Ten Uses for Office Supplies In a Pinch

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Have you found any good ways to use office supplies in a pinch, such as if you have a clothing emergency at work? It's like reader J is reading my mind…

How about a story on re-purposing office supplies for fashion/lifestyle uses when you're in a pinch? For example, using binder clips while commuting to fold up pants that were hemmed for high heels, using scotch tape instead of a band-aid to prevent blisters when shoes start to rub, notebook paper as blotting papers, etc.

Somehow this came up at a recent bridal shower I attended, and my friends and I had a great time trying to think of other uses for office supplies. Thanks to my friends N and G for helping me brainstorm!

Looking for more content like this? Check out our posts on essential items to keep at your work desk, how to make your office more comfortable, tips and tricks to spring clean your office, how to decorate your workspace, and tips for better ergonomics at the office.

Here are our MacGyver-ish suggestions…

Ten Ways to Use Office Supplies That Would Make MacGyver Proud

1. Use a Fed Ex mailing label as a lint brush. Just peel off the backing, and start sticking it on your clothes.

2. Use White Out to touch up your French manicure, if needed.

3. Use a black Sharpie to hide shoe scuffs, or even small tears in leather — it'll work until you get to the cobbler to get the problem fixed.

4. In a pinch, use binder clips to hem your pants. It won't be pretty, but it's better than nothing on a rainy day.

5. Use a pen or pencil to put your hair in a bun — it's kinder to your hair than a rubberband. (We like Twist Me Pretty's‘s video tutorial of how to do it — if you've found anything better, please let us know!)

6. Use packing tape if your shirt is gaping and you don't have Hollywood tape — just fold it double.

7. Use a piece of folded-up paper if you have something stuck between your teeth and no floss — for some reason Post-It notes work really well.

8. Use a paperclip to make your bra a racerback — handy in a pinch if you're going from desk to dinner and your going-out outfit needs a racerback bra.

9. As reader J suggests, use notepaper if you don't have any blotting papers.

10. As reader J suggests, use Scotch tape in place of a Band-aid if your shoes are starting to create blisters.

Bonus tip for men: Use paper clips in place of collar stays.

Readers, what are your favorite “in a pinch” uses for office supplies?

Some of Our Latest Favorite Cute Office Supplies

On the hunt for cute office supplies? As we've noted in the past, Target, Anthropologie, ShopBop, Urban Outfitters, and Amazon all have a ton of personality-infused office supplies. Some of our favorites as of 2024 include these:

{related: some of our favorite weird products to keep at the office: pashminas, foldable flats, items to cool you down after a sweltering commute, and mini-fridges if your situation allows}

Updated images via Stencil. Originally pictured:  Coloured Paperclips, originally uploaded to Flickr by Dysanovic.