Real Simple
New Uses for Old Things
Laundry New Uses for Old Things

Laundry New Uses for Old Things

By Real Simple

Updated June 25, 2013

Skip gallery slides

James Wojcik

Surprising new spins on utility-room essentials.

Start Slideshow

1 of 46

Bleach Bottle as Dumbbell

Credit: James Wojcik

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

2 of 46

Clothespin 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.

3 of 46

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.

4 of 46

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.

5 of 46

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.

6 of 46

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.

7 of 46

Bleach Bottle as Cat Litter Scoop

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.

8 of 46

Chopsticks as Lint Remover

Credit: Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

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

9 of 46

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

10 of 46

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.

11 of 46

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

12 of 46

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.

13 of 46

Aluminum Foil as Wrinkle Remover

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.

14 of 46

Baby Powder as Stain Guard

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.

15 of 46

Baby Wipes as Stain Removers

Credit: Rick Lew

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

16 of 46

Binder Clip as Linens Organizer

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.

17 of 46

Clothespin as Placecard Holder

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.

18 of 46

Clothespin as Hanger

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.

19 of 46

Dryer Lint as Modeling Dough

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:

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

20 of 46

Dryer Sheet as Iron Cleaner

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.

21 of 46

Dryer Sheet as Shoe Freshener

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.)

22 of 46

Dryer Sheet as Static Stopper

Credit: James Baigrie

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

23 of 46

Flat Iron as Touch-Up Iron

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.

24 of 46

Baking Soda as Linen Freshener

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

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

25 of 46

Clothespin as Nail Holder

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.

26 of 46

Clothespin as Cord Keeper

Credit: James Baigrie

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

27 of 46

Clothespin as Holiday Card Display

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.

28 of 46

Dryer Sheet as Sawdust Clearer

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.

29 of 46

Dryer Sheet as Thread Detangler

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

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

30 of 46

Dryer Sheet as Scum Buster

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.

Account

More

Laundry New Uses for Old Things

1 of 46

Bleach Bottle as Dumbbell

1 of 46

2 of 46

Clothespin as Napkin Holder

2 of 46

3 of 46

Clothespin as Refrigerator Magnet

3 of 46

4 of 46

Clothespin as Cord Holder

4 of 46

5 of 46

Salt as Stain Remover

5 of 46

6 of 46

Colander as Laundry Aid

6 of 46

7 of 46

Bleach Bottle as Cat Litter Scoop

7 of 46

8 of 46

Chopsticks as Lint Remover

8 of 46

9 of 46

Collapsible Laundry Bins as Garbage Bins

9 of 46

10 of 46

Salt as Iron Cleaner

10 of 46

11 of 46

Pant Hanger as Lingerie Dryer

11 of 46

12 of 46

Tissue Paper as Wrinkle Preventer

12 of 46

13 of 46

Aluminum Foil as Wrinkle Remover

13 of 46

14 of 46

Baby Powder as Stain Guard

14 of 46

15 of 46

Baby Wipes as Stain Removers

15 of 46

16 of 46

Binder Clip as Linens Organizer

16 of 46

17 of 46

Clothespin as Placecard Holder

17 of 46

18 of 46

Clothespin as Hanger

18 of 46

19 of 46

Dryer Lint as Modeling Dough

19 of 46

20 of 46

Dryer Sheet as Iron Cleaner

20 of 46

21 of 46

Dryer Sheet as Shoe Freshener

21 of 46

22 of 46

Dryer Sheet as Static Stopper

22 of 46

23 of 46

Flat Iron as Touch-Up Iron

23 of 46

24 of 46

Baking Soda as Linen Freshener

24 of 46

25 of 46

Clothespin as Nail Holder

25 of 46

26 of 46

Clothespin as Cord Keeper