The sponge is a humble, everyday cleaning tool, but its flexibility and unique ability to hold fluids make it quite useful for other household needs. From unusual cleaning tasks to health and beauty needs, some days it takes a sponge to get the job done.
1. Scrubber for odd-shaped containers
Here's a super clever way to clean a container with a small opening, such as a plastic bottle or an Erlenmeyer flask: slice a hole in the side of a small sponge (preferably one with a scrubbing side), insert a strong magnet, then glue the slice closed.
Here's a super clever way to clean a container with a small opening, such as a plastic bottle or an Erlenmeyer flask: slice a hole in the side of a small sponge (preferably one with a scrubbing side), insert a strong magnet, then glue the slice closed.
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Saturate the sponge with dishwashing liquid and insert into the opening, folding as necessary to make it fit. Use another magnet to attract the sponge through the outside of the container, then move the magnet as needed to scrub the sponge all over the inside!
When the inside of the container is clean, fill it with water to float the sponge to the top and use needle-nosed pliers to pull it out. Rinse thoroughly, and you're done!
2. Homemade ice pack
Water down a clean sponge, squeezing out excess. Insert the sponge into a sandwich bag, remove any air from the bag and seal it, then put it into the freezer. When an ice pack is needed, simply remove the sandwich bag and apply the flexible pack to the affected area. YouTube's CrazyRussianHacker demonstrates how to do it; he likes this ice pack because it is not messy and can be used over and over again.
Water down a clean sponge, squeezing out excess. Insert the sponge into a sandwich bag, remove any air from the bag and seal it, then put it into the freezer. When an ice pack is needed, simply remove the sandwich bag and apply the flexible pack to the affected area. YouTube's CrazyRussianHacker demonstrates how to do it; he likes this ice pack because it is not messy and can be used over and over again.
3. Cooler packs
The CrazyRussianHacker modifies his ice pack for use in a cooler. Use large sponges with no scrubbing edge, and do not squeeze out excess water before freezing. Pack the sponge bags in a cooler to keep perishables cool without creating a melty mess!
The CrazyRussianHacker modifies his ice pack for use in a cooler. Use large sponges with no scrubbing edge, and do not squeeze out excess water before freezing. Pack the sponge bags in a cooler to keep perishables cool without creating a melty mess!
4. Pet hair remover
"Tried, True, Trustworthy Home Advice" guru Bob Vila advises simply rubbing a damp sponge over upholstery or carpeting to remove pet hair. It really is that simple.
"Tried, True, Trustworthy Home Advice" guru Bob Vila advises simply rubbing a damp sponge over upholstery or carpeting to remove pet hair. It really is that simple.
5. Nail polish remover jar
Make your own salon-quality nail polish remover jar! Jill Nystul at One Good Thing says that all it takes is a 4-ounce (118.3 milliliters) mason jar, nail polish remover, and a sponge. Cut the sponge in half lengthwise, roll the halves together in a spiral formation and insert them into the jar -- it should be a tight fit. Add nail polish remover until sponges are completely saturated, and you'll be ready to quickly remove polish without the mess or hassle of cotton balls.
Make your own salon-quality nail polish remover jar! Jill Nystul at One Good Thing says that all it takes is a 4-ounce (118.3 milliliters) mason jar, nail polish remover, and a sponge. Cut the sponge in half lengthwise, roll the halves together in a spiral formation and insert them into the jar -- it should be a tight fit. Add nail polish remover until sponges are completely saturated, and you'll be ready to quickly remove polish without the mess or hassle of cotton balls.
6. Packaging material
Protect your breakables during shipping with this fantastic tip from This Old House: cut dampened sponges into small squares and insert into strategic protection points between breakables and packaging. As the sponge pieces dry, they will conform to the shape of the fragile item, forming an effective, shock-absorbing cushion.
Protect your breakables during shipping with this fantastic tip from This Old House: cut dampened sponges into small squares and insert into strategic protection points between breakables and packaging. As the sponge pieces dry, they will conform to the shape of the fragile item, forming an effective, shock-absorbing cushion.
Please SHARE these tips and tell us about the unusual ways you have used sponges in the comments below!
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