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Thinking outside the box is always a great idea. Whether you’re looking for the best way to slice cinnamon rolls without squishing them or the best tool for scrubbing the grout in your shower, there’s a good chance you don’t even need to buy anything new.
One curious Quora user invited others to share the creative uses they have discovered for everyday items, so we’ve gathered some of the best ones below. Enjoy reading through these tips for getting the most out of what you already own, and be sure to upvote the life hacks you plan to try out!
This post may include affiliate links.
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#3
Food; I eat it. Apparently you're supposed to take pictures of it and post it on instagram.
Julia Cargile 16 hours ago
People that post pictures of food or talk about politics on social media need hobbies.
#4
I use a potato peeler to cut cheese slices perfectly.
#5
Hair conditioner as shaving cream. I read about it here a few months ago, and haven't bought "actual" shaving cream since.
Christos Arvanitis 15 hours ago
Done this plenty of times when I forgot shaving cream. I shave in the shower so this works great
#6
I work in construction. If you can use like a hammer, it's a hammer.
#9
I once used the "beans" of ten bean bag chairs to turn the floor of my unfinished basement into a makeshift skating rink.
Then I was grounded for two weeks.
#10
I use tongs to reach things off shelves. We have ten foot ceilings, nine foot cabinets and and I have a 5'2 body.
I have different tongs for different shelves and items as well as a basket on a pole to catch things. I'm too lazy to pull out the ladder.
Little Bit 20 hours ago
I use tongs to get stuff off the high shelves too. Dragging the step-stool out every time turns a five second job into a five minute job.
#11
I use fans solely for the noise they make that puts me to sleep.
#12
I use my bedroom floor as a closet.
Little Bit 20 hours ago
My hubby leaves mountains of his clothes on the rocking chair. I call it the rockingdrobe.
#13
The flathead screw driver. aka the paint can opener aka the rivet pryer aka the… that thing… opener… aka the oyster shucker aka the … Okay, now I’m just googling random stuff. Working on my own cars though, I have found uses for a flathead that I couldn’t even have made up until I needed it. Every mechanic’s garage should have at least like 15 of these in various sizes!
#14
Toothbrush.
I use them to polish the hard to reach areas on my shoes.
DrBronxx 23 hours ago
Toothbrushes are so useful. They're great for objects like shoes, as well as cleaning other times and places around the house that are hard to reach. We never throw out toothbrushes after they've been worn out for their intended use - they get washed and go into a drawer to be used again for cleaning.
#15
Track-pants.
They are supposed to be used for exercises while I put them on for sleep which is quite the opposite thing. I think it's the case with many.
#18
*Clears throat* Okay, let’s get to work now. Everyone behold the king of versatility, Duct Tape,
Rightful heir to the multi-purpose throne,
the First of its name,
Jack of all trades but master of none,
Rightful fixer of the c*****d items and the broken pieces,
Adhesive of the five continents and the seven seas,
The father of patches,
the Grandfather of DIY projects,
the Sealant of the handy men,
the Unburnt, the Uncut, the Undestroyable,
and Restorer of chains. Look at this beauty. Who doesn’t love those curves… Source pixabay. Phew… I think this is a proper introduction for the best product ever created. EVER! This miracle on Earth is manufactured by only three raw materials: a cotton mesh, some polyethylene coating and plenty of adhesive compound. Three-hit wonder! The purposes of this item are only limited by one’s imagination. Fixes broken pieces, c*****d pieces, almost destroyed pieces and COMPLETELY destroyed pieces. Acts as a sealant against water, wind and light. Also helps with insulation. Acts as a coating to anything that needs a coat. I have seen a car fully coated with this stuff and it looked amaze-balls. Captures flies, crickets and other pests, if used properly. Helps the amateur car mechanic to pimp their ride. Is the basis of any DIY project. *strikes-through “basis” and writes “requirement”* Is the best material for pranks. If you have not duct-taped on the ceiling someone in a party, I judge you for your life choices. Is kidnappers’ best friend - not so proud for this one. Moving on… Acts as a budget hair removal tape. From personal experience, feel free to apply plenty of aloe vera after its application. Fixes your spaceship in case of unexpected malfunctions. #Apollo13crew And last but not least important: FIXES DUCTS (original use actually). Disclaimer : Avoid usage in break-ups. History has shown that duct-taping yourself on your ex-girlfriend will get you a court-imposed restraining order more often than it will help you to get back together.
Mgtow Smurf 22 hours ago
If you can't fix it with duct tape you're not using enough duct tape.
#19
I am surprised no one has mentioned Baking Soda. This product has so many common uses outside of its intended use it is almost like a miracle product. My answer here is only naming a few uses. Research Baking Soda and there are at least a dozen more things you can do with it... Baking soda’s intended use is of course baking. It's 100 percent sodium bicarbonate, which can be used as a leavening agent in baked goods. When mixed with an acid, baking soda reacts, making bubbles and giving off carbon dioxide gas, which causes dough to rise. Anecdotal reports throughout history suggest that many civilizations used forms of baking soda when making bread and other foods that required rising. (Before using any of my suggestions understand I am not a doctor and do not work as a medical professional so please contact your doctor before considering some of these suggestions.) We have a box in the pantry for cooking, we have a box in the refrigerator because it is excellent at absorbing odors in the fridge. Speaking of odors, did you know it can be used as a deodorant too. Just create a little paste by adding water and rub it in. Another thing you can do with the paste is apply it to insect bites. First summer my husband and I were married he got stung by a bee. I ran inside, got the baking soda from the pantry, put a little into a spoon, added some water to make the paste, and quickly applied it to the bee sting. I had been doing this for years when my kids would get stung. It takes the sting right out AND it pushes the stinger out if it is still stuck in the skin. My newly wedded husband was quite impressed. You can also apply the paste to poison ivy and other skin rashes to sooth itching and burning. If you have some heartburn and no over the counter product to cure it at the time. Baking soda works by immediately neutralizing stomach acid, helping to relieve heartburn, indigestion and even ulcer pain. Add three tablespoons of baking soda to a tub of warm water for an invigorating foot soak. You can scrub your feet with a baking soda paste for additional exfoliation. A paste made from three parts of baking soda combined with one part water can be used as an exfoliator for your face and body, too. It's natural, inexpensive and gentle enough to use every day. I know people who use baking soda as an effective toothpaste. “It is also a great natural cleanser for sinks, tubs, toilets, etc. Baking soda was used to clean and restore the inner copper walls of the Statute of Liberty during its 1986 restoration. It effectively removed grime without damaging the copper.”
#20
Listerine.
It was developed as a surgical antiseptic. It was later sold, in distilled form, as both a floor cleaner and a cure for gonorrhea.
Mgtow Smurf 22 hours ago
It's a nifty floor cleaner and also a great dessert topping. (not many will get this; SNL ref.)
#21
Any parent will tell you. Baby wipes.
Moana Manana 17 hours ago
My babies are 17 and 14 and I still have it in my purse... Not for them, but for everthing else.
#22
A toothbrush with toothpaste to scrub blackheads off (works surprisingly well)
To elaborate: I would advise getting a new, soft toothbrush specifically for scrubbing the blackheads off. If you're scrubbing your nose, don't put too much on there. And for the love of god, DO NOT GET TOOTHPASTE IN YOUR EYES. Not good. And lastly, don't scrub too hard, especially with a new toothbrush. You don't wanna do any damage to your face.
Oh yeah, I just use regular Colgate, but I assume any kind of white toothpaste would work.
Hippopotamuses 5 hours ago
This doesn't really solve the problem. They need to be removed, otherwise they'll just turn black again in a few days.
#23
The Cavity Magnetron fist used in early Radar Systems until one day an operative found it caused the chocolate bar in his pocket to melt. Repackaged and Rebranded to something which sits in most kitchens todays, the Microwave Oven.(or Meecrow-Wah-Vay if you are Nigella Lawson)
#24
Vinegar. i use it with veggies for flavor, for oil and vinegar for salads of course, for making pickles. recently bought “cleaning vinegar” 1 gallon for $1 during a month that i was unusually poor. WOW cleans better than just about anything. also rubbing alcohol, isoprophil alcohol, use it to mop floors, makes house smell so clean. also it is cheap.
keyboardtek 15 hours ago
A 50/50 mix of white vinegar and isopropyl alcohol poured in the ears after swimming or bathing will prevent swimmer's ear infections. The infection is caused by a fungus. The acid vinegar kills the fungus. The alcohol dries the ear.
#25
A pool table as a bed. But I was also drunk. And this isn't my house. I should go home.
Serena Myers 9 hours ago
At a pinch, sleeping in a bath is ok (ish) but I wouldn't recommend it when you reach your later decades!
#26
My kid has a Winnie the Pooh hair brush that I have stolen to use for my beard. He doesn't mind.
Auntriarch 19 hours ago
My niece bought me a very soft bristle hairbrush, does nothing for my hair, but Mr Auntriarch uses it on his top hat.
#27
I sprinkle NesQuik on top of my ice cream.
I had no idea this wasn't normal until high school when I asked a friend why he was putting ice cream topping in his milk.
#28
baseball bat
tv channel changer/burglar destroyer
zovjraar me 13 hours ago
put a sock on it. when the intruder tries to grab it, they'll pull the sock off instead. proceed to beat mercilessly.
#30
google.com makes for an awesome spell checker
Note: this post originally had 66images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Poll Question
What is the appeal of repurposing household items?
Cost efficiency
Environmental benefits
Creativity boost
Convenience
What do you think ?
Auntriarch 19 hours ago
No, they are sewing kit tins that come with complementary biscuits
Load More Replies...
Lee Gilliland 17 hours ago
Clear nail polish on costume jewelry to make sure the plating stays on and your finger doesn't turn green.
Auntriarch 19 hours ago
No, they are sewing kit tins that come with complementary biscuits
Load More Replies... Lee Gilliland 17 hours ago
Clear nail polish on costume jewelry to make sure the plating stays on and your finger doesn't turn green.
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