33 Unusual Uses for Pantyhose (page 2 of 4)

In the Kitchen

Store onions in cutoff bundles
Get the maximum shelf life out of your onions by hanging them in nylon holders that provide the good air circulation needed to keep them fresh. Place the onions one at a time into the leg of a clean pair of pantyhose. Work the first one down to the foot section. Tie a knot above it and add the next one -- repeat until done. Cut off the remaining hose, and then hang the stocking in a cool, dry area of your kitchen. You can easily remove your onions when needed by snipping off each knot, starting from the bottom.

Make a pot or dish scrubber
Clean those stains off your nonstick cookware by making a do-it-yourself scrub pad. Crumple up a pair of clean old pantyhose, moisten it with a bit of warm water, add a couple of drops of liquid dishwashing detergent, and you're good to go. You can also make terrific scrubbers for dishes -- as well as walls and other nonporous surfaces -- by cutting off the foot or toe section, fitting it over a sponge, and knotting off the end.

Make a flour duster
Looking for a simple way to dust baking pans and surfaces with exactly the right amount of flour? Just cut the foot section off a clean old pantyhose leg, fill it with flour, tie a knot in it, and keep it in your flour jar. Give your new flour dispenser a few gentle shakes whenever you need to dust flour onto a baking pan or prepare a surface for rolling out dough for breads or pastries.

Keep a rolling pin from sticking
Getting pie dough to the perfect consistency is an art form in itself. Although you can always add water to dough that's too dry, it often results in a gluey consistency that winds up sticking to your rolling pin. Avoid the hassle of scraping clean your rolling pin by covering it with a piece of pantyhose. It will hold enough flour to keep even the wettest pie dough from sticking to the pin.

Secure trash bags
How many times have you opened your kitchen trash can only to discover that the liner has slipped down (and that someone in your house has covered it over with fresh garbage anyway)? You can prevent such "accidents" by firmly securing the garbage bag or liner to your trash can with the elastic waistband from a recycled pair of pantyhose; tie a knot in the band to keep it tight. You can also use this method to keep garbage bags from slipping off the edge of your outdoor garbage bins.

Dust under the fridge
Having trouble catching those dust bunnies residing underneath and alongside your refrigerator? Round them up by balling up a pair of old pantyhose and attaching it with a rubber band to a coat hanger or yardstick. The dust and dirt will cling to the nylon, which can easily be washed off before being called back for dusting duty.

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