter66 , ajay_suresh Report

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Flisey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Removes crayon from walls without ruining the paint

kaycee14
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Former preschool teacher here- the first thing to use on crayon marks is dry tissues. That removes the wax, and any remaining color can be removed by most household cleansers.

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IlovemydogShilo
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can remove tar, tree sap, and bird poop from car and truck exteriors. Shines the leaves on your artificial plants. Removes crayon from walls, carpet, toys, plastic, compressed wood furniture, shoes, and from your dryer (just unplug it first!). Helps clean gunk and scuff marks off your ceramic floors. Shine and remove fingerprints from stainless steel appliances. Lubricates squeaky drawers, doors, and small rolling toys. Keeps garden tools rust-free plus helps clean them. Removes ink from carpet, leather, and other fabrics. Protects wrought iron like outdoor furniture from rust Cleans and polishes gold and brass. Helps remove adhesive from price tags, labels, and stickers. Keeps metal surfaces from rusting Keeps hose ends from corroding Lubricate your DIY tools or prevent saw blades and tools from rusting, plus loosen rusty nuts and screws. Lubricates doggie doors Removes gum stuck to walls, concrete, shoes, and floors. Coat outside pipe during winter to help prevent freezing damage pipe bursts. Removes wax from vinyl surfaces. Penetrates rusted parts so you can remove rusted nails. Helps camouflage scratches in linoleum, ceramic tile, and counter-tops. Remove candle wax or glue from carpet Remove old duct tape and its residue. Cleans and softens paintbrushes. Loosen stubborn zippers (just be careful around the clothing!). Keep bugs at bay. Spray WD-40 on window sills, etc to keep spiders and bugs out.

SCamp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This entire thread could be dedicated to what WD40 can be used for

Paula Swanson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WD-40 has over 100 uses....when I find a situation that I can't move something, clean something, slide, erase or whatever..I get the WD and give it a go....No staining...can't hurt anything. Latest thing I found is how great it removes hard water marks.

d bradley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wipe down your stainless steel fridge and it will look new again. lots of paper towels will help

Daune Tullina
Community Member
Premium
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It will also remove grease stains from clothing and dried grease from dish and cook wares

Paul C.
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A guy I know who is a double glazing fitter uses it to wipe over newly fitted doors. It cleans them and puts on a thin film of protection. It also cleans up older double glazed doors, especially good on faded black ones.

jk nbt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

if you write something with a permanent ink marker on a painted surface with writing on it, wd40 will take off the permanent ink writing without destroying what it is written on

Human #1,232,867
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WD40 is a magic product for many usage; you haveto buy them by the dozen! (Available here for example Amzn.to/3ahK1Il) It's not just a lubricant.

ShadowLand 🇨🇦
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This I did know. It also removes permanent marker. I used it to clean up old NES games and consoles.

SelkieBlackfysh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh cool. Gonna try this to remove the labels from my liquor bottles.

moeless
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WD-40 and a huge amount of scrubbing. Try something like brake cleaner. Glue dissolves and can be wiped away.

Russell Bowman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can make running shoes and hiking boots water (rain/dew) repellant ... mind you not waterproof.

Aeon Flux
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lighter fluid is good for price stickers that won't cleanly unpeel.

Janice Blaufox
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to spray it on the pistons and engine of my 240Z which hated the wet and damp weather. Started right up.

Jo Johannsen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A friend's husband is a diesel mechanic. She washes his overalls with Lysol to get all the grease out.

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#21

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Use vet wrap instead of sports tape. It's basically the same thing but much less expensive.

bgharambee , Karen Report

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Caro Caro
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Use it for fingertips so less slippery and protection when having chemo and your finger tips are sensitive.

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#22

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products If you have a French press for coffee, you can also froth milk in it after. Pour in hot milk and raise and lower the plunger until the volume of the milk has about doubled.

ThatIndianBoi , Izzy Rivi Report

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Skull in Sky
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you happened to buy the toy for frothing milk Ikea sells, you will do much better if you take quarter cup of milk, heat it for 10s on 800W in microwave and then froth it. (the milk does froth at about 40°C because the proteins start changing their shape and actually allow longer strands that are necessary to make the structure last.

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#23

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products put a somewhat thick layer of vaseline on the skin around your hairline and ears and neck when dying your hair. if you accidentally get dye on your skin, you can easily wipe it off.

[deleted] , Kai Hendry Report

#24

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Keep a bag of cat litter in the trunk of the car, in case you need extra traction if you get stuck in ice or snow.

Back2Bach , Rain Rabbit Report

#25

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Bleach to keep away cockroaches. I used to get big ass cockroaches in the summer that came up my drain.

My exterminator told me to pour 1 cup of bleach down my drain each week. You have to pour it down the drain in the room you see them. I started 18 months ago and haven't seen a cockroach since.

(Don't do this if you have a septic tank)

moochello , Sarah Report

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#26

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products If you have a highlighter that's dying, take the "pen" part of it out of the casing and soak it in nail polish remover. It will revitalize it to working like new

llcucf80 , Mitchell Luo Report

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Skull in Sky
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this will work only when the highlighter has dried out and the pigments are still in it. If you do use it out and do try this, it will eventually stop highlighting.

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#27

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Any cooking oil is a great way to remove the residue from stickers.

Idk if this is recommended but if you get scratches on wood furniture I've always taken a matching washable marker, colored over the scratch, and then wiped it with a damp cloth (to effectively stain the wood back to match).

Underratted , Eric Astrauskas Report

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I use sharpies on wood scratches. They come in lots of colors, and if you're quick, you can still wipe away excess to get a nice blend. They're permanent, so there's no need to worry about it coming off on people's hands or washing away.

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#28

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Makeup remover wipes are really good at getting bike chain grease off your hands.

Leucippus1 , Katya_Ershova Report

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Pau Tea
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be honest, make-up remover wipes would be a very unlikely item I would have around when needing to remove bike chain grease.

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#29

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products A jeweler's loupe can double as a macro lens for your cell phone.

[deleted] , Thirteen Of Clubs Report

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mcborge1
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to have one of these for examinig electronics, I lost it ages ago and I need to get another one.

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#30

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Shaving foam reducesstops misting on bathroom mirrors and car windows.

wirral_guy , Tarah Dane Report

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White Paper Tsuru
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also good for when you have a really sticky poop that you just CANNOT get off no matter how many passes you make with TP. Pop some cream on your TP, lather it around and prepare for a much easier job. Even works with hairy butts. (The only reason I needed to know this is because I'm a nurse and I wipe a lot of butts!)

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#31

Clear nail polish:

Prevent skin going green from brass

Permanently stop fabric from fraying

Same goes with yarn

Seal paint

The $2 quick dry stuff is the best for me.

PsyseoninPrizein Report

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Kay blue
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Used to carry nail polish in my school bag as I would frequently snag my tights, one dab would stop a ladder getting longer.

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#32

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Use salt as an abrasive and absorber when cleaning. I spray my stove top with a general household cleaner then sprinkle salt liberally over the top. It gets grease out easily.

For liquid stains like wine, I pour salt over the stain to soak up excess liquid then come through with hydrogen peroxide. Finally I get absorbent towels and dab clean it.

fopeo , Joanna Bourne Report

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Skull in Sky
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For the love of god, don't believe anyone saying anything about salt and burns. (like right next to my comment). I've been with a girl who has made me a tea into glasses that weren't for hot liquids, it shattered on her and she's had boiling water on her jeans. I was half asleep when that happened but the sound woke me up. I've got her (still in shock somewhat) to rush into shower and pour cold water over it (and take her jeans off). There's been her alternative aunt who made her stop and made a stupid flour, egg or something mixture in the meantime to "cool" it when they went to the hospital. It's been confirmed by the doctors that she'd be 100% less burnt and wouldn't even have a scar if she had an ice bag in a towel on her leg during transit instead. 5°C water takes off way more heat than salt. Freezing things make water condense on them. That means that your skin is in contact with a wet surface. Far better than salt that drains the water out instead.

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#33

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Toilet seat covers are the same as blotting paper for oily skin.

wurstbrot_royal , aliexpress Report

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KatHat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Toilet seat covers are RIDICULOUS. If there's visible ick on the seat - DON'T SIT THERE. If there's invisible ick on the seat, do you really think a piece of thin paper, which is like a loose fishing net to a virus or bacteria, is going to do a damn thing?! Either way, NO SEAT COVER NEEDED. Just another way to get us using paper products all the damn day, many of which are STILL made from old-growth forests.

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#34

Q-tips to clean your keyboard

darkslayer_53 Report

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sturmwesen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Turn it around, hit it softly, use a moist once folded paper towel. Q-tips are often too wide.

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#35

30 People In This Online Group Share Lesser-Known Secondary Uses For Everyday Products Kinesiology tape to hold up your boobs when your outfit is too revealing for a normal bra. I used a few strips of tape under my wedding dress, and my girls were good to go the entire day and night.

sharkysoup , Mike Mozart Report

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TheAnimalLady
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

KINESIOLOGY tape is a special stretchy "sport injury" tape. But for the love of God, DON'T use the Duct Tape pictured🙀🙉😱

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#36

Pickle juice can assist the ph balance in your stomach. This means when out drinking, if your stomach starts to feel queezy take a shot or two of pickle juice... why vomit when you’re out having fun?

On a side and probably more relevant note, pickle juice is essentially the OG Gatorade. If you need to replace electrolytes or simply feel a bit dehydrated, drink some pickle juice and then some water

Christonya Report

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Kanuli
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nitpicky I know: It is always pH. pH is even written like this at the beginning of a sentence, by the way. It is a constant an thus always written small p (potentia) H(Hydrogenii).

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#37

Plastic fruit cups are great seedling pots.

WaxyWingie Report

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