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I often multipurpose old glass bottles by painting them and using them as flower vases. Although it’s a very small thing, I feel good that I'm making at least a teeny, tiny bit of effort by multipurposing products rather than just buying new ones and adding to the clutter.
There are many such folks out there who multipurpose various products and take a healthy step toward minimalism. We have compiled some of the most useful items they mentioned that have a high multifunctionality—and you only have to sit back and peruse the list!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Rubbing alcohol. You have no clue how useful this stuff is. Bought it once for a project, use it for a ton of stuff now. Cleans just about everything, dress cuts, you can set it on fire, removes oil better than soap.
Adrian 10 months ago
Then why do so many health sites recommend it for cleaning wounds?
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A C 10 months ago
It's also great for removing the glue left behind after you peel off a price label.
RELATED:
#2
With the exception of knives, most of my kitchen stuff doubles as baby toys at the moment. Not only does my kid prefer playing with measuring cups to any of the expensive electronic gizmos people gift to infants these days, but those measuring cups are *so much quieter* than the goddamn Disney Babies Popping Fun Pals Activity Center Helltoy.
cerinamroth 10 months ago
Top tip: Instead of giving them a pan and a metal spoon, like so many people do, give them a plastic bowl and a wooden spoon. So much quieter and more tolerable! Ask for more top tips for introvert mums! :D
Microwaved Robot 10 months ago
Long, long ago my Grandmother had a massively large kitchen drawer with nothing but used/empty plastic tubs think: margarine, sour cream, cottage cheese, etc., visiting with her my Three Year Old Son was hard to deal with until we found that drawer and a plastic wash tub and we never heard from him again the whole week we were visiting. He played quietly putting the containers in and out, lids in and out of the wash tub, someone gave him a wooden spoon but that 'disappeared' overnight LOL
Offbeat Quinoa 10 months ago
I used to love clothes hangers as a kid 😂 I’d turn them upside down and pretend they were pterodactyls
Bamamom2boys 10 months ago
I am lucky in that I have a lot of cabinet space. When my kids were very small, they had their own kitchen cabinet with cups, bowls etc to play with when I was in the kitchen.
cerinamroth 10 months ago
The Tupperware/plastic box cupboard was always left open on purpose
Load More Replies... #3
Leatherman Skeletool CX
I use it every day. It's a quality pocket knife (154CM steel - sharpens very well) but I also use it very often as a screwdriver, bottle opener and pliers. It's always carried in my front right jeans pocklet (the little one on mens jeans) and I need up using it for damn near everything.
Stannous Flouride 10 months ago
I prefer the Leatherman Mini-Tool. It's 67mm (2 5/8") long, 26.5mm (1") wide, and 14mm (1/2") thick. It weighs about 116 grams (4.1 oz) but opens to a full size set of pliers & has a knife, can opener, bottle opener, and metal file. Stupidly they stopped making them and went with the lousy Micra which seems designed for people who never get their hands dirty. Still around on ebay though. MiniTool-6...a24277.jpg 
Let’s face it—we live in a challenging economy where multipurposing products is actually quite a good thing as it might help you cut the costs of unnecessary items. The situation is so dire that experts have predicted that some daily essential things might soon be very hard to get for middle-class people.
It is estimated that an American household spends an average of $61,334 per year on expenses. This amount is quite staggering, considering the fact that the average salary in the US is $66,622. Well, saving a few bucks here and there by using multifunctional products does sound like a beneficial option, doesn’t it?
#4
Binder clips.
G Bono 10 months ago
I use them to close food bags, on toothpaste when it gets low, currently using one as a money clip for credit cards (keep business cards on either side to protect the magnet), to keep wires neat
Susan W. 10 months ago
I use them too for closing bags. Cheaper and holds better than the plastic clips.
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Nuku Nyara 10 months ago
We use the extra extra large ones to hang moving blankets from the walls in the moving vans when we ship our arcades to the convention 👍
#5
I use hair conditioner as shaving cream.
Microwaved Robot 10 months ago
Great one for men shaving (ladies too some of us do) Noxzema instead of soap or shaving cream, works a treat, no shaving bumps and a nice clean scent and smooth skin.
Offbeat Quinoa 10 months ago
Dollar store hair conditioner is so useful for stuff like this 🥰 I have fine dry thick hair and cheap conditioner has enough of a “detergent” quality that I can use it to “wash” my hair most days of the week (I only use shampoo once or twice a week because it dries me out and makes my hair even oilier and greasier), then regular conditioner afterwards, and that keeps my hair soft and looking great and clean and healthy 🥰
#6
I'm gonna be a little different and say my PlayStation 4. Its my cable tv, its my youtube, its my video games and music.
It covers all my entertainment needs without all the clutter of multiple electronic devices.
It’s no secret that people all over the globe are looking for smart ways to beat inflation while also enjoying their lives. Especially a country like Japan, which promotes minimalism by inventing new things so people can easily live with less, save money, and still find happiness and satisfaction in their lives.
Some studies have also revealed that minimalism directly affects financial well-being and happiness. Well, this just stresses the fact that now is probably the best time to multipurpose products, save money, and secure a happier lifestyle.
#7
Japanese Snow Peak titanium Spork. Beautiful, lightweight, compact, versatile, lasts a lifetime. For everything else: bamboo chopsticks.
cerinamroth 10 months ago
I use chopsticks for so many things - cooking, eating, I always have some when travelling.
#8
Toaster oven. I just bought one that has an air fryer. But you can also bake in it and it takes way less time to heat up. I can’t wait to air fry some kale and battered cauliflower.
Also I got one of those little bamboo shower stools. It’s cool for shaving legs in the shower but it can be used for other purposes.
K Barnes 10 months ago
I still haven't jumped on the air fryer wave, despite half the people I know insisting it's the best appliance ever, because my oven has a convection setting. However, now that I know the preheat time is under 5 mins and you're heating a much smaller appliance (not the whole oven) I am more tempted...
Load More Replies... #9
A credenza. It’s a clothes dresser in the bedroom , sideboard in the dining room, tv stand in the living room, arts and crafts supply storage in the craft room....
I move every few years. A credenza is the most versatile piece of furniture I own.
Offbeat Quinoa 10 months ago
I feel like I remember reading a Reddit story once of someone naming their kid “Credenza” lmao
According to Nielsen, “Product demand for items that met more than one consumer need or had multiple functions remained strong, even when their category as a whole struggled. For example, year-on-year sales of built-in kitchen hobs dropped by 4% from January to August 2022 and hoods fell by 11%, yet there was an 18% jump in sales of built-in hobs with integrated hoods.”
Nielsen also explained that consumers are willing to pay more for smart multi-functional products that simplify their lives. But hey, buying fancy products is not always necessary, as you will see some simple items in this list that folks multipurpose.
#10
Chopsticks are one of the best tools you can have in the kitchen!
They’re super versatile for cooking and eating. They can serve the purpose of a whisk, spatula, tongs, fork, cake tester etc. If you put multiple chopsticks down they become a cooling rack (Ex. For bacon). You can even eat potato chips with them to prevent messy hands!
Offbeat Quinoa 10 months ago
I randomly eat things with chopsticks when I feel like making mealtime more interesting 😂 I love playing with my food
Nuku Nyara 10 months ago
I also use chopsticks to cook and eat with. I'll even use them when eating Cheetos and cut fruit if I want to keep my hands clean or I want to take my time and savor the flavor of my food 👍
cerinamroth 10 months ago
My kids learned to eat with chopsticks from a young age (starting with the ones with loops for tiny children) and both of their kindergarten teachers commented on their dexterity. It does develop finger/hand strength and hand/eye coordination!
#11
Flour sack and microfiber towels. Microfiber cleans so well with just water, and flour sack towels take the place of paper towels.
Stannous Flouride 10 months ago
I was concerned about the cost and amount of paper towels I was using so I took one of the 100% Egyptian cotton top sheets I never use and tore it into small (20cm x 30cm or so) rectangles. (I regret not using pinking shears though since the edges run) I use them and wash them and when they get to a point where that's no longer practical, they're biodegradable and get composted. 20250218_1...436341.jpg 
Gingersnap In Iowa 10 months ago
I use tea towels (flour sacks) all the time. I prefer them to dish towels.
Roxy222uk 10 months ago
Good grief, could someone interrupt for a poor old Brit? I would have thought that 'dish towels' was what Americans called tea towels. I have no grasp of why a tea towel is the same as a flour sack. We've only ever bought flour in large quantities in plastic or paper. So please, how is a tea towel the same as a flour sack and different to a dish towel? Thank you.
Load More Replies... #12
Ranch dressing replaces sandwich spread, vegetable dip, and "a splash of milk" in mac and cheese or other sauces.
Washcloths make really good "napkins".
On the other hand, The Minimalist Vegan who promotes sustainable living argues in an article that while the multipurpose approach can be effective when simplifying, you have to be careful not to overdo it. The article also adds that you can waste countless hours trying to find all-in-one solutions that work.
“The point is, multipurpose products can compromise the quality of the individual task at hand. We see this happen all the time with phone apps. Instead of focusing on solving one single problem well, the creators try to pack too many features into the software to the point where it doesn’t do anything well.
"So, while I encourage you to look for multipurpose products, make sure you’re not compromising jobs that need to be done,” the article concludes.
#13
A wok, I’ve made so many things in a wok. Stir-fry of course, pasta, fried eggs, sauces, omeletes, pancakes, meat and veg, curries, fried chicken and chips, steamed veg. Cooks things quickly, you can make large and small portions comfortably, easy to clean, lightweight. I love my wok.
#14
It's a pretty big one, but I got an Instant Pot for cooking, and after doing so I was able to get rid of 2 crock pots and my rice cooker. Partly I didn't make a lot of rice so it was a bit more of just knowing I had a backup, but with the right instructions for the right type of rice the Instant Pot can apparently make a good batch of rice. For the slow cookers, I end up just converting the cook time from slow cooking multiple hours to pressure cooking times as the IP is hit or miss as an actual slow cooker. Even with adding a second inner pot for the IP, I still need less storage space and can do more things with a single appliance than I could with the previous three.
Joshua David 10 months ago
This is hands down the best Christmas gift I was ever given. I love it.
K Barnes 10 months ago
Got one for my husband's Xmas gift and it sat untouched for 2 years. Then he started to play with it and now he uses it twice a week or more. I still prefer the slow cooker, except for beans. The instant pot has changed the bean game for me. I am starting to experiment more, too!
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Mark Alexander 10 months ago
The only thing better in the kitchen than an Instant Pot is two Instant Pots. Quickest beans and rice ever.
AlithenewMC 10 months ago
I got rid of mine- I used it maybe 4 times over 3 years and hated it each time. Didn't save me time vs using the stove/oven by the time it took the pressure to build and then release at the end. I was given an airfryer too and have used that maybe twice in the 2 years I've had it- that'll be going away too. Toaster oven is faster and crispier.
#15
Potatoes and rice. It's food so I don't know how much it counts, and my poor-student go to, but the amount of things you can make out of them is crazy even if its obvious. Onigiri, fried rice, yellow rice, rice milk, potato bread (nummos), baked/mashed potatoes, fries, potato soup... I could go on for mi amors.
Mugs, too. I own three, one I use for holding forks etc, and two more for eating/company. I use them as bowls and cups, and honestly I dig it. Plus its good for lazy meals. Mmm. Mug brownies.
K Barnes 10 months ago
We are trying to eat low card (not no carb or keto, mind you) and MAN is it expensive. Fresh veggies were I live have tripled to quadrupled in price over the past 10 years (I paid 8$ for a head of celery last week and died a bit, I am not over that) so replacing a serving of carbs with a serving of veggies has been expensive. I think potatoes and rice are amazingly delicious and versatile foods! I might have to make potato soup this week...
Well, folks, that's it from our side. Now we want to give the platform over to you and hear your thoughts on these products. Which ones have you used before? Don't forget to upvote your favorites. Also, if our list has missed any multipurpose items that you know of, feel free to jot them down in the comments below!
#16
IPhone. I do get why people want to use a dumb phone, but really a smart phone just does so much and does it so well.
I feel most peoples issue with them on here is how other people use their smart phones, not how they can use a smart phone themselves.
“I don’t want to be a zombie” then don’t be. Has nothing to do with the actual smart phone.
Offbeat Quinoa 10 months ago
I honestly love having a smart phone, I find it really useful for my own life. Your mileage will vary, of course :) I’m working on breaking my scrolling addiction (BP is a curse sometimes lol) but my sobriety program, podcasts, weather, news, connection to family and friends in other countries, health tracking, mental health program and a huge amount of apps I need for work are all made so much easier by my smartphone. I think there’s a healthy way to enjoy this technology and I’m trying to get there :)
K Barnes 10 months ago
I refuse to use BP on my phone for fear of scrolling abuse. I need to sit at the desktop and commit if I want to waste time on BP! I have a few apps I use for work and am so grateful to them. Congrats on your sobriety, keep up the awesome work!
Load More Replies... cerinamroth 10 months ago
Ehhhh, apart from everything on them is designed to be addictive. That's like saying cigarettes aren't a problem, just people's attitudes towards them!
Auntriarch 10 months ago
Like fire, they are a good servant but a bad master.
Load More Replies... SKW 10 months ago
Every once in a while I am tempted to ditch my smartphone and buy a dumb phone, because I totally understand not wanting to be available all the time, but I also like having a lot of tools in one place because I forget stuff all the time (ADHD + brain fog is a match made in heaven 😂). When I need groceries, I don't have to remember to take my list, when I need to take public transportation I can look up the schedule and buy a ticket etc
SkippityBoppityBoo 10 months ago
My phone is not an iPhone but it's an actual necessity now. I've to pay for my phone bill via it. My phone bill first and then other bills because everything has gone onto apps now. There's still one shop near me where I can top up my electricity and gas via a card but even getting that sorted out was a huge pain. It's getting even worse because of forms atm for benefits. "Fill in the online form". Erm... I don't have a computer and I need a hard copy/paper form because Sweethearts??? Online forms? The server can crash, the Internet can go down. Plus at least then I can try and find somewhere that still does photocopying so I've proof of my filling the damn form in!
#17
**Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap**
You can wash your body with it, your sink, your shower, your dishes, your hair, your dog, your cat, your clothes, your teeth.
Talk about cutting down on the amount of clothes you need when going on vacation.
I just need a sink, some Dr. Bronner's, and a little bit of water and I can stay clean and smell clean in the same clothes for a week.
**Baking soda and vinegar**
With that said, my go-to for shower and toilet cleaning is baking soda and vinegar. It gets the job done without the harsh chemicals.
**Basketball**
I know what you're thinking: what can you do with a basketball other than play basketball? Well, it's the single greatest spine stretcher in the history of mankind and really loosens up my back more than any foam roller can ever imagine, and it's more gentle too. Great butt massager too if you tilt it to the left and right. Also, a nice little outdoor seat.
Nuku Nyara 10 months ago
I don't recommend putting the peppermint soap directly on the intimate areas, I recommend you water it down a bit before washing the downstairs 🤣
Offbeat Quinoa 10 months ago
Yeah my bf gave me some and I learned that lesson real fast 😅 keep a separate non-scented bar around for your hoo ha
Load More Replies... #18
A good kitchen/coffee scale and immersion blender save me a lot of time on clean-up, and I was able to say farewell to measuring cups/spoons as well as a blender, hand mixer and food processor.
Hygiene/beauty and cleaning products have been distilled down to Dove bar soap (low pH), petroleum jelly, sunscreen, toothpaste and unscented liquid castile soap. Though it should be noted that I'm blessed with zero-effort hair and skin.
Firstname Lastname 10 months ago
Seconding the food scale. It makes things way easier with both cleanup and keeping on top of my nutritional needs.
Lady Eowyn 10 months ago
A good kitchen scale is on my wish list for when the Hanukkah bunny comes this December.
#19
Dream Pilot 10 months ago
i used to have one, put it in my wallet, as an IT tech, used it countless time, but it doesnt last long, the plastic as the card, broke totally after 5 years, same time i quit job, lol... still have the knife, scissor, and pinset, the rest forgot placing them... photo_2025...56a3cd.jpg 
kitteh floof lover 10 months ago
great for traveling. you can remove the knife, leave it at home, and it passes tsa just fine. you still have all the other parts to use on your trip.
Adrian 10 months ago
It should pass TSA as the blade is so short. Anyone tried it?
Load More Replies... #20
Blender. I use it to make smoothies, soups, smooth powdery sugar, juice, chopped herbs etc!
Also a table oven instead of toasters to be able to cook other stuff too!
Offbeat Quinoa 10 months ago (edited)
So using a blender to blend foods that are normally blended in a blender isn’t exactly an example of a multipurpose use for a blender 😂 that’s like saying “a kitchen knife! I use my kitchen knife to chop veggies, meats, herbs, etc” 😂 but blenders are definitely handy tools to have around for various recipes. I make a lot of puréed soups in mine 🥰
Lady Eowyn 10 months ago
Downvoted for the damn emojis, just an irritant.
Load More Replies... #21
I use shampoo as body wash as well but I get my bottle refilled, I don't keep buying plastic bottles over and over again. I was doing it long before being minimalist though.
K Barnes 10 months ago
My beloved bar shampoo went down in size by about 40% and up in price by about 70% over the past 5 years (kind of like everything, I know). I still use it for travel but man am I annoyed by the price change. I use a the Costco liquid on the regular now because it's so much cheaper.
Load More Replies... Featherytoad 10 months ago
I've been using old shampoo that I don't like to wash my hands. As long as they are not really greasy or really dirty, that calls for Dawn.
#22
Candles! I love to garden so I repurpose all of my old candle jars into little house plants or jars for storing bobby pins etc
Offbeat Quinoa 10 months ago
So this post is about what you do after buying normal candles - OP recycles the jars 😊
Load More Replies... #23
I love our electric kettle. Were a foster home and have a newborn living with us. I prep a mixer bottle of formula that is kept in the fridge. I just pour how much she eats into a bottle. I can then flip on the kettle, pour warm water into a mug and submerge the bottle for a few minutes to warm it. I also use the hot water to sterilize bottles and binkies each night.
I'm not a huge tea drinker but I do enjoy it on occasion. Way more convenient with a kettle.
Also speeds up cooking things like ramen and past. Boil the water in the kettle, pour it in a pan and good to go.
cerinamroth 10 months ago
As a Brit reading this, I'm biting my tongue not to say "Ground-breaking." Ah sheeeet, I just did.
Panda McPandaface 10 months ago
It's a little strange how they have been standard in UK homes since their invention yet in the US are so much less common.
Load More Replies... #24
My plastic step stool in the bathroom. I use it as a regular step stool, a seat for when I clean the loo, a squatty potty, a foot rest when I shave my legs in the shower, and a seat for when I wash the dog in the shower (we don't have a bath).
My husband is Swiss so I can't forget my mini Victorinox on my keyring - it gets used as a box cutter most but I also use the nail scissors and tweezers often.
#25
I bought a 14 inch stainless steel skillet for like $25 that I do the majority of my cooking in. Works on the stove-top, oven, grill, etc.
Not multi-use exactly, but my sous vide. I guess it is multi-use as I can cook literally anything with it from meat to poultry to fish and veggies and everything in between!
#26
Castille soap. For ERYTHING.
Hair body laundry dishwasher sink handsoap surfaces pets plant (pests) cars all things. I am very passionate about castille soap.
#27
A wooden stool. It's a neutral color so it fits anywhere.
I live in a studio apt so currently I use it as a seat at my desk, a step stool... in the future it can be decor (plant stand).
Jenn Smith 10 months ago
Well everything and everyone are cat stands, right?
Load More Replies... #28
Baby wipes! Who needs clorox wipes or other cleaning products. I use them for everything. Wiping off spills, cleaning the bathroom floor, dusting, and even to "shower" while camping and whatnot. Seriously useful product.
cerinamroth 10 months ago
I have two kids and have very rarely used baby wipes. Washable cloths and flannels for the win!
K Barnes 10 months ago
I understand how convenient they are but man are they ever environmentally unsound. They aren't biodegradable. I can see it while camping without washrooms but the other uses are really wasteful, unless you don't have access to a laundry machine. We bought a 100 pack of cheap and machine washable cloths that are disposable in case of heavy oil or super unsanitary spill over 5 years ago and it's cut down on our waste so much.
cerinamroth 10 months ago
Indeed, even for changing nappies (US: diapers). The amount of poo that can be handled by a cheap thin cloth is far, far superior to what can be handled by a weedy little baby wipe! Then we chuck them in a bucket with a mesh bag inside and put them all in the washing machine when the bucket is full.
Load More Replies... Offbeat Quinoa 10 months ago (edited)
My work had a kids art event once and we bought way too many baby wipes to wipe kids’ hands with. So I took like 4 Costco-sized packs of baby wipes home with me. Omg they’re so useful 😂 I’ve used them to clean my hands, on my sweaty feet or boobs in the summer, as a little refresh when I’m on my period, as a cooling wipe down when I’ve been sick and had a fever, even to remove my makeup when I’ve come home drunk from an outing 😂 I’m almost out of them and I’ll definitely miss them when they’re gone but once I’m out of them I’m going to switch to something more sustainable like reusable homemade cloths 🥰
Michael None 10 months ago
There's these things called "paper towels" that are cheaper and you can apply any cleaning product you want to that work wonders. They also produce less waste because you can pay for a whole bottle of cleaner instead of the small amount they use to presaturate those wipes. Bleach cost like $1/gallon put 1/4 cup in a gallon of water and presto 1 cent cleaner to apply to your paper towels.
#29
A mug as a cutlery holder
A pot and a small colander as a stream cooker
Lego for supporting/holding something or for decor
USB webcam on a PC as a microphone.
superfluous 10 months ago
Wait, that's only one additional use for multiple items. Didn't OP understand the assignment?
#30
I love lush moisturizers and lotions, they last a long time for me and are usually multipurpose.
Offbeat Quinoa 10 months ago
Here’s some - I have some really nice natural moisturizers . They’re great on dry skin but also great as a makeup remover. Sometimes I use them to seal moisture on the ends of my hair too (not recommended unless you know what you’re working with or else you might end up with greasy hair). I’ve also used them to stop stains from setting in on my clothes before I wash them. They can be great for removing glue from labels on bottles too. Or getting Sharpie off walls. Or, warmed up, softening skin on feet or hands before a mani/pedi so it’s easier to exfoliate.
Load More Replies... What do you think ?
Stannous Flouride 10 months ago
Hydrogen Peroxide is an almost instantaneous cure for mouth sores of all types. The labels even say, "Oral Rinse" on them. And MUCH better for cleaning wounds that rubbing alcohol.
BrownEyedPanda 10 months ago
It also makes a great emergency decomposer, in case your deposit in the porcelain bank refuses to flush.
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Ladedah 10 months ago (edited)
OK, so just an hour ago I discovered that a self-cleaning metal slicker brush (a type of dog / cat brush) is the absolute best at getting all the matted hair and string out of vacuum brush bristles. Just cut a line through the stuff wrapped all the way around and then brush that MF. I've tried so many other things that take 10 times longer to do half as good of a job. Now glad that I hadn't ever thrown it away (used it once two years ago and the dogs hated it). Matted up vacuum bristles? Metal slicker brush!
Stannous Flouride 10 months ago
Hydrogen Peroxide is an almost instantaneous cure for mouth sores of all types. The labels even say, "Oral Rinse" on them. And MUCH better for cleaning wounds that rubbing alcohol.
BrownEyedPanda 10 months ago
It also makes a great emergency decomposer, in case your deposit in the porcelain bank refuses to flush.
Load More Replies... Ladedah 10 months ago (edited)
OK, so just an hour ago I discovered that a self-cleaning metal slicker brush (a type of dog / cat brush) is the absolute best at getting all the matted hair and string out of vacuum brush bristles. Just cut a line through the stuff wrapped all the way around and then brush that MF. I've tried so many other things that take 10 times longer to do half as good of a job. Now glad that I hadn't ever thrown it away (used it once two years ago and the dogs hated it). Matted up vacuum bristles? Metal slicker brush!
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