Get that toothpick out of your mouth and get it working for you. Use toothpicks to plug hose leaks, repair broken plant stems, microwave potatoes, and more.

Zippers have been a mainstay in fashion for years, being used to fasten jackets, pants and other accessories. But they've also become a handy household item, used in a variety of different ways. Read on to find out how to create your own accessories and keeping valuables safe using those spare zippers.

A chef's best friend, wax paper is used for its non-stick properties and wrapping food to prevent moisture to soak through. But it has uses outside the kitchen too. Here are 5 ways you can use wax paper around the house.

Are those old wire hangers in your closet gathering more dust than coats? Make them useful again whenever you do caulking jobs, hang plants, paint, and more!

Paper towels are handy for cleaning up messes. But did you know you can also use them to microwave bacon, keep produce fresh, and prevent cast iron from rusting?

Mustard isn't just tasty on burgers and hot dogs. Did you know it can also soothe back pain, relieve congestion, get rid of skunk smell, and more? Read on for mustard's many uses.

Hair conditioner makes your locks shine, but it'll do the same for your face, shoes, and tools too! Read on for more of hair conditioner's great uses.

Pillowcases aren't just for resting your head. Use them aroud the house to wash lettuce, wrap presents, and more!

The newspaper industry is dying, so put newsprint to use while it's still around! Use those old broadsheets to dry wet shoes, remove oven residue, and more.

Candy tins are still as popular as ever. They’re one of the easiest things to recycle into something useful around the house. Check out our 5 suggestions and then come up with some of your own.

Basters are staples at discount stores, and it’s worth a visit to pick up a few to keep around the house specifically for non-cooking chores.

Most candles today are made of paraffin wax and can be used around the house for quick fixes such as unsticking a drawer. Click through our photo gallery to see how you can put your candles to unusual uses.

You rarely use a full box of binder clips—usually one or two get the job done.  So, instead of letting them gather dust in your desk put them to use and get them to help you stay organized before and after your vacation. Keep reading to find out how to they can make you more efficient in the kitchen as well.

Pencils aren’t just for writing. They’re great helpmates around the house for opening doors, jazzing up a boring picture frame or getting that jacket zipped up. Click through our photo gallery to see five ways pencils can make your life easier.

Saving that bottle of vodka in your freezer for a nightcap? Think again. Use the spirit to create homemade vanilla extract, weed your garden and more.

Does your new tablecloth have you covered? We’ve uncovered how your old plastic tablecloth can keep your clothes clean and save you a backache in the garden.

If your family loves popsicles, you’re going to love the sticks even more. Discover how leftover popsicle sticks can entertain your kids, help your interior decorator and be a quick fix in a minor medical emergency.

No wonder it's our national drink. Delicious to drink, beer can help improve your hair, make your steak  tender and get rid of slugs. Keep reading to learn other ways beer makes life easier.

This beverage mix does more than stir up tasty drinks. Kool-Aid is also cool around the house. Use it to dye the tween's hair, colour paint or clean the dishwasher.

Is your ladder hiding out in the closet? Then it’s time to haul it out and make good use of it—as a piece of furniture, a planter, or even to serve a family meal.

Are stacks of magazines cluttering your home? Find out how you can keep your clothes in great shape and even accessorize with your leftover reading material.

Fat fighter, heart protector, antioxident provider... is there anything olive oil can't do? This superfood has plenty of uses outside the kitchen. Here are some interesting suggestions, including how to use it to polish furniture and solve paint problems.

Tired of harsh chemicals taking over your home? Scrub out stains, clean your home and freshen up your favourite clothes with the pure power of borax. 

Love your eggs? Then get cracking with these EGGstra special tips to improve your skin and garden. 

We always have more foam trays than we need and supermarkets should probably stop using them. After all, they're  not the greenest product out there. Stop them from heading to the landfill by using them for  projects, such as  protecting precious photos or helping out a budding artist.

Think fabric softener is just for your laundry? Both the liquid and dryer sheets can save you a bundle of trouble around the house.  

Egg cartons tend to pile up quickly. Before tossing them into the recycling bin, use them to get organized around the home and garden. Here are five things you can try. 

We love to top off our hot chocolate with them, and they are essential for any camping trip. But marshmallows can also offer some yummy solutions to some sticky messes. 

If you own a car, you've certainly used an ice scraper this winter. But it can do more than scrape icy windows. Why not put it to work in your home? 

If you're tired of your old music—or maybe you've switched to MP3s—don't throw your old CDs out just yet. Put them to work around your house.   

Here are five unique uses for used envelopes that will help you stay more organized.

Vanilla is good to have in your kitchen, but it has many uses around the house, too. Here are a few.

We all know about baking soda for cleaning and soaking up odours. But this versatile product  has hundreds of uses around the home. 

To most people, an orange is just a fruit that tastes great. But you can really put them to use in and around your home.

Sure, you have a blow-dryer at home. But how often do you use it on anything but your hair? Here are a few practical applications for a common household appliance.

Put renegade buttons to use with these crafty ideas.

Slurped up your smoothie? Don't toss the straw! You can use it to keep jewellery untangled, carry around your favourite spices and more!  

You may be unable to turn water into wine, but you can turn the corks from your empty wine bottles into five useful things. Read on to find out how.

Did you know a tennis ball could keep your swimming pool clean? Find out how and discover other ways to use a tennis ball off the court.

Thought nail polish was only for your nails? Find out how it can save you a bundle by being one of the handiest sealants around.  

An apple a day can do more than keep the doctor away. Discover how apples can help you become a better cook and fix kitchen disasters.

If you’re a jack or jill of all trades foil is one tool you can’t do without. Find out how to use it around the house, in the laundry room, in the garden, and in the great outdoors to solve common conundrums.

Stuck on gum? Read on to find out how to make your gum last long after you’re done chewing.

Don’t put the scoop away just because it’s too cool for ice-cream. Here are five ways an ice-cream scoop can come in handy on a rainy day.

Historically a way to transport native plants to new lands, or to bring exotic plants home, terracotta flowerpots have become a vanity item commonly found on patio and porches. But, they can do more than sit there and look pretty. Here are five ways to put terracotta plants to use year-round.

Having a hard time slicing that fancy cake, or perfectly cubing cheese? Don’t forget about floss. Find out five ways this oral hygiene essential can come in handy around the house.

They come in all sorts of colours and patterns, and are a great way to add a festive touch to any gathering, but what can you do with all the leftover balloons after the party is over? Here are some ways to put these fun, frivolous decorations to practical use.

Having a lemon around can prevent many situations from turning sour. Find out how this tart-tasting citrus fruit can salvage your favourite tee, freshen your breath, and help with other household dilemmas.

Turns out that sweet-scented salve can do more than soothe chapped lips. Can you guess five other places lip balm should go?

An ASA (acetylsalicylic acid) a day...well, you've heard the saying, and probably already know about the healing powers of this little white pill. But did you know it can also heal the hair and skin care troubles that ail you, and even give your car a boost? So take two...and try these surprising uses for ASA.

Nutritionally, bananas offer a bonanza of dietary must-haves: potassium, vitamin B6, pectin and tryptophan.  But you can do a lot more than eat 'em. Next time you contemplate tossing an overripe banana in the trash bin, think again. Even that peel can be a useful tool (it's good for more than silly pranks!). Sample these tips, and go bananas!