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* Shutterstock DO TRY THIS AT HOME Talk about multitasking! Here are 10 common household products that can be used to take care of problems they weren't made for. 1 of 13 * Istock BEER

To beer lovers, doing anything with a brewski other than drinking it is sacrilege. But beer has many other creative household uses, including to clean jewelry and copper (let it soak, then

polish with a soft brush), and as a skin-soothing foot bath. You can even use the foamy thirst quencher as lawn fertilizer, because the sugar stimulates plant growth and the acids kill

harmful bugs and fungi. 2 of 13 * Alamy TEA There are many health and beauty secrets hiding inside that little tea bag. Apply a cool water-soaked tea bag to insect bites and rashes to ease

itching, or soothe inflamed skin from sun or razor burns. The tannins in tea constrict blood vessels, which can help heal bruises and stop bleeding (particularly bleeding gums), and reduce

puffiness and dark circles around the eyes. 3 of 13 * Istock OLIVE OIL Years ago, I was tarring a roof when our cat decided to run across the hot tar. I really thought the poor thing had

outlived his nine lives, but then a friend showed me how easy and painless it was to remove the tar from the cat's fur with olive oil. Use this Mediterranean staple to remove not just

tar but sap, paint, chewing gum, grease, stickers/labels and even eye makeup. 4 of 13 * Alamy TIN FOIL A ball of aluminum foil works well as a pot scrubber, and put another ball in the

clothes dryer to reduce static cling. Slice though a couple of folded sheets of foil a few times with scissors or garden shears to keep them sharp. And if you have a cat you’re trying to

train to stay off the kitchen counter or furniture, temporarily cover the surface with aluminum foil to help him learn. 5 of 13 * Alamy TOOTHPASTE Your teeth aren't the only thing you

can clean with toothpaste. Use it to polish jewelry and chrome, remove scuffs from leather shoes and shine ivory piano keys. A thin layer of non-gel toothpaste will also keep your bathroom

mirror from fogging up, as it will your swim/ski/safety goggles if you rub a little inside, on the lenses 6 of 13 * Shutterstock CAT LITTER You may already know to carry some in the car with

you in the wintertime to provide added traction when stuck in an icy spot. But you can also use a tub of cat litter to keep damp places — like boats, RVs and basements — dry. And it works

better than rice for drying out a wet cellphone. Bonus tip: Use cat litter to clean up oil and grease spills in the garage. 7 of 13 * Getty Images AARP OFFER: PROTECT YOUR MONEY, GROW YOUR

NEST EGG Take advantage of great information and tools and subscribe to AARP'S MONEY NEWSLETTER to help build your future and prevent your money from going down the drain. JOIN AARP AND

START SAVING FOR YOUR DREAMS TODAY. 8 of 13 * Getty Images DRYER SHEETS Fabric softener dryer sheets have many other uses, and can sometimes even be used after they've done their

primary duty. I put once-used dryer sheets between every couple of books on my bookshelf to keep mold and mildew away, or tuck them into drawers and closets to keep clothes smelling fresh.

They also make excellent wipes to clean the tub and shower. 9 of 13 * Getty Images HAIRSPRAY Did you know that misting the leaves and petals of cut flowers with hairspray will make them last

longer? A blast of hairspray will also add extra shine to your shoes after you've polished them, as well as help remove ink marks from fabric and furniture. And spraying tights and

stockings helps prevent holes and runs. 10 of 13 * Istock DISH SOAP If you're cheap — and green — like me, try using dish soap as part of an inexpensive, environmentally friendly weed

killer. Just mix one tablespoon of dish soap with one cup of salt and one gallon of white vinegar. Use a watering can to apply the mixture directly to the foliage of the unwanted flora, and

you'll be weed-free in no time 11 of 13 * Alamy BAKING SODA Probably no other household product has more uses than good old-fashioned baking soda, which was originally developed by the

ancient Egyptians to use in painting hieroglyphics. In modern times it can be a remedy for sunburns, bee stings and upset stomachs. It can also be used as an underarm deodorant, a mouthwash

and to put out a fire in a pinch. Of course, baking soda eliminates odors in the refrigerator and elsewhere. 12 of 13 * VIEW MORE ON HOW TO SAVE * 10 items to rent instead of buy * 9 Ways to

save on food * BEST WAYS TO SPEND $200 DISCOVER GREAT DEALS AND SAVINGS ON SHOPPING, DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT AS AN 13 of 13 GET MORE MONEY SAVINGS TIPS IN THE AARP MONEY NEWSLETTER

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