There are a few things I like to keep handy at all times — nail file, a good pair of sunglasses, and binder clips.
Yes, binder clips.
The small, black ones with shiny silver handles that come in myriad sizes. The kind you can find in bulk at office supply stores for about the price of a fancy coffee.
I keep binder clips in nearly every room of my house. Not because I’m some kind of rogue stationery hoarder but because these little workhorses are endlessly useful.
They’re inexpensive, reusable, nearly indestructible — and far more versatile than the name might imply.
Let’s start in the kitchen, where I use binder clips to close bags of chips, flour, sugar and frozen vegetables. A binder clip keeps things fresh without the visual drama.
I don’t need pretty — I need function!
I also clip printed recipes to a cabinet handle so they’re at eye level while I cook — no sticky phones or splattered cookbooks required.
In the fridge, I hang lightweight snack bags or condiment packets from the wire shelves using binder clips. This keeps everything in view, which prevents mystery bags of frozen peas from turning into science projects.
Even the bathroom isn’t safe from my binder clip enthusiasm. I clip them to nearly empty tubes of toothpaste and gently roll them up, squeezing every last bit of minty paste.
A large binder clip on the shower curtain liner is heavy enough to stop it from ballooning inward and sticking to you like it’s trying to start a conversation.
At my desk, these clips really shine. I loop my phone charging cable through the handles of a binder clip secured to the edge of my desk. That way, the cord doesn’t fall behind the furniture every time I unplug.
I’ve used binder clips to prop up recipe cards, display photos, and even replace a broken keyboard leg. (Yes, really. It’s still going strong.)
In the bedroom, binder clips keep my blackout curtains firmly closed so I can sleep in peace. I use one to hold my phone cord in place on my nightstand so I’m not fumbling around like I’m defusing a bomb in the dark.
I also clip socks together before tossing them in the wash — and wouldn’t you know, they actually come out as a pair. It’s basically a miracle.
Even the closet gets a binder clip upgrade. I hang scarves from pants hangers using binder clips — easy to see, easy to grab.
I also clip together the backs of sandals or flats that tend to wander away from their partners.
If I hand-wash delicates like bras or camisoles, binder clips make air-drying a breeze. Just clip them to a hanger and hang them on the shower rod.
They’ve made their way into my car, too. I keep a clip in the glove compartment to hold together my insurance and registration papers — no more frantic digging.
I’ve even clipped two large binder clips together to wedge into a car vent as a makeshift phone mount. It’s not pretty, but it works in a pinch.
And don’t even get me started on travel. I once used binder clips to keep hotel curtains shut so I didn’t wake up with a beam of parking lot light aimed directly at my face.
I’ve used them as toothbrush stands and laundry line clips, and even to pinch a stubborn zipper pull on a stuck suitcase. When you’re trying to pack light and travel smart, they’re worth their weight in gold.
Here’s the thing: You don’t have to be a DIY genius or a hyper-organized minimalist to appreciate a tool that just works.
Binder clips are like the friends who show up with a shovel when your car’s stuck in the snow — unassuming, helpful and always ready.
If you haven’t already brought a few binder clips into your everyday life, go ahead and try. You might just find yourself reaching for one more often than you expected.
Click here for more practical household tips that save money, space and your sanity. I’ll be the one gushing about binder clips and other surprisingly useful stuff — like it’s totally normal.
