Some household items are so useful that people find jobs for them beyond what they were designed to do. From kitchen tools that end up in the craft room to products that have become popular for entirely different reasons, these familiar items have found a second purpose.
The drawer beneath the oven
The drawer beneath some ovens is designed to keep cooked food warm, but many households use it to store baking sheets and pans. Not every oven has a warming drawer, though, so check your model before using it to keep food warm.
Cotton swabs
Cotton swabs are useful for applying makeup, cleaning small spaces, and gently cleaning the outer ear. Many people also use them inside their ear canals, even though doing so can push wax farther in or cause an injury.
Flathead screwdrivers
A flathead screwdriver is designed to turn screws with a straight slot, but people also reach for one when they need to scrape or pry something loose. Those jobs can damage the tip or cause the tool to slip, so a dedicated scraper or pry tool is a safer choice.
Kitchen scales
Kitchen scales are made to measure ingredients and food portions accurately. They also come in handy for weighing small packages, jewelry-making supplies, and other items that have nothing to do with cooking.
Handheld showerheads
A handheld showerhead is designed to make bathing and rinsing easier by letting you direct the water where it’s needed. It can also make washing pets, cleaning shower walls, and filling buckets much easier.
Pedialyte
Pedialyte was developed as an oral rehydration drink for children who lose fluids and electrolytes through illness. Adults began using it for hydration as well, and the brand now markets products to a wider age range.
Cookie dough
Traditional cookie dough is made to be portioned out and baked, but eating a spoonful before it reaches the oven is a familiar temptation. Because raw flour and eggs can carry harmful germs, dough sold specifically for eating raw is made differently.
Mason jars
Mason jars were designed for preserving food through home canning. Today, people also use them as drinking glasses, flower vases, pantry containers, and organizers for everything from paintbrushes to spare change.
Ice cube trays
Ice cube trays are made to freeze water into individual cubes for drinks. They are also useful for freezing small portions of broth, herbs in oil, and leftover coffee, making it easier to use just a little at a time.
Pool noodles
Pool noodles are made to provide buoyancy and support during recreational swimming. People also cut them up to protect sharp furniture edges, cushion items during a move, or keep tall boots from folding over.
Binder clips
Binder clips are designed to hold stacks of paper together without staples. They’re also useful for sealing snack bags, keeping cords together, and holding small items in place.
Egg cartons
Egg cartons are made to protect eggs during storage and transport. Their individual compartments are also useful for starting seeds or sorting small craft supplies, though cardboard cartons can become soggy when watered.
