It’s funny how often the little things around the house end up being the most useful. A rubber band, an old toothbrush, a clothespin, or even a tea bag can fix a small problem that’s been annoying you all week.

Most everyday household problems don’t call for an expensive gadget or a special tool. There’s a good chance you already have something nearby that can help. Maybe you need to loosen a stubborn jar, clean a tight corner, get rid of an unpleasant smell, or deal with a minor repair before it turns into a bigger one.

Before buying another single-use gadget, look through your drawers, cabinets, and cleaning supplies. You might already have what you need. Here are some surprisingly useful household items worth keeping around.

Hair Dryer to Remove Stubborn Stickers

That sticker on a jar or picture frame may look like it’s never coming off cleanly, but a hair dryer can make the job much easier.

Hold the dryer a few inches away and warm the sticker for about 20 to 30 seconds on a moderate setting. The heat softens the adhesive, making it easier to peel away without leaving as much paper behind.

Go slowly, especially on painted, plastic, or delicate surfaces. A little heat is usually all you need.

Ice Cube Tray for Drawer Organization

An ice cube tray can do a lot more than hold frozen water. Drop one into a messy junk drawer and use the compartments for paper clips, screws, earrings, buttons, or other small items.

Instead of everything rolling around together, each type of item gets its own little spot. It’s a quick fix for a drawer that always seems to turn into a mess.

Lemon for Microwave and Cutting Board Odors

A lemon can come in handy when your microwave needs a quick freshening up.

Squeeze half a lemon into a bowl of water and add the lemon halves. Microwave it for about three minutes, then let the bowl sit for a few minutes so the steam can loosen stuck-on food. Wipe the inside of the microwave afterward.

You can also rub the cut side of a lemon over a wooden cutting board to freshen it and help with lingering food smells. Wash the board afterward and let it dry fully.

Baking Soda for Slow Drains

A slow drain can be annoying long before it becomes a bigger plumbing issue. Baking soda and vinegar are sometimes useful for light buildup and odors.

Pour about half a cup of baking soda down the drain, add vinegar, and let it fizz for around 15 minutes. Follow with hot water.

This method won’t fix every clogged drain, especially if there’s a deeper blockage, but it can be worth trying for a minor slowdown.

Coffee Grounds to Absorb Odors

Don’t toss those used coffee grounds just yet. Once they’ve dried completely, they can be placed in a small bowl or breathable pouch to help with smells in places such as the refrigerator, closet, or near the trash can.

They’re especially handy for small areas where food smells tend to hang around. Just make sure the grounds are completely dry before storing them, since damp grounds can grow mold.

Rubber Bands for Better Grip

Rubber bands are one of those things most people have in a drawer but rarely think about until they need one.

Wrap a rubber band around a stubborn jar lid to give your hand more traction. You can also stretch one around a door handle to keep a latch from clicking shut when you need a door to stay open during a gathering.

For such a small item, rubber bands have plenty of uses around the house.

Tea Bags for Shoe Odor

Dry, unused tea bags can help with musty smells inside shoes. Place one in each shoe overnight and remove them in the morning.

Tea bags can absorb some moisture and odors, making this an easy trick for shoes that could use a little freshening. Black tea is often suggested for this because of its tannins, but the main benefit comes from keeping the bags dry and letting them sit inside the shoes.

Aluminum Foil to Sharpen Scissors

If your scissors aren’t cutting as cleanly as they used to, aluminum foil is an old trick worth trying.

Fold a sheet several times so you have multiple layers, then make a series of cuts through the foil. Try around 10 to 20 cuts, then test the scissors on paper or another material they’re meant to cut.

This can help with mildly dull scissors, but badly damaged or heavily worn blades may need proper sharpening or replacement.

Old Toothbrush for Grout

An old toothbrush deserves a second life before it heads to the trash. The small head and firm bristles make it useful for scrubbing grout, faucet bases, corners, and other tight spots.

For dirty grout, try a paste made from baking soda and water, then scrub with the toothbrush. Rinse the area afterward.

Just keep old cleaning toothbrushes separate from the ones anyone uses for brushing teeth.

Related: How to Clean Your Tile Grout

Soap Bar for Squeaky Hinges

A squeaky door doesn’t always require a trip to the hardware store. If you have a plain bar of soap, rub a small amount along the hinge area and move the door back and forth.

The soap can reduce friction and quiet a minor squeak. If the noise keeps coming back, the hinge may need a proper lubricant or may have another issue that needs attention.

Lip Balm for Stuck Zippers

A stuck zipper can usually be freed with a little patience. A small amount of waxy lip balm rubbed along the zipper teeth can help reduce friction.

Move the zipper back and forth gently instead of forcing it. Too much pressure can damage the teeth or pull the zipper slider off track.

Use only a tiny amount so you don’t leave a greasy mark on the fabric.

Toothpicks for Seedling Support

Small seedlings can have trouble staying upright, especially when they’re still developing strong stems.

A toothpick can work as a tiny temporary support. Place it in the soil beside the seedling and loosely tie the stem to it with soft thread or another gentle material. Don’t tie it tightly, since the stem needs room to grow.

Once the plant is sturdy enough to stand on its own, remove the support.