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  1. Real Simple
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  4. Laundry New Uses for Old Things

Laundry New Uses for Old Things

Real Simple Author
By Real Simple Editors Updated June 25, 2013
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Bleach Bottle as Dumbbell
Credit: James Wojcik
Surprising new spins on utility-room essentials.
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Bleach Bottle as Dumbbell

Bleach Bottle as Dumbbell
Credit: James Wojcik

Outfit a home gym by filling two empty bottles with sand and using them as dumbbells.

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Clothespin as Napkin Holder

New use: laundry clip as napkin holder
Credit: Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Use a clothespin to keep napkins neatly stacked at a cocktail party—or from blowing away at a picnic.

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Clothespin as Refrigerator Magnet

Clothespin as Refrigerator Magnet
Credit: Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Turn your fridge or stove hood into a memo board. Glue a magnet to the back of a pin and use it to hold reminders, invitations, and photos.

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Clothespin as Cord Holder

Clothespin as Cord Holder
Credit: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Keep a retractable cord from rewinding too soon. Just clip the cord near the opening to prevent the cord from being sucked back in too quickly.

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Salt as Stain Remover

Salt as Stain Remover
Credit: Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Remove coffee and tea stains from the insides of cups by rubbing with a salted citrus peel.

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Colander as Laundry Aid

Colander as Laundry Aid
Credit: Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Hand-launder delicates. A colander shields them from any residue in the sink that can harm the fabric, such as peroxide from toothpaste or caustic agents from cleansers.

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Bleach Bottle as Cat Litter Scoop

Bleach Bottle as Scooper
Credit: Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Cut diagonally across the middle of an empty, clean bottle, toss the base, and use the half with the handle to scoop up soil or cat litter.

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Chopsticks as Lint Remover

Chopsticks as Lint Remover
Credit: Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Pluck the lint buildup from a clothes dryer's trap.

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Collapsible Laundry Bins as Garbage Bins

Collapsible laundry bins as garbage bins
Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

During seasonal cleaning binges, soft-sided, handled laundry bins can double as trash cans. Submitted by: HookemSuz

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Salt as Iron Cleaner

Salt as Iron Cleaner
Credit: Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Eliminate sticky residue from an iron. Run the hot iron (no steam) over plain paper sprinkled with salt.

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Pant Hanger as Lingerie Dryer

Pant hanger as lingerie dryer
Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Hang bras, hosiery, and other small items that can't go in the dryer on a mulit-level pant hanger for a compact drying rack. Submitted by: Bettys187

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Tissue Paper as Wrinkle Preventer

Tissue paper as wrinkle preventer
Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Avoid ironing while on the road. Pack clothes between layers of tissue paper and they’ll arrive wrinkle-free.

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Aluminum Foil as Wrinkle Remover

Ironing with foil under garment
Credit: Quentin Bacon

To get wrinkles out of silk, wool, and rayon clothes that can't take direct heat, place a piece of foil on your ironing board, then lay the garment flat over it. With the steam button down, pass the iron three to four inches over the fabric several times. Wet heat radiating from the foil helps smooth out wrinkles.

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Baby Powder as Stain Guard

Baby powder, white shirt and iron on an ironing board
Credit: Monica Buck

Sprinkle a little on the shirt’s underarms and collar, then iron to prevent sweat stains on white shirts. The powder forms a barrier that keeps oil and grime from seeping into the threads.

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Baby Wipes as Stain Removers

Baby wipe used to clean deodorant off of a sweater
Credit: Rick Lew

Has your deodorant left its mark? A baby wipe works to lift those hard-to-remove stains.

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Binder Clip as Linens Organizer

Clips and papers on a table
Credit: Monica Buck

Store sets of napkins clipped together and they’ll always be ready to set the scene at dinnertime. You'll restore order to your linen closet and save minutes searching for elusive matching colors.

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Clothespin as Placecard Holder

place-cards
Credit: Tara Donne

Let guests locate their seats in a creative way. Clip a miniature clothespin to the bottom of each paper to create the base for a rustic escort card display.

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Clothespin as Hanger

Dress hung with clothespins
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Use clips to prevent silky sleeveless shirts and dresses from slipping off the hanger. And you can say goodbye to wrinkled sundresses on the closet floor.

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Dryer Lint as Modeling Dough

Dryer Lint Elephant
Credit: Aimee Herring

Since you most likely have it in abundance, use it to make homemade modeling dough. Simply mix the lint with water and flour (and, if you prefer, food coloring), as directed below for an ear-resistible sculpture of Dumbo.

To make the modeling dough:

  1. Place 3 cups (shredded) dryer lint into a pot.
  2. Pour in 2 cups water.
  3. Stir in 1 cup flour.
  4. Add ½ teaspoon vegetable oil.
  5. Stir continuously over low heat until the mixture binds together and is of a smooth consistency.
  6. Pour onto a sheet of wax paper to cool.

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Dryer Sheet as Iron Cleaner

Dryer sheets with an iron
Credit: Sang An

Remove gunk from the soleplate of an iron. With the setting on low, rub the iron over the dryer sheet until the residue disappears, and you're left with a pristine press.

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Dryer Sheet as Shoe Freshener

0202leather-shoe
Credit: Rick Lew

Roll up one sheet per slipper, sneaker, or loafer, insert, and forget about stinky shoes. (Bonus uses: Toss them in hampers, on closet shelves, in diaper bags.)

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Dryer Sheet as Static Stopper

Woman using a dryer sheet to remove static cling
Credit: James Baigrie

Stop static cling on clothes—or tame flyaway hair—by rubbing a sheet over the problem area.

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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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Baking Soda as Linen Freshener

Baking soda used as linen freshener
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Place an open box of baking soda alongside your stacks of sheets and towels to stave off mustiness.

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Clothespin as Nail Holder

Clothespin used to hold nails
Credit: James Wojick

Avoid hammer accidents (and protect your thumb!) when hanging a picture by using a clothespin to securely hold the nail instead of your two fingers.

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Clothespin as Cord Keeper

Clothespin used to corral retractable power cord
Credit: James Baigrie

The secret to keeping a retractable cord from rewinding too soon is to clip the cord near the opening.

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Clothespin as Holiday Card Display

Clothespin holiday card holder
Credit: Ellen Silverman

Adhere a wide grosgrain ribbon to the wall with double-sided mounting tape, then attach holiday cards up and down it for a jolly–and changeable—seasonal exhibit. Both regular-size and mini clothespins will work.

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Dryer Sheet as Sawdust Clearer

dryer sheet used to wipe sawdust
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

An easy way to keep the work area clean. Saw dust at a work station sweeps up so fast with one pass of a used fabric softener sheet.

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Dryer Sheet as Thread Detangler

Dryer sheet thread detangler
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

To prevent tangles, run a threaded needle through a sheet before you begin stitching.

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Dryer Sheet as Scum Buster

Dryer sheet used to remove soap scum
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Remove obstinate soap buildup from glass shower doors by sprinkling a few drops of water onto a used fabric-softener sheet and scrubbing.

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Dryer Sheet as Drawer Sachet

Dryer sheet used as drawer freshener
Credit: James Baigrie

If fabric-softener sheets make your clothes smell nice in the dryer, just think about what they could do in your dresser. Slip a few fresh ones between folded clothes.

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Dryer Sheet as Book Deodorizer

Dryer sheet used as book deodorizer
Credit: James Baigrie

Prevent your beloved volumes from acquiring a musty smell by inserting a fabric-softener sheet between the pages.

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Lemon as Laundry Brightener

Lemon used to brighten whites
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Skip the bleach—add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of lemon juice to the wash cycle to brighter up those fading whites.

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Lingerie Bag as Sock Reuniter

Lingerie laundry bag used to store single socks
Credit: MANFRED KOH FOR THE TIME INC. DIGITAL STUDIO

Rematch separated socks by stashing singles in a lingerie bag in the closet to await their mates.

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Salad Spinner as Sweater Dryer

Salad spinner used to dry sweater
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Speed the drying process for a favorite sweater. After hand-washing the garment, twirl it in the spinner to take out excess water.

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Umbrella as Drying Rack

Umbrella used as laundry rack
Credit: James Wojick

Air-dry laundry. When a worn out umbrella has lost the capacity to fend off raindrops, cut away the fabric and hang the frame upside down from a rod or a door knob. Clip damp delicate items to the ribs with clothespins.

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Washing Machine as Drink Chiller

Washing machine used as beverage cooler
Credit: Andrew Mccaul

Fill the tub with ice and extra bottles of beer and wine so you don't have to empty the refrigerator to make room for party supplies. Bonus: The melted ice neatly drains right through the machine's holes.

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Laundry Bag as Dishwashing Aid

Dishwasher bag
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Keep mini Tupperware lids, baby-bottle caps, and other small items from falling through the dishwasher rack. You'll save time by no longer diving for treasure on the floor of the dishwasher.

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Lingerie Bag as Extra Storage

Lingerie bag used as extra storage
Credit: Burcu Avsar

Stash swimsuits or sports bras in a mesh bag, thread a hanger through one of the holes, and hang in your closet. Finding all those little bits and pieces will be a cinch.

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Salt as Wine Stain Remover

woman with stain on her blouse
Credit: Monica Buck

Lift red wine stains from washables with this fix: Stretch fabric over a bowl, cover with salt, and then carefully pour boiling water over it.

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Shower Caddy as Laundry Room Storage

Shower caddy stocked with laundry products
Credit: James Baigrie

Stock laundry room supplies over a doorknob so you know when to reload. Detergent, softener, and clothespins fit neatly in the dividers.

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Baby Shampoo as Lingerie Detergent

Baby Shampoo as Lingerie Detergent
Credit: James Wojcik

Baby shampoo is gentle on more than just your little one's eyes. It's perfect for lingerie too. Get the article wet, lather a pea-size amount of it into your hands and wash, as suggested, then air-dry.

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Clothespin as Bookmark

Clothespin as Bookmark
Credit: James Wojcik

Hold your place­–and the page–in a cookbook while you’re busy mixing ingredients.

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Clothespin as Towel Labels

Clothespin as Towel Labels
Credit: James Wojcik

Track guests’ towels. When “his” and “hers” doesn’t cover it, give visitors color-coded pins (or write names on wooden ones) to attach to their bath towels.

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Dryer Sheet as Gym Bag Deodorizer

Dryer Sheet as Gym Bag Deodorizer
Credit: James Wojcik

A sheet at the bottom of a gym bag will help keep odor down.

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Vinegar as Sweater Fluffer

Vinegar as Sweater Fluffer
Credit: James Wojcik

Fluff up wool sweaters by adding a few capfuls of vinegar to the rinse cycle.

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    1 of 46 Bleach Bottle as Dumbbell
    2 of 46 Clothespin as Napkin Holder
    3 of 46 Clothespin as Refrigerator Magnet
    4 of 46 Clothespin as Cord Holder
    5 of 46 Salt as Stain Remover
    6 of 46 Colander as Laundry Aid
    7 of 46 Bleach Bottle as Cat Litter Scoop
    8 of 46 Chopsticks as Lint Remover
    9 of 46 Collapsible Laundry Bins as Garbage Bins
    10 of 46 Salt as Iron Cleaner
    11 of 46 Pant Hanger as Lingerie Dryer
    12 of 46 Tissue Paper as Wrinkle Preventer
    13 of 46 Aluminum Foil as Wrinkle Remover
    14 of 46 Baby Powder as Stain Guard
    15 of 46 Baby Wipes as Stain Removers
    16 of 46 Binder Clip as Linens Organizer
    17 of 46 Clothespin as Placecard Holder
    18 of 46 Clothespin as Hanger
    19 of 46 Dryer Lint as Modeling Dough
    20 of 46 Dryer Sheet as Iron Cleaner
    21 of 46 Dryer Sheet as Shoe Freshener
    22 of 46 Dryer Sheet as Static Stopper
    23 of 46 Flat Iron as Touch-Up Iron
    24 of 46 Baking Soda as Linen Freshener
    25 of 46 Clothespin as Nail Holder
    26 of 46 Clothespin as Cord Keeper
    27 of 46 Clothespin as Holiday Card Display
    28 of 46 Dryer Sheet as Sawdust Clearer
    29 of 46 Dryer Sheet as Thread Detangler
    30 of 46 Dryer Sheet as Scum Buster
    31 of 46 Dryer Sheet as Drawer Sachet
    32 of 46 Dryer Sheet as Book Deodorizer
    33 of 46 Lemon as Laundry Brightener
    34 of 46 Lingerie Bag as Sock Reuniter
    35 of 46 Salad Spinner as Sweater Dryer
    36 of 46 Umbrella as Drying Rack
    37 of 46 Washing Machine as Drink Chiller
    38 of 46 Laundry Bag as Dishwashing Aid
    39 of 46 Lingerie Bag as Extra Storage
    40 of 46 Salt as Wine Stain Remover
    41 of 46 Shower Caddy as Laundry Room Storage
    42 of 46 Baby Shampoo as Lingerie Detergent
    43 of 46 Clothespin as Bookmark
    44 of 46 Clothespin as Towel Labels
    45 of 46 Dryer Sheet as Gym Bag Deodorizer
    46 of 46 Vinegar as Sweater Fluffer

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