You’ve probably heard all about the amazing uses of distilled vinegar, using olive oil to condition leather and even that nifty trick of using a potato to loosen a broken light bulb. But today, we are going to talk about some of the not-so-known uses for everyday items like coffee filters, marshmallows and dryer sheets.

COFFEE FILTERS – The little paper-like liners that make your morning cup of joe possible have many more uses than just getting your morning started. Because coffee filters are lint-free and absorb oil very well, there are many, many uses for these little guys. Did you know…

You can use coffee filters to clean glass, CD’s/DVD’s, computer monitors and even your iPad.

Pour some baking soda into a coffee filter, wrap it up with a rubber band and stick it into smelly athletic shoes to absorb the stench.

Use a coffee filter to pour oil into your car engine without messy spillage.

There are also many interesting crafts and DIY projects on the World Wide Web using coffee filters. One of my favorites being this Anthropology-inspired coffee filter garland by Pam Garrison.

In case you run out of dryer sheets and you’re in a pinch, just apply a few drops of fabric softener to a coffee filter, rub the sides together and stick it in the dryer.

DRYER SHEETS – Speaking of dryer sheets, did you know…

If you plan on storing your luggage for a long period of time, stashing a dryer sheet inside each piece can help prevent musty odors.

Going camping this Spring? Hang a dryer sheet outdoors to repel mosquitoes. (It really works!)

The anti-static formula used in dryer sheets can help remove baked-on food from pots or pans. If time is on your side, simply place a sheet in the pot/pan, fill it with warm water and let sit overnight. The next morning, the baked-on food should be loose enough to clean as usual.

Rub a dryer sheet along the blades of dull scissors for a quick fix.

Some golfers have been known to put a dryer sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees away.

You can use a dryer sheet to dust wood furniture or even spruce up chrome fixtures.

For those of you who sew (I wish I had that talent), try running the needle through a dryer sheet before sewing to prevent the thread from tangling.

MARSHMALLOWS – Yes, it’s true. There are more uses for marshmallows than s’mores or Rice Krispie Treats. Though both are quite delicious, did you know…

Stash a few marshmallows in a box of brown sugar or the sugar bowl to prevent the sugar from hardening or clumping.

Make ice cream cones less messy by sticking a few marshmallows in the bottom of the cone to prevent the ice cream from leaking out.

Eat three or four marshmallows to sooth a sore throat. Greg has actually used this a few times but I’ve always thought it to be quite odd. Come to find out, there’s a scientific reason as to why it works. Apparently, the gelatin is very helpful when it comes to relieving irritation and soothing pain in your throat. And I’m sure it’s a lot more tasty than nasty throat lozenges.

CLEAR NAIL POLISH – Handy for more than runs in your hose. Did you know…

A tiny bit of clear nail polish can touch up small dents and scratches on hardwood floors and can help prevent further damage to the area.

To prevent rust rings in the shower, you can apply clear nail polish to the bottom of the shaving cream can.

Keep ribbons (or even shoelaces) from fraying by painting the ends with clear nail polish.

In lieu of licking envelopes, use a few swipes of some clear nail polish. It’s a lot better than tasting the nasty “mint” flavoring.

Scratch the paint on your car? Brush a coat of clear nail polish over the scratch to prevent it from rusting until you are able to get it repaired.

Reset loose stones in inexpensive costume jewelry with a coat or two of clear nail polish. This also gives the jewels a little extra sparkle.

TOOTHPASTE – Used for making your teeth squeaky clean and sparkling white. But did you know…

You can brighten up your white tennis shoes with a toothbrush (one used for cleaning of course) and some whitening toothpaste. Just scrub and rinse.

No caulk on hand? Use a bit of (white) toothpaste. This works really well on small pinholes and white woodwork.

Use a spot of toothpaste to remove stains from carpet. Just brush it in the carpet, rinse and the stain will come right out.

Remove hairspray residue from your hair straightener or curling iron with a tad of toothpaste and a soft cloth. Since toothpaste is abrasive, you may not want to use this on ceramic models.

Overnight blemish cream. It works. Enough said.

Toothpaste can soothe pain from minor burns (that don’t involve an open wound). It has been said to temporarily relive the pain and actually prevents the wound from opening.

Use toothpaste to remove scratches from leather. Just dab some toothpaste on the scratch, wipe it off with a soft cloth then wipe the area with a damp cloth. Be sure not to use whitening toothpaste, as it might bleach the leather.

Get rid of the nasty onion smell on your hands by “washing” them with toothpaste.

Do you have any clever uses for everyday products? Let us know in the comments section. We’d love to add them to our list!

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