Fabulous New Uses For Old Things

Feb. 21, 2008— -- Nobody likes clutter, but so many items seem just handy enough to keep around. So why not put to good use the items already lying around your house?

Real Simple magazine is the go-to expert on the subject. Jaime Zanzinger, the magazine's executive editor, joined "Good Morning America" to share her latest ideas for increasing efficiency in your living space.

Original Use: Helping you through a weepie movie.

Aha! Use: Storing plastic grocery bags under the kitchen sink. After "Terms of Endearment" has exhausted your supply of tissues, stuff bags into the empty box.

Reward: Restored order in your cabinet and bags ready for use.

Props: tissue box, plastic bags

Original Use: Holding up your 'do

Aha! Use: Prepping a pleated skirt for ironing. Slide a bobby pin onto each pleat at the hem to hold them all in place while you press. (Be sure to remove them afterward!)

Reward: Pleats that are as neat as a pin.

Props: bobby pins, pleated skirt, iron, ironing board

Original Use: Stiffening a collar.

Aha! Use: Preserving that brand-new look on sneakers. Repel dirt and grime by spraying a light coat of starch all over the interiors and exteriors of canvas or nylon sneakers before wearing them.

Reward: Shoes that stand up to the elements.

Props: starch, sneakers

Original Use: Keeping linens high and dry.

Aha! Use: Holding a nail in place when you hang a picture. Clamp the nail in the clothespin and position it where you want the picture to hang. Steady the pin with your fingers while you tap the nail into the wall.

Reward: Hitting the nail (and not your finger) on the head.

Props: clothes pins, nail, picture in a frame

Original Use: Easing sore muscles.

Aha! Use: Fertilizing houseplants. Feed plants with a solution of two tablespoons of salt to a gallon of water once a month. Magnesium and sulfur from the salt make leaves grow bushier and encourage flowering plants to bloom more often.

Reward: A greener indoor garden.

Props: epsom salt, plant, tablespoon

Aha! Use: Restoring bubbles to champagne that has lost most of its fizz. Drop a raisin into the open bottle a few minutes before pouring and any last gasps of carbon dioxide that are left in the wine will stick to the raisin's ridged surface, then release again as tiny bubbles.

Reward: A little more sparkle to lift your spirits.

Props: raisins, bottle of champagne, champagne flute

Click here to visit RealSimple.com to find even more great ideas.