There is nothing that I like better than to find an additional use for a common household item. This can cut down on having to buy additional cleaners and/or chemicals for my household, which is always good. And of course, invariably these additional uses will save you money. Once I got into living frugally, I really began to research these “extra” uses. Some of them are quite ingenious! I’ve come up with a short list of multiple uses for five common items you likely have around your house. The list is by no means inclusive, so feel free to add your ideas in the comments section. I know that some of you house moms and dads have some great ideas out there!
Dryer Sheets
The best part I like about these additional uses is that for a lot of them the dryer sheet doesn’t even have to be new. So with these ideas, you are really getting something for free while also recycling your products. Dryer sheets can be used to get pet hair off of furniture and clothing, and, if you put a little fabric softener on one, you can then remove dust from a TV screen or computer monitor and keep it from coming back.
Some additional uses…
- Remove burnt food from casserole dishes (soak in warm water with the sheet)
- Get rid of and prevent odors just about anywhere you can think of (even in your shoes!)
- Remove soap build up from your shower
- Place in your clothes drawer or suitcase while vacationing for that “just washed” smell all the time
- Clean paint brushes (soak in warm water with the sheet)
Aluminum Foil
Would you like to cook the perfect pie crust? Wrap the edges in aluminum foil. Line your grill with it and pokes holes in it to prevent chicken/meats from cooking too fast. Scissors need sharpening? Cut through a few pieces of foil, and presto—sharp scissors.
A few more…
- To reuse a paint brush for the same job without having to clean it, wrap it in foil, place in fridge
- Wrap doorknobs with it while painting
- Line paint tray with it rather than buying the premade plastic inserts
- Polishing silverware. What a time saver! Line a pan with foil, fill with cold water. Add a little salt, put silver in for three minutes. Rinse and dry.
WD40
This list could be a mile long. Far too many uses to get into all of them. But keep in mind that the manufacturer does not recommend a lot of the uses for how people use it. I’ve included only some of those that have the blessing of the makers of WD40. In addition to it lubricating almost everything, it will also:
- Loosen zippers
- Clean roof racks on vehicles
- Remove bug “guts” on your car’s grill
- Removes remnants of duct tape
- Keeps rust away from most tools
- Keeps pigeons away (they dislike the smell)
- Removes black scuffmarks from kitchen floors
White Vinegar
One of my new found favorites. You can substitute a little white vinegar for just about any household cleaning job. White vinegar can be used to clean the hoses in your washing machine, the insides of your coffee maker, the inside of your steam iron, and a variety of other things. Freeze some with some water and grind through your garbage disposal to get rid of odors there too! Some others you may not have known about are…
- Remove chewing gum
- Help pain from sunburn
- Soothe a sore throat
- Itching
- Ear infections
- Athlete’s Foot
- Remedy for acne
- Body odor
- Cure for hiccups
This list could go on forever…
Toothpaste
Toothpaste can clean, it can deodorize, and it can make you more beautiful! A short list of some unintended uses for toothpaste:
- Remove pimples
- Polish nails (nails are similar in their makeup to teeth)
- Car freshener (wrap some in paper towels and put under your seat)
- Clean walls, jewelry, shoes, and even piano keys
- Hang posters on the wall (no lie)
- Sub for spackle (will fill nail holes on walls)
So there you go. A whole host of new uses for items I am pretty sure you have lying around the house. A few of these I already knew about, a lot of them I didn’t. I can’t even imagine the savings if you employ half of these ideas.
Care to elaborate on any of these lists?
Source: http://www.moneycrashers.com/little-known-uses-for-five-common-household-items/
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