Everyday Items With Hidden Superpowers You’ll Want To Try

Our homes are packed with everyday items we often take for granted, from toothpaste to lemons and rubber bands. But hidden beneath their familiar forms are surprising alternative uses that can make daily tasks easier, more affordable, and even eco-friendly. With a little creativity, these common objects can double as powerful tools for cleaning, organising, repairing, and refreshing your home. Here’s a closer look at how a bit of household ingenuity can go a long way.

Toothpaste Does More Than Clean Teeth

Toothpaste contains mild abrasives that make it excellent for polishing and cleaning. It can restore foggy car headlights, remove crayon marks from walls, and even buff scuff marks off shoes. Gently rubbing it on phone screens or watch faces can reduce minor scratches too.

Salt Is A Secret Cleaning Weapon

More than just a kitchen staple, salt has natural abrasive and absorbent properties. When mixed with lemon or vinegar, it becomes a powerful cleaner for chopping boards, copper utensils, and coffee mugs. A pinch of salt in greasy pans can also prevent oil splatter and simplify washing up.

Aluminium Foil Has Sharp Skills

Aluminium foil is surprisingly versatile. Fold it several times and cut through it with dull scissors to sharpen the blades. Crumpled foil balls make effective scrubbing tools for grills and baking trays. In the laundry, a ball of foil in the dryer helps reduce static electricity in clothes.

Baking Soda Works Everywhere

Baking soda’s deodorising and cleaning powers are well known. Sprinkle it on carpets before vacuuming for freshness, or combine with water to clean tiles and kitchen counters. It works wonders in the fridge, absorbs shoe odours, and even acts as a natural fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

Lemons Bring Freshness And Shine

Lemons do more than add zest to your food. Heat lemon slices in a bowl of water in the microwave for a quick steam clean. The citric acid helps remove limescale, polish metal taps, and clean cutting boards. A lemon in your fridge can also banish stubborn food smells.

Newspapers Aren’t Just For Reading

Old newspapers still have value beyond the recycling bin. Crumpled sheets stuffed inside shoes or storage containers absorb unpleasant smells. Slightly dampened newspaper provides a streak-free clean on windows and mirrors. Gardeners even use it as mulch to suppress weeds.

Vinegar Is A Multi-Tasking Marvel

White vinegar mixed with water works brilliantly as a natural glass cleaner and limescale remover. It can clear blocked drains, clean showerheads, and boost washing machine performance. Adding vinegar to a wash cycle also softens clothes and cuts detergent residue.

Rice Saves Electronics And More

Spilled water on your phone? Uncooked rice can help draw out the moisture. Place the device in a container of rice and let it sit for 24–48 hours. Rice is also handy for cleaning narrow vases—just add a spoonful with warm soapy water and shake.

Rubber Bands Offer Handy Fixes

Those plain rubber bands lying in your drawer are full of potential. Wrap one around a stripped screw for extra grip when unscrewing. Use them to keep lids from slipping or create a non-slip surface on glass jars. They're also perfect for child-proofing cupboard handles in a pinch.

Banana Peels Are Surprisingly Useful

Don’t toss that banana peel just yet. Rubbing the inside on insect bites or dry skin can reduce itchiness and irritation. Banana peels also polish leather shoes, brighten houseplant leaves, and clean tarnished silver thanks to their natural oils and potassium content.