There are many things in your house that you probably take for granted. We bet you will be surprised when we tell you that even the most ordinary objects can help you in ways you had no idea were possible. Don’t believe us? Keep reading, and you will see exactly what we mean by that!
Here Is What You Did Not Know About Household Items You See Every Single Day
Wine Bottle Dip
It’s not a secret that wine bottles have a dip at the bottom. For your information, this is called the punt or the kick-up. The feature lets the container withstand the wind, hold in sparkling wine, and distribute steam for cleaning before the wine is added!
Wine Bottle Dip
Shirt Loops
Loops on shirts started in the Navy. Out at sea, they did not have closet space and just hang their clothes on hooks. In the ‘60s, it was a popular thing to do among college students to keep their shirts fresh when they went to the gym.
Shirt Loops
Colored Toothpaste Squares
Toothpaste tubes often have a blue, red, green, or black block at the bottom. What are they for? The “eye marks” are used in the assembly line machines. They are helpful because they marked which bits where meant to be folded and cut!
Colored Toothpaste Squares
Gas Gauge Arrow
Car owners probably know where the gas cap is. However, this is not the case if you drive a rental or borrowed car. It’s a good thing that new cars, those made from 2010 and onwards, have an arrow beside the gas gauge to tell you where it is.
Gas Gauge Arrow
Charcoal Purifies Air And Removes Odors
Activated bamboo charcoal is great if you want to get rid of odors, allergens, and bacteria. You only have to add them to mesh bags and then leave these things in areas that smell bad. No need for costly air purifiers!
Charcoal Purifies Air And Removes Odors
Random Jean Buttons
What are the extra buttons all over your jeans for? Called rivets, they were added to prevent the seams from wearing out. Apparently, Levi Strauss had them patented. He thought of this solution after hearing how miners complained about the way that their jeans wore out all the way in 1829.
Random Jean Buttons
Extra Fabric With New Clothes
It is not rare to see a small bag with a patch of fabric when you buy new clothes. They are not meant for tears. Instead, it is a trial piece that you can use to determine the best washing machine setting for the material in question.
Extra Fabric With New Clothes
Pot Handle Holes
Why is there a hole in the handle of your pot and pan? First of all, you can use it to hang them after they dry. Second, you can also put the stirring spoon and ladle there when you cook for sanitary reasons.
Pot Handle Holes
Extra Sneaker Holes
Do you know what the extra holes on your shoes are for? You can use it to tighten the laces when the pair is too big for your feet. Avoid blisters on your foot by creating a “heel lock” to make it fit better.
Extra Sneaker Holes
Winter Hat Pom-Poms
Do you like the pom-poms on your winter hats? Aren’t they cute? This practice started in Scandinavia. They still had to gather the seams after knitting it. The pom-poms were then added for this very reason.
Winter Hat Pom-Poms
Airplane Window Holes
Airplane windows have holes. There is no need to worry. The breather hole allows the plane’s outer panes to deal with the difference in pressure as the altitude goes higher. It lets the cabin remain safe!
Airplane Window Holes
Black Grating In The Microwave
On the microwave door, you will see the Faraday shield. This black grating prevents the electromagnetic fields from coming out and warming people! It also keeps these fields inside the oven to heat your food.
Black Grating In The Microwave
Dimples On Golf Balls
Golf balls have dimples on the surface, so they are not really round. It turns out that the nicks and dents let the balls travel further thanks to the turbulence. It is better to use than perfectly round ones!
Dimples On Golf Balls
Long Bottle Necks
Adult drinks come in long bottle necks for several reasons. It lets you pour the contents into a glass or mug easily. It also allows you to hold it for a long period of time. Lastly, it distributes the heat more evenly.
Long Bottle Necks
Can Tabs
Did you know that can tabs look that way because you can use them to hold your straws as well? In this day and age, no one uses a straw to drink from a can, however. It is pretty redundant in that sense.
Can Tabs
Takeout Boxes
We love getting Chinese takeout when we do not feel like cooking. Did you know that you can make a plate with the box? Simply tug at the sides of the carton and put it down on the table this way. Neat.
Takeout Boxes
Double Keyboard Bumps
If you are typing properly, your right index finger should lie on J and the left one on F. This is the reason there are bumps on those two keys. This way, you can figure out where the other keys are located.
Double Keyboard Bumps
Measuring Tape Metal
What is the metal slot at the end of the measuring tape for? You can put it around a nail to keep it in place if you need to work on your own. It is serrated, which makes sit good for marking the surface too.
Measuring Tape Metal
Pen Cap Holes
This is something you must be thankful for if you have a habit of chewing on your pen caps. They added holes to the design of pen caps so that you can still breathe when they swallow them by accident.
Pen Cap Holes
iPhone Camera Hole
You do not have a secret camera beside the back camera of your iPhone. It is actually a mic! The iPhone 5 and newer models also come with microphones on the speaker grill and at the bottom of the phone.
iPhone Camera Hole
Zigzag Side On Bobby Pins
Did you know that the wavy side of the bobby pin should be facing the scalp? It makes your hair seem neater and will stay in place for even longer. Most people use it the other way around, which is wrong.
Zigzag Side On Bobby Pins
Cable Cord Cylinders
The cylinder-like feature at the end of your cord is the ferrite core. It has magnetic iron oxide, which is good for preventing high-frequency electromagnetic interference. It wards off weird noises when you make your phone calls!
Cable Cord Cylinders
Apple Power Cord Wings
MacBook power cords come with wings at the bottom. You can pull them up, but what for? It turns out that you are meant to tie the cord around it to avoid messes, tangles, and accidents. How useful!
Apple Power Cord Wings
Blue Part On The Eraser
These erasers are commonly used by kids in school. Some say that the blue half erases pen ink. The truth is that it is for special, thicker paper! The other half is for regular loose-leaf or notebook paper.
Blue Part On The Eraser
Square Patches On Backpacks
You can use the square patch on your backpack to carry more stuff. It is great when your bag is already full to brimming. All you need to do is insert a string or rope through it and hang whatever you want.
Square Patches On Backpacks
Colorful Ice Cream Scoops
Ice cream scoops are so colorful, but it is not only eye candy. Each color has a corresponding scoop size. The sizes are classified by the number of scoops that will fit in each cup of ice cream. How cool is that?
Colorful Ice Cream Scoops
Brass Material For Door Knobs
Doorknobs are generally made of brass. This is because it is actually a material that is good at resisting bacteria buildup. It is important because a lot of people touch doorknobs over the course of the day.
Brass Material For Door Knobs
Bottle Cap Discs
There is a plastic disc below the soda cap. It might seem unnecessary, but we will have you know that it is important to keep the carbon dioxide inside the bottle! After all, we are sure you also hate flat soda.
Bottle Cap Discs
Rearview Mirror Tab
You need to check the rearview mirror often when you are on the road. When the headlights from behind blind you, you can just adjust the position of the mirror with the use of that tab at the bottom.
Rearview Mirror Tab
Lined Paper Margins
The margins on lined papers came from a time when rat infestations were common. In those days, rats would chew on the sides of papers. The margins prevented them from getting to the important parts.
Lined Paper Margins
Paper Condiment Bowls
Fries would not taste good if you did not eat them with a lot of ketchup! Do you have to run back to the refill station because the paper condiment cups were so small? You can actually unfold them like this.
Paper Condiment Bowls
Women’s Underwear Pocket
There are pockets in panties thanks to the excess fabric. They did not want to bother with stitching it closed, which is why some underwear has an excellent hiding spot. It is much better than extra seams!
Women’s Underwear Pocket
Plastic Cup Lids
Did you know that you can turn the plastic lid of your disposable cup into a coaster? The next time you want to enjoy your drink, make sure to do this to avoid messing up the table you are using. Fascinating!
Plastic Cup Lids
Holes In Padlocks
Many padlocks are placed outdoors. This is when the hole at the bottom comes in handy. It lets the water come in and out! In case the lock is jammed, you can also fix the issue by pouring oil down there.
Holes In Padlocks
Detachable Car Headrests
Did you know that you can actually detach the headrests in the front seats of the car? They decided to add this feature so that the passengers can break the window with the metal bars in an emergency.
Detachable Car Headrests
Solo Cup Lines
There are lines in solo cups to help you with your liquor. The lowest one shows one shot or an ounce. The one above it shows five ounces or a glass. The next one shows twelve ounces or a beer bottle!
Solo Cup Lines
Jerry Can Handles
Why are there three handles on Jerry cans anyway? It turns out that you should use the middle one when you carry it by yourself. The outer ones should be used when two of you carry it! This will distribute the fuel more evenly.
Jerry Can Handles
Coat Hangers Made With Wood
Wooden coat hangers will make your closet look good and get rid of creepy crawlies at the same time. Use them if you want moths and bugs to leave you alone. The cedar wood material is simply the best.
Coat Hangers Made With Wood
Juice Box Flaps
Did you know that there are top flaps on juice boxes because kids can hold them easily when you fold them outward! It will prevent slipping in most cases. Make sure to teach your little kid this nifty trick.
Juice Box Flaps
Holes In Your Converse
They added holes to the sides of your Converse shoes to let your feet breathe. Aside from that, they also let you use your laces in unconventional ways. It can make for a great way to express your creativity!
Holes In Your Converse
Screwdrivers, But Also Wrenches
Did you know that you can slide the end of a wrench over the top of a screwdriver? As a matter of fact, this is why the screwdriver was designed this way. This is useful when you deal with complicated angles.
Screwdrivers, But Also Wrenches
Medicine Bottle For Adults
Let us tell you how to de-childproof medicine bottles. There are bottles that have very useful caps. The only thing you need to do is to turn the bottle upside down. Just make sure your children don’t see it.
Medicine Bottle For Adults
TicTac Hack
Who would have thought that there was a built-in way to get a single TicTac? The cap was designed to do exactly that. You just need to tip the lid over and then open it. This is a spill-proof way to get a piece.
TicTac Hack
The Hole In Your Spaghetti Spoon
The holes in the spaghetti spoon can be used to drain the water, but did you know that it is also good when it comes to measuring? All you need to do is put the pieces of spaghetti in the holes to measure it.
The Hole In Your Spaghetti Spoon
Grooves Between Tire Treads
Make sure to keep an eye on the indents of your tires. They are useful when you need to figure out if it is time to replace the whole thing. When the tires are smooth, this means that it is high time to do so.
Grooves Between Tire Treads
Gas Pump Latch
The weird latch on the gas pump can be used for something very useful. Use this trick and you will no longer have to stand there and hold it in place. Simply lock the latch between the grooves and wait!
Gas Pump Latch
Toothpick Holder
There are built-in holders for your toothpicks. There are grooves on the sticks that you can break off easily. Just put it on the table and put the toothpick on top of it. This is both convenient and sanitary!
Toothpick Holder
Aluminum Foil Packaging
Your roll of aluminum foil probably comes with tabs that you can push in. You should do this if you want to lock the box to avoid it from moving as you try to get a sheet. This will give you a much easier time.
Aluminum Foil Packaging
Half Belt On Jackets
Half belts, like those on trench coats, were developed by the military to make oversized jackets that worked as blankets at the same time. The half belt gathered the extra fabric to let the soldiers walk!
Half Belt On Jackets
Utility Knife Cap
Did you know that you can take out the plastic cap at the end of the utility knife? It is quite important, as a matter of fact. Pull it out and you will find part of a new knife. All you have to do is break off the edge!
Utility Knife Cap
Stapler Plates
The anvil is what you call the metal plate of the stapler. When you flip it around, you can turn on the “temporary staple” setting instead! This means that the arms of the staples will face outward instead.
Stapler Plates
The Hole In Your Lollipop Stick
Lollipop sticks have a hole in them. You probably used it as a whistle in the past, but it is used to keep the candy in place. They add the melted candy to the mold and secure it by pouring it in the hole.
The Hole In Your Lollipop Stick
The Letter Arrangement On Your Keyboard
How come the keyboard is not arranged alphabetically? When typewriters were in, they did this. The thing is that people typed so fast the metal arms got stuck. Everyone is now used to the new setting, so there is no need to revert it.
The Letter Arrangement On Your Keyboard
Ridges In Audio Jack
There are ridges in the audio jack to keep the wire in place. Aside from that, it lets your headphone know which way to channel the music. There is a band for your right headphone and one for the left.
Ridges In Audio Jack
Silica Gel Packets
Your new purse or shoes probably came with silica gel packets. Inside these sachets, you will find a “desiccant” that prevents moisture and absorbs humidity. When you need to dry the phone you accidentally got wet, you can use this over rice.
Silica Gel Packets
Colorful Toothpaste
Aquafresh toothpaste is made up of white, red, and blue stripes. Did you know that the colors mean something? The blue one helps freshen and clean your breath. The red strip, meanwhile, is responsible for plaque control! It is fascinating to learn these things.
Colorful Toothpaste
The Mysterious Square In Your McFlurry Spoon
Do you know why the spoons for McFlurries have square holes in them? The truth is that the same spoon is used to make it. They attach it to the machine through the square, and it then stirs the topping and ice cream.
The Mysterious Square In Your McFlurry Spoon
TV Cable Hack
If you want highspeed TV without paying the bill, we have just the trick for you. You can save up to $200 a month by doing this! Thanks to tech disruptors, you can just use an electrical outlet and TV antennas to stream high-definition channels from ABC, NBC, FX, CBS, Fox, and PBS.
TV Cable Hack
Make Threading Needles Easier
Sewing is not that bad, but we bet everyone hates having to slide the thread through the eye of the needle. You can make this task much easier by first dipping the thread in nail polish to harden the tip.
Make Threading Needles Easier
Olive Oil: Not Just For Italian Food
Who would have thought that olive oil is not only good for your food? It can help improve your skin as well. When you are dealing with dry skin, simply put it on your face and body to give it a moisture boost.
Olive Oil: Not Just For Italian Food
Use A Tennis Ball For Parking Accuracy
When you park in your garage, you should not get complacent. Accidents can still happen, you know. You can avoid bumper and wall damage by adding a tennis ball that hangs from the roof! This will let you know when you should brake.
Use A Tennis Ball For Parking Accuracy
Strain Your Food With Tights
Do not be so hasty to throw away your old tights. You can actually use this piece of garment as a very effective food strainer. They work well since the holes are small enough to filter out various particles.
Strain Your Food With Tights
Groom Your Eyebrows With A Toothbrush
Did you know that you can do more with your toothbrush than just brush your teeth? It’s true. You can also use it to keep your eyebrows on fleek. This will be cheaper than the eyebrow brushes on sale at your cosmetic store. This is definitely a cheap but effective alternative.
Groom Eyebrows With A Toothbrush
Loosen Doors With Petroleum Jelly
Squeaky doors can be very bothersome. However, we doubt that you are willing to go to the hardware store just to fix it. Our tip is to add petroleum jelly to drawer tracks and door hinges to make the sound go away.
Loosen Doors With Petroleum Jelly
Mason Jars For Utensils
Mason jars are everywhere these days- especially Pinterest. It’s always good to have a few around the house since they can be used for anything! Whether you use a jar to hold utensils, pens, paper clips or food, mason jars sure do come in handy. Make yours unique with paint, glitter and yarn.
Mason Jars For Utensils
Color Code Your Keys
If you’re human, you probably get your keys mixed up all of the time. It only makes sense, they all look alike! Make sure you never get confused again by color coordinating each key. Nail polish is a great tool since it’s more permanent than a marker. Simply paint the head of each key in a different color and voilà: goodbye confusion.
Color Code Your Keys
Tennis Balls Can Protect Your Floors
Chairs not only make quite annoying noises when being pushed in and out, but they also damage your flooring. Tennis balls are a great fix to this seemingly unavoidable issue. Buy a pack of tennis balls and cut a slit in each then slide them onto the feet of your chairs.
Tennis Balls Can Protect Your Floors
Shine Furniture With Olive Oil
Wood is a tricky material- what is safe to clean it with and what isn’t? The worst part is that wood gets dirty quite quickly! If you’re worried about what products you can use to clean your kitchen table, opt for a bit of olive oil. Use a microfiber towel to apply it and say goodbye to dust and hello to a shiny surface!
Shine Furniture With Olive Oil
Dust Your Home With Old Tights
Have an old pair of tights lying around? Put them to good use as your new and improved duster! You can attach them to any object, or just use your hands. We recommend a sponge for larger surfaces and a knife for smaller ones.
Dust Your Home With Old Tights
DIY Baking Soda Air Freshener
Baking soda is good for just about everything, but it is especially good for absorbing odors. Mix with essential oil of your choice and you have your very own air freshener. Use a small bowl or jar and once finished, cover with a piece of cloth and secure with a rubber band or lid.
DIY Baking Soda Air Freshener
Use Tea Bags To Deodorize
Teabags do way more than just producing delicious tea. When finished with a teabag, let it dry for a few hours and place it in your refrigerator. No one likes lingering odors every time they open the fridge- kick those bad smells to the curb!
Use Tea Bags To Deodorize
Clean Your Dog’s Coat With Vinegar
Although vinegar is quite a nasty smell, so is a dirty dog! Vinegar is a great cleaning tool, especially for Fido’s thick curly coat. Simply mix a quart of water and one cup of vinegar and rub it into his/her fur. Rinse off and say hello to your good-smelling dog!
Clean Your Dog’s Coat With Vinegar
Depuff Your Eyes With Metal Spoons
Puffy eyes are inevitable, but we’re happy to say there’s a hack to combat it! Before bed, put 2 metal spoons in the freezer. Come morning, lay down and place them on your eyelids. The coldness will tighten the skin, increase blood flow, and reduce redness.
Depuff Your Eyes With Metal Spoons
New Uses For Baby Wipes
Baby wipes do far more than wipe kids behinds. Next time your computer screen or keyboard gets dirty, grab a baby wipe and get rid of all that grime and dust. You’ll thank us later.
New Uses For Baby Wipes
Don’t Throw Out Old Butter Wrappers
Who knew butter wrappers could come in handy? When you’re done with butter, keep the wrapper and put it in the fridge. You can use the wrapper in place of cooking spray. The wrapper will keep food from sticking to the pan.
Don’t Throw Out Old Butter Wrappers
Deter Bugs With Cinnamon
Although we love cinnamon, bugs are not the biggest fans. Forego expensive pesticides and opt for cinnamon instead. Cockroaches and ants will stay as far away from the smelly spice as possible. Also, who doesn’t love a cinnamon-smelling home?
Deter Bugs With Cinnamon
Kool-Aid Powder Can Substitute For Dishwasher Detergent
Kool-Aid can do way more than making us fat. Mix coarse salt, baking soda and 4 packets of Lemonade Kool-Aid. Now you won’t have to buy pricey dishwasher detergent- you just made your very own! Remember that only Lemonade flavor can be used because it contains citric acid: a good cleaning agent.
Kool-Aid Powder Can Substitute For Dishwasher Detergent
Soften Your Cuticles With Shampoo
End up with a fabulous manicure after soaking your cuticles in shampoo. Simply mix shampoo and warm water in a bowl and let your fingers soak for a few minutes. Both your nails and your skin will get the necessary moisture and you won’t have to waste too much shampoo. We recommend using the little bit left in the bottom of the bottle that would have otherwise gotten tossed.
Soften Your Cuticles With Shampoo
Reuse Cereal Bags
We’re all interested in reducing our plastic footprint- here’s one way how. The next time you finish a box of cereal, save the bag and reuse it for food storage. You can fill the bags with anything you like, or even use it as a lunch bag.
Reuse Cereal Bags
Chupa Chups
Chupa Cups is a popular lollipop brand that has an odd trademark: at the top of each lollipop stick is a hole. Why do you ask? We have the answer for you. When the candy is being made, this hole keeps the lollipop in place on the stick.
Chupa Chups
Heinz
Heinz bottles all have the number 57 on them…why is that anyway? The label is placed so consumers know where the best spot to hit the bottle to get the ketchup out is. What a clever trick! Remember: always hit 57!
Heinz
Staple Remover
Staple removers do more than just removing staples from paper. Adding keys to an already full key-ring can be quite the task; a staple remover can actually help! Never ruin a manicure or break a nail ever again!
Staple Remover
Clothing Hangers
Clothing hangers are obviously great for doing just that, but they also come in handy for organizing jewelry. You’ll be able to see all of your jewelry and best of all, you’ll never have tangled necklaces ever again!
Clothing Hanger
Rubberband
By learning how to paint a room yourself, you’ll never have to spend the money to hire a professional. It’s imperative, however, to make sure your paintbrush is not soaked in paint and to keep it contained (or else stain your hardwood floors). Simply wrap a rubber band around a can of paint and see the difference it makes.
Rubberband
Straws
Who else can’t keep their necklaces from getting tangled? Solve the problem by using a straw. Simply string the chain through the straw and say goodbye to tangles. It’s always a good idea to keep a few in your suitcase when traveling.
Straws
Safety Pins
Static can be quite annoying at times, stop it from happening with a safety pin. Pin it to the inner seam on your pant leg and you’ll never have to deal with static again! Just make sure the pin is closed or you’ll run the risking of poking yourself.
Safety Pin
Plastic Water Bottle
Easily transfer egg yolks with the help of an empty plastic water bottle. Squeeze a water bottle and slowly let the air out over the egg yolk. This will suck the yolk into the bottle and keep it there. Find the bowl you want to put the yolk in and squeeze.
Plastic Water Bottle
Button
Earrings are so small and are therefore misplaced quite often. Never lose an earring in your bag by attaching a pair to a button. Simply put the earring into one of the button’s holes and affix the back.
Button
Eyeglass Case
Small things often get misplaced, but you can prevent this from occurring. A great place to store little things is in your eyeglass case. It’s also a great way to make use of an item you may not have been using in the first place!
Eyeglass Case
Coin Ridges
Did you know that they added ridges to dimes and quarters to prevent a certain crime? We are talking about the time when coins were stamped according to their real value. People then shaved off the edges and made new coins!
Coin Ridges
Grocery Cart Loops
When grocery shopping, you need to take care of the more vulnerable items in your cart. You can use the loops on the fold-out section to keep them safe! Just hang the things that might get crushed there.
Grocery Cart Loops