10 brilliant uses for plastic straws
Extend the life of a razor
Oops! You accidentally threw out the plastic cover that came with your razor. The save: Cut a straw into a 11⁄2"-long piece, then cut the piece open along one side and carefully slide it over the blade. The straw will protect the blade from moisture and air exposure that can lead to rust.
Spill-proof a coffee cup
If you’re worried the cup of joe you picked up at the drive-through will spill while you’re running errands, try this: Fold a straw in half and insert the V part into the spout of the cup. The straw will act as a stopper, preventing the hot liquid from escaping and making a mess in your car.
Caulk in hard-toreach places
You need to re-caulk a window, but you’re having a hard time squeezing the caulk into a tight spot. What can help: Slide a plastic straw over the nozzle of the tube of caulk and secure with duct tape. The thin, flexible straw will bend into any position so you can get the caulk into the crevice.
4 Remove a broken cork bit
The next time you open wine and the cork breaks off, leaving bits inside the bottle, simply grab a straw, hold it in the bottle directly above the floating piece of cork and place your index finger over the top of the straw. This will create a light suction that pulls the cork up into the straw so you can easily extract it.
Keep a necklace knot-free
Last time you went on vacation, you packed your favorite necklace, but it got tangled up in your luggage. Next time, outsmart knots with a straw. Unclasp the necklace, thread the chain through a straw, then refasten and pack in your luggage. The long plastic straw will keep the chain from tangling.
Create unique nail art
To jazz up an at-home manicure, paint nails as usual, let dry, then dip the end of a straw into another shade of polish. Place a finger on top of the straw and dab the other end on nails in several spots to create a polka-dot pattern.
Easily rethread a drawstring
Oops! When you washed your favorite pair of gym shorts, the drawstring slipped out of the waistband. To get it back in place, reach for a plastic straw. Thread the drawstring through the straw and slowly push the straw through the waistband. The long, flexible plastic will make it easy to guide the string through to the other side.
Neatly transport cooking spices
You’re in charge of preparing dinner on your family’s weekend camping trip, but packing full spice containers for a pinch of flavor seems excessive. An alternative: Fill a few straws with salt, pepper and other spices, then fold the ends over and staple or tape shut. The small, lightweight tubes will allow you to take just the amount you need. Then when you’re ready to season your meals, just cut open the straw.
Stop a toilet from running
Argh! The flapper chain in your toilet tank keeps getting tangled, which props open the valve, causing water to constantly run into the bowl. The simple fix: Cut a straw into a 6"-long piece, then slide it over the chain.
The plastic covering will prevent the chain from knotting, ensuring the valve closes properly after every flush. Problem solved!
10 Entertain a restless cat— for pennies!
Your kitty is bored of her old toys and getting into mischief around the house. Instead of buying her new playthings, tie a knot in the middle of a straw and toss it to your pal. She’ll love batting it around and chasing it across the floor. (Just be sure to supervise her playtime so she doesn’t try to eat the straw.)