101 Innovative Ways to Repurpose Everyday Items

1. Lemon

"Lemon juice is the most potent food acid in our kitchens, powerful enough to make life unbearable for most bacteria," explains Robert Wolke, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh and author of What Einstein Told His Cook 2: The Sequel, Further Adventures in Kitchen Science.

1. Disinfect a chopping block. Rub a slice of lemon over the surface to clean.2. Prevent browning on cut fruits. Sprinkle lemon juice over apple or pear slices, or mix it into guacamole to keep it fresh.3. Remove stubborn food stains from plastic or light-colored wood cutting boards. Squeeze lemon juice onto the stained area, rub, and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with water.4. Tackle tea stains on fabrics. Dilute lemon juice with an equal amount of water. Apply it to the stain using an eyedropper or a Q-tip, then rinse with cool water.5. Create a budget-friendly decoration. Place lemons in a glass bowl for a bright centerpiece, or line them up on a windowsill.6. Soothe a sore throat. Cut a lemon in half, skewer it over a medium flame until the peel turns golden. Let it cool slightly, then mix the juice with 1 teaspoon of honey and consume.7. Whiten nails. Rub a lemon wedge over the surface of your nails.8. Polish copper cookware. Sprinkle salt on a lemon wedge and scrub the interior of copper pots.9. Enhance laundry whites. Add ½ cup of lemon juice during the wash cycle for a regular load.10. Clean a sticky grater. Rub both sides of the grater with the pulp side of a lemon half.

2. Newspaper

"Newspaper is designed to be highly absorbent due to its need to soak up ink. This quality also makes it excellent for absorbing moisture, including the dampness and odors found in shoes and vegetable drawers," explains Chris Morrissey, Vice President of Marketing at Sun Chemical, the world's largest printing-ink manufacturer, based in Northlake, Illinois.

1. Freshen food containers. Crumple a piece of newspaper and place it in a lunch box or thermos, seal it, and let it sit overnight.2. Ripen tomatoes. Wrap tomatoes individually in newspaper and leave them out at room temperature to ripen.3. Pack fragile items. Wrap delicate frames and figurines in several layers of newspaper, then crumple the rest to fill any empty space in the box.4. Remove stubborn streaks on glass. Use newspaper along with cleaning fluid to clean mirrors and windows.5. Preserve vintage glass. Older frames may have finishes that can be damaged by cleaning products. Remove smudges by rubbing with newspaper dipped in a mix of one part white vinegar and one part warm water. Let it air-dry.6. Dry wet shoes. Stuff crumpled newspaper inside shoes overnight to help absorb moisture.7. Wrap gifts. Use comic strips to wrap a child’s birthday gift, or wedding announcements for a bridal gift.8. Create a spot for snow boots. During winter, keep a stack of newspaper by the door. When your children come in, they can place their wet boots on the paper instead of making puddles on the floor.9. Prepare a garden bed. In the fall, mow a patch of lawn for a new garden bed. Cover the area with four layers of newspaper, followed by a 4-inch layer of mulch or shredded leaves. Hose it down. By spring, the newspaper will have smothered the grass, leaving a ready-to-plant bed.10. Keep the vegetable drawer in the fridge dry and odor-free. Line the bottom with newspaper.

3. Olive Oil

"Olive oil serves as an excellent lubricant because its molecules smoothly glide past each other, reducing friction and helping solid objects to move more easily," explains Wolke. "Its thin layer also fills in small surface imperfections, giving items a polished and shiny finish."

Use Olive Oil for:

1. Shaving. Replace shaving cream with olive oil for a smoother, closer shave.2. Polish stainless steel. Olive oil provides a safe, effective shine for stainless steel, unlike ammonia which can dull or corrode it.3. Remove makeup. Gently apply a bit of olive oil under your eyes to remove makeup, then wipe off with a washcloth.4. Prevent wax buildup in candle holders. Lightly coat the base of the holder with olive oil before inserting a candle, making it easier to remove wax drips.5. Pet care. Add a ¼ teaspoon of olive oil to your cat’s food to help prevent hairballs.6. Moisturize cuticles. Rub a small amount of olive oil into your cuticles to keep them hydrated.7. Soothe dry skin. Apply olive oil to your skin after a shower or waxing for deep moisture.8. Lubricate a stuck zipper. Dab a bit of olive oil onto the zipper teeth with a Q-tip to make it run smoothly without touching the fabric.9. Dust wooden furniture. Wipe down wooden surfaces with a cloth lightly soaked in olive oil to help clean and polish them.10. Quiet squeaky doors. Apply a small amount of olive oil to the hinges with a cloth, allowing the oil to seep into the moving parts and silence the squeak.

4. Dryer Sheets

"Static electricity occurs when fabrics rub together and exchange electrons," explains Behnam Pourdeyhimi, director of the Nonwovens Cooperative Research Center at North Carolina State University. "Dryer sheets contain ingredients that are positively charged, which are released through heat and motion, such as the tumbling action of the dryer. These ingredients attach lightly to negatively charged surfaces, such as clothes with static cling, neutralizing the charge and providing a lubricating effect."

1. Freshen smelly shoes. Place a dryer sheet inside your shoes and let them sit overnight.2. Remove static from clothing, hair, TV screens, and computer monitors. Simply wipe the surface with a dryer sheet.3. Eliminate pet hair from floors or furniture. Rub a dryer sheet over the area where your pet left fur.4. Substitute for a sachet. Keep your dresser smelling fresh by putting a dryer sheet at the bottom of the drawer.5. Loosen stuck-on food from a pan. Insert a fresh dryer sheet in a dirty pan, add lukewarm water, and let it sit overnight. Cleaning will be easier the next day.6. Combat odors in suitcases or gym bags. Place a dryer sheet in your suitcase or gym bag to keep clean clothes from absorbing bad smells from dirty ones.7. Prevent musty odors in stored books. Tuck a dryer sheet between the pages of a book like Pride and Prejudice to keep it smelling fresh.8. Wipe up sawdust after woodworking. Use a dryer sheet to collect fine wood particles from your workspace.9. Stop thread from tangling while sewing. Run your threaded needle through a dryer sheet before starting your sewing project.10. Dust venetian blinds. Close the blinds and wipe them up and down with a dryer sheet to collect dust.

5. Coffee Filters

Around 100 years ago, a German housewife named Melitta Bentz created the first coffee filter by puncturing the bottom of a brass pot and lining it with blotting paper. A perfected version of Bentz's design is still in use today. According to Melinda McDonald, communications manager for Bunn, a beverage-equipment manufacturer, "Coffee filters are less likely to crumple or dissolve in water compared to regular paper, thanks to their superior 'wet strength' and longer fibers. The fluted sides and cupcake shape also allow liquids to pass freely through the filter, while preventing grains from spilling over the edges."

1. Soften camera flash. To soften bright flashes when taking close-up shots, simply place a coffee filter over the camera flash.2. Strain wine with a broken cork. If the cork breaks, place a coffee filter over a pitcher or carafe and slowly pour the wine through.3. Serve snacks like popcorn. Coffee filters work as handy, disposable bowls for easy snack servings, saving you the trouble of dishwashing.4. Make yogurt dip. Secure a coffee filter with a rubber band over a cup or jar. Pour 8 ounces of plain yogurt into the filter and let it drain for an hour. Once thickened, mix the yogurt with minced garlic, chopped parsley, and seasoning for a delicious dip. Serve with crackers.5. Reheat leftovers in the microwave. Use a coffee filter to cover your food in the microwave.6. Stop soil from spilling out of flowerpots. Place a filter over the drainage hole of a flowerpot before adding soil.7. Prevent scratches on fine china. When stacking dishes, use flattened coffee filters as spacers to protect your fine china.8. Prevent drips from Popsicles. Slide the wooden stick of an ice pop through a coffee filter to keep your hands clean.9. Use for pita sandwiches. A coffee filter is the perfect size to serve a sandwich on the go.10. Clean windows and glass. If you're out of paper towels, use coffee filters to wipe down glass surfaces without leaving lint or residue.

6. Velcro

Velcro, derived from the French words velour and crochet, was invented in the early 1940s after Swiss inventor George de Mestral observed cockleburs sticking to his pants and his dog's coat during a walk. Upon examining the burrs under a microscope, de Mestral discovered the inspiration for a unique fastener: one side with stiff hooks (like the burrs) and the other with soft loops (similar to the fabric of his pants).

1. Display artwork or photos on your walls. Attach Velcro strips to both the wall and the back of a lightweight frame.2. Prevent gaping in jackets or blouses. Sew small pieces of Velcro between buttons to smooth the garment.3. Keep rugs from shifting. Stick Velcro to both the rug and the floor for extra grip.4. Prevent seat cushions from slipping. Apply Velcro to both the chair and cushion to keep them in place.5. Organize children's toys. Place Velcro strips on the wall and on stuffed animals to make toy cleanup fun.6. Keep track of the TV remote. Attach Velcro to the remote and the side of the TV to ensure it's always in reach.7. Remove pilling from sweaters. Use the hook side of Velcro to pull off lint and fuzz.8. Tidy up loose cords. Keep cords in order with a Velcro strip.9. Keep paper and pens handy. Attach Velcro near your desk calendar and on a pen so you can quickly jot down notes. In the car, place a notepad on the dashboard or inside the glove compartment door for quick access.10. Enjoy a peaceful picnic. Secure your tablecloth with Velcro to prevent it from blowing away in the wind.

7. Vinegar

"Vinegar is an effective preservative because its acetic acid can kill the harmful bacteria and microbes that lead to food spoilage," explains Michael Doyle, director of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia in Griffin. "It also works as a deodorizer―the acid neutralizes the basic compounds found in decaying meat, which can release unpleasant and volatile odors."

1. Substitute for lemon in savory dishes. Replace 1 teaspoon of lemon juice with ½ teaspoon of vinegar.2. Eliminate coffee or tea stains from a cup. Swirl 2 tablespoons of vinegar around inside the cup, then wash it as usual.3. Treat oily hair. Vinegar works as a degreaser for oily hair by balancing pH levels. After shampooing, rinse with ¼ cup of vinegar and then rinse again.4. Clean salt stains off boots. Soak an old T-shirt or cloth in vinegar and wipe away the white streaks.5. Soften wool sweaters. Add a couple of capfuls of vinegar to the rinse cycle for extra softness.6. Freshen a garbage disposal. Freeze vinegar in ice cube trays and send the cubes down the disposal. Run cold water through the drain after grinding.7. Clean a teakettle or coffeemaker. Boil a water-vinegar mixture in your teakettle to remove grime. Run a vinegar-water solution through your coffeemaker, followed by several water cycles to rinse.8. Clean a dishwasher. Once a month, run a cup of vinegar through a full cycle in an empty dishwasher to eliminate soap buildup and clean the interior.9. Remove sticky price tags or stickers. Coat the labels with vinegar, let it sit for five minutes, and then wipe off the residue.10. Eliminate weeds in cracks. Spray undiluted vinegar on weeds between paving stones and sidewalks. (Be cautious not to spray nearby grass as it will also be harmed.)

8. Baking Soda

"Baking soda is effective not only for neutralizing unpleasant fatty acids but also for tackling grease by transforming it into soap," says Wolke from the University of Pittsburgh. Fun fact: More than 100 tons of this kitchen essential were used in the 1986 restoration of the Statue of Liberty's inner copper walls.

1. Exfoliate skin. Wash your face, then apply a gentle paste made from three parts baking soda and one part water. Massage in a circular motion, avoiding the eyes, then rinse thoroughly.2. Remove crayon, pencil, ink, and scuffs from painted surfaces. Sprinkle soda onto a damp sponge, scrub the area clean, and rinse.3. Clear a clogged drain. Pour ½ to 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by ½ to 1 cup of white vinegar. Let it sit for five minutes (covering if possible), then flush with a gallon of boiling water.4. Remove stubborn stains from enameled cast iron and stainless steel. Scrub enameled cast iron with a soft nylon brush and a thick paste of baking soda and water. For stainless steel, clean with a soft cloth and 4 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of water. Dry with a clean cloth.5. Clean pans. Sprinkle soda on crusted casserole or roasting pans and let it sit for five minutes. Scrub gently and rinse.6. Brush teeth. Make a paste with baking soda and water.7. Extinguish class-B fires (such as those caused by flammable liquids like gasoline, oil, or grease). Baking soda is effective for smothering small flames.8. Deodorize. Apply baking soda under your arms to absorb body odor.9. Clean minor oil and grease spills on garage floors or driveways. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot, then scrub with a wet brush.10. Relieve occasional indigestion. Stir ½ teaspoon of baking soda into ½ cup of water and drink as an effective antacid.

9. Ziploc Bags

In 1963, a revolutionary bag featuring a plastic zipper closure made its debut at a packaging trade event. Since then, it has become an essential item in kitchens everywhere.

1. Knead dough. Place your dough inside a Ziploc bag to avoid sticky hands. Alternatively, slip your hand into the bag to use it like a glove.2. Organize panty hose. Nude, Tan, or Nearly Naked—who can tell them apart? Tear off the packaging corner with the brand, size, and color info, and store each pair in a separate bag to keep them tidy and snag-free.3. Remove gum or candle wax from fabric. Rub the gum or wax with a Ziploc bag full of ice cubes until it hardens. Shatter the gum with a blunt object and vacuum the pieces. Gently peel off the frozen wax using a plastic spatula.4. Pipe frosting. Cut a small corner off a Ziploc bag and use it as a makeshift pastry bag.5. Store homemade soup. Fill Ziploc bags with soup, then lay them flat in the freezer. Once frozen, stack the bags like books for neat and space-saving storage.6. Protect delicate items. No bubble wrap? Insert a straw into a nearly closed Ziploc bag, inflate, remove the straw, and seal the bag to create a cushion. (Heirlooms should still be wrapped in bubble wrap.)7. Crush graham crackers or vanilla wafers for pie crusts. Place the cookies in a bag and roll a rolling pin over it.8. Prevent your handbag from becoming a snow globe. Keep pressed powders and compacts in Ziploc bags.9. Freeze garden herbs. Wash, pat dry, and freeze your herbs in Ziploc bags before the frost arrives.10. Ice an injury. Fill a Ziploc bag with ice cubes to create an effective cold compress.

10. Salt

Before tossing that spilled salt over your shoulder, remember its versatility. As Wolke explains, "Salt is highly attracted to water and can extract moisture from various foods." The granules are also tough, making salt an excellent abrasive.

1. Speed up egg or cream whipping. Add a pinch of salt to the mix before beating.2. Melt ice on sidewalks. If you're in a bind, it can substitute for rock salt.3. Keep poultry moist. Rub salt inside the cavity of chicken or turkey before cooking to maintain juiciness.4. Prevent watery sautéed vegetables. Sprinkle salt on eggplant or zucchini before cooking to reduce moisture.5. Remove residue from an iron. Run a hot (no steam) iron over paper sprinkled with salt.6. Clean drains. Pour a hot, strong saltwater solution (½ cup salt for each quart of water) down the drain.7. Clean leafy greens. Soak vegetables like spinach in a saltwater bath to remove dirt.8. Stop frost buildup on car windows. Rub the glass with a solution made of 2 teaspoons salt in 1 gallon of hot water. Wipe it dry.9. Tackle sangria and red wine stains. Place the stained fabric over a bowl, cover it with salt, and pour boiling water over the area.10. Prevent eggshell cracks. Add a pinch or two of salt to the water before boiling eggs.11. Chill champagne quickly. Surround the bottle with ice in an ice bucket, sprinkle with salt, and layer the ice and salt until it reaches the bottle’s neck. Add water, wait 10 minutes, and enjoy.