You know that egg carton you threw out in the trash? Tear the top off the next one, and stow the business half in a desk drawer. It’s the perfect way to keep rubber bands, push pins, paper clips and more in neat, uncluttered order.

So prompts lifestyle blogger Brit Morin, who offers 10 more ways to get double duty from ordinary household items:

• Disposable ice packs – Fill small balloons partially full and freeze them. Pack them in an ice chest for a colorful way to keep food and drinks cold on the move.


• Package opener – Hate that clam shell packaging that seems impossible to open? Use a can opener to slice through one side of the plastic.


• Add a key – Save your manicure by using a staple remover to pry open a key ring to add or remove a key.


• Melon baller – An ice cream scoop used as a melon baller will give you larger, prettier portions of fruit for your next company platter.


• Candle lighter – Don’t burn your fingers using a match to light those birthday or outdoor candles. Light the end of a strand of spaghetti and use that as your lighter.


• Bathroom caddy – Short on bathroom space? Hang a plastic shoe organizer on the back of the door to hold curling iron, hair dryer, big bottles of body lotion and more.


• Jewelry holder – Keep bracelets, chains and necklaces from snarling by storing them individually in the cups of a plastic ice cube tray placed in a dresser drawer.


• Shoe holder – Don’t throw out that empty cardboard wine carton. Laid on its side in your closet, it can behave like a cheap shoe organizer to keep your shoes off the floor.


• Pool noodle boot keeper – Done with your pool noodles for the year? Cut them in half and stuff them in your boots to help the boots stand up in your closet.


• Herb chopper – Protect your fingers by chopping herbs with a pair of scissors instead of a knife. Snipping them directly into the bowl, platter or measuring cup saves washing the cutting board, too.

Article By Barbara Pronin