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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to ask what object you use for a different purpose?

232 replies

sudo · 15/06/2023 01:47

I've currently got a large tub of Sudocrem propping open my sliding sash window because it won't stay up on its own!

Must look delightful to passers by.

Has anyone got any other suggestions on how to multi purpose things?

OP posts:
humphreyweareleaving · 15/06/2023 20:08

Wrongsideofpennines · 15/06/2023 01:53

We have a spatula in the toilet used specifically for scraping poo off the cloth nappies.

Beyond revolting.

Royalbloo · 15/06/2023 20:09

DontjudgeIHaveMyReasons · 15/06/2023 19:31

I use the potato masher to close my kitchen windows because I can't reach them.
Dh uses the bread knife as a back scratcher.

The bread knife?!!! I'd be in a and e!!!

Royalbloo · 15/06/2023 20:10

That Dr Beckman carpet cleaner with the sponge on for de-icing the windscreen, just put warm water in it

Redlarge · 15/06/2023 20:24

I use my pasta spoon to open and shut my very wide opening kitchen window

RobertaFirmino · 15/06/2023 20:26

Old bank card for scraping Veet off legs
Another old bank card for winged eye make up
Pringles lids fit GU ramekins perfectly, giving those glass pots a whole new level of usefulness

Royalbloo · 15/06/2023 20:28

RobertaFirmino · 15/06/2023 20:26

Old bank card for scraping Veet off legs
Another old bank card for winged eye make up
Pringles lids fit GU ramekins perfectly, giving those glass pots a whole new level of usefulness

Oooh didn't know about the Pringles lid fitting Gu ramekins. Now I'll have to buy, and eat, both!!! Thanks for that! X

RobertaFirmino · 15/06/2023 20:28

humphreyweareleaving · 15/06/2023 20:08

Beyond revolting.

How on earth are they supposed to scrape the shite off? With their bare hands? I'm sure the spatula is washed in hot soapy water after use and put somewhere out of view. Honestly...

ThatFraggle · 15/06/2023 20:32

RobertaFirmino · 15/06/2023 20:28

How on earth are they supposed to scrape the shite off? With their bare hands? I'm sure the spatula is washed in hot soapy water after use and put somewhere out of view. Honestly...

They sell the liners that you put in the bin, but I suppose if you're trying to reduce waste that's not ideal.

humphreyweareleaving · 15/06/2023 20:40

@RobertaFirmino Use Pampers like other normal people who do not store shit scrapers in their bathroom.

VWT5 · 15/06/2023 20:43

Azera coffee / or other plastic lid - kept in holiday washbag, for emergency washbasin or bath plug.

Childs fishing net - to capture bees and butterflies indoors and release.

Old credit card - to scrape HRT patch residue off my bottom.

Assorted plastic lids from sweeteners - to portion snacks for the evening/ peanuts/nuts/dried fruit/vitamin tabs etc

Best I don’t mention the electric workshop sanding machine to keep the rough skin off my feet….

sudo · 15/06/2023 20:46

Years ago friends would come round the house and go outside to smoke.

I bought a terracotta plant pot and turned it upside down in its saucer, so that they could use it as an ashtray by putting the cigarette through the hole. I left it out in the garden all the time and you'd never have known what it was for.

It would be months before it full and I therefore had to empty it (or they did) and I didn't have to look at the disgusting dog ends in an ashtray!

AIBU to ask what object you use for a different purpose?
OP posts:
TowerRaven7 · 15/06/2023 20:46

I use coffee filters as “bowl liners” for dry snacks. I put one in a bowl then fill with dry snack. When done, crumple up coffee filter and then replace clean bowl in cupboard. If eating popcorn you don’t even need the bowl, coffee filter makes a great popcorn bowl.

sudo · 15/06/2023 20:48

When I run out of clips to seal bags of various things, ie pasta or rice etc, I'll use a clothes peg!

OP posts:
PoorlyDS · 15/06/2023 20:51

Okshacky · 15/06/2023 01:50

Cheap plastic dustpan and brush. Brush is the best tool ever for cleaning a bath, pan perfect for scooping up Lego.

Talk me through ? I am intrigued

Mommasgotabrandnewbag · 15/06/2023 20:56

TowerRaven7 · 15/06/2023 20:46

I use coffee filters as “bowl liners” for dry snacks. I put one in a bowl then fill with dry snack. When done, crumple up coffee filter and then replace clean bowl in cupboard. If eating popcorn you don’t even need the bowl, coffee filter makes a great popcorn bowl.

How wasteful

Macaroni46 · 15/06/2023 20:58

I keep crisp packets in my bread bin 😂

sueelleker · 15/06/2023 20:59

I don't need them now, but when I had a settee with a gap under it, I filled the space with stuffed draught excluders to stop the dogs balls going underneath.

ichundich · 15/06/2023 21:04

UnsolicitedOpinions · 15/06/2023 17:36

Why do you put a hole in eggs before boiling? I’ve never heard of that.

Because they will crack otherwise. You don't need the hole if you put them in cold water, which you then bring to the boil. But if you put them in water that is already boiling (if you want soft boiled eggs that are timed precisely), they expand too fast and crack.

Ourladycheesusedatum · 15/06/2023 21:04

DontjudgeIHaveMyReasons · 15/06/2023 19:31

I use the potato masher to close my kitchen windows because I can't reach them.
Dh uses the bread knife as a back scratcher.

Does he have a rhino like hide?

I use all sorts to prop open windows, I can reach them all though so no need to use implements to close them.

Depending on how far back things are on the top shelves I use the massive and heavy washing powder box to stand on or a spatula. I have some bought for the purpose folding steps, lightweight, easy to reach, 3 steps high, live in the kitchen. But no I have to go to the other room, pick up/drag the washing powder box.

A first aid box has really important document like house deeds, birth certificates etc, my first aid kit lives in a roses tub? Yeah, no I dunno why either.

A childs pop up tent is used for the dog to hide in when thunderstorms or fireworks. Throw a thick blanket over it, throw a blanket or a jumper of mine in it and he will be happy until the storm is over.

A large net washing bag doubles as a dry flat thing.
So those clothes that annoyingly have to be hand washed and dried flat (I only own one item like this) place it in the net bag as flat as you can and hang the whole lot out or string the bag between two parallel washing lines, making a hammock type thing and lay your item on the hammock bit.

Slightly off topic but if you use yoghurt as a marinade or part of a marinade, and buy a far too large pot of the stuff as I did recently ( I needed 3 tablespoons, I bought half a litre? ) there is a French yoghurt cake you can make. The pot is the measure, it doesnt have to be all that accurate. I added frozen fruit but plain is good too.
I used this recipe, but there are more out there.
https://www.thelondoner.me/2016/03/french-yogurt-cake-easiest-cake-world.html

Imnotahoarderreally · 15/06/2023 21:05

I use my pasta roller to make edging out of fondant icing for cakes.

I can't look at my soup ladle without visualising our pathologist using one to ladle fluid out of a stomach cavity during an autopsy.

spiderlight · 15/06/2023 21:05

Whatkindofuckeryisthis · 15/06/2023 19:57

How often do you need a dogs urine sample?!

Not terribly often with our current dog, but our old boy had progressive kidney failure in his later years and our old girl had temporary renal insufficiency after a long course of steroids and then got a bit leaky in her old age and had to be monitored for a while in case it was her kidneys/a UTI (in the end, she went on HRT and it fixed her overnight). In short, while it's not a daily pursuit, it is not entirely unusual to see one of us following a dog round the garden with a ladle while the other stands at the back door with a funnel and a jar.

Royalbloo · 15/06/2023 21:06

Oh and a wine bottle covered in cling film as a rolling pin, but I have a proper one now!

Royalbloo · 15/06/2023 21:07

Eggs don't crack if you start them at room temp!

Dunnoburt · 15/06/2023 21:07

A super thin metal bookmark to empty the bath 🤣 one of those turny know ones that lift the plug but it stopped working years ago.....gonna be up shit creek when the bookmark either breaks or gets lost 🤣🤣🤣 (can't believe I've admitted that!!)

ThatFraggle · 15/06/2023 21:08

I use Mumsnet for company instead of getting in touch with my actual friends...

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