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Recently, u/HeTy_NHTEPECA asked, "What things do people use for purposes they weren't designed for, while manufacturers pretend not to know about it?" From everyday items that work shockingly well for completely unrelated uses, to products that were originally invented for a purpose that's now completely outdated, here are 12 of the most fascinating examples people shared:
1."Something like half of prescription drugs are used for something other than the indication they've been approved for."
"This is how Viagra, etc., were born."
"Adderall was originally a diet pill."
Originally, Viagra was made and studied to treat hypertension and a cardiovascular disease called angina pectoris. Now it's used for erectile dysfunction. Adderall has had many uses over the years. At one point in the late 19th century, it was used "to reduce appetite and encourage weight loss." It was reformulated in the '90s to treat ADHD.
Related: "25 \"Red Flag\" Items You Should Never, Ever, Ever, Ever, EVER Have In Your Home"
2."Although the manufacturer gave up many decades ago, the classic answer is 'Kleenex'. It was originally marketed to be used with cold cream to remove makeup. Eventually, it became obvious that they were selling far more of them for people to blow their noses into, and they became 'nasal tissues'."
3."Bubble wrap was originally invented to be wallpaper."
Back in '57, bubble wrap was made with the intention of being a wallpaper that would appeal to the Beat generation. It was made by heat-sealing two pieces of plastic shower curtain together, which unintentionally created the trapped air bubbles inside.
4."Swiffer dry mop pads are the best nail polish remover ever. Instead of using cotton balls, put one bloop of nail polish remover on one of those dry pads, and your nail polish will come off in one clean shot. The nail polish remover won’t evaporate and stays wet, which makes it faster and less wasteful. I cut mine up into little strips. Done. I discovered this by accident and out of laziness when I ran out of cotton balls, and one of those pads was near me. I’m never going back. It works so well."
5."Tennis balls to wash your duvet more effectively. Put the duvet in the washing machine, and toss three tennis balls in as well. Wash. The tennis balls will agitate the duvet. Same with the dryer. The tennis balls will keep the filling in the duvet from clumping."
6."I use the vacuum sealing machine meant for food to save leftover caulking tubes or any item that will get ruined when exposed to air. Place the tube or leftover glue in a bag, and even a year later, it's good to go. "
7."Chainsaws were originally invented to help during childbirth."
It's true, they were originally a medical tool used during childbirth. Scottish doctors John Aitken and James Jeffray invented an early, hand-powered version of what we now know as the chainsaw towards the end of the 18th century. Originally, it was used in childbirth for "symphysiotomy" — aka, a now-outdated medical procedure done during labor where the joint that holds the mother's pelvis together is cut to make the birth canal wider. You can read more here and see what it looked like here.
8."Elmer's gluestick as an eyebrow block in makeup application."
9."I use Dawn dish soap to take oil stains out of clothing."
Though marketed for dishes, it's also been used to clean birds and sea turtles after oil spills in the ocean.
10."Tooth brushes when worn should not be thrown away. They make excellent grout and cleaning brushes."
11."Pedialyte. Same use of helping with dehydration, but instead of children with fevers, for adults who have had too much alcohol."
12.And finally, "The cheapest hair conditioner on the shelf is the best shaving cream I've ever used. It's slicker than snot on a doorknob, it won't dry your skin out, and the bottle lasts a year or more, for like $5. Just don't spill any on the shower floor."
Know another item that fits the bill? Let us know in the comments below or via this anonymous form:
Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
