They may be called paper clips, but did you know that they have loads of uses outside of the office too?
Everyone has paper clips lying around, but few of us ever think of using them to solve common everyday problems. Today we're revealing some of our favourite uses for paper clips that we know you're going to find love.
Read on to discover brand new ways to use your paper clips below - they'll blow you away!
1. Remove hair from your hairbrush
Removing hair from your hairbrush is not exactly a pleasant job, but a simple paper clip can make this much easier.
Open out your paper clip and it will make quick work of removing knotted hair from even the most clogged-up hairbrush.
2. Hold flowers in place
Want to make a stylish bouquet for a friend or to adorn your own home?
We have the hack for you!
Metal florist wire can be expensive. Unless you're flower-arranging regularly, it's not something you need to invest in. Unwind a few paper clips, and you'll be able to use them to fasten flower stems into place.
3. DIY bookmark
Need an emergency bookmark?
One of the best uses for paperclips is as a DIY bookmark. A bit of ribbon and a paper clip are all you need to make a really cute marker for your page.
4. Reset electrical items
How are you meant to get to that pesky reset button on your remote control and other electrical items anyway?
We finally have an answer:
Use a paper clip! Unwind the end, and push it into the reset hole. This works best with metal paperclips as they are much thinner than their plastic-coated counterparts.
5. Use a paper clip to open an envelope
Another wonderful use of paperclips is opening envelopes.
There's no need to invest in a letter opener if you have a paper clip lying around. Unbend the metal and you'll be able to slide it under the paper and along the envelope to open it flawlessly without any messy rips.
6. Unclog a salt shaker
Slow salt shaker? It probably just needs a bit of a helping hand.
You can loosen blocked salt-shaker holes in seconds using a paper clip. This tip also works for clogged up glue bottles and much more besides.
7. Clean your nails
Managed to get some dirt stuff under your nail?
If you're very careful, you can use an unbent paper clip to clean the undersides of your nails. This is a particularly useful hack to have on hand at work.
8. Uses for paper clips for kids
They might look boring, but paper clips can be a cheap and surprisingly fun way to improve your kid's motor skills.
A simple exercise, like making paper clip chains, will get them concentrating and focused. Plus, they'll be able to adorn themselves with their creations upon completion!
9. Uses for paper clips at Easter
One of the most simple Easter crafts to make (that's also edible!) are dyed eggs.
These are actually incredibly easy to create at home. All you need are eggs, some food dye and a tool to hold the eggs whilst dipping - a paper clip!
Unbend your paper clip and transform it into a spoon shape. This will allow you to dip the eggs in food colouring whilst draining the dye.
10. Use a paper clip to keep money secure
Off on holiday? A really nifty way to keep all of your notes together is with a paper clip. Slide it over your foreign currency to secure it.
11. DIY jewellery clasp
Argh - sometimes fastening a bracelet can be so fiddly...
If you don't have anyone to lend a helping hand, a paper clip could be just what you need.
It's truly amazing how much easier it will make things.
12. How to hide bra straps
Sometimes, even the prettiest of bra straps can ruin a sophisticated look.
There's no need to go out and spend money on a brand new bra - you can transform your own with a simple hack using a paper clip.
Pull both of your back staps together, and fasten them with a paper clip to hide them behind skimpier backs.
13. Tiny doll hangers
This is one of the cutest uses for paper clips you'll ever see - mini clothes hangers for a doll's house.
Watch the video below to find out how to craft some of your own in under 60 seconds - they're so cute!
14. DIY Jewellery clasp
If you like making jewellery at home, you can use paperclips to fasten your designs. This technique can also be used if a clasp on your existing necklace breaks.
Although it's not the most aesthetically pleasing solution, it will offer a quick fix to any wardrobe malfunctions. Besides, it's nothing a hair-down style can't hide.
15. Secure wrapping paper
Here's another one of our favourite uses for paper clips - using them to secure wrapping paper rolls.
Wrapping paper can soon become untidy if you don't secure it properly. Not only does this look messy, but it can lead to your paper getting damaged.
An easy way to keep it secure is to slide a paper clip down over the end of the paper - that will keep everything nice and tidy.
16. Uses for paper clips in the kitchen
Run out of food bag ties? No worries - you can use a paper clip instead.
Unwind the metal, and centre it around the twisted part of the bag. Wrap each end around the bag to fasten in place. What a great kitchen hack!
17. Remove cherry pits
We have lots of cooking hacks here at Expert Home Tips. One of our favourites during the Summer months is removing cherry pits using a paperclip.
It's so easy and saves a lot of fiddling around. To try it out yourself by following the video below.
18. Fix a zipper
Broken zippers are so inconvenient - not to mention embarrassing!
Luckily, there's a quick, subtle fix for this dilemma and, you guessed it, it involves a paper clip.
To fix your zipper, hook one end through the end of the zip pull, and the other around your trouser button. This is an (almost) lifesaving hack!
You're definitely going to want to check out this next one...
19. Mini screwdriver
Delicate items require delicate tools.
If you're in need of a miniature screwdriver for a job like mending your glasses, a paper clip could be just the thing.
The small end is the perfect side for tightening even the tiniest of screws. Who knew there were so many incredible uses for paper clips!
20. How to hang baubles (without any string)
Use paper clips! Hook one end through the bauble hook, and the other over your tree branch.
These are a surprisingly sturdy solution to hanging baubles and saves you from going out to buy string or special hangers.
21. Emergency hair clip
We all find ourselves in a messy-hair emergency from time to time.
If you've turned up to work with hair everywhere, and are called in for a meeting, take yourself off to the bathroom with a few paper clips. You can slide them secretly into hair and tie back any particularly scruffy looking flyaways.
Now you'll be thankful for the collection of paper clips you have lying around at the bottom of your drawer.
22. Emergency hem holder
Speaking of emergencies, here are another one of our handiest uses for paper clips - providing a solution to fallen hems.
Perhaps your lovely Summer dress has gone loose in the wash, and you only realise with two minutes to go.
We have a solution...
...hold your hem in place, and slide paper clips over it to secure it in place.
23. DIY key ring
Run out of keychains? That problem can easily be solved with a paper clip - just hook one end through the hole in your key.
This can be used on its own or hooked onto a key ring. It's easy to get on and off, making it a really practical solution for this everyday problem.
24. Food clip
Here's another handy use for paper clips in the kitchen - fastening a food bag.
It's particularly practical for paper bags - just fold the end over a few times and slide a paper clip over it to secure it in place.
25. Decorative uses for paper clips
Last (but certainly not least) on our list of uses for paper clips is using them to hang up photos.
This is such a wonderful way to use two everyday items - pins and paperclips - and adds a personal touch to any room.
We'd definitely recommend giving it a go!
Got some more tips to add to the list? Share your own unusual uses for paper clips with us in the comments below. We can't wait to read them!
Thanks for all of the info. Did not know about a few of these tips. I have a tin of them that have been sitting on my desk untouched, now I can put them to use.
Hi Darlene, So glad you enjoyed the tips - who knew they could be SO useful!
I use paper clips to hang my Christmas lights in my windows, simply open up the paper clip into an s shape open the window hook over the open window and then close it and you have handy hangers left to just hook the string of lights to , no more sticky tape coming unstuck and the lights falling down
Hi Angela, What a wonderful idea - we really like this one! Thanks so much for sharing. We'll definitely be giving it a go.
A bit off topic, I know, since it doesn't involve paper clips but, in a similar vein, the clamps from broken trouser hangers have some useful functions too, such as closing off food bags, including paper bags! Also you can use the backs (the unprinted side) of printer paper or letters as a note pad, cut or tear the sheets to size, quartering them is about right but it's up to you, secure the pieces with a redundant trouser hanger clamp and put the "note pad" by your telephone (or wherever it is useful). As I said, a bit off topic but I know how keen you are to reuse items, or parts of items, that may otherwise be thrown out, or recycled. The priorities are, as always, reduce, reuse, recycle, in that order. Keep up the good work, it encourages others to share their tips and experiences.
Hi Donatello, I'm afraid we beat you to it - I recently published a blog post of that very topic!! https://experthometips.com/uses-for-coat-hangers-wire-hanger-hacks-crafts I did, however, miss your notepad clamp idea, which is genius - thanks for another brilliant tip! :)
I found this very useful for my homework thanks 🙏
Love the bracelet tip.
I use paperclips to keep my wall calendars hanging straight by putting one at the bottom to hold the pages together.
Hi Judith. Another brilliant idea - we'd never have thought of that! Thanks for sharing :)
I use paper clipsasearings as I often forget to put some in in the orning and then feel naked without something dangling from my ears. Obviously I mean them for pierced ears.
Hi Jill, Nice idea - just be sure to sterilise them thoroughly before use!
Hi Stephanie C thx for lovely information honestly when I cleaned my house they are all over nd I just threw in the bin. Didn’t know they can be very useful now i keep them safe and like the idea to clean hair brush with it wow great.no ones knows when we need them and Bigggggg bunch of thx to Stephanie luv the information.
Hi Varinder. Wow - what a lovely comment. Thanks so much for your kind words :) It's seriously surprising how useful they can be! Hopefully you've found a new love for all those pesky paperclips now.
Hi Stephanie, I love all of these uses! I used a paperclip to fix my broken zipper, thanks for the info. I actually have three uses for paperclips. The first one is to convert a paperclip into a small broom that sweeps pencil shavings or eraser bits. To make it you just straighten the end, and glue paper that is cut into broom bristles on it. The second is you can use the sharp end of the paperclip to carve designs into wood or plastic. The third is to convert the paperclip into a DIY ring, for the artsy people. Thanks! Origami
Great tips!
Some of these tips, I was kicking myself over, for not thinking of them, and others I do already. The hairbrush one, I do with my 🐻 cubs grooming brushes. But some of these, I'd never have thought of. Well done!👍😉
Thanks for the feedback!
Open up your SIM card on your phone
Great idea, Eli!
Super awesome hacks. Who knew a paper clip could be used in so many ways. Makes me what wonder how many things, like paper clips, that we take for granted that have multiple uses like a paper clip. 🙏✌️
Thanks for the kind feedback!
A bit off topic, I know, since it doesn't involve paper clips but, in a similar vein, the clamps from broken trouser hangers have some useful functions too, such as closing off food bags, including paper bags! Also you can use the backs (the unprinted side) of printer paper or letters as a note pad, cut or tear the sheets to size, quartering them is about right but it's up to you, secure the pieces with a redundant trouser hanger clamp and put the "note pad" by your telephone (or wherever it is useful). As I said, a bit off topic but I know how keen you are to reuse items, or parts of items, that may otherwise be thrown out, or recycled. The priorities are, as always, reduce, reuse, recycle, in that order. Keep up the good work, it encourages others to share their tips and experiences.
They're fab tips! Thank you for sharing.