MAKING LIFE EASIER

A list of the everyday items that can have multiple uses at home

MOST of us could use more storage – or less stuff. You could keep fewer products in your house by choosing items with multiple uses. The web is full of articles like “23 Extraordinary Uses for Pantihose”. However, I wanted to do better, to know which household products have the most – and most useful – alternative uses.

First, I searched for articles and blogs about amazing alternative uses for common household items. Then I searched to see which of those items was the subject of the most articles or longest lists.

I also instituted a “get real” rule: The alternative uses had to be tasteful and not too taxing.

I then curated tips to share only the best for each product.

Here are some of the most useful household products in our homes, according to the internet and me:

Baking soda We know to stick a box in the fridge, but sprinkling it in a stinky laundry basket also helps with odours.Use it to scrub your braai grid. A baking soda and water solution is most effective to wash pesticides from fruit and veggies. Clear nail polish It can be used to stop ladders in stockings, but it also keeps buttons from unravelling. Dab a tiny drop onto the loose thread at the centre of the button.

Paint over inexpensive jewellery so it won’t turn your skin green.

Coconut oil Remove sticky price tag residue by rubbing a 50-50 mixture of coconut oil and baking soda on the problem spot.

Emery board Use them to sharpen utility knife blades, tweezers and sewing machine needles.

Remove stains on suede shoes, clothing and more by gently buffing them with an emery board.

Use an emery board to remove little bumps on jerseys.

Lemons Running a lemon rind through your garbage disposal will remove odours. To deodorise your microwave, zap a bowl of water and half a lemon for five minutes.

The acid in lemon juice cuts through soap scum on shower doors and other bathroom spots.

Remove stains from mugs by filling them with lemon peel and warm water and allowing it to soak.

Mayonnaise If you have water rings on wooden furniture, dab on a little mayonnaise, let it sit for an hour, then wipe with a soft cloth. Repeat if necessary.

– Washingon Post

Use clear nail polish to stop runs in stockings and tights, and also to stop button threads from unravelling.