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  1. Real Simple
  2. New Uses for Old Things
  3. 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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Toothbrush used to scour bathroom
Credit: France Ruffenach
Fresh new spins on bathroom essentials.
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Electric Toothbrush as Grout Scrubber

Toothbrush used to scour bathroom
Credit: France Ruffenach

Scour bathroom crevices with a battery-powered toothbrush.

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Soap as Zipper Unsticker

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

Teddy bear opened up with cotton ball stuffing showing
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

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

Shower curtain liner used under picnic blanket
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

Cotton balls, rubber gloves and soap on a sink
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

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

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

New Use: Blow 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

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

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

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

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

Contact Lens Case as 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

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.

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Dental Floss as DIY Popcorn Garland

Dental floss as garland
Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

String a popcorn garland for the holidays (after a pit-stop in the medicine cabinet).

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Locked Cosmetic Bag as Childproof Storage

Locked cosmetic bag as childproof storage
Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Put medications in a locked cosmetic case for an easy way to keep curious kids away from poking around the medicine cabinet.

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Toothbrush Holder as Vase

Toothbrush holder as vase
Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Don’t have a vase small enough to display those pretty buds you picked? A seldom used toothbrush holder fits a small arrangement perfectly.

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Silverware Holder as Bathroom Drawer Organizer

Silverware holder as bathroom organization
Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Use a utensil tray in your bathroom drawer to keep small items like tweezers, nail clippers, and makeup brushes organized. Submitted by: Margaret2580

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Metal Magazine Rack as Towel Holder

Metal magazine rack as towel holder
Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Roll pool towels and store them vertically, so your kids can grab one before taking a swim.

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Suitcase as Toiletry Container

Suitcase as toiletry container
Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Keep extra travel-sized toothpaste, shampoo, cotton balls and other personal items in an old suitcase. With a trunk full of toiletries, you'll never run out of necessities. Plus, you'll save valuable shelf space for the things you use every day.

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Ice Bucket as Hair Dryer Holder

Ice bucket as hair dryer holder
Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Store your hairdryer in an ice bucket to add a decorative touch to your bathroom and keep the counter tidy.

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Baby Wipe Container as Yarn Holder

Baby wipe container as yarn holder
Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Don’t let your yarn get crossed. Use an empty baby wipes container to keep yarn clean and tangle-free.

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Gravy Boat as Unique Soap Dish

Gravy boat as soap dish
Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Fill an antique gravy boat with a bar of soap to transform it into an elegant soap dish.

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Bar of Soap as Pretty Pincushion

Stick needles and pins in a wrapped bar of soap. The soap’s oils make the pointy ends glide through fabric “sew” easily.

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Beer Koozie as Shaving-Cream Holder

Beer koozie as shaving-cream holder
Credit: James Wojcik

Protect your bathtub rim from rust rings by slipping this foamy college relic over a can of Barbasol (rather than Budweiser).

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Baby Oil as Chrome Polish

Baby oil, a cloth and faucet
Credit: Kana Okada

Forget keeping skin soft, baby oil also polishes chrome. Apply a dab to a cotton cloth and use it to shine everything from faucets to hubcaps. You'll end up with shiny, happy surfaces from a medicine-cabinet staple. (Who actually owns chrome cleaner, anyway?)

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Cotton Ball as Flower Plug

Flower stems stuffed with cotton
Credit: John Lawton

Help hollow-stemmed blooms, like daffodils, delphiniums, and amaryllis, soak up water and stay hydrated longer with this fresh idea: Cut the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle, turn the stem upside down, fill it with water, and stuff it with a piece of cotton.

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Flat Iron as Ribbon Smoother

0606blue-ribbon
Credit: Beatriz da Costa

Get the kinks out of wrinkled wrapping ribbons that were tied around your birthday presents for recycled bows without the telltale creases from the previous gift box.

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Flat Iron as Touch-Up Iron

Straightening iron and dress shirt
Credit: Kana Okada

No time to drag out your iron and ironing board? A straightening iron works perfectly between buttons where a regular iron doesn’t fit. And it smooths collar creases and minor wrinkles. So you can look perfectly pressed when you're pressed for time.

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Dental Floss as Cheese Slicer

Slice cheese with dental floss
Credit: Rick Lew

Use floss to slice soft cheese, cake, and hard-boiled eggs. (Or try it as a substitute for kitchen twine to truss a chicken.) It's hygienic, neat, and cheap. Unwaxed works best, and of course you know better than to mix mint-flavored with a vintage Gorgonzola.

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Hair Clip as Towel Securer

Hair clip towel holder
Credit: Formula Z/S

Maintain some modesty in the locker room. Hold towel in place with a clawlike clip post-shower.

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Baby Oil as Necklace Detangler

Baby oil used to untagle necklace
Credit: Rick Lew

Rub a few drops of baby oil into each knot and work them gently free with a straight pin.

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