15 Office Supplies You Never Knew Had Multiple Uses

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Ever looked at your office supplies and wondered if they can do more than their 9 to 5 duties? Well, you may just have an arsenal of office gadgets sitting on the desk quietly waiting to dazzle you with their hidden talents. Yes, they’re awesome for what they’re supposed to do, but some of these tools are the Swiss Army knives of the office world: versatile, surprising, and downright genius.

Before you dismiss that humble rubber band or overlook the quiet potential of sticky notes, let’s explore how these everyday items can make your workday a little smoother, life a little easier, and impress your coworkers, just a little bit. So, grab a cup of coffee and let’s rethink what’s on your desk.

Highlighters

Textbooks aren’t the only place for highlighters. You can color code cords, label keys for different locks, and jazz up your journaling. Besides, they are useful as neon art tools if you’re creative.

Rubber Bands

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The unsung hero of office supplies is a rubber band. If you need a quick grip on a slippery jar lid, for additional grip, wrap a rubber band around it. They’re also great makeshift bookmarks, and can hold your phone in place on a car mount. Who knew something so stretchy could be so helpful?

Push Pins

The Office Ninja Stars of organization are push pins. You can use them to make makeshift hooks on a corkboard or wall for hanging keys and other light, small items. And, when you’re in a pinch, they can even double as emergency zipper stops.

Paper Clips

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Small but mighty, that’s what paper clips are. They can be used as makeshift zipper pulls, or earring backs, or to reset electronics. Many people keep a stash of paper clips for exactly these reasons. They are the MacGyver of the stationery world.

Rulers

A ruler is not just a straight edge companion. You can use it to scrape stickers or tape off surfaces, align picture frames—you can even use it as a temporary back scratcher when you’re in a pinch. They are surprisingly useful in unexpected ways.

Dry Erase Markers

Jotting down quick notes on dry erase markers is perfect, but they’re also lifesavers for glass surfaces. Brainstorm or leave messages on mirrors, windows, actually any glass tabletop. The best part? Erasers just wipe away the prints, like magic, leaving no trace.

Scissors

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Cutting paper is not all scissors are for. They can be used to pry open those pesky snack bags, or as a makeshift screwdriver to help with smaller flathead screws, and even to trim off a stray thread if that happens to be dangling from your clothes. For a variety of jobs, they’re the unsung multitool.

Tape

Clear tapes are deceptively versatile. Other than fixing torn documents, it is perfect for removing lint from clothing or sealing an envelope when the glue doesn’t stick. Bonus: it’s the quickest way to pick up glitter spills because you don’t want to be dealing with glitter for days.

Whiteboard Erasers

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The whiteboard eraser doesn’t have to be for boards. They work great on chalk boards, mirrors or any smooth surface. Want to clean scuff marks off shoes? A swipe with a whiteboard eraser is surprisingly effective.

Folders

Making folders into a portable laptop stand is possible. In a pinch, they also make for great document separators or even a fan when the office AC just isn’t enough. Versatile, right?

Staplers

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Staplers are the strong, silent guys of the office. You can use them to open recalcitrant bottle caps, or for an emergency paperweight. Plus, they are sturdy enough to take on minor, non-paper related tasks.

Envelopes

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There’s a secret life to envelopes beyond mail. You can use them to sort and place small items such as those paper clips or USB drives. They’re also good for making one off templates for cutting out shapes or stencils in craft projects.

Sharpies

We need sharpies, but not just for labeling. They’re ideal for putting together custom designs on mugs, decorating holiday ornaments, or even repairing little scuffs on black shoes. They’re the tool you didn’t know you needed them for creative fixes.

Sticky Notes

Sticky notes are much more than reminders plastered on your monitor. You probably didn’t know that they can double as a tiny cleaning tool. That adhesive strip is great for sliding between keyboard keys to get crumbs and dust. They also make great makeshift bookmarks, cable labels, or even impromptu drink coasters. Sticky notes: Saving the day one adhesive square at a time.

Binder Clips

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Paper holders like binder clips might not look like much but they’ve got a rebellious streak. Clip them to the edge of your desk and thread cables through the handles to use them to organize cords. If, on the other hand, your toothpaste tube is nearing its end, a binder clip can get every last drop out. Talk about resourcefulness.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.