10 Uses for Chopsticks

Even if you'd rather eat with a fork, these simple wood utensils are worth saving. TOH reader Christine Dinus shares some ways she puts them to use

By Christine Dinus

A Reader's Recycle Idea

Who> Christine Dinus

Where> Elmira Heights, N.Y.

What> Turns Chinese takeout utensils into household helpers.

1. Skewer food

Don't have enough bamboo skewers at your barbecue? Soak chopsticks in water for 15 minutes, then use them to spear meat and veggies, and place on the grill.

2. Prop up plants

Poke a chopstick into the soil near a spindly seedling to give it some needed support.

3. Fill a stripped screw hole

Dip a chopstick into a little glue and insert into the screw hole. Let dry, then break off the rest of the stick to create a new spot for driving in the screw.

Stir Paint

Hold chopsticks as you would when eating to "whisk up" paint or stain before applying it.

5. Toast marsh-mallows

Make the fixings for s'mores by popping a marshmallow onto the end of a chopstick and carefully holding it over

a low flame.

6. Eliminate dirt in hard-to-reach spots

Use a chopstick to push a cleaning cloth into the top groove of a paint can, between air-conditioner vents, behind sink faucets, and in other narrow areas.