18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way

Have you ever tried to brush your car headlights with toothpaste? Trust us — it works better than any professional cleaner you can buy in the shops. Some things have more than one everyday function, and life can be made so much easier in unexpected ways if you think outside of the box.

Bright Side collected a few simple hacks that fit into this category perfectly.

18. You can store and transport a pair of shoes very easily using a shower cap.
18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way
17. A magnet will help you keep all your small metallic things in one place.
18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way
16. You can easily open a tight jar lid with a tablespoon.
18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way
15. If you need to carry dirty clothes in your suitcase, use a bar of soap to get rid of the unpleasant smell.
18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way
14. To easily find the end of a roll of tape, just stick a paper clip to it.
18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way
13. An egg carton can become a great home for Christmas ornaments when they’re not hanging on the tree.
18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way
12. You can easily do a French manicure using an elastic band.
18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way
11. Use a file holder to store cans and save space in the kitchen.
18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way
10. To quickly sharpen your scissors, make a few cuts in some aluminum foil.
18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way
9. You can polish your car headlights with toothpaste.
18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way
8. Use towel hooks to fix your tablet to the wall. Now you can wash the dishes and watch your favorite shows at the same time!
18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way
7. Cut off the top of a package, and use it as a tie to keep the bag closed.
18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way
6. An ordinary cheese grater is a great solution for storing jewelry.
18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way
5. You can remove small stains from suede shoes using a simple nail file.
18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way
4. Use aluminum foil to cover things while painting and also to clean glassware.
18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way
3. Use a LEGO piece as a cable or key holder.
18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way
2. Use your car spoiler as a picnic table.
18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way
1. Use a pencil as a stylus.
18 Brilliant Ideas for Using Ordinary Things in a Totally Different Way
The pencil “lead” is made mostly of conductive graphite and can conduct the small amounts of electricity required to activate the capacitive sensors in the touch screen. When you place your finger in the groove you made, the electricity from your body is conducted through the exposed graphite and activates the touch screen.

If you’re still not convinced or if you’re having trouble getting it to work, take these points into consideration:
  • Make sure the pencil is free from oil. There may be a thin layer of glue on the lead that prevents contact, so just scribble on a piece of paper to get rid of that.
  • Make sure your pencil is made from graphite and not another composite or recycled material (green/eco pencils).
  • Make the groove closer to the tip to improve contact.


Preview photo credit 20jlamorticella/imgur


SOURCE: BRIGHTSIDE

Kayode Ojo
Kayode Emmanuel Ojo is the Co-Founder and Managing Director at SHEFFA Limited. He is presently studying Computer Science at the National Open University, Victoria Island, Lagos.