10 Uses for Cotton Swabs

by Nicole Humphrey | More from this Blogger

21 Aug 2006 07:16 PM

Cotton swabs are a wonderful invention. While Q-tips is actually a brand name, cotton swabs is the correct term. Regardless of what you call them, they are so useful all around your home. Here are ten great uses for these tiny miracle wands!

1. Makeup: Nail polish remover works well with cotton swabs, cleaning up nail polish that's on your finger rather than your nail is easy with cotton swabs too. You can also apply lipstick, eyeshadow and blush using a cotton swap.

2. Crafts: Use to apply glue to a project. Keeps fingers clean and can be tossed afterwards. No messy stuff to clean up. You can also use actual cotton swabs in the project. Glue together to make fun frames and other creative items.

3. Dusting: Cotton swabs can get to many hard to reach places. Use to dust tape decks, VCRs, DVD players and other electronics. Works well to clean keyboards, mouses and other computer items by removing dust and particles.

4. Tattoos: The perfect way to apply a temporary tattoo to a child's skin, just add water and rub over the backside of the tattoo. A real tattoo can be cleaned using a cotton swab or use it to apply lotion.

5. Painting: Cotton swabs are great for painting pictures. Use a different one for each color. They are also great for mixing colors. You can use them for big painting projects by using them to get into tough to reach corners and edges.

6. Perfume Extender: Soak with your favorite perfume and carry them around in plastic baggies or soap container. Use to refresh your perfume whenever you are out.

7. Fire Starter: Light the end of a cotton swab and use to light birthday candles on a cake, or start a BBQ pit. Remember to keep a glass of water close by to quickly extinguish the flame.

8. Cuts and Scrapes: Cotton swabs are great for cuts and scrapes. Use them to apply disinfectant or first aid ointment. Keeps your fingers clean and keeps the scrape or cut from getting infected by bacteria from your fingers and hands. They are also great to apply cleaner and disinfectant to recently pierced ears.

9. Face Paint: Great for applying face paint to children's faces at birthday parties, fairs, carnivals or just for fun.

10. Jewelry: Cotton swabs are great for cleaning jewelry pieces and can really reach into tiny crevices to get each piece sparkling clean.

DOCTORS RECOMMEND: DO NOT USE COTTON SWABS TO CLEAN YOUR EARS.

If you have any other creative uses for Cotton Swabs, please share in the comments field! Also, be sure to visit my blog for more terrific tips and uses for everyday household products!

Learn more about Nicole Humphrey

Nicole Humphrey is a freelance writer, consultant for CTMH and a Sr. Blogger for families.com. She resides in St. Charles, Missouri with Mike and their five children and two furbabies.

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L Robbins (18930) 21 Aug 2006 07:25 PM

As usual, I love these wonderful posts!

Nicole Humphrey (15757) 23 Aug 2006 05:33 PM

I'm so glad you do and I'm so glad I can provide them. There will be more tomorrow and Friday!!

Andrea M (2525) 25 Aug 2006 08:37 AM

I love cotton swabs! When I am in the "real" mode of cleaning, they work great for cleaning the inside frame of the windows. You know those really small place!!!!

mama_rhapsody (405) 28 Aug 2006 02:44 PM

My absolute favorite part about this entry is that they have such great practical uses but the one thing it seems people use them for most is something that is not recommended. SO has been using swabs for his ears and I've tried to tell him how bad it is.

I love the idea of using them to dust, great job!

Nicole Humphrey (15757) 02 Sep 2006 06:41 AM

I'm glad you found it helpful ladies! Definitely don't use them in your ears, as it's strongly recommended that you avoid that practice. You can damage your ear drums. The swabs are terrific for so many other things besides just what I listed, find a new use for them! :) Have a great weekend!