40 Unique Ways To Use Bobby Pins

Bobby pins don’t get the attention they deserve.
These little devices intended to tuck away stray hairs and keep styles in place can do so much more than that.

Here are forty unique ways to use bobby pins that you probably haven’t already already thought of:

#1 Get the last of the toothpaste

Clip a bobby pin onto your toothpaste tube and slide it up a little each time. In the end, you’ll get every last bit of toothpaste out of the tube.

#2 Get food seals open faster

Pry off the seals on beverages, peanut butter containers, and other products. It will keep you from destroying any fingernails in the process.

pin — uleeee via Flickr
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uleeee via Flickr

#3 Go fishing without a hook

Bend a bobby pin until it is in the shape of a hook and remove the little safety tip at the end. Now, you can go fishing even if you managed to forget some of the supplies.

#4 Replace part of a broken zipper

Replace a broken zipper tab by pushing a bobby pin through the eye. You’ll be able to pull the zipper back up and down again.

zip — rashbre via Flickr
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rashbre via Flickr

#5 Remove the pits from olives and cherries

Push the pits of cherries and olives out with a bobby pin. It’s the perfect size for the job.

pit — thewrittengeek via Flickr
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thewrittengeek via Flickr

#6 Avoid hammering your fingertips

Hold a nail in place with a bobby pin instead of the tips of your fingers. This is particularly useful if you’re prone to hitting slightly off target with a hammer.

#7 Create perfect nail art

Create a perfectly dotted nail design with the end of a bobby pin. Just dip it in the nail polish and start creating.

#8 Open letters with ease

Slide a bobby pin under the edge of the seal on an envelope. Pull it across and you will have an opened envelope with no damage to the letter inside.

mail — castorgirl via Flickr
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castorgirl via Flickr

#9 Hold cloth together for sewing

Instead of using traditional pins and risking poking yourself, use bobby pins instead. They actually hold the material more securely in most cases, and with far less potential pain.

thread — miserablespice via Flickr
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miserablespice via Flickr

#10 Fix wardrobe malfunctions in a pinch

Temporarily fix wardrobe malfunctions until you have a chance to get home. Secure a broken button or a snapped bra strap with ease.

buttons — torrancedoes via Flickr
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torrancedoes via Flickr

#11 Clip your chip bags

Use hair pins as food clips to keep your chips sealed and fresh for a while longer. Just fold the chip bag closed and slip a pin over it.

#12 Reset electronics easily

Reset electrical items with just a touch of the tiny red button that many have. The round tip shouldn’t cause any damage to the button.

#13 Unblock the bathroom sink drain

Use a bobby pin the push through any gunk that may be trapped in your sink drain. Water will flow down the pipe once again.

#14 Keeps cords untangled

Bend a bobby pin until it looks like a “W” and then wrap headphone cords around it. It will save them from getting tangled and damaged.

ear buds — emmag-rich via Flickr
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emmag-rich via Flickr

#15 Use them in place of clothespins

For smaller items, bobby pins can be used when you’re out of clothespins. Just slide them over the material to secure it to the line.

#16 Make an instant bookmark

Slip a bobby pin over the page you want to find in a book. It will be easy to locate and is unlikely to get lost.

#17 Style your hair

Bobby pins are actually really versatile when it comes to hairstyles as well. Create curls, tidy up a bun, or hold together French twists.

bun — matches2 via Flickr
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matches2 via Flickr

#18 Secure a tie

Instead of letting a tie fly everywhere, use a bobby pin in place of a tie pin. Just slide the bobby pin over both ends of the tie.

tie — reneerk via Flickr
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reneerk via Flickr

#19 Create unique jewelry

Use bobby pins creatively to make unique accessories. You can paint them to add some extra flare.

ring — toopa (Erin Austin) via Flickr
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toopa (Erin Austin) via Flickr

#20 Apply false eyelashes perfectly

Dip the end of a bobby pin in eyelash glue and you will have just the right amount to work with. Then just apply it to the lashes.

#21 Emergency screwdriver

Use a hair pin to unscrew something if you don’t have a screwdriver. It will take a little bit longer, but it will get the job done.

#22 Replace a broken belt loop

Fasten a loose belt by sliding a bobby pin over it. Your belt will sit flat instead of sticking out and ruining the look you were going for.

#23 Go swimming

Some divers will throw a bobby pin into a pool and then dive in after it. If you like diving, this might be fun to try.

#24 Fasten jewelry with less of a struggle

Slide a bobby pin through the clasp of a bracelet or necklace. Hold on to the bobby pin and it will keep the clasp in place to make it much easier to fasten.

#25 Keep extra thread neatly spooled

If you will be traveling and don’t want to bring a giant spool of thread, wrap some around a bobby pin. You’ll be prepared for any travel emergencies of the clothing variety.

#26 Contour without new makeup brushes

Contouring requires a compact and angular brush. This can be achieved by sliding a bobby pin halfway up the bristles of an ordinary makeup brush

#27 Get a nicely fitted t-shirt

If your t-shirt is too baggy, use bobby pins to bunch up any excess fabric. You’ll have a fitted shirt in no time at all.

#28 Open boxes

Run a bobby pin along the tape on any packages you receive. You’ll be able to open them without the usual hassle.

#29 Flatten putty and paint

If you’re painting or filling in a hole and can’t get the surface perfectly flat with the tools you have available, get out a bobby pin. You should be able to smoothly carve away any excess.

#30 Keep yarn from getting knotted

Use a bobby pin to fasten the end of a yarn strand into the ball of wool. I will keep everything from getting tangled and also keep knitting relaxing.

yawn — raincloudmachine via Flickr
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raincloudmachine via Flickr

#31 Create a chain quickly

Make a chain quickly. This can be useful for jewelry or decorations.

bobby pins — GonzalezC166 via Flickr
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GonzalezC166 via Flickr

#32 Hang ornaments

Slip a bobby pin through the loop of an ornament and you have an easy way to attach it to the tree. They should stay firmly in place for the holiday.

#33 Use them instead of paperclips

Use a bobby pin to pin together important papers. You might find that it’s actually more secure than a paperclip.

#34 Mark the end of the tape

Mark the end up tape with a bobby pin. You’ll never spend ages trying to find the end again.

#35 Use one instead of a toothpick

Sample food with a bobby pin. You can stab the food or use a pin like mini chopsticks.

plate — simonpfotos via Flickr
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simonpfotos via Flickr

#36 Instant money clip

Secure your cash with a bobby pin. It will keep it together easily and without costing you extra for the price of a money clip.

#37 Hem pants

If your pants are too long, fold them and secure them with a bobby pin. They will be instantly hemmed and easily reverted in case you need to switch between heels and flats.

#38 Add a personal touch to gifts

Use a bobby pin to clip a note to a gift. Add some paint, gems, or beads to it for an added touch.

#39 Pick a lock

Did you know that you can pick a deadbolt with a bobby pin? Here’s how.

#40 Untie knotted shoelaces

Slide a bobby pin into the center of a knot and work the knot loose. It’s much more effective than trying to tug at the edges of the knot.

tattoosbyspeck via Flickr
Source:

tattoosbyspeck via Flickr

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