6 Things To Do With Pencils

If you’re just using your pencils to scribble down your grocery list, you’re only tapping a fraction of their potential. Here are six genius ways to put pencils to work all around the house.

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Pencil and pencil sharpenings
Photo: ShutterStock

1. Use a pencil to ease a new key into a lock

You just had a new house key made, but it doesn’t seem to fit into your door lock. Rub a pencil over the teeth of the key. The graphite powder should help the key slide easily into the lock.

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Black leather jacket zipper
Brett Walther

2. Use a pencil to lubricate a sticky zipper

Your zipper is refusing to budge, no matter how hard you tug and pull. Pick up a pencil and end your frustration. Run the pencil lead along the teeth of the zipper to unstick it. In no time, you’ll be zipping out the door with your jacket safely zipped up.

Check out 5 Clever New Uses for Pencil Erasers!

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Pencil shavings
Photo: ShutterStock

3. Repel moths with pencil shavings

If you’re tired of finding your winter sweaters filled with moth holes after you’ve stored them for the season, this may help. Empty your electric pencil sharpener into little cloth sacks and use as sachets in your closet. The cedar shavings will signal the moths to skedaddle!

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Small potted plants
Brett Walther

4. Use a pencil to stake a small plant

Got a small plant that needs some support? Don’t know if it needs watering? A pencil can help with both problems. It’s the perfect-sized stake for a small plant, tied with a piece of old pantyhose or a cloth strip. Or stick a pencil in the pot of a houseplant to see if the soil needs watering.

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Girl chewing on pencil
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5. Use a pencil as a hair accessory

Take a pencil to school to help with your… Hair? Believe it! A pencil can help give lift to curly hair if you don’t have a pick or wide comb. Two pencils crossed in an “X” can stabilize and decorate a hair bun, plus provide you with a new writing tool if you lose yours during the day.

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Kid holding frame
Photo: ShutterStock

6. Decorate a school picture frame with pencils

Dress up the frame for this year’s class picture with pencils. Glue two sharpened pencils lengthwise to the frame. Sharpen down two other pencils to fit the width of the frame.

Check out more easy home hacks!

Originally Published in Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things

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