Old forks, knives and spoons don’t have to be thrown out. Repurposing old flatware is a creative way to reduce waste, save money, and add unique touches to your home. Whether you have a few mismatched pieces or an entire set of outdated silverware, there are plenty of ways to put them to good use.
1. Hold Finishing Nails Straight
Trap a nailhead between two tines of a fork to keep your fingers out of harm’s way and maintain precision while hammering. This technique is helpful when working on overhead trim or small nails.
2. Smooth Grout and Caulk with Spoons
The convex side of a spoon has just the right curve for shaping grout or caulk as you press it into a seam. To prevent sticking, coat the spoon with liquid dish soap before use.
3. Create Unique Cabinet Pulls
Transform your kitchen or bathroom cabinets with custom pulls made from old flatware.
- Choose flatware pieces that complement your cabinet style.
- Cut two short pieces from a dowel to use as spacers.
- Place one spacer behind each end of the utensil.
- Bolt the flatware through the front of the cabinet door or drawer.
4. Turn Spoons into Decorative Hooks
This project is perfect for hanging dish towels, light jackets, or jewelry.
- Carefully bend spoons to create a hook shape.
- Choose a piece of vintage molding or a section of wall for mounting.
- Screw the bent spoons securely to your chosen surface.
5. Transplant Seedlings with Forks
When transferring plants, use a fork to carefully lift roots from starter soil. The tines of the fork allow you to preserve delicate root systems, giving your plants the best chance to thrive in their new location.
6. Make Custom Plant Markers
Get a metal-stamping set ($20–$50) to emboss lightweight butter knives.
7. Scrape Away Peeling Paint
When removing old paint, especially from curved surfaces or intricate woodwork, flatware can be an effective tool. After applying a liquid or gel paint stripper and allowing the surface to bubble up, use a spoon to run along curved profiles or a fork to work inside crevices.
8. Fix Splitting Upholstery
If you notice loose fabric or threads on your furniture, use a butter knife to gently poke the material back into place. Once you’ve repositioned the fabric, pin the seam and sew it closed for a lasting repair.
9. Untangle Rug Tassels
Rug and carpet fringe can easily become tangled, detracting from their appearance. To restore order to unruly tassels, use a fork as a comb. Gently rake through the fringe with the tines of the fork to remove snarls and straighten the threads. This method is gentler on delicate fibers than many commercial tools and can quickly improve the look of your floor coverings.
10. Clean Paint Brushes Effectively
After a painting project, cleaning your brushes thoroughly is essential for their longevity. If you can’t find your metal brush comb, a fork can be just as effective. Use the tines of a fork to get between the bristles, whisking out every last drop of paint.
