10 new ways to use everyday objects

1. Use a can opener to open sealed plastic packaging

You’re probably not the only one who gets cuts on their fingers while furiously trying to open up sealed plastic packaging. Well, you don’t need to spend hours trying to pry open the package anymore- just use a can opener, and the package will open in no time.

2. Amplify the volume of your iPhone or iPod by placing it in a bowl

If you want to pump up the volume of your iPhone or your iPod, it’s simple- just place it in a bowl. The concave shape of the bowl will immediately amplify the volume!

3. Add saline solution to refresh dried-out mascara

Once your mascara is starting to dry out a bit and you are about to reach for a new tube, stop and add three to four drops of contact solution or sterile saline solution to your mascara tube. Pump only a few times, and you’re ready to use it again. This will probably let you use your tube for another month.

4.  Use a banana to fix a DVD

Take a CD or a DVD that has smudges or scratches on it. Apply a freshly cut banana to it using a circular motion. Next, wipe it down with the banana peel, the wax of which will help polish and further clean the disk. Take a clean cotton cloth and wipe the entire surface of the CD/ DVD. Be sure to apply moderate pressure while moving in a circular motion. This should be done for around three to four minutes. Finally, spray the disc with glass cleaner and wipe it clean. The scratched CD/ DVD will now look good as new!

5.   Use a spoon to open a sealed-tight jar


Hold the spoon in one hand and the jar firmly in the other. Nestle the spoon in the crack between the lid and the glass. Push up and back- you want to break the seal. Press up with the spoon to loosen the lid. If the seal does not break, rotate the jar and repeat, pressing up and back with the spoon until you hear a pop. Let go of the spoon and twist the lid off. It will come of smoothly and easily.

6.  Use mustard to suck the pain out of a burn

The best remedy for throbbing pain from burns is ordinary mustard. There is something in the everyday yellow mustard which immediately takes the pain away. Spread a nice and thick layer of mustard over the area, and you will find that the pain goes away quickly.

7.  Use hand sanitiser to dissolve ink stains

Usually, when your hands are stained with ink, washing them does not fully succeed in removing the ink. However, using a hand sanitiser will quickly dissolve the ink and leave it spotless. You can also remove small stains on clothes by dabbing a little sanitiser on the stain and then rubbing the clothes together.

8.  Use mayonnaise to erase water stains from wooden furniture

Take about two tablespoons of mayonnaise and rub it into the water mark. Don’t wipe off any excess. To keep the mayonnaise from drying out, cover the area lightly with a cloth, paper towels, or cling wrap. Let it set for several hours, or even overnight. Wipe off the mayonnaise and your water stain should be completely gone. Be sure to clean the surface well to remove all traces of mayonnaise.

9.   Eat marshmallows to soothe a sore throat

If you have a sore throat, eat three or four marshmallows to soothe it. There is a scientific reason behind it: the gelatin is very helpful when it comes to relieving irritation and soothing pain in your throat.

10.   Use Scotch tape or nail polish to relieve an insect bite

Put a piece of Scotch tape onto the bite. Leaving it there will make the itch almost entirely go away. After a few hours, remove it. This will help remove some of the toxins that cause the itch. Alternatively, you can use nail polish. Be sure that the bite is not raw from scratching. This keeps it from itching and acts as a seal to protect it.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2012.