How to Repurpose Common Household Items

Between work, school, extra-curricular activities, and other commitments, today’s busy families don’t have much time spare. So, any time common household item can pull double duty, save you time, and maybe even money, it’s a legit win-win.

Here are just a few ways you can reuse and repurpose everyday items that you probably already possess:

Aluminum Foil – Sharpen dull scissors by cutting through a sheet of aluminum foil that has been folded several times. If you have radiators in your home, you also can wrap a piece of plywood with aluminum foil and tuck it behind the radiator to radiate more heat.

Empty Wine Bottles – Using a tile bit, screw a hole into an empty wine bottle, then enlarge it with a grinding stone. Next, feed a 50-light string of LED bulbs into the bottle for a one-of-a-kind display. Or, if you have an old wine bottle that was part of a special occasion worth preserving, fill it with sand, cork it, and use it as a bookend.

Cardboard Tubes – Keep linens from wrinkling and creasing with empty cardboard tubes. Simply cover the cardboard tube with acid-free tissue paper, then roll the clean linens around it. Use paper towel tubes for linen napkin holders and wrapping paper tubes to store tablecloths.  Or, use mailing tubes to keep tall boots from slouching over and developing ugly creases.

Cooking Oil – Rub a little cooking oil on a squeaky door hinge with a paper towel, then swing the door back and forth a few times to work it in. Be sure to wipe away any drips. When measuring sticky ingredients like honey or peanut butter, first apply a thin coat of cooking oil onto the spoon or measuring cup, which makes releasing the ingredient so much easier.

Plastic Lids – Put an end to rusty-can rings on bathroom surfaces by placing a clean plastic sour cream (or similar) lid under a bottle of shaving cream. Or, use that same lid to catch paint drippings by cutting a hole in it just large enough for a paint brush.

Amazing what a little ingenuity can do, right?  Well, here at Your 1 Plumber, we’re pretty clever ourselves when it comes to figuring out even the toughest of plumbing, drain cleaning, or bathroom and kitchen remodeling challenges.  Call us any time you need a plumber you can count on to get the job done right.