Real Simple
New Uses for Old Things
New Uses for Things in the Bathroom

New Uses for Things in the Bathroom

By Real Simple

Updated February 25, 2015

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Credit: France Ruffenach

Fresh new spins on bathroom essentials.

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Electric Toothbrush as Grout Scrubber

Credit: France Ruffenach

Scour bathroom crevices with a battery-powered toothbrush.

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Soap as Zipper Unsticker

Credit: James Wojcik

Loosen a stuck zipper by rubbing a bar of soap along its teeth. The trick also works well on furniture drawers that are hard to budge.

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Cotton Balls as Teddy-Bear Stuffing

Credit: Grant Cornett

Has Paddington ripped and lost his padding? To add fluff, cram cotton balls behind the torn seam, then stitch him back up.

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Cotton Balls as Shoe Resizer

Credit: Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

Give roomy heels and ballet flats a perfect fit (so you don't pull a Cinderella) by filling in the toe area with some cotton balls.

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Shower Curtain as Picnic Blanket Liner

Credit: Monica Buck

Do dew diligence and layer a liner underneath a picnic blanket to avoid soggy bottoms and grass or mud stains.

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Cotton Ball as Rubber Glove Protector

Credit: James Baigrie

For leak-resistant gloves at your fingertips, push one cotton ball into the end of each finger of a dishwashing glove to keep sharp nails from splitting the rubber.

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Toilet Paper Tube as Wrapping Paper Holder

Credit: Photo, Erica McCartney; Styling, Kristine Trevino

Slide empty toilet paper tubes over wrapping paper to keep it from unraveling.

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Shower Curtain Liner as Child’s Smock

Credit: Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

Finger-painting on the day’s agenda? Cut a new shower curtain liner in half or in fourths, and then cut a hole in the center for your little one’s head to pop through.

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Hair Dryer as Mirror Defogger

Credit: Levi Brown

After a steamy shower, clear the bathroom mirror with a quick blast of hot or cold air.

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Conditioner as Shaving Cream

Credit: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Lighten your carry-on load and sub conditioner for shaving cream.

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Deodorant as Blister Preventer

Credit: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Make breaking shoes in less of a pain. Rub clear-gel deodorant on spots prone to blistering before you step out in a stiff new pair.

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Q-Tip as Makeup Brush

Credit: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Artfully dab on costume makeup without getting your good makeup brushes dirty.

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Baby Oil as Paint Remover

Credit: Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Dab some baby oil on splatters to remove latex paint from skin.

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Contact Lens Case as Travel Spice Holder

Credit: Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Pack small amounts of salt, pepper, and spices for a camping trip.

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Dental Floss as Picture Hanger

Credit: Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Hang a lightweight painting. Wrap one end of a strand of floss several times around one of a pair of screws or hooks attached to either side of the back of the frame. Wrap the other end around the remaining screw or hook, leaving some slack. Knot the ends and hang from a nail.