Top 10 Clever Reuse Ideas for Stuff You Already Have

Breathe new life into old things destined for the trash heap or surplus products you have laying around. Turns out the problem-solvers you need are common household products you've already got (vinegar, anyone?) -Tabitha Sukhai See Our Entire Archive of 10 Uses Galleries

• 1. Move Heavy Furniture Using Carpet Scraps

  

  Slide pieces of carpet pile-side down under-neath the legs of a bureau, bed, or dresser, then push it across the floor—much easier than lifting. 10 Uses for Carpet Scraps

• 2. Sprout Seeds With a Sponge

  

  Embed flax, radish, or other fast-growing seeds in a damp sponge and place it under an inverted glass bowl in a sunny location. Moisten occasionally. Once you notice seedlings, transfer them to soil. 10 Uses for Sponges

• 3. Cut a Custom Trowel Using a Spent Gift Card

  

  Why dirty a trowel when gluing down a few loose tiles? Instead, snip off one edge of a card with pinking shears to make a zigzag edge, use it to apply the mastic, then toss it. You can also cut the card to fit into just about any space. 10 Uses for Gift Cards

• 4. Use Charcoal to Freshen the Air

  

  Place charcoal, in open bowls or perforated plastic bags, in your fridge or drawers to banish odors. 10 Uses for Charcoal

• 5. Catch Paintbrush Drips With a Yogurt Container Lid.

  

  Cut a hole in a lid large enough for a paintbrush handle. Slip the handle through the opening, and paint mess-free. 10 Uses for Yogurt Containers

• 6. Use Sand to Add Some Grip to Exterior Paint

  

  In a bucket, combine 2 cups of paint with 3/4 cup of sand. Use the mixture to coat stair treads; let dry, then top them with a coat of regular paint.10 Uses for Sand

• 7. Make a Tangle-Free Twine Dispenser With a Plastic Planting Pot

  

  Put a ball of twine in a plastic pot, and pull the end through a hole in the bottom to keep it neat when using. 10 Uses for Plastic Plant Pots

• 8. Use Vinegar to Help Paint Stay Put

  

  Before painting galvanized metal or concrete, wipe down the object or surface with vinegar, using a sponge or lint-free cloth. This little trick will help your paint job last longer. 10 Uses for Vinegar

• 9. Use Chalk to Preserve Your Valuable Tools

  

  Rubbing chalk onto a metal file makes its teeth easier to clean by reducing their tendency to clog with soft metals. 10 Uses for Chalk

• 10. Use Old Garden Hoses to Get a Grip

  

  A piece slipped over a wire handle makes for a more sturdy and comfortable grip. 10 Uses for Garden Hoses