9 Clever Paper Clip Hacks You’ve Never Tried
I was digging through my desk drawer the other day looking for a pen and found a handful of stray paper clips at the bottom. We all have that pile of office supplies we never actually use for paperwork, but keep around anyways. Well, paper clips are mine. But it got me thinking about how incredibly sturdy and flexible these little pieces of wire actually are. It turns out they can fix quite a few annoying household problems. Let me share some useful ideas.
Finding The Edge Of Tape
There is nothing more frustrating than trying to wrap a last minute gift and losing the edge of the clear tape. You end up scratching at the roll for ten minutes just trying to peel it back. Next time you use the tape, simply stick a paper clip right onto the sticky end before you let it go. It creates a perfect little handle so you can grab the tape immediately and find the end quickly the next time you need it.
Rescuing A Broken Zipper
Having the little pull tab snap off your favorite winter jacket or a heavy piece of luggage is the absolute worst. It makes zipping things up so much harder. But you do not have to replace the whole zipper or throw the bag away. Just thread a metal paper clip right through the tiny loop slider. It acts as an instant and surprisingly strong replacement handle that will keep your coat completely wearable for the whole season until you can get a more permanent solution.
Fixing A Fallen Hem On The Go
Have you ever been at work or out to dinner and realized the hem of your pants just completely unraveled or is just a bit too long? It is such an uncomfortable feeling to have fabric dragging on the floor and getting dirty all day. You do not need to panic or pull out your emergency sewing kit. Just fold the fabric back up inside the leg and slide a paper clip over the crease. It holds the hem perfectly flat and stays totally invisible until you can get home and fix it properly.
Unclogging A Stubborn Spray Bottle
Have you ever grabbed a bottle of expensive hairspray or cooking oil only to find the nozzle completely clogged with dried product? It is so annoying to throw away a perfectly good bottle just because it will not spray. You can usually fix this by unbending a paper clip and carefully poking the sharp end right into the tiny spray hole. It easily breaks up the crusty blockage and lets the liquid spray in a fine mist again.
Pitting Fresh Cherries In A Pinch
Eating fresh cherries in the summer is wonderful but dealing with the hard pits is incredibly tedious. You really do not need to buy a bulky, special kitchen tool just for this one job. Take a clean paper clip and unfold it so it looks like an S shape. Push the larger loop directly into the top of the cherry and twist it slightly. The loop hooks the pit and scoops it right out with zero fuss. Plus, it keeps your fingers from getting stained.
Keeping Wrapping Paper Neat
Storing half used tubes of wrapping paper usually results in a crinkled and torn mess in the back of the closet. Using a piece of tape to hold the roll closed just rips the beautiful paper the next time you try to use it. Instead, just slide a large paper clip over the edge of the paper at the top and bottom of the cardboard tube. It holds the roll perfectly snug without causing any tears.
Supporting A Drooping Houseplant
I love keeping houseplants, but sometimes a heavy new leaf causes a delicate stem to bend or crease. If you catch it early enough you can use a paper clip as a tiny splint. Just gently unbend the clip until it is totally straight. Place it right against the weak part of the plant stem and secure it with a tiny piece of string. It gives the plant the support it needs to heal and grow strong and straight.
Cleaning Your Hairbrush
We brush our hair every single day but cleaning the actual brush is a chore we all tend to avoid. The hair gets tangled so tightly around the base of the bristles that pulling it out with your fingers is nearly impossible. If you unbend a paper clip into a hook shape you can easily drag it right under the mat of hair. It pulls the entire tangled mess up and out in one smooth and satisfying motion.
Tightening Loose Eyeglass Frames
If you wear glasses you know how annoying it is when the tiny screw in the hinge starts to wiggle loose. Your frames suddenly feel crooked and constantly slide down your nose. And finding a screwdriver small enough is almost impossible. The flat tip of a metal paper clip is actually thin enough to fit right into the groove of that tiny hinge screw. You can gently twist it to tighten the arm and keep your glasses perfectly secure.
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It is honestly so refreshing to find clever little fixes that do not force us to buy anything new. We get so used to thinking we need a specialized tool for every single problem in our homes. Taking a basic piece of office wire and turning it into a cherry pitter or an emergency sewing kit is just wonderfully resourceful. Next time you face a minor annoyance I hope you remember to check your desk drawer before running out to buy something.
Bliss Donahue-Power
