44 Household Items You're Using Wrong
Use these hacks to make the most out of what's around your house.
....And how to use them better. Use these hacks to make the most out of what's around your house.This piece originally appeared on goodhousekeeping.com
Rubber Bands
1. Coming in and out with your hands full? Loop a single rubber band around a door's inside and outside knobs, twisting it as you do so that the "X" presses the latch open. Once finished, hang the band on the inner knob for the next time.
2. To get a better grip on a stripped screw, trap one side of a wide rubber band (like the ones used on produce bundles) between the screwdriver and the screw head, and twist.
3. Keep slippery tops and strappy dresses from sliding into a heap on your closet floor by looping wide rubber bands over the ends of their hangers.
Pants Hanger — and More
"A five-rung pants hanger makes a great jewelry organizer. I tend to use the top rungs for bracelets and the bottom ones for necklaces." —Raye Jean Wilson
"I use tongs to reach things on high shelves and to get items stuck behind my washer and dryer." —Melissa Bradley
"To clean a dusty item or area, I put on cotton gloves, run my hands over it, then toss the gloves in the hamper to be washed." —Tom Heim
"Rain-X keeps my bathroom tiles free from hard-water stains." —Kristen Vasquez
"I use mayo to get rid of water rings on wood furniture. Dry the area and put on enough mayo (not the low-fat kind) to cover the spot, and let sit for several hours — it'll be gone within the day." —Nicole Fisher
Eyeglasses Case
Snag a spare one to stow jewelry when packing a suitcase. Another great use? For your MP3 player and earbuds.
Socks
No need to buy pricey, not-so-eco-friendly Bubble Wrap. Socks, T-shirts, and towels make excellent padding when boxing up breakables for a move.
Laundry Pretreater
It does more than help with tough stains. Use it to loosen labels on washable hard surfaces or adhesive left by price stickers — the ultimate trap for clingy dusty bunnies.
Chocolate-Box Insert
Once the tasty treats are just a sweet Valentine's memory, use the rinsed-out tray to hold tacks and paper clips in a desk drawer.
Wrapping-Paper Tube
Cover the cardboard in acid-free tissue paper and roll clean linens around it to prevent fabric from creasing when stored.
Use this manicure staple for more than just shaping your nails — it can gently buff away stains on suede bags and shoes.
Spoon
After slicing onions or mincing garlic, neutralize smelly hands by rubbing fingers on a stainless steel spoon under running water.
Clean it out, then fill it up with your preferred granular plant fertilizer for an easy way to feed your garden.
Kneadable Eraser
This art-class must-have does more than zap errant pencil marks. Use it to rub out scuffs on hardwood or tile floors, as well as smudges on light-colored leather bags and shoes. Once the eraser is dirty, knead to reveal a clean spot.
Spring bouquet to display? Firm up the soft stems of flowers like tulips or daffodils by inserting each into a wide straw before adding to a vase. You can rinse straws and reuse for the same purpose.
RELATED: 8 Biggest Mistakes You Make With Fresh Cut Flowers »
Newspaper
Spiff up dark-colored leather shoes in a pinch by rubbing them with a balled-up black-and-white newspaper page (note: full-color pages won't work). No polish needed.
Cooking Spray
Spritz a little on a squeaky door hinge, then swing the door back and forth to work it in and quiet the creaking. Wipe away any drips with a paper towel.
Rubber Gloves
Snag one from the sink to help you get a grip on a stuck jar top. You don't even have to put it on your hand first.
Spare Buttons
If you're always misplacing one earring or its back, take a moment to pair them through the holes of an old button. Bonus: They'll look cute (and be easier to find) in your jewelry box.
Sticky Note
Before you toss one of these paper reminders, run the sticky side between the keys of your computer's keyboard to collect crumbs and other grime.
Wide-Tooth Comb
Use one to unsnarl tangled fringe on an area rug. As with your hair, start at the tips and work in, to avoid making a bigger knot.
Plastic Lid
Create a "coaster" for a shaving-cream can with the top of a small sour cream, potato chip, or other food container — and end rusty rings on bathroom surfaces.
Flowerpot Saucer
Use one of these trays in the bathroom for storing the toilet plunger. It's an easy way to collect drips.
12 Seriously Spooky Abandoned Hotels
The 15 Best Spas in New York City
15 of the Best Destination Spas to Visit Now
The Very Best Beaches in Greece