Here are some items that are so everyday, we barely even notice them anymore. Today we're sharing 29 new uses for everyday items to remind you just how brilliant these household objects are!
From that old iron you've had for years to the fresh cotton buds you stock up on every month, these new uses will make you love easily-forgettable but undeniably useful everyday items all over again.
1. How to keep flowers fresher for longer
This is one of our favourite uses for everyday objects of all time.
All you need to keep your beautiful bunch of flowers fresher for longer is some cling film and kitchen roll.
Fold the paper towel into a strip, wet with water, then wrap around your flower stems. Seal with clingfilm, and it will keep them hydrated until you have a chance to arrange them properly.
Like this? Check out these other great uses for cling film.
2. New uses for cupcake cases
Do you know any alternative uses for cupcake cases? We couldn't live without them, especially in the car.
To keep drinks holders spick and span, pop a silicone cupcake case into each one - it will collect all the crumbs so you don't have to!
3. Use candles to waterproof labels
Worried your labels might get smudged in the rain? With the help of a candle, you can do just that.
Once you've written your label, simply rub the candle over it to cover it in paraffin wax. This will make it weather-proof and keep your writing legible, no matter what your parcel may encounter en-route.
Check out more incredible uses for candles today.
Are you loving these new uses for everyday items? Then you'd better check this out...
4. How to upcycle laddered tights
That old pair of tights you were going to throw out? Turns out they're actually pretty useful. Pop the foot end over your vacuum cleaner pipe, and you'll be able to use it to pick up small items.
It's perfect for collecting a dropping tin of beads, pins or even hair grips.
Get more brilliant ways to use laddered tights now!
5. How to increase your phone volume
If there's one everyday item we couldn't do without, it's mugs - tea and coffee sure wouldn't be the same without them!
One of our top, alternative uses for mugs is using them as a speaker - yes, really! Lie a mug flat and place your phone inside to give it an instant volume boost - a DIY speaker on-the-go.
6. Use rubber gloves to pick up pet hair
Anyone who has a pet should know this tip by heart.
Pets may be cuddly and cute, but my gosh they don't half leave a mess everywhere. Our particular bugbear? Hair - everywhere!
To remove it in a flash, pop on a pair of rubber gloves and wipe over hairy surfaces.
There are loads of other reasons to wear rubber gloves too - go take a look.
7. Use a pillowcase to clean your ceiling fan
Fans seem like a great idea...until it comes to cleaning them.
Luckily we've found a new use for everyday objects that will make your life so much easier. Grab an old pillowcase and position some step ladders below your fan.
Next, place the pillowcase over the fan blade, and pull to remove dirt and dust. Clean fans without any escaping dust - brilliant!
8. How to sharpen eyeliner without a sharpener
Where do those eyeliner sharpeners get to anyway? If yours has gone walkabout, don't fret - you can use a nail file to sharpen eyeliner and lip pencils instead.
Just gently rub the pencil along the nail file to achieve a perfect point.
9. Use a tealight to make a meaningful message
Tea lights look pretty ordinary when they're all alone, but pair a few together and they can soon look pretty magical.
One of our favourite uses for tea lights is to make meaningful messages from them. It's a special way to remind someone you love them, decorate a party or even propose! The options are endless.
We have plenty more unusual uses for everyday objects coming your way...
10. Use a toothbrush to revive velcro
Velcro is know to lose its sticking power over time. This is mainly due to becoming clogged up with dirt and other debris, or getting flattened from use.
All is not lost, however. A quick but firm brush with an old toothbrush is all you need to revive it.
We NEVER throw our toothbrushes away here at Expert Home Tips - these wonderful uses for old toothbrushes should explain why!
11. Use aluminium foil to clean pots & pans
You know how much we love a good cleaning tip here at Expert Home Tips.
Using aluminium foil to clean filthy pots and pans is definitely one of our favourites. There's nothing that will scrub that old Pyrex dish clean quick like a ball of cooking foil.
Just be sure to wear rubber gloves when trying out these other uses for aluminium foil - it's surprisingly abrasive!
12. Use an ice cube tray to freeze leftover herbs
Want to know how to reduce food waste? That old ice cube tray you've had for years could help.
If you ever find yourself with leftover fresh herbs, simply chop them up and stuff inside ice cube compartments with a dash of water to fill the gaps. Next time you need some parsley, coriander or thyme, you'll have it to hand.
If you enjoyed this tip, you're bound to love our other uses for an ice cube tray too.
13. Use an elastic band to keep your tea bag in place
Tea lovers, here's a life hack you'll wonder how you ever lived without!
To prevent your tea bag from falling into your tea, simply stretch an elastic band over the mug and the tea bag string.
Anushka has loads of other terrific uses for elastic bands in her article.
This next one's a good'un...
14. Use a tampon to clean up spillages
Unusual uses for everyday items don't get weirder than this!
If you've spilt something and only have your handbag to hand, that emergency tampon could seriously come in handy. Just pull the string to unroll it and place on top of the spill.
Check out more weird but wonderful uses for tampons and sanitary pads now - they're seriously great!
15. Use an everyday item as an alternative bookmark
Who needs bookmarks when you have bobby pins lying around?
Next time you find one of those pesky pins on the floor, pick it up and slide it onto the cover of your new book. Next time you read, position it on the new page and it will be easy to locate next time.
This has to be one of the best uses for bobby pins ever!
16. Tin can upcycling ideas
Tins of food aren't just practical when there's nothing in the fridge - turns out there are loads of other unusual ways to upcycle cans too.
Durable and sturdy, they're perfect for holding all kinds of things - pens, makeup brushes, cooking utensils, you name it!
If you want to go all out and completely repurpose your tin can, you can decorate it by wrapping wool or paper around it, or even painting it.
17. The everyday item that removes pollen stains
Lillies are so gorgeous, but those stamens can be a nightmare once you get them home. If their pollen does happen to stain something, you can use sellotape to lift it.
Lightly dab the sticky side onto the pollen to lift it. Whatever you do, don't rub!
Learn more weird ways to use sellotape today in Anushka's article.
18. How to store jewellery to prevent tangling
Pulling out your favourite necklace minutes before you need to leave the house and finding it in a tangled mess? Nightmare.
One of our top uses for everyday items will soon sort that out. Grab a straw and thread your necklace through it. Fasten, and it will be ready to pop straight on next time you need it.
There are loads of other unusual ways to use drinking straws your missing out on. Check them out now!
19. How to remove candle wax from the carpet
Candles may well help set the mood during your dinner party, but they'll also put you in one when you find them spilt all over the carpet.
If you - or your guests - do have a little accident, we have a great life hack to remedy it. Wait until the wax has cooled and hardened, then place a piece of kitchen roll over the spill. Iron over the paper on a low-medium heat until it lifts and attaches onto the paper.
Think irons are just for clothes? These unusual uses for your iron are about to prove you wrong.
We saved the best unusual uses for everyday object till last - don't miss out!
20. New uses for WD40
If you don't have a can of WD-40 lying around somewhere, shame on you. There are loads of weird and wonderful ways to use this everyday product - our favourite is removing crayon stains from walls.
Yes, it really works! Spray a little WD-40 onto the mark, and wipe away with a clean cloth. Magic.
Check out more unusual uses for WD-40 now.
21. How to organise & store wires using toilet roll tubes
Don't let tangled wires clutter your rooms.
All you need to get those cables organised and keep them that way is a few empty toilet rolls. Wrap your wires up then pop them inside the tube to keep them in place.
Discover more terrific uses for toilet rolls in Anushka's article.
22. DIY spotty nail art using cotton buds
Cotton buds are an everyday item we all have, right?
Whilst the traditional use is for cleaning out ears, at Expert Home Tips, we have many other uses for cotton buds too.
One of our favourites is doing spotty nail art using the rounded end. Simply dip the bud into polish, wipe off the excess and dot onto nails.
23. A whole new way to use that kitchen sponge
Kitchen sponges - they're cheap, easy to get hold of and pretty fantastic at cleaning dishes.
Not only that, but this household item is also great for removing bobbling on jumpers - cool, huh? To try it out, use the rough side of a clean, dry sponge in gentle, small circular motions.
Your sponge is more spectacular than you know! Check out the other uses for a kitchen sponge if you don't believe us...
24. How to keep fairy lights from getting tangled
Expert Home Tips love fairy lights - how couldn't we when they make any room look magical in a matter of seconds?
Best of all, we've discovered a great new ways to store them which means they never get tangled. Want to know the trick? Grab a spare coat hanger (plastic is preferred) and wrap the fairy lights around it - genius!
25. Wonderful ways to use wine corks
If you enjoy sewing, this life hack is for you. The spongey texture of wine corks makes them perfect for storing all those pesky pins.
The leftover cork from last night's bottle is about to become your new favourite pin cushions. Lost it? Oh...well I guess you'll have to open another bottle then!
If you're like us and have lots of wine corks lying around, you should check out these other unusual uses for wine corks.
26. Get glasses clean...without a glasses cloth
I don't know about you, but glasses cloths always seem to go missing around here.
Next time you lose yours, don't fret. A great substitute is using a coffee filter. The soft texture will lift dust and dirt, whilst simultaneously polishing your lenses spotless.
Get more glorious uses for coffee filters in our other article.
27. DIY ice pack using old socks
You never know when you might need an ice pack. To make sure it doesn't get too cold and burn your skin, a protective layer is advised.
There's an everyday item everyone has that will do just the job - an old sock! Simply slide the ice pack inside for the most comfortable cooling experience ever. There are so many weird and wonderful uses for old socks - check them out!
28. Use this household item to remove paint & ink stains
If you're a crafter, no doubt your hands spend more time stained than not.
All that ink, paint and glue can be hard to remove - unless you use baby wipes that is!
This cheap, everyday item is great for removing so much more than makeup alone. Discover more of our great uses for baby wipes now.
29. DIY doorstop using books
The last on our list of new uses for everyday items is one of our favourites. We have LOADS of cookbooks here at Expert Home Tips - more than we know what to do with.
If you do too, why not follow our lead and use them to make a pretty doorstep for your home? They're extremely eye-catching and a quirky addition to any room.
Like this? Why not try some of our other uses for books too?
Think we've missed something? Share your weird uses for everyday objects with us in the comment below!
Great idea about the necklaces, I get sick of unravelling them, some can be so delicate. Cleaning with tin foil on the other hand just the thought of it makes my nerve endings in my teeth scream!!
Hi Wendy. The amount of time I've spent trying to detangle necklaces and bracelets in my time is ludicrous! Thanks goodness for straws hey! Tin doesn't actually make a noise against glass - but we take your point! Thanks for stopping by.
My wife uses old loo roll tubes to start her seedling plants each year.
That's a wonderful idea!
I use kitchen towel as a coffee filter. Fold in half and half again, open out one half into a V shape and pop in coffee machine to instead of a filter.
Using kitchen towels as coffee filters are not recommended due to safety, health, and taste concerns. Coffee filters are designed specifically for filtering coffee and are a safer, healthier, and more effective option.