Clever Uses for Binder Clips Around the House (Way Beyond Paper)
A box of binder clips costs a few dollars and somehow solves a dozen little annoyances in every room. In a house with six kids, I’ll take every small fix I can get.
Here are my favorite ways to use them, room by room.
Quick answer: what can you use binder clips for?
Binder clips are handy for sealing food bags, holding cords in place, hanging things without nails, keeping wrapping paper and ribbon tidy, displaying kids’ art, and turning any folder into a clipboard. Keep small ones away from babies and toddlers, since they’re small enough to choke on.
| Room | Best uses |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Seal bags, hang sponges, hold trash bags in place, keep recipe cards open |
| Office | Cord holders, calendar hanger, pen holder, instant clipboard |
| Craft corner | Ribbon spools, wrapping paper rolls, washi tape |
| Closet | Keep pant legs paired, hang small bags and scarves |
| Car and bag | Cord tidy, receipts, a hook for a small bag |
In the kitchen
Seal chip bags and frozen food. Fold the top over twice and clip it. Large clips hold up in the freezer and the bag stands up on the shelf.
Hang the sponge so it dries. Clip the sponge and hook the clip’s handle over a cabinet edge or a small hook. A sponge that dries between uses stays fresher.
Stop the trash bag from sliding in. Two big clips on the rim of the can keep the bag where it belongs, which matters when little hands “help” with the trash.
Keep a cookbook or recipe card open to the page you need.
Label leftovers. Clip a sticky note to the container lid with what it is and the date.
At the table and for parties
Place cards and food labels. Stand a medium clip on its side and slide a card between the handles. Great for buffets, birthday parties and allergy labels.
Hold a tablecloth down outside so the wind doesn’t take it.
In the office or homework spot
Tame charging cables. Clip a binder clip to the edge of a desk and thread each cable through a handle. No more cords falling behind the desk.
Hang a calendar or a list on a nail or pushpin, using the clip’s handle as the hanger.
Keep a pen with the notepad. Slide a pen through the handle of a clip on your planner, so it’s always there when you need it.
Make an instant clipboard. Any sturdy folder or piece of cardboard plus one big clip works for chore charts and field trip forms.
Display kids’ artwork. String a line of twine along a wall and hang drawings with small clips. Swapping in new art takes seconds, which is good, because there’s always new art.
In the craft corner
Keep ribbon from unravelling. Clip the loose end to the spool.
Stop wrapping paper rolls from unrolling and keep the edges clean.
Hold fabric or paper together while glue dries.
In the closet and laundry room
- Keep matching pant legs or a pair of socks together on the shelf.
- Hang a small purse or a scarf from a hanger.
- Clip the last few dryer sheets or the laundry pod bag shut. (Laundry pods belong up high and out of sight anyway. The AAP suggests using regular liquid or powder detergent instead of pods until all children in your home are at least 6. HealthyChildren.org, AAP)
In the car and your bag
- Clip receipts together in the glove box.
- Keep a phone cable from sliding under the seat.
- Hang a small trash bag from the back of a seat.
Kelleigh’s Quick Tip: Buy a mixed pack of sizes. Small clips handle cords and paper; the big ones are the ones you’ll reach for in the kitchen and freezer.
A safety note for homes with little ones
Small binder clips are small enough for a baby or toddler to put in their mouth, and the metal handles can pop off. Keep the clip jar up high, and choose big clips (or skip them) for anything at toddler height, like an art display.
FAQs
What can I use binder clips for at home?
Sealing food bags, hanging sponges, holding trash bags in place, organizing cords, hanging calendars and kids’ art, keeping ribbon and wrapping paper tidy, and turning a folder into a clipboard.
Can binder clips go in the freezer?
Yes. Metal binder clips work fine for sealing freezer bags. Large ones hold best.
Are binder clips safe around toddlers?
Small clips and their removable handles are a choking risk, so keep them out of reach of babies and toddlers.
What size binder clips should I buy?
A mixed pack. Small for paper and cords, medium for place cards and labels, and large for food bags and trash bags.
My take
Binder clips are one of the cheapest organizing tools you can buy, and there’s always another job for them. Grab a mixed pack, put a few in every room, and keep the tiny ones away from the babies.
Got a clever use I missed? Email me at kelleigh@imperfecthomemaking.com.
Happy organizing!