Use clothespins in a pinch

**Gabe** · 12-29-2010, 04:09 PM

Clothespins have multiple uses. They’re long-lasting and cheap to buy. Most people use them to hang their laundry to dry or as a chip clip. Do you have a creative way to use them? If you have a few stashed away, bring them out and put them to good use. Here are a few ideas.

PAIR ‘EM UP:

Use to pair mittens, rubber gloves, slippers, children’s shoes and socks. Or clip pillowcases to sheets, cloth napkins to place mats or tablecloths, or clip a trash bag to the trash bin to have a spare handy or to secure the bag that’s being used and prevent it from falling into the bin. A clothespin can be used to match a shirt to a pair of pants, too. It makes it easier for young kids to get dressed by themselves. Halloween costumes with accessories or craft instructions and projects can be clipped together, too.

MAGNETS:

Glue a magnet to one side. Hang from your refrigerator to clip reminders, photos, comics, lists, recipe cards, coupons or artwork. Hang one on the side of your washer to clip a lone sock (or two) until you find the match.

IN THE CAR:

Clip one to your visor to hold a parking pass, notes, driving directions, a photo, reminders, spare bank deposit envelopes, business cards, etc. Glue ribbon streamers to a clothespin and use to attach to your car antenna so you can find your car easily in a packed parking lot.

REMINDER:

They can be clipped to a purse, place mat, lunch bag, backpack, etc., to serve as a reminder to do something. When kids have multiple activities that require gear, colored clothespins can be clipped as reminders (until they learn their schedule) for them to pack that particular day’s gear or have it ready after school. For example, on Tuesdays, a green clothespin means don’t forget your musical instrument today, or a red clothespin can mean they have a doctor’s appointment. You can always write a word or two on the clothespin with permanent marker. You can mark stains on dirty clothing so you don’t forget to treat the stain, too.

LABELING:

If you have a lot of cords, you can use labeled clothespins to mark what each cord goes to. This is handy for under your desk or the mass of cords behind an entertainment/game center. You can clip to snacks, bath towels and lunches so family members can identify who they belong to. They can be used at casual parties as place card holders or write guest’s names on them for clip on name tags.

HAMMERING:

Afraid of hammering your fingers? Use a clothespin to grip a nail in place while you hammer it.

BOOKMARK:

Use a clothespin as an easy way to mark your page when reading a book or magazine. It helps keep a book page open when reading, too. This can be especially helpful when using a cookbook.

MAKESHIFT PAPER CLIP:

A clothespin works well to keep takeout food menus organized together so they’re all easy to find in a drawer.

photo by gifrancis

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**ladykemma2** · 12-29-2010, 04:26 PM

i use them in my classroom to bind papers. If i use nice binder clips, the kids steal them. if i use paperclips, i come back and the kids have strung them into a long chain.

they don't mess with the clothespins. grin.