ThinkstockMayonnaise

As you look around your house, there may be some things you don’t use often, or others that you use for a single purpose. But open your eyes and think outside the box for other ways you can use some common household items.

From the kitchen

• Jumbo drinking straws make ideal supports for flower stems in a bouquet. Simply slide the stem of tulips, daffodils, etc., into a large straw and trim the length as needed to arrange the flowers.

• Rubber gloves provide “grip” for opening jars with hard-to-undo lids.

• Colanders, designed for draining pasta and washed veggies, can have another kitchen function as a drying rack for cake pops. Simply turn the colander upside down and place the sticks into the holes. This supports the cake balls while they dry after frosting. Or, move the colander into the bathroom/laundry room and use it to drain water from hand-washed items.

• Coffee filters are perfect to use between stacked china plates to prevent scratches. They’re also great to use as a small snack bowl for popcorn or chips to hold a single-size serving.

• Mayonnaise is helpful for removing water rings on a wood table. Simply spread the mayo over the discoloration, let it sit for a few hours and wipe clean.

• Spaghetti strands (uncooked, of course) are ideal for lighting hard-to-reach candle wicks.

• Empty ketchup bottles are great for filling with pancake batter. Not only does the bottle provide a means of portioning out the batter into the pan with a simple squeeze, but excess batter can be stored in the refrigerator for future use.

• Single-serve packs of mustard, ketchup and soy sauce from takeout restaurants can be frozen to provide mini ice packs for children’s boo-boos.

• Plastic bread closure tabs get a new life when used on tape rolls. Add one to the cut end of masking, painter’s or duct tape, and you’ll be certain to find the tape’s starting point in no time.

• Olive oil makes an ideal lubricant for a stuck zipper. Just put a drop on the zipper (avoiding the adjacent fabric) and rub to unlock the teeth or slider.

From the office

• Rubber bands are ideal for stretching over an open paint can, top to bottom. The band provides a way to remove excess paint from the brush before stroking on the wall, preventing drips.

• Sticky notes can be reused to clean your computer keyboard. After you’re done with the to-do list, pick up those crumbs, dust and bits of whatever between the keys with the paper’s adhesive surface.

From the bathroom

• Dental floss has several uses outside its normal habitat. Use it to sew on buttons on items with hard use, like outdoorwear, as it’s stronger than ordinary thread. Move some to the kitchen to slice soft cheeses or delicate pastries. To remove cookies stuck to the pan, slide a piece of dental floss under the cookie — no crumbles.

• Baby wipes clean more than bums. Use them to clean phones, computer keyboards, faucets, purses, etc. They provide individualized cleaners for most surfaces around the home.

• Toothpaste has myriad cleaning roles, from chrome faucets to silver jewelry. In addition, it can be used to help relieve the itch of mosquito bites or rubbed onto hands to help remove odors like garlic or onion.

• Toothbrushes can be readily recycled to clean small, hard-to-reach spaces, like tile grout, jewelry, etc. Think of them as tiny scrub brushes.

• Emery boards work wonders for removing scuff marks from suede bags and shoes.

• Disposable razors are ideal for removing pills from sweaters or sweatshirts.

From the outdoors

• Pool noodles make perfect bumpers to keep small children in bed without them tumbling out. Place the noodle at the sides and/or end of the bed and stretch a fitted sheet over the top. The raised surface serves as a barrier to prevent falls.

• Window squeegees can be used to remove pet hair from furniture and carpets. The rubberized surface grabs the hair and makes it easy to dispose of.

Take a closer look around the house see if there are other unorthodox uses for household items.

— Reporter: gwizdesigns@aol.com