I swear bobby pins have a way of multiplying when you’re not looking.

You buy a pack, use a few for your hair, and somehow there are still dozens left years later. They turn up in bathroom drawers, old purses, cabinets, and random places around the house. I’ve even found them stuck in the carpet.

Most of us only think of bobby pins as something we use to keep our hair in place. But they’re actually pretty useful little things to have around. They’re small, sturdy, flexible, and easy to grab when you need a quick fix.

You might be surprised by how often a bobby pin can help with a small household problem, a clothing mishap, or a job that normally calls for a tool you can’t find.

Before you throw that extra pack in the junk drawer and forget about it, here are some clever ways to use those bobby pins.

Save Your Fingers When Hammering a Nail

Trying to hold a tiny nail steady while swinging a hammer toward it is a good way to smack your finger. A bobby pin can give your fingers some extra distance. Clip the nail with the bobby pin and hold the pin instead of the nail. Give the nail a few light taps until it’s secure enough to stay on its own.

Then slide the bobby pin away and finish hammering. It’s especially handy for small nails that are difficult to hold onto.

Replace a Broken Zipper Pull on the Spot

A broken zipper pull always seems to happen when you’re already running late. If the pull snaps off, thread a bobby pin through the opening on the zipper slider. You can use the pin as a temporary pull until you have time to replace it.

It’s not exactly a permanent repair, but it can save you from fighting with a zipper that has nothing to grab onto. This works for jackets, backpacks, purses, and other bags.

Find the End of a Tape Roll in Two Seconds

Trying to find the edge of clear tape after you’ve used it is one of those tiny annoyances that can make you lose your patience. Here’s an easy fix: before putting the tape away, slide a bobby pin underneath the loose end.

The next time you need the tape, you’ll be able to spot the edge right away. No scratching at the roll with your fingernail or cutting off a piece just to find where the tape starts.

Open Stubborn Plastic Seals Without a Knife

Some plastic seals are surprisingly difficult to get a grip on, especially if you don’t have much of a fingernail to work with. The open end of a bobby pin can help get things started. Place it near the perforated section of the seal and carefully lift the edge.

Once you’ve got a little bit of the seal up, it becomes much easier to pull away. It’s a handy trick for those packages that make you wonder why opening them has to be so difficult. Just be careful with the sharp end of the pin and keep it pointed away from your fingers.

Use It as a Mini Screwdriver in a Pinch

A bobby pin won’t replace an actual screwdriver, but it can help with a tiny screw if you’re stuck without your toolbox. The closed end can sometimes fit into a small flathead slot well enough to turn it. This is most useful for light jobs, like opening a small battery compartment or loosening a little screw.

Don’t force it if the screw is tight. You don’t want to bend the bobby pin or strip the screw.

Make a Better Bookmark That Won’t Fall Out

Regular bookmarks have a habit of disappearing from the page the second you put your book in a bag. A bobby pin solves that problem pretty easily. Clip it over the page where you stopped, and it’ll stay put until you’re ready to read again.

It’s especially handy for cookbooks, planners, notebooks, or anything you flip through often. You also don’t have to worry about the bookmark falling out every time you move the book.

Pit Cherries and Olives Without a Special Tool

Need to remove a few cherry or olive pits but don’t have a pitter? A bobby pin can help in a pinch. Open the pin slightly and use the rounded end to work around the pit. You can loosen it and pull it out, or carefully push it through until the pit comes free.

It’s certainly slower than using a proper pitter, but if you’re only dealing with a small bowl of cherries or a few olives, grabbing a bobby pin is easier than buying another kitchen gadget.

Clear Hair Out of a Drain Before It Turns Into a Real Clog

Hair is one of those things that seems harmless when there’s only a little of it in the drain. Then suddenly the water starts draining slowly. An open bobby pin can work like a tiny grabber for hair sitting near the top of a sink or tub drain. Slide it in carefully, hook the hair, and pull it out. You might need to repeat the process a few times.

This won’t clear a clog that’s already deep in the pipe, but it’s a handy way to deal with hair before it builds up.

Keep a Belt Tail From Flopping Around

Some belt tails just refuse to stay tucked into the loop. If yours keeps popping out, grab a bobby pin and clip the loose end to the waistband fabric from the inside. The pin keeps everything where it belongs without being noticeable from the outside.

It’s a quick fix for those belts that look fine until the extra strap starts hanging loose again.

Keep a Hat or Headpiece From Sliding Off

There’s nothing more annoying than spending time getting a hat or headpiece in place only to have it slide around five minutes later. A bobby pin can help keep it put. Slide one through the inside edge or band of the hat and into your hair. This works well for graduation caps, costume hats, lightweight winter hats, and similar pieces.

If the hat is especially slippery, use a couple of pins instead of relying on one.

Thread a Drawstring Back Through a Hoodie or Pants

A drawstring disappearing inside a hoodie or pair of sweatpants can turn a quick clothing fix into a frustrating little project. If you don’t have a safety pin, a bobby pin can do the job. Clip it onto the end of the drawstring and slowly work it through the fabric casing.

The pin gives you something firm to push and pull through the channel. It might take a little patience, but it’s much easier than trying to feed the floppy string through by itself.

Use It for Small Repairs and Quick Holds

Sometimes you don’t need a full repair. You just need something to hold an item together until you can deal with it properly. That’s another place where bobby pins come in handy. Use one to hold a popped hem temporarily, keep fabric from moving while you’re sewing, or secure a loose strap until you have time to fix it.

They can also hold small items together much like a paperclip, but with a bit more grip.