16 Surprising Uses for Household Items

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The yr 2023 has been busy for the Bob Vila squad , and several of the article we portion out with our readers focused on making the most of the household items you likelyhave in your homeright now , such as acetum , bake soda water , Windex , or even Alka - Seltzer . And , as it ferment out , there are more ways to use these common household items than you might reckon . Read on to observe some of the most surprising uses for these particular that are likely sit on a shelf in your home right now .

Usecastor oilto fix squeaky door hinges.

The next sentence you have a squeaky room access , just extend to for a bottle of castor fossil oil . The thick oil can cake the hinges to decimate squeak and creaking . Castor oil is also completely safe to stick out , so you may habituate it around the theater with piffling worry , particularly if you have new child or pets . Use castor rock oil to lubricate more than justdoor hinges . It can also help keep your kitchen shear functioning properly , aid in lubricate tools , and more .

Remove sticker residue with someWindex.

The residual left behind bystickersand price tags can seem impossible to remove . Next fourth dimension you find yourself face such a situation , preserve your nail and grab a bottle of Windex instead . Spray the solution over sticker on arduous surfaces , such as mirrors , moving-picture show frames , and plastic containers , and allow it model for about 5 proceedings . The Windex will loosen the stuck - on mess , allowing you to simply wipe it away .

Keep snow from sticking to shovels withVaseline.

Shoveling snow from a driveway or walk is unmanageable enough . You do n’t need the add together fuss of the blow stick to theshovelas you work . To combat this thwarting , spread some Vaseline over the front and back of the blade before head out to shovel . Snow wo n’t stick to the coated surface , appropriate you to get the job done as chop-chop as potential .

Rubaluminum foilon clothing to get rid of static electricity.

Static electricity can be a pain , but it does n’t have to ruin your turnout . The next meter fabric vesture is plagued bystatic cling , a sheet of Al foil can facilitate you quickly move on with the rest of your day . Just scratch the enhancer across your vesture to neutralize the electrostatic charge that are causing your clothes to cling together .

Deter pests from invading your garden by sprinkling usedcoffee grounds.

rather of dumping the coffee grounds from your morning cup of joe , save them to put to proficient use in the garden . The gritty grain and eminent acidity of the grounds can serve beat back a form of plague , include ants , biff , and snails , from invading your garden . chocolate groundscan also facilitate keep your neighbour ’s cat from turning your garden into its personal litter box ; the felines are discourage by the firm coffee scent . And , as a bonus , while you ’re keeping pests out from the garden , you ’ll also be attracting beneficial earthworm that find the grittier texture of the grounds helpful when condense food .

DIY a no-sew bag using someduct tape.

Duct tape can be a true lifesaver for a variety of home improvement tasks , but you may also use it to DIY some stylish accessory . fold the taping over itself create discipline , double - sided sheets that you may combine to make no - sew bags , wallets , keychains , and more . Instead of sticking with the original silver medal - colored epithelial duct tape recording , try some of the many colour and pattern choice to make a stylish , one - of - a - kind piece like these colorfulduct tape walletsby AnnAshley89 at Etsy .

Repurposeold light bulbsby turning them into mini terrariums.

Burnt - out spark bulbs do n’t have to finish up in a landfill . Instead , repurpose them into something newfangled , such as a mini terrarium . Carefully unscrew the end of the electric-light bulb and remove the filament . Then , you could add some moss , greenery , and lilliputian plants . We like theselight bulb jar terrariumsby MyDIYTerrarium at Etsy for inspiration .

Saveold pillowcasesfor dusting the ceiling fan.

cap fans can be one of the most difficult things in a house to detritus . They ’re unmanageable to reach , and the dust always seems to slide off onto the level rather of sticking to your duster . obviate parcel out with this defeat by saving old pillowcases . Place the pillow slip around thebladeand then carefully slew it off . It will pull the dust off with it , but instead of dropping to the base or float around in the air , the dirt and dander will remain trap inside the case

Keep plants pest-free withhydrogen peroxide.

No nurseryman wish discovering that pests are threatening their plants . Fortunately , the H peroxide inside your medicament console can avail combat this trouble . Spray a water and hydrogen hydrogen peroxide solution on the tops and undersides of the plant leaves . It willkill peststhat are present . Keep in mind that you do n’t desire to use too much atomic number 1 hydrogen peroxide as it may cause the flora to wilt or dry out ; stick to a proportion of 1 gallon of piddle to ½ cup of 3 - percent atomic number 1 peroxide .

Keep crafting supplies organized withsilicone baking cups.

Thesilicone bake cupsthat make it easier to bake luscious cupcakes and mini Quiche can also help out in the craft room . They ’re lowly and inflexible , which is idealistic for keeping pearl , paster , pom - pommy , and other smaller items separated and off the table or floor . They can help with everything from adult scrapbooking gatherings to children ’s art projects .

Use a littlevinegarto refresh clothes without pulling out the iron.

If one of your shirt or pairs of pant has a few seam , smooth things out without deplume out the bulky iron and ironing board . trust it or not , a piffling second of vinegar can solve this job . Add three portion water and one part purify white acetum to a nebuliser bottle and employ it to mist the scrunch section . Then , just leave the garment hang to dry , and when you return it should be wrinkle - free .

Polish chrome bathroom fixtures with adryer sheet.

Chrome faucets and other fixtures can bring a silky and modern look to a bathroom . However , they can become report with water spots orhard water deposit , make them calculate less than attractive . If you ask a quick kettle of fish to rejuvenate their luster , drizzle a dryer sheet with a little bit of water supply and apply it to pass over down all the fix in the bathroom .

Protect tools from rusting with somerice.

Elmer Leopold Rice play as a desiccant , which means that it take in moisture . As a result , the common larder staple can help keep your tool fromrustingin a moist garage , laundry room , shed , or cellar . Simply put about ½ cup of Elmer Leopold Rice inside your tool cabinet ( you could site it in a small mesh cup of tea ) and let it do its job .

Banish weeds from the garden withbaking soda.

You add baking soda to cake and cookies and use it to cleanse surfaces in the business firm ; it can also avail you out in your garden . Baking soda is a pedestal , so sprinkle it on weeds or immix it into the soil can helpprevent weedsfrom being able to grow . However , weeds are n’t the only things it will stop from growing ; apply bake soda aside from other plants that you do need in your garden .

Freshen up your coffee maker withAlka-Seltzer.

Alka - Seltzer can tame upset stomach and heartburn symptoms . It can also help keep your coffee berry makercleanand free of buildup or residues . After filling the chamber of the coffee maker with plain water , tote up four Alka - Seltzer tablets . permit them fizz away for 15 minutes before starting the appliance for a cycle ( do not add together any coffee ) . The fizzing water will aid absent residue . Then , just rinse out the water reservoir , fill it one more time with unornamented water , and unravel an additional cycle to rinse off everything out .

Useneem oilto treat for lice.

If you ’re a gardener , then you may already acknowledge thatneem oilcan help keep plague away from plants , but did you cognise that this instinctive product can also avail get rid of lice ? To taste this hack , simply hold neem oil color as you would a traditional lice shampoo and countenance it sit down for between 30 minutes and 1 hour before comb through the hair to get free of any seeable lice . Then wash out your hair as common with your regular shampoo .

Just a spry note : while neem oil is safe for the skin , it is very strong and those with sensitive skin might not be able-bodied to use it without receive inflammation or itchiness . For these soul , render test the oil on a lowly division of your scalp or behind your neck before proceeding with a full treatment .

This Is the Year for a Kitchen Renovation

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Photo: istockphoto.com

Whether you ’re deal or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . memorise why we consider this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to remain on budget .

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