11 Awesome Additional Uses For Everyday Objects

Things that do what you expect are good, but things that do more are awesome. Inspired by the new Lenovo Ideapad Yoga, useable in four awesome modes.

1. Keep earrings and brooches organized in ice cube trays

Suzanna Low / CC BY http://2.0 / flic.kr

Always losing track of small jewelry items? Keep them organized in ice cube compartments to keep them from going missing or getting tangle together. This trick also works great for small office supplies.

2. Clean your toilet with Alka Seltzer

Spencer E Holtaway / CC BY-ND http://2.0 / flic.kr

If you have company coming over on short notice and no time to run out and get bathroom cleaner, just throw a few tablets of Alka Seltzer or other effervescent medicine into the water. The fizzing action will knock lose any grime and with a quick swipe of a cleaning brush, your porcelain throne will be sparkling.

3. Keep your cables sorted with binder clips

Tony Unruh / CC BY-ND http://2.0 / flic.kr

Prevent cables from getting tangled and damaged on the ground by inserting them through the loops of binder clips attached to your desk.

4. Polish your copper pots with ketchup

Gina Jones / CC BY-ND http://2.0 / flic.kr

Keeping copper pots shining can be challenging, but several items in your fridge or pantry can get them looking as new. A solution of equal parts vinegar and flour does the trick, as well as good ol' ketchup. Just dip a soft cloth in the condiment and polish away.

5. Turn Coffee Filters Into Snack Bowls

Christian Kadluba / CC BY-SA http://2.0 / flic.kr

With their pretty shape and robust construction (not to mention oil-absorbing properties), coffee filters make the perfect container for putting out snacks at a party.

6. Remove dirt from your keyboard with a makeup brush

shu Kandace / CC BY http://2.0 / flic.kr

Unless you diligently step away from your keyboard while eating your lunch, you're bound to get crumbs in those tiny little nooks and crannies between the keys. Not only is a little bit gross, but it could also potentially damage your machine. If you don't have canned air on hand (and who does, really?) grab a small makeup brush and dust away!

7. Keep recipes in clear view with a pant hanger

BWFolsom / iStockphoto / Getty Images

No need to purchase one of those tricky cookbook protectors or risk getting your computer dirty by having it open in the kitchen - simply hanging a pant hanger and clipping a light recipe book, magazine, or recipe print out will keep it in your line of sight and away from harm all at once.

8. Shine Shoes With a Banana

Richard North / CC BY http://2.0 / flic.kr

This process might seem strange, but if you need to give your dress shoes some shine in a pinch, just rub the inside of a banana peel over the surface of the shoe and wipe clean with a soft cloth. The banana's skin is rich in potassium, an essential ingredient in common shoe polishes.

9. Turn a cereal bowl into an amplifier for personal music players

Keoni Cabral / CC BY http://2.0 / flic.kr

Place your smartphone or personal music player inside of a medium-sized glass bowl and it will instantly amplify the sound by as much as 40%, no strings attached.

10. Use white bread to remove greasy fingerprints from walls

mitchenall / CC BY http://2.0 / flic.kr

Natural oils and dirt are all-too-easily transferred to painted walls and wallpaper, and harsh cleaners can damage finishes. Thankfully, using a slice of white bread and gently rubbing it on the stain will lift it right up!

11. Turn an old pair of farsighted glasses into a fisheye lens

Anthony / CC BY http://2.0 / flic.kr

If you happen to find an old pair of strong farsighted eyeglasses at a thrift store, you're one stop closer to making a super simple fish eye lens for your SLR camera. Simply pop one of the lenses out of the frames, cover the top and bottom edges of the lens with electrical or masking tape, and fastened securely to your SLR's lens, making sure none of the tape touches the glass of your original camera lens. When shooting, keep your lens zoomed out as much as possible.

Inspired by the Lenovo Ideapad Yoga, useable in four awesome modes.

Via lenovo.com|649707&