Bread clips—those little plastic or cardboard tabs that keep your bread bags closed—often get tossed aside once the bread is gone. But these tiny tools can be surprisingly useful for a variety of household tasks, especially when it comes to cleaning. Here are the top 10 genius cleaning hacks using bread clips that you’ll wish you had known sooner.
Keyboard Crevice Cleaner
How It Works: The slim design of bread clips makes them perfect for getting into the tiny spaces between your keyboard keys. Simply slide the clip into the gaps and run it along the edges to dislodge dust, crumbs, and other debris that collects there.
Pro Tip: Attach a small piece of microfiber cloth to the clip for an even more thorough clean.
Kimber Streams
Label Remover
How It Works: Removing sticky labels from jars or other surfaces can be a frustrating task. A bread clip’s sturdy edge can be used to scrape off labels without damaging the surface underneath. Just gently work the clip under the edge of the label and peel it away.
Pro Tip: Use a hairdryer to warm up the label first—it’ll come off even more easily with the bread clip.
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Drain Cleaning Tool
How It Works: Bread clips are excellent for fishing out hair and debris from bathroom drains. The thin, flexible design allows the clip to reach down into the drain, while the hooked end can snag hair and other clogs.
Pro Tip: Use a pair of pliers to slightly bend the end of the bread clip into a hook for even better grabbing power.
Carson Downing
Refrigerator Coil Cleaner
How It Works: The coils at the back of your refrigerator can accumulate dust and grime over time, reducing efficiency. Bread clips are ideal for scraping off this buildup. Their slim shape can easily get into tight spaces, helping to keep your fridge running smoothly.
Pro Tip: Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up the dust loosened by the bread clip for a more thorough clean.
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Gunk Scraper for Small Appliances
How It Works: Small kitchen appliances, like toasters and blenders, often collect grime in hard-to-reach areas. Bread clips are great for scraping away this buildup, especially in crevices or around buttons and knobs.
Pro Tip: Dampen the bread clip slightly before scraping to help loosen stuck-on residue.
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Window Track Cleaner
How It Works: The tracks of sliding windows and doors can accumulate dirt and debris, making them difficult to open and close. Use a bread clip to scrape out the gunk that builds up in these narrow spaces.
Pro Tip: After scraping, use a vacuum attachment to clean out the loose debris, then finish with a damp cloth.
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Shoe Sole Cleaner
How It Works: Mud and debris often get stuck in the grooves of shoe soles, especially in athletic shoes. Bread clips can easily dig out this dirt, helping to keep your shoes clean and your floors free of tracked-in mess.
Pro Tip: Use an old toothbrush in conjunction with the bread clip for a deeper clean.
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Grout Cleaner
How It Works: Grout lines between tiles can be tricky to clean, but bread clips are narrow enough to fit into these spaces. Use the clip to scrape away dirt and grime that accumulates in the grout.
Pro Tip: Apply a bit of baking soda and water paste to the grout before using the bread clip for extra cleaning power.
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Sticker Residue Scraper
How It Works: Removing leftover sticker residue from surfaces can be a headache. A bread clip’s firm edge is perfect for gently scraping away sticky residue without scratching the surface.
Pro Tip: Rub a little cooking oil onto the residue before scraping to soften the adhesive.
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Venting Lint Trap Cleaner
How It Works: Dryer lint traps and other venting systems can be difficult to clean thoroughly. Bread clips can help reach into these tight spots to pull out lint and other debris that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Pro Tip: Use the bread clip in combination with a vacuum or lint brush to ensure all debris is removed.
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