Genius Paperclip Hacks That Solve the Most Annoying Everyday Problems in Seconds

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A paperclip is one of those things you barely notice until you need one. It sits in a drawer, costs next to nothing, and somehow solves problems that fancier tools can’t.

Once you start looking at it as a small, bendable wire rather than an office supply, it becomes surprisingly useful. Here are practical, no-nonsense ways to use a paperclip that have nothing to do with paperwork.

Reset Small Electronics

Many routers, remotes, streaming devices, and even smartwatches have tiny recessed reset buttons. A straightened paperclip is usually the perfect size to press them safely.

Clean Out Charging Ports

If your phone won’t charge properly, lint buildup is often the issue. Power off the device first, then gently remove debris with a thin, straightened paperclip. Use a light touch, no digging or scraping.

Unclog Spray Nozzles and Glue Bottles

From cleaning sprays to hairspray and craft glue, tiny openings get clogged easily. Insert the end of a paperclip to clear dried residue and restore the spray pattern.

Fish Hair Out of a Drain

For light clogs near the surface, bend a paperclip into a small hook and pull out hair and debris. It’s not a fix for serious plumbing issues, but it can help with slow drains.

Create a Temporary Zipper Pull

If the zipper tab breaks off your jacket or bag, thread a paperclip through the hole. It’s not stylish, but it makes the zipper functional again.

Free a Stuck Zipper

Straighten a paperclip and gently wiggle it into the zipper teeth to loosen fabric caught in the track.

Tighten Tiny Screws

In a pinch, you can flatten one end of a paperclip and use it as a small flathead screwdriver for eyeglasses, battery compartments, or toys.

Retrieve Dropped Screws

Drop a screw behind furniture? Add a tiny bit of sticky putty or tape to the end of a straightened paperclip and fish it out of tight spaces.

Keep Tape from Losing Its Edge

Slide a paperclip under the loose end of duct tape, masking tape, or gift wrap tape before storing it. The next time, you won’t have to search for the starting point.

Secure Wrapping Paper Rolls

Clip the loose edge of wrapping paper to prevent it from unraveling in storage.

Close Opened Snack Bags

Unbend a paperclip and use it like a twist tie to seal chip bags, coffee bags, or frozen vegetables.

Organize Charging Cords

Wrap cords neatly and secure them with a paperclip to prevent tangling in drawers or travel bags.

How to Hide Those Annoying, Ugly Cords Without Tearing Up the Walls

Make a Quick Key Ring

In an emergency, you can bend a sturdier paperclip into a small loop to hold keys together temporarily.

Make a Simple Phone Stand

With a few careful bends, a large paperclip can prop up a phone for watching videos or following a recipe on the counter.

Bookmark Pages

Use paperclips to mark pages in books, planners, cookbooks, or notebooks without damaging them. You can even add ribbon for visibility.

Hold Money Together

No money clip? A paperclip keeps bills neatly secured in your wallet or pocket.

Hang Lightweight Decorations

Paperclips can be shaped into small hooks for ornaments, party decorations, or lightweight signage.

Support Flowers

If a flower stem bends or droops, straighten a paperclip and use it as a makeshift floral wire to reinforce the stem.

Hull Strawberries or Pit Cherries

In the kitchen, a bent paperclip can remove strawberry hulls or push out cherry pits when you don’t have a specialty tool.

Thread a Needle

Spray the end of the thread lightly with hairspray and use a paperclip to hold and guide it through the needle if you struggle with tiny openings.

Clean Between Keyboard Keys

Wrap a bit of tape (sticky side out) around a paperclip and slide it between keys to remove crumbs and dust.

Temporary Glasses Repair

If a hinge screw falls out of your glasses, a small paper clip can serve as a temporary replacement until you get it repaired properly.

Scratch Lottery Tickets

A simple one, but effective. The edge of a paperclip works perfectly as a quick scratcher when you don’t have a coin handy.

Make a Small Hook

Bend one into a tiny hook for hanging lightweight items, or use it as an emergency ornament hook.

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