There is nothing as disappointing as finishing a bottle of wine and having those beautiful corks leftover. Although most people will simply toss their leftover corks in the bin, they can be used for many great things around your home or office.
Alcohol delivery Sydney owner Ming Lin explains that thousands of bottles of wines get thrown away every year after the wine is consumed. After all, the bottle is only used to hold wine. With some creative thinking and effort, you can give the cork a new purpose.
Here are some ways to transform your wine corks into useful items.
Grip for Mixing Bowls
Corks make great mixing bowl grips on any non-stick surface! Simply push the edges of the cork into whatever shape you find most useful and use it to hold all kinds of bowls during your next baking session. The textured cork will stop your hand from slipping and make maneuvering the bowl much easier.
Doorstop
If you have a door that likes to close on its own, a cork is a perfect way to keep it open! Just wedge it in between the door and the floor. Not only is this more secure than using a book or something else lightweight, but it is also non-damaging and easy to replace.
Candleholder
Take an old wine bottle and cut off the top third of it. Now you have a cylindrical candle holder that can accommodate either tea lights or small candles. This makes for an easy, rustic decoration or mood light for any occasion.
Desk Organizer
If your desk is overrun with small items, you can use corks to keep pens, paperclips, rubber bands and whatever else within reach. Simply cut the corks into smaller pieces so they fit inside your desk drawers or trays and insert them vertically so they hold everything in place.
Bottle Opener
Sharp blades are not safe for opening bottles! They can cause dangerous cuts or damage the bottle itself. Instead, use a cork as an alternative that will save both your hands and mouthwash at night (and maybe some whiskey too).
Cap Catcher
Every now and then you may lose track of your caps. You could spend hours looking for all of them only to end up with a sore neck, or you could simply use a cork. Cut a small hole in the centre of a cork and set it on top of your bottle. The next time you open a beverage, the cap will fall right into the cork and you can grab it later without any fuss.
Corkboard
Old corks can be turned into bulletin boards! Just cut them to the desired size and shape, then use a hot glue gun to attach them to a piece of cardboard or foam core. Now tack up photos, notes or whatever else you need to keep track of.
Mousepad
If you want an inexpensive way to make your computer desk look nicer, try using some wine corks as mousepads. They will protect your desktop from scratches while adding some colour and texture.
Soap Holder
If your soap is constantly slipping out of your hands, put it in a cork! Cut a small hole in the top of a cork and fit it around the base of your soap. This will keep it from moving around and make it easier to grip.
Seed Starter
Starting seeds can be a tricky business, but using old wine corks makes it a lot easier. Simply cut off the bottom of the cork so that it stands upright, then use a sharp knife to make small slits in the sides. Now you can place your seeds in the cork and put them right into your soil. The cork will absorb excess water to prevent over-saturation, while also keeping the seeds moist enough for germination.
Medicine Container
Pills can be difficult to keep track of or even find! Rather than hunting down your medications all day long, simply push them into a wine cork. Now you will know where they are at all times and there’s no chance of them falling out unexpectedly. Just make sure you choose corks that are safe for food contact (i.e., not treated with chemicals) or buy new ones if necessary.
Hair Loss Stopper
If you are experiencing an unusually large amount of hair loss, it may be due to the metal clasps in your shower caddy. Try replacing them with corks instead. They will protect your hair from breaking or coming loose, which means less shedding and restored thickness over time!
