Most people don't think much of cotton balls, but the innocuous balls of fluff are handy tools to have on hand. They're great for making snowmen children's artwork and cleaning up scraped knees, but did you know the puffy white balls of cotton are great for a myriad of other handy uses too?
Not only are cotton balls handy, they're cheap! So if you find a use for them on this list that you know you'll use, you can stock up without busting your budget!
Advertisement
1. Give your brushes a boost
Make use of a taller brush holder or jar without having to shove your hand inside to reach smaller makeup brushes by adding a few cotton balls to the bottom to give your brushes a boost without hogging needed storage space.
Make use of a taller brush holder or jar without having to shove your hand inside to reach smaller makeup brushes by adding a few cotton balls to the bottom to give your brushes a boost without hogging needed storage space.
2. Keep Toes from Blistering
If your favorite heels are killing your toes as much as they are the dance floor, try putting a cotton ball or two in the toe. This also works if your shoes are just a teensy bit big. You can stick a cotton ball to the heel using a band-aid too.
If your favorite heels are killing your toes as much as they are the dance floor, try putting a cotton ball or two in the toe. This also works if your shoes are just a teensy bit big. You can stick a cotton ball to the heel using a band-aid too.
3. Longer Lashes
Want longer lashes without forking over big bucks? You'll need mascara, a spoolie (eyebrow brush), and cotton swabs. The trick is to use thin pieces of the cotton to boost your lashes. Check out the full tutorial from Huda Beauty
Want longer lashes without forking over big bucks? You'll need mascara, a spoolie (eyebrow brush), and cotton swabs. The trick is to use thin pieces of the cotton to boost your lashes. Check out the full tutorial from Huda Beauty
4. Create fire tinder
Save space in your packing gear by making your own fire starters with cotton balls and P.E.T. Just coat the cotton balls in melted petroleum jelly, store in a bag and use as needed on your trip, according to Survival Hacks.
Save space in your packing gear by making your own fire starters with cotton balls and P.E.T. Just coat the cotton balls in melted petroleum jelly, store in a bag and use as needed on your trip, according to Survival Hacks.
5. Tooth pain be gone
I've used this trick more times than I can count. Soak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide or Orajel mouthwash and stick the cotton ball against the aching tooth. Hold it in place with your mouth for a few minutes to alleviate pain.
I've used this trick more times than I can count. Soak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide or Orajel mouthwash and stick the cotton ball against the aching tooth. Hold it in place with your mouth for a few minutes to alleviate pain.
6. Freshen up your vacuum
Vacuuming should make your house look and feel fresh and clean, but when your vacuum stinks (and it spreads the joy to the rest of the room), it can make all of your hard work feel worthless. One easy solution is to put a few drops of your favorite essential oil on a cotton swab and add it to the vacuum bag.
Vacuuming should make your house look and feel fresh and clean, but when your vacuum stinks (and it spreads the joy to the rest of the room), it can make all of your hard work feel worthless. One easy solution is to put a few drops of your favorite essential oil on a cotton swab and add it to the vacuum bag.
7. Keep bunnies at bay
Protect your garden from rabbits by soaking cotton balls in distilled white vinegar, placing them in a jar and sealing it shut. Poke holes in the lid so the scent can escape. Store a few jars in your garden to keep the leaf munchers at bay.
Protect your garden from rabbits by soaking cotton balls in distilled white vinegar, placing them in a jar and sealing it shut. Poke holes in the lid so the scent can escape. Store a few jars in your garden to keep the leaf munchers at bay.
8. Make your bathroom smell nice
Forget potpourri. Stash a few cotton balls spritzed with your favorite scent in a bowl or jar for an instant aromatic at a fraction of the price.
Forget potpourri. Stash a few cotton balls spritzed with your favorite scent in a bowl or jar for an instant aromatic at a fraction of the price.
9. Clean jewelry
Soak your cotton swabs in rubbing alcohol or jewelry cleaner and give even your sharpest earrings a cleaning. The cotton is sturdy enough to protect your fingers from pokes and it's easy to get into small crevices.
Soak your cotton swabs in rubbing alcohol or jewelry cleaner and give even your sharpest earrings a cleaning. The cotton is sturdy enough to protect your fingers from pokes and it's easy to get into small crevices.
10. Earplugs
Have noisy neighbors? Grab two cotton balls, twist them into pieces and put them in your ears to block out the pounding, jumping, yelling and whatever other noises you hear coming through the ceiling!
Have noisy neighbors? Grab two cotton balls, twist them into pieces and put them in your ears to block out the pounding, jumping, yelling and whatever other noises you hear coming through the ceiling!
Advertisement
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/0/e/d/8/0ed8779973ca0dd040155ebd8a19b3e1.jpg)
Shutterstock
Love these tips? Don't forget to share them with your friends on Facebook.