September 14, 2021, 2:54 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Toothpicks are handy for removing food particles from between your teeth. However, these small wooden sticks can also be used effectively in many other household situations.
With some everyday items, you might not think to use them for a different purpose. Toothpicks fall into this category, primarily serving one main function. Sure, it’s practical to clean out pesky leftovers from between your teeth after a meal. But did you know there are a whole host of ingenious life hacks involving toothpicks? We present the best ones.
Table of Contents
1. Life Hack with Toothpick for Tape
Many people know this problem: You just can’t find the start of the tape, even with the help of your fingernail. It’s best to prepare the end so you can easily grab and pull it next time. A toothpick works well for this by sticking it under the tape. You can find out what else you can use in this article.
2. Toothpicks for Growing Avocado Plants
With some patience and proper care, an avocado seed can grow into a stately plant. To do this, stick toothpicks into the seed so it can “hover” over a glass of water. You can find out exactly how to do this in this article.
3. Lighting Multiple Candles at Once
The burning match gets shorter, but not all the candles in the holder or on the Advent wreath are lit? No problem! A toothpick burns much longer. This way, you can light several candles in succession without burning your fingers.
4. Preventing Pasta from Boiling Over
With a closed lid, a pot can quickly boil over. A toothpick can prevent this by simply wedging it between the lid and the pot. Practical!
Related: Tips to prevent water from boiling over
5. Cooking Potatoes in the Microwave
Microwave owners can also cook potatoes in it. However, this only works if they are not lying on a plate; otherwise, they won’t cook evenly. By sticking toothpicks into the potato so it can stand on them, it can cook completely in just a few minutes. To speed up the process, you can cut large tubers in half beforehand. Additionally, you should soak them in water beforehand so they are dripping wet.
6. Reducing Too Large Drill Holes
If the screw doesn’t hold in the hole, you can try this toothpick life hack as a temporary solution. It can also be useful for worn-out drill holes where the screw has torn out. Simply stick the toothpick into the hole and cut it flush, perhaps with wire cutters. Then turn the screw into the hole; it should now have more grip and sit more securely. For a long-term solution, however, you should either use a suitable screw or fill the hole with wood paste and drill a new hole.
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7. Cleaning Hair from Brushes
Hair accumulates in brushes over time if you don’t remove it right after brushing. Eventually, it may become difficult to remove. With a toothpick, you can glide between the bristles and pull out the hair. Ideally, you shouldn’t let it get to that point!
8. Life Hack with Toothpick for Cleaning
Dust and dirt accumulate in places that are hard to reach with a cloth. The charging port on a phone is one such spot. You can carefully clean it with a toothpick to remove the dust. However, you should proceed cautiously to avoid damaging the contacts.