18 brilliant uses for toothpicks in your home and workshop

If you’re planning to cook your potato quickly by utilising the microwave, double down and cook them even faster by suspending them on little toothpick legs! They’ll cook quicker and more evenly, even on the bottom.

When there’s a tiny clip on your painted furniture or walls, instead of getting out a small brush, use a toothpick. Dip the toothpick in the paint and apply it to the chipped area only. The repair will be almost invisible.

Because toothpicks are so tiny and pointy, they can get underneath hard-to-reach spots, like the buttons of your TV remote control. Remove the grime from such household items to limit germs that can make you sick.

Try these 17 cleaning tricks for hard-to-clean household objects.

Liven up your manicure by skipping the same old shade of polish and creating a swirl accent. To do this, select two of your favourite colours. Coat an entire nail with one of the shades, and before it dries, place a drop of the second colour on the nail. Use a toothpick to blend the two colours together.

Get every last piece of fur out of your pet’s brush by running a toothpick down each row of bristles and pulling up the fur as you go. The pointed tip will ensure you get every last piece of fluff in one fell swoop.

Check out these 15 pet hints and tips.

Ever wanted to make your own drink umbrellas? Well, grab that box of toothpicks and get going! For this project, use a coaster or the bottom of a glass and trace a circle onto a piece of paper. Cut tout the circle and fold it in half. Unfold the circle, and then fold it in half again, now making a crease perpendicular to the first one. Unfold and fold again, making a diagonal crease across the original cross. Do this until you have 8 creases. Next, scallop the edge of the circle, cutting almond-like shapes out between each crease. Cut a slit down one of the creases, stopping at the centre of the circle. Overlap the two new edges to form the umbrella shape. Finally, add a small piece of tape to the underside to keep it in place, and poke a long toothpick through the top of the umbrella.

For Valentine’s Day, Independence Day, Halloween or birthday cupcakes or muffins, festive little paper flags are always a hit. Instead of buying them, have everyone help make them with things you already have around the house: paper, markers, glue or tape and toothpicks!

For a quick fix when your glasses fall apart and you lose a screw, try this: Replace the missing screw with a toothpick! Line up the holes in the bow and the glasses and poke a toothpick in as far as it will go. Break the toothpick off and seal it with a piece of tape. It’ll look pretty dorky, but it’ll do in a pinch.

Sign up here to have Handyman’s favourite stories straight to your inbox.

Source: Family Handyman