Did You Know About These?
Oftentimes we buy a product for one intended purpose. But a lot of everyday household goods can actually do way more than advertised. In fact, here are 20 common secondary uses for popular items you probably have in your cupboard right now. Which of these do you already do, and did we miss any secret uses you know about?
1. Salt
Salt is a surprisingly effective cleaning tool since it is abrasive and absorbent. Sprinkle it over a household cleaner to cut through greasy stovetop messes. It's also effective for absorbing liquid stains like wine, then treating with hydrogen peroxide and blotting dry.
2. Dish Soap
Dish soap is a cheap and effective anti-fog agent for scuba masks and car windshields. By applying it and rinsing it off a scuba mask, divers can prevent fogging during a dive. Applying it in the same manner to a car windshield can keep it from fogging for weeks without reapplication.
3. Bleach
Try pouring bleach down the drain if you are having trouble with cockroaches. Once a week, pour a cup of bleach down the drain of the room that is most affected. This is an easy way to create a cockroach-hostile environment.
4. Toilet Seat Covers
Toilet seat covers can be used as blotting paper to blot the shine off your skin. They're thin and absorbent, and they don't mess up your makeup. It's an easy and cheap way to blot oily skin when you're out.
5. French Press
A French press also works great as a milk frother for post-brewing milk preparation. Fill it with hot milk, then pump up and down the plunger until the amount of milk has approximately doubled. This simple method is a quick way to achieve a creamy froth without a separate frother.
6. Vet Wrap
Vet wrap is a great alternative to regular sports tape and it's less expensive. It was designed for veterinarians, but it's just as good for wrapping up an injury or joint support. Vet wrap is a great way to save money with dependable results.
Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade on Wikimedia
7. Liquid Laundry Detergent
Liquid laundry detergent has the property of glowing under blacklight while being invisible in regular light. If you dip a Q-tip in laundry detergent and use it to write or draw on walls, you can then see the glowing marks only with a blacklight. This makes for fun secret drawings or writing.
8. Vaseline
Put Vaseline around your hairline, ears, and neck before dyeing your hair. This is a preventative measure that acts as a barrier so hair dye won't stain your skin. You can also easily wipe off any dye that may accidentally get on your skin.
9. Nail Polish Remover
When a highlighter starts to dry up, take the pen part out and soak it in nail polish remover. This will help dissolve dried ink and return the highlighter to its former glory. This way, your highlighters last even longer.
10. Even More Dish Soap
Blue Dawn dish soap is a great choice for removing stains from clothes. Its grease-fighting power works to break down stubborn stains fast. Apply it as a pre-treatment to make stains easier to remove and for better laundry results.
11. Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds also have many alternative uses; they can be useful for a number of things. Coffee grounds can be used to help amend the soil in your garden, as it helps to balance the pH levels. You can even put them in refrigerators to neutralize odors.
12. Fabric Softener
Spraying a mixture of water and fabric softener on carpets lifts and loosens pet hair, making it easier to vacuum. A ratio of around 2 or 3 parts waters to 1 part fabric softener should work. Let it dry and then vacuum for an easier clean.
Divazus Fabric Store on Unsplash
13. Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the most inexpensive and useful products for your home. It can be used to clean your house naturally and remove buildup from coffee makers. It even has medical uses for treating common fungal ailments.
14. Rubber Bands
When you buy vegetables like broccoli or carrots, you’re often left with thick rubber bands used to hold the bunches together. Well, you can use those bands around tight jar lids to make them easier to grip. This way, you can open the jars with less hassle.
15. Antiperspirant
Antiperspirant isn't just for armpits; you can also use it on the inside of your thighs to prevent chafing. The sweat and friction from your thighs rubbing together can cause irritation. So, slapping on some deodorant on your thighs can be an easy and effective solution.
16. Q-Tips
Q-tips are a useful tool for cleaning your keyboard. The small size and soft tips of Q-tips can get into the small crevices between keys to help remove dust and debris. Regular use of Q-tips can help keep your keyboard clean and functioning properly.
17. Vodka
Cheap vodka in a spray bottle makes a great household cleaner. It eliminates mold on the walls of the bathroom. It can also be used to remove smells from clothing and to clean mirrors, glass, and windows.
18. Garlic Press
A great travel accessory that you can keep in your purse is a garlic press. It is a good way to make your own baby food at restaurants or other locations when you are away from home. Just steam a little bit of veggies and press them through the garlic press. You now have instant baby food to appease your kiddo with.
19. Cooking Oil
To clean pine sap off your hands, try using cooking oil. Rub the oil onto your hands as if it were soap and it will cut through and lift the pine sap. Of course, you do now have oily hands.
20. Library Cards
A library card is not just for checking out books. You can use it to access all kinds of online resources. Many libraries have online classes, language learning tools, and movie streaming for free. Some libraries even rent out video games!
