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No Ear Cleaning Required: 9 Handy Uses for Cotton Swab Q-Tips

Apr 29, 2013 02:10 PM

Apr 29, 2013 03:56 PM

Illustration of various tools and items including cotton swabs, a spray can, a candle, and a cat.

Commonly associated with cleaning gunk out of your ears, cotton swabs, colloquially known under the brand name Q-tips, have a ton of other practical uses.

They can be used as fire starters for camping with WD-40 spray, for cleaning the narrow space between your computer keys, for lighting candles with a short wick, loosening a stuck zipper, and more.

For aromatherapy on the go, dab the cotton end with your favorite essential oil and place in an airtight ziplock bag. For gentle cleaning of your pet's dirty face (especially around the eyes), Q-tips are the way to go.

Got your own clever uses for Q-tips? Share with us.

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Infographic titled "No Ear Cleaning Required: 9 Handy Uses for Cotton Swabs" with illustrations and tips.

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