New Uses For Old Things

Ketchup Unclogger

Insert a straw until it reaches the bottom of the glass bottle. Shake the bottle, then pour, leaving the straw inside. The airflow provided by the straw breaks the condiment-stopping vacuum. January 2011, RealSimple.com

Picture Frame as Dry-Erase Board

Let’s see—you need milk, eggs…and something to replace the stark white memo board that’s sucking all the style from your otherwise charming kitchen. Frame a pretty piece of fabric or paper, then write temporary to-dos on the glass with a dry-erase marker. January 2011, RealSimple.com

Beer Koozie as Shaving-Cream Holder

Protect your bathtub rim from rust rings by slipping this foamy college relic over a can of Barbasol (rather than Budweiser). January 2011, RealSimple.com

Babysitter Notebook

Working parents will welcome this new idea for communication. Use a small spiral notebook. On the inside cover place important information. For example, children’s names, birthdates, and any allergies or medications. Next list Doctors names and phone numbers, as well as emergency contact phone numbers. If there is an emergency the babysitter can grab the book and get out. The next use for this notebook is to have lines of communication between you and your babysitter. Before you leave in the morning you can write down things your sitter will need to know when your children get off the bus. The sitter can also write down things you should know as well. So if Dad gets home and can’t remember all the things the babysitter said, Mom can look in the book. This way everyone is in the line of communication.

Keeping Toys Organized

One trick to keeping toys organized is to keep the storage containers open. This allows kids to see what they have and where it goes. Clean up goes a lot faster.

One example of this is the storage bins you see in the
picture. They are light weight and are easy for kids to use. These are great to store toys with lots of parts. Your child may take only the bin they need to play. Then have it handy to clean up when they are done, and put the bin back on the rack. Another great idea to use pop up laundry hampers to store balls.  This helps you use vertical space when storing balls which can be cumbersome.

Scrunchie Solution

This is an easy, neat, and convenient way to store your children’s hair ties. Get a circular hanging belt holder and slide the scrunchies on. This makes it easy to see each scrunchie and remove the exact one you want.

Marker on the Mirror

This is a smart and easy way to make sure you remember your errands and appointments for the day. Its also great for grocery lists and/or notes. Use a dry erase marker on your bathroom mirror to make
an instant note pad that you can change daily