Sponges Aren’t Just For Cleaning. Here Are Nifty Ways To Use Sponges For Other Tasks

#1 Nail Polish Remover

Have you saw in stores where you can buy a container that has a sponge in it, and then you stick your finger in and swish around to remove your nail polish?! Well, make your own for 1/2 the cost. Use a small container or jar you have laying around, then add some nail polish remover in, and get to work. The sponge soaks up the polish remover, and when you rub your finger on the sponge it wipes away your polish.

#2 Wash Away A Fever

Rinse a clean sponge in cool water and apply to your forehead, back, nape of your neck, or wherever else you feel flushed. As the water evaporates, your body will cool down.

#3 Save Your Soap

Ever noticed the gloppy mess your soap makes in the bottom of the dish after several uses? Blech! Rest your soap on a sponge instead. It wicks away moisture and leaves your soap clean and ready to use.

#4 Protect Valuables

We’ve all used bubble wrap and tissue paper, but have you ever considered using your sponges to pad out your valuables when packing?

Their bouncy, cushioning texture make them highly effective for this purpose, and they’ll keep all objects, however delicate, perfectly intact.

#5 Wiping down your counters and stove top

this is where the different sponges come into play. As a reformed paper towel waster, I love using sponges to wipe down my counters and stovetops. But I make sure to use my blue non-scratch Scotch-Brite sponge to ensure I don’t accidentally scratch up my counters or my glass stove top. The non-scratch sponges do just as good of a job cleaning but I don’t have to worry about them tearing up my surfaces. I can either spray with my all-purpose spray or just wet with water, wipe and my surfaces are good to go! The non-scratch sponge is also good for use on non-stick cookware, tubs, windows and any other surface you may be concerned with preventing scratching.

#6 Cleaning off your counters

If your home is anything like mine, your kitchen counters are the catch all of your home. It’s a magnet for all things paper and junk. So one of the easiest things you can do for your kitchen is clear it all off. And if you keep up with this task regularly you will find that the junk never has a chance to really pile up anymore and overwhelm you.

#7 Sponge Art

Do you and your little ones love to paint? Try something new by using sponges instead of paintbrushes.

Not only are they easy to cut into a variety of shapes, but as they soak up excess liquid, there’s less chance of splatterings and spillages. The kids will be pleased, and you will too.

#8 Quickly sweeping up the floors

Now that I have a toddler running around, I am so much more aware of the state of my floors. I used to never worry about them, but then when my daughter started crawling around and I got down on her level, I was completely grossed out by the state they were in. So I started doing a quick sweep around the kitchen each night to help cut down on the ick factor, and it has made such a difference. And like everything else, now that I do it on the regular, it takes almost no time at all!

#9 Help Your Houseplants

Sometimes leaf shine products can clog pores and actually harm your houseplants. Instead, use water and a wet sponge to get that desired shine.

#10 Odor Absorber

Sprinkle some baking soda onto a sponge and place it in your refrigerator to absorb any stinky odors.

#11 Sop up rain.

Place a sponge at the bottom of an umbrella stand to protect the bottom from getting moist and mildewy. It's much easier to toss and replace the sponge when necessary than to give the canister a regular deep cleaning.

#12 Sealing Envelopes

If you hate the way the glue taste on envelopes, grab a wet sponge and wipe where the seal mark is on the envelope! This is great for when you have a lot of envelopes to seal for parties, wedding invites, and more.

#13 Packing Material

Cut up a sponge into little squares and use it as packing material to keep delicate items safe and in one piece.

#14 Prevent Overwatering

Place a piece of a sponge at the bottom of your pot before you put your plant in. This will soak up any excess water and will ensure that the roots still stay moist.

#15 Keep Veggies Crunchy

Place a few new kitchen sponges in your crisper drawer and squeeze them out after they've absorbed excess moisture. This will keep your veggies extra crisp. So clever!

#16 Fix Car Scratches

Dab some toothpaste onto a damp sponge and rub the scratch in a circular motion. Then dry it up with a soft cloth.

#17 Loosen Wallpaper

Soak your sponge in some fabric softener that is diluted with hot water. Squeeze the sponge out and wipe the sponge over the walls to help break up the adhesive. This will make the wallpaper easier to take down.