Most items were originally meant for a single purpose only. However, perhaps due to its components or ingredients, most things we find today can be used for a couple of other applications. This is great news for anyone trying to save money or for anyone looking for an alternative, maybe even more effective and safer, solution to certain problem. In your everyday life, you’ll encounter various obstacles that no longer need spending to solve.
The solution you need may even be found right at your own home. Most household items actually have several other applications apart from its original purpose. Here are some alternative uses for common household items.
1. Kitty litter or rice for saving drenched phone
If you accidentally dropped your phone in the pool or got it drenched somehow, try tying it inside a sock then place it in a container filled with litter or uncooked rice. Remove the battery and SIM card first and wipe off any outside moisture. Leave it for a couple of days until no moisture is left on the screen. Do this immediately after your phone got drenched before it starts rusting.
2. Beer for killing slugs
You can use leftover beer to keep slug infestations at bay. Place some beer wherever the slugs are, making sure that the rim of the container you put the beer in is in ground level so that slugs can easily wander into it. It’s just as effective as salt without the hassle of looking for the slugs yourself.
3. Olive oil for shaving
Save some money by using olive oil instead of buying shaving cream. Not only is olive oil immensely hydrating, it is also greasy enough to keep the blade from nicking your skin. Rub a generous amount of olive oil on your skin then shave as usual. The blade will slide smoothly on your skin.
4. Rubber bands for a firm grip
Wrap some rubber bands around the cap of nail polish bottles or other tops that are hard to unscrew or open to get a firmer grip.
5. Salt for wine stains
Start by blotting the spill to remove as much of the wine as possible then cover it liberally with salt. Leave for about 10 minutes then rinse with cold water.
6. Tea bags for deodorizing your refrigerator
If your refrigerator has a rancid smell, deodorize it by putting some used tea bags in a bowl or jar then leave it in your refrigerator. The tea bags will absorb the odours and leave a fresh one.
7. Newspaper for ripening tomatoes
Wrap tomatoes individually with newspaper then leave them out at room temperature.
8. Vinegar for reviving wilted vegetables
Before giving up on wilted vegetables, try soaking them in a solution of two cups of water with one tablespoon of white vinegar then leave for 10 minutes. It might just revive your wilted greens.
9. Baby wipes for cleaning gadgets
Instead of buying expensive gadget cleansers, use baby wipes. Baby wipes can sanitize gently without using any harsh ingredients that may damage your gadget.
10. Coffee grounds for eliminating odour in your hands
Get rid of the smell that sticks to your hands after handling fish, onion, garlic, or some other ingredient by rubbing a small amount of coffee grounds between your hands.
11. Tea for smelly feet
Brew about three bags of black tea in a quart of water then add some cold water to cool it. You should have enough to soak your feet in. Submerge your soles for at least half an hour to get rid of the odour.
12. Baking soda and vinegar for clogged pipes
Before calling the plumber, try pouring one-half to one cup of baking soda down the drain. Then slowly pour the same amount of white vinegar then leave for about 5 minutes. Follow it up with a gallon of hot water then run the tap and see if it worked.
13. Toothpaste for yellowing fingernails
Apply some toothpaste on your fingernails to remove the yellow stains caused by nail polish or damage.
