Uses For Everyday Items That You Never Knew About

Published on July 16, 2020
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No matter who you are, using tools is part of the human experience. Although times have changed greatly since our ancestor’s tools made from bones, there is no denying that we humans rely on a wide selection of tools each and every single day. Whether technologically advanced or simple, these gizmos and gadgets help us accomplish everyday tasks no matter how big or small these tasks may be. Since we use them so often, it makes sense that we do not give much thought to the tools that are so crucial to us. How many times have you actually stopped to take a look at how a box of aluminum foil actually works? Many times we’re so used to doing things our own way, we may not even be are of the “hidden” real purpose of an everyday item. Here are some of the most commonly used items that you may not have paid enough attention to in your day to day life.

The Hidden Use Of Everyday Items

The Hidden Use Of Everyday Items

Tiny Hole In The Airplane Window

Traveling by plane is one of the greatest advancements of modern technology. We can travel at speeds previously unheard of and reach the other side of the globe in a matter of hours. Have you ever noticed a tiny hole in the window of the airplane?

Tiny Hole In The Airplane Window

Tiny Hole In The Airplane Window

This hole’s function is twofold. First, it allows for proper ventilation in order to prevent the window from breaking because of changes in air pressure. It also prevents condensation from collecting on the window itself.

Pasta Portions

There’s nothing quite as comforting as a giant bowl of pasta covered in creamy, delicious sauce and sprinkled with a generous amount of parmesan cheese. Have you cooked pasta and then ever noticed a gap in the middle of pasta claws?

Pasta Portions

Pasta Portions

Most people don’t give this too much thought, but there’s actually a great reason for it to be there. The hole is actually quite helpful while measuring out portions, as it gives you the perfect amount of spaghetti per person!

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All Star Shoes

Chuck Taylors, Converse, All-Stars…whatever you call these shoes, you can’t deny how iconic they are. Since 1917, Converse All-Stars have been one of the most popular shoes in the world. So what’s the deal with the two extra shoelace holes on the side?

All Star Shoes

All Star Shoes

These are not here by mistake. On the contrary, the manufacturers added them on there on purpose to allow for creative shoelace patterns. Many mistakenly think they’re there for extra ventilation, but they’re there to allow for cool shoelace patterns!

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That’s Much More Convenient!

Cooking is essential to our lives, which is why any tool that can help us save time is absolutely a godsend in the kitchen. We’re all familiar with basic pots, but have you ever wondered why there’s a hole in their handles?

That’s Much More Convenient!

That’s Much More Convenient!

First of all, this allows you to hang them up on the wall, which is very useful if you have limited storage space. Additionally, you can also rest your wooden spoon in it while cooking, without have to dirty up your countertop!

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Bobby Pins

If you have long hair, you have encountered bobby pins at a certain point in your life. You are then most likely familiar with the feeling of losing these pins in your hair. Typically, people will pin their hair with these with the curved side up.

Bobby Pins

Bobby Pins

However, you might not know that this was not the way that bobby pins were originally meant to be used. Instead, you’re meant to use the curved side to hold the underlying bulk of your hair. Even if you’re doing it the “wrong” way, you do whatever works for you!

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This Is A Great Idea

If you have ever used a padlock, you may or may not have noticed a small hole on the bottom of the lock that’s right beside the keyhole. It’s there for a few reasons which are all quite useful.

This Is A Great Idea

This Is A Great Idea

First, it allows for water to flow out of the lock in case you’re using the padlock outdoors. It also allows for access inside the padlock, in case it gets rusty and lubrication is needed to pry the lock loose. These are useful for the wear and tear that can occur from outdoor use.

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Utility Knives

When it comes to useful tools, having a utility knife is one to keep in the toolbox. Due to the fact that these can be extremely sharp, it’s important to become familiarized with the proper handling of this type of knife.

Utility Knives

Utility Knives

You’ll see a curved plastic cap on one end, which can be removed in order to help break the knife tip once it’s become dull with use, leaving you with a new and sharp blade. The cap helps you snap the scored blade off in a safe way.

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What They’re For

Buying new clothes is always very exciting. Often, when you buy a new jacket, shirt, or any other item with buttons, you’ll receive a small zip bag with extra buttons along with a small bit of extra fabric inside of it.

What They’re For

What They’re For

If you never knew what the little piece of fabric is for, we’re here to help. The extra fabric helps you when you want to test cleaning products and harsh agents on the garment. This way, you can test the product without ruining your new clothes!

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Pen Cap

Were you ever using a ball point pen only to notice that all of the different kinds seem to have a hole on the top of the pen’s cap? That is not a coincidence. There’s a seriously important reason why it’s there.

Pen Cap

Pen Cap

This design choice was implemented after it became very clear that pen caps are a choking hazard, especially for children. This solution was introduced so that if someone swallows the cap, they’d still be able to breathe thanks to the hole in the cap.

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What Those Little Bumps Are For

As time passes, using computers every single day is becoming a reality for more and more people, especially in the workforce. Have you ever noticed the small bumps that are included on the “J” and “F” keys on the keyboard?

What Those Little Bumps Are For

What Those Little Bumps Are For

These are there for quite an interesting and useful reason. They are meant as the “home” keys that you can use to rest your hands. Ideally, you index fingers will line up with these bumps and allow you to type without having to look down at the keyboard.

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Why A Hollow Stick?

Everyone remembers enjoying lollipops as a child, and we admit that we’ll indulge in one every once in a while as adults as well. Do you remember those lollipops with a plastic stick that was hollow? Maybe you used it like a whistle like we did. It’s actually there for a very practical reason.

Lollipop Whistle

Lollipop Whistle

While the lollipop is being made, the melty candy is first poured into a mold, and the stick is then placed into it. Some of the melted candy oozes into the stick’s hold, and as it hardens, it fuses onto the stick, giving us a stable lollipop that won’t fall off.

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Convenient Plastic Lid

Ordering a morning coffee and taking it on the go has gone from a luxury to an everyday necessity for many of us. But in our rush, we don’t often pause to look at why the plastic lid is designed the way it is.

Plastic Lid

Plastic Lid

Not only do the lids keep our piping hot drinks safely inside the cups, they can also be used as coasters! They’re designed in a way that they can be attached to the bottom of the cup and keep your desk free of any mess.

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What’s That Small Dot?

If you do not have a smartphone yet, you’re really living in the Stone Ages. It’s safe to say that most of us have already made the switch, and that a great amount of people have an iPhone. Have you ever noticed the small dot next to the camera?

A Small Dot

A Small Dot

This hole has a big responsibility when it comes to taking videos. It cancels out background noise and ensure high quality sound when you’re capturing videos, especially when you are in very crowded areas, for example places like live concerts.

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Tic Tac Container

Tic Tacs are certainly one of the more fun breath mints out there, and that is all thanks to its fun and innovative packaging. While you might think you know everything there is to know about the box, think again.

Tic Tac Container

Tic Tac Container

You can actually use the box itself as a mint dispenser. Just tip the box upside down, tip it to the side, and slowly open it up. You have a tic tac waiting for you in the small indented top!

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A Life Saver

While many designs are added to products for fun purposes, others are created to maximize safety. Some designs are even implemented in order to save people’s lives. Such is the case with the detachable head support cushions inside many cars.

A Life Saver

A Life Saver

If you’ve ever detached the cushion, you may have noticed that it has two long metal bars attached to it. This is meant to be used in case you find yourself trapped in your car and need to get out quickly. Simply use the metal bars to break through the window.

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Takeout Containers

Although cooking at home does save money, sometimes it’s really okay to order out from our favorite takeout places. Nobody can argue that the absolute best part of ordering food in is that fact that you don’t have to do dishes after.

Takeout Containers

Takeout Containers

The best part of ordering from many Chinese restaurants is the clever design of the box the food comes in. These will unfold easily and creates a makeshift, convenient plate, allowing you to save even more cleanup time.

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A Built In Latch

Even if you’re not a backpack user, you’ve definitely seen people everywhere using them. You may have then noticed a small (usually brown) patch that’s sewn on to many backpacks with two slits in it. Have you ever wondered what that’s for?

A Built In Latch

A Built In Latch

Although these have become part of the fashion of the backpack itself, the patch is there for a useful reason. You can latch on any item that is too bulky to fit in a bag or items you may need easy access to.

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A Secret Use For Advil

Advil is quite a useful over the counter medicine anytime you’re suffering from a headache or any run of the mill aches and pains. However, did you know that the gel caps can help you with a specific skin issue?

A Secret Use For Advil

A Secret Use For Advil

If you’re struggling with acne, you can try out this cost effective home remedy. Simply stick a sterilized pin and extract the capsule’s gel. Then dab it onto a troublesome blemish. Make sure the pin you are using is absolutely clean.

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A Tiny Pocket

At this point, most people own at least one pair of jeans. It’s gotten to a point where jeans are even acceptable to wear at the workplace. Therefore, we’re sure you’ve noticed the tiny pocket inside the regular sized pockets on the jeans.

A Tiny Pocket

A Tiny Pocket

This miniature pocket was first intended for storing a pocket watch, which reminds us just how long jeans have been around, as pocket watches are no longer so commonly carried. This was especially useful for workers who wore jeans.

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Tape Measure Convenience

The tape measurer is quite a useful tool to keep around, but as we all know, it can sometimes be tricky to use. This is why so many tape measures have been designed with helpful features to make your life easier.

Tape Measure Convenience

Tape Measure Convenience

Typically, there will be a metal edge at the end of the measurer that will allow you to hold your place so you can set the tool down without it retracting back. There’s also usually a hole in this metal piece that’s meant for holding a nail in place.

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Grocery Cart Loops

Can you imagine going on your routine shopping trip around the supermarket without a shopping cart? It would certainly make matters more difficult, especially if you’re in for a big restock shop. Have you ever taken a close look at it though?

Grocery Cart Loops

Grocery Cart Loops

If you’ve ever noticed the metal loops that are found on the foldout seat and never understood what they’re for, we’re here to help. They’re meant to be used to hang bags off of so you can keep delicate products, like eggs, separate from heavy items, saving them from being crushed.

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Half Belts, Fully Useful

Sometimes we do not think much about items that are common. For example, when was the last time you really look a good look at your winter coat and all of its features? Most of us just throw it on and head out.

Half Belts, Fully Useful

Half Belts, Fully Useful

For example, pea coats often include a half belt, which apart from looking nice, serve a purpose. They originate from the original military design so that soldiers could easily attach more material to their coats in order to stay warm.

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Childproof Caps

Including childproof caps on medicine bottles is one of the most important features added to prescription medication bottles. This helps prevent awful accidents, which is yet another example of a smart design plan that is crucial to help saving lives.

Childproof Caps

Childproof Caps

For those who do not have any children around and struggle with the childproof cap, many prescription bottles include a double sided cap, with a childproof functionality on one side and then a screw top on the other side, to make things easier.

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More Is Better

We’ve all seen those huge condiment dispensers that have a giant pump. Typically, alongside these industrial sized bottle, you’ll see little paper cups that you can dispense your condiment of choice into. But have you ever felt like this cups are not large enough?

More Is Better

More Is Better

You may have never known this, but you can fold down the little cups and flatten them out, giving you more space to fill up with more delicious ketchup, mayo, mustard, or any other condiment you desire.

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Pom Pom Purpose

Anyone who lives in a cold climate (or anyone who is visiting one) is armed with a set of good winter gloves, a scarf, and of course, a warm hat. Often, these beanie hats will have a pom pom on top.

Pom Pom Purpose

Pom Pom Purpose

What most people don’t know is that pom poms originated in the Viking days! Vikings had hats that are similar to beanies, and they would sew on a pom pom on top to make sure the hat’s seams don’t come undone.

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The Bottle Neck

When it comes to taking beverages on the go, most of us will agree that using a bottle is much better than a can. This is because you can actually close a bottle, while a can forces you to finish your drink immediately.

The Bottle Neck

The Bottle Neck

Have you ever thought about the bottle neck before? It’s actually designed the way it is in order to help keep your drink cold. If you hold the bottle by the neck, you won’t warm up with drink with your hand.

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Staple Temporarily

The stapler is one of the most useful tools you can keep on your desk. But what about those times that you want to temporarily adhere papers together? The stapler itself can actually help you out with that. But how?

Temporary Staple

Temporary Staple

The metal plate found on the stapler’s front is called the anvil, and you can adjust it to change the stapler’s settings. Turn the stapler upside down and then spin it around and you can easily temporarily staple papers together.

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Eraser Truths

Growing up, many of us owned a special type of eraser that was double sided. One side was a normal eraser for pencil markings, and the other was meant to erase ink. More often than not, this was not actually the case.

Eraser Truths

Eraser Truths

However, these erasers were useful for other things. There are some types of erasers that will erase pencil markings made on artist paper, which is more delicate than standard paper. There are many kinds of erasers out there.

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Three Stripes

If you’ve ever purchased Aquafresh toothphase or even just seen an ad for it, you’ll have seen its signature tri-colored stripe of red, white, and blue. The patriotic stripe is not merely decorative, but actually serves a purpose. The company explained.

Three Strikes Youre Out

Three Stripes

According to the Aquafresh company, each colored stripe represents one of the three benefits of the toothpaste itself: keeping gums healthy, fighting tooth decay, and lastly, keeping your mouth fresh. Reasons aside, it’s always cool to see the three colors squeezed out of the tube.

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Shave Off Some Money

Have you ever taken a closer look at each of the coins in our money system? You may have noticed that some coins, like pennies, have smooth edges, while others, like quarters, have ridged edges. Why is it like that?

Shave Off Some Money

Shave Off Some Money

This goes back to the days when all the coins had smooth edges, and people would shave off small bits of the coins in order to melt them together and create new fake coins. As this devalues the coins’ value, minters decided to add the ridges to higher value coins.

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College Ruled

These days, most of us rarely spend a lot of time writing in a notebook, as we continue to shift everything to computers. However, there are times that still call for good ol’ pen and paper, especially when it comes to students.

College Ruled

College Ruled

Have you ever wondered about why margins are included? This is because back in the day, rats were a big issue, especially since they would chew on paper’s edges. In order to avoid losing any written work, margins were added.

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White Teeth, White Nails

There is a whole lot of maintenance involved in being a human being. That translates to tons of products out there, many of which end up in our homes. We personally enjoy products that serve more than one purpose, to save on clutter.

White Teeth, White Nails

White Teeth, White Nails

You might be surprised to hear that in addition to keeping your pearly whites clean, toothpaste has one than one use. You can also keep your nails bright and clean. Apply a layer of toothpaste on your nails and leave on for 15 minutes to clear your nails of yellowing.

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Toblerone Chocolate

Who doesn’t like a large slab of Toblerone chocolate? The iconic Swiss confection is known for its unique shape, a row of triangles. You might think that the chocolatiers chose this shape merely for stylistic purposes, but there is a reason why this shape was chosen.

Toblerone Chocolate

Toblerone Chocolate

The rows of chocolates do resemble the Swiss Alps, but the triangles also easily snap off, providing an easy and convenient way to measure out each serving of chocolate. Each piece is one perfect serving size.

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Under Oven Drawer

Most of us either ignore the drawer that’s often included under the oven, or merely use it as extra storage space. Does anyone know what the actual purpose for this drawer is actually meant to be? We decided to find out.

Under Oven Drawer

Under Oven Drawer

The actual intended purpose for this drawer is actually to serve as a warming drawer. This is to keep prepared food warm without overcooking it until it is time for it to be served. That’s probably why you shouldn’t use it as a storage drawer….

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Microphone Covers

Anyone who spends a lot of time working with microphones, whether at a sales job or as a professional singer, will know that microphone are typically covered in a piece of felt. While it is not very stylish, it is quite important.

Microphone Covers

Microphone Covers

This piece of felt is used in order to make sure the sound quality is not compromised. It prevents the microphone from picking up unwanted sounds by restricting airflow, which helps prevent loud sounds or breathing sounds from interfering with the desired sound.

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Double Sided Pad

Have you ever purchased cotton pads and noticed all the different patterns of designs on them? You may not have thought anything of it, but these design patterns serve more than just an aesthetic purpose. So what are the patterns for?

Double Sided Pad

Double Sided Pad

Every side of the the cotton pad has a specific purpose, which is reflected by the design on it. The embossed side will be more absorbent, which can be used with toner or nail polish removal. The smooth side tends to be softer and it great for makeup removal.

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Microwave Black Grating

Have you ever placed your plate of food in the microwave and actually taken a good look at it? You may have noticed the black grating on the microwave door, but do you know why it is actually put there?

Microwave Black Grating

Microwave Black Grating

This is called a Faraday shield, which keeps the electromagnetic energy inside the microwave. Microwaves use long-wave radiation to make water molecules vibrate, resulting in energy being created, which warms up your food. This would not be possible without the Faraday shield.

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Tire Tread Marks

While there are many car enthusiasts out there, most of us do not really know much about these machines that we use every day. Most of us don’t think twice about why our car tires have grooves and markings in them.

Tire Tread Marks

Tire Tread Marks

However, these grooves are very important, as they keep water out of your tires while you’re driving over a wet surface. This prevents your car from hydroplaning. Since tire’s treads wear down over time, it is critical to change your tired when this happens.

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Ice Cream Scooper Colors

Okay, serious question. Who doesn’t love ice cream? We can’t understand anyone who doesn’t love the delicious treat. While we usually believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, we definitely are skeptical of anyone who is not a fan of ice cream.

Ice Cream Scooper Colors

Ice Cream Scooper Colors

Have you ever been at an ice cream shop and noticed that all of the ice cream scoopers have different colored handles? This isn’t just for style purpose, but each color actually represents different scoop sizes, and also help prevent cross contaminating the different flavors.

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Toothpick Holder

Have you ever encountered a toothpick that features two small grooves on one end? While these ridges could be there just for aesthetic purposes, they actually serve a pretty useful purpose, which you might have never thought of before.

Toothpick Holder

Toothpick Holder

The ridges are meant to be easily snapped off, creating a built-in tiny toothpick holder. This enables you to put your toothpick down to use again later without having to contaminate it by directly placing it on a dirty table. How convenient!

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Spiky Caps

Many tube containers feature a cap that has a small spike inside of the top that is otherwise hollowed out. No, these are not teeny tiny torture devices, and they’re actually quite useful when it comes to opening up the product.

Spiky Caps

Spiky Caps

Typically, tubes are sealed off with an aluminum foil seal, which can sometimes be quite difficult to open up. The tiny spike found in the tube’s cap can help you pierce a hole in the seal, making it much easier to unpeel.

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Plastic Bottle Caps

Have you ever noticed the small (sometimes light blue colored) rubber disc inside of the top of bottle caps? Some of us took these out and stretched them our into bracelets, but they actually have a real purpose other than for jewelry.

Plastic Bottle Caps

Plastic Bottle Caps

These discs are placed there to protect the drink inside the bottle. This small disc keeps the fizziness inside the bottle. Otherwise, it would be pretty disappointing to open up a bottle of soda only to find it to be completely flat.

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Button Up

Most men’s dress shirts will feature the buttons on the right side of the shirt, while women’s dress shirts will commonly have the buttons on the left side. While most people are right handed, why aren’t the buttons always on the right side?

Button Up

Button Up

Buttons used to represent your standing in society. For example, a high ranking woman would typically have a maid to dress her, so buttons were placed on the left side of the garment so they would be on the maid’s right side while facing the woman.

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Don’t Sweat It

Many of us are conscious of using every last drop of our products in order to avoid waste and also make sure we’re not wasting our money. We’ve all reached the end of the deodorant and felt the pain of scraping plastic on our armpits.

Don’t Sweat It

Don’t Sweat It

But did you know that you can actually access the end of the deodorant stick instead of throwing it out? Use a pencil to push the remaining deodorant up, giving you at least a few more weeks’ worth of deodorant.

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Pringles Hack

Who doesn’t love Pringles? They’re salty, crispy, and delicious. Once you have one, it’s pretty hard to stop eating them. Once you start reaching the end of the tube, it gets pretty hard to reach in and get the rest.

Pringles Hack

Pringles Hack

A great hack is to bend a piece of paper and slide it into the tube, lay the tube down, and then gently pour out the remaining chips. You can use the paper to prevent the chips from directly touching the table.

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Hole In Aluminum Foil Box

There is not doubt about it, aluminum foil is one of the most useful inventions ever created. While it is extremely useful in the kitchen, sometimes the packaging leads it to be cumbersome. We’ve all had the roll tumble out of the box.

Hole In Aluminum Foil Box

Hole In Aluminum Foil Box

This leaves us way excess aluminum foil that will never roll back up smoothly again. However, on the box, you can punch out a hole, creating an indentation that can lock the aluminum roll into place, preventing any falling.

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Heinz’s 57

How many times have you reached the end of the ketchup and spent an inordinate amount of time trying to get the last bit out? You may have felt that no matter how hard you shake, you can never get it all out.

Heinz’s 57

Heinz’s 57

The Heinz company has a solution. According to their spokesperson: “the sweet spot to tap on the Heinz bottle is the 57 on the neck. All you need to do is apply a firm tap where the bottle narrows and the ketchup will come out easier.”

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What Are These For?

Often when you purchase a product that comes in a shipping box, you’ll find some small packets that are labelled as “silica gel” packets. Usually, we just toss these out without giving them a thought, but why are they actually there?

What Are These For?

What Are These For?

Silica gel acts as a drying agent and sucks out the moisture in the surrounding air. This keep products dry and fresh. Next time you find them, it may be a good idea to keep them and store them for future use.

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More Support

Jeans have become a staple part of nearly everyone’s wardrobe these days. A good pair of trusty jeans will really take you far. Have you ever noticed the tiny metal rivets that are included on most jeans? What are they for?

More Support

More Support

These rivets date back to the days when Levi Strauss made jeans. They were added to areas that became most distressed on the jeans, where stitches would come undone. The rivets make the jeans much more durable and long lasting.

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A Useful Indicator

Have you ever been in a rental car or a car that is not yours, taken it to a gas station, and then panicked where you realized you don’t know what side the gas tank is on? There’s an easy way to know.

A Useful Indicator

A Useful Indicator

Next to the gas signal light on your dashboard, there’s a small indication of what side the gas fuel tank is on. The arrow will indicate what side is on, allowing you to plan ahead for which side to drive up to at the gas station.

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Loops On Boots

While combat boots were originally intended for soldiers in combat (hence the name) they’ve made quite the dramatic shift. Nowadays, many people wear them as a fashion statement. A lot of people don’t think about why there are loops on the top of the boots.

Loops On Boots

Loops On Boots

These are added on to help getting the boots on more quickly by giving you something to latch onto as you slide your feet in. You can also use the loops to hang the boots to dry or tie them onto a bag.

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Rearview Mirror

One of the most useful devices inside a car are the rearview mirrors. These help you make sure you can safely change lanes and generally help you know what’s going on around you. So what is that small tab on the bottom for?

Rearview Mirror

Rearview Mirror

The tab is there so the driver can easily and quickly adjust the angle of the rearview mirror, which is especially useful when the driver behind you has their high beams on and you want to quickly adjust your mirror to avoid the blinding lights.

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Loop On Shirt

If you wear button down shirts, you may or may not have noticed a mysterious loop placed in the middle of the top back area. These loops were first introduced by the brand GANT on their shirts that were marketed to Ivy League students.

Loop On Shirt

Loop On Shirt

The loop was originally intended to be used when people wearing the shirts wanted to hang up their shirts on locker room hooks and would help keep the shirt wrinkle free. This can still be useful today.

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Soda Can

On a hot summer day, there’s not much better than a refreshing ice cold soda. Cans of soft drinks are so common that it is not surprising that we don’t actually stop to give them much of a second thought.

Soda Can

Soda Can

Did you ever wonder what the hole in the can’s tab is for? It is actually there to help you keep your straw in place. Otherwise, you may have already experienced the straw flopping around or even floating out of the can altogether.

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Fancy In A Good Way

Most people do not give much of a second thought to the hangers that they use in their closet. However, there are different types of hangers for different purposes. There are plastic, felt, wire, and also wooden hangers, that many consider to be quite fancy.

Fancy In A Good Way

Fancy In A Good Way

Typically, wooden hangers are made of cedar wood, which is very useful for repelling bugs. Since these hangers are stronger than other kinds, they’re great for heavier items like winter coats and also formal dresses.

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Bubble Wrap Wallpaper

Popping bubble wrap is undeniably very entertaining. However, we all know its intended purpose: wrapping things up and keeping them safe from breaking. This is especially useful when you’ve packing up your belongings, especially delicate ones, while moving to a new home.

Bubble Wrap Wallpaper

Bubble Wrap Wallpaper

Many people don’t know that bubble wrap was originally intended to be for wallpaper. Bubble wrap creators Marc Chavannes and Alfred Fielding wanted to crate a textured wallpaper. However, in 1959, IBM wrapped their computers in the material, giving it a new purpose that we use to this day.

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Slick Slinky

Did you have a toy slinky while you were growing up? There’s a reason why it is one of the most beloved toy of all time. Surprisingly, the slinky was not actually originally invented to be a toy at all.

Slick Slinky

Slick Slinky

The slinky was invented by Richard James in order to stabilize ship devices, especially while out on choppy waters. When he accidentally knocked it off a shelf and saw it “walking” across his desk, he saw its potential as a toy.

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The Perfect Seal

Did you ever purchase a drink in a bottle and found a soft, plastic disc on the top of the bottle cap? It’s fun to feel those off and then make them into bracelets. But what are these actually for?

The Perfect Seal

The Perfect Seal

The small blue disc plays a very big role in keep the soda inside the bottle carbonated and fresh. The disc is actually the seal that keeps air out and keeps the fizzy gas inside the bottle, preventing the soda from going flat.

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The Margin Purpose

You may have been using lined paper notebooks your entire life, but you may or may not have wondered about why there are margins included on the pages. While the margins can help guide your writing, their original purpose is quite interesting.

The Margin Purpose

The Margin Purpose

Manufacturers originally included margins in order to protect writing from rats chewing on the edges of the paper. Rats used to commonly be roaming around homes, and they would often chew on paper. With added margins, people’s work would be safer from the chewing.

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Temporary Staples

When using a stapler, have you ever noticed the indents included on the bottom of the metal edge? Whether you’ve wondered about it before or not, it serves a pretty important use, especially if you want to temporarily adhere paper together.

Temporary Staples

Temporary Staples

If you turn this platform around 180 degrees, you can bend the staples outward on the paper. This makes it much easier to remove the staples from the paper without having to find a staple remover or ruining your nails.

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