9 Tricks to Make Your Old Stuff Brand New Again

There are some things in life that are simply not worth fixing. For instance, broken kids’ toys, decade-old Tupperware that’s getting gross, or, you know, an old pair of underwear. These things are simply not worth the time to fix, clean, and refurbish. Replacing it just makes more sense.

However, there are certain items that you can fix pretty easily, even if it looks like they’re done for. From sneakers or dishware, we’re going to show you how to make your old beloved dingy-looking stuff look brand spankin’ new again.

The best part? For most of these, you just need a few everyday items you probably have on hand—and none of these solutions will take up very much of your time. Get ready to be amazed.

  1. Baking pans

    Whether you’re baking cookies or roasting vegetables, chances are your pans have taken a beating over the years. To get rid of all that brown stuff, mix a half-cup of baking soda, a half-cup of white vinegar, and some hot water and then let it soak for about a half hour. Then use a sponge to scrub in the mixture and wipe away the ickiness. Wash with regular soap and water after, and dry completely to prevent rusting. Good as new!

  2. Carpet

    Stained carpets are the worst. Pet urine? Baby spit-up? That weird brown dot that’s been there for years and you’re not even quite sure where it came from? Don’t replace the entire carpet—all you need is some baking soda and vinegar. Mix the two together to form a paste, and then use a toothbrush to scrub the mixture into the stain. Once it dries, vacuum it up, and boom: clean carpet.

  3. Scratched dishes

    When your dishes are scratched, it’s the sign of some good meals over the years. Don’t waste the money to replace those delicious memories— especially if you like your dish set! Just grab a can of Barkeeper’s Friend cleaning powder and sprinkle some onto the scratched surface. Then scrub with a wet sponge, wipe dry, and the stain will be gone.

  4. Copper pots

    If you love to cook, you know that copper pots and pans are one of the best ones to use. But they can get pretty dinged up and tarnished after a few years. Try a salt and vinegar mixture for this one. First, sprinkle some salt on the damage, then add some vinegar, and rub it with a sponge. They’ll look as shiny as ever afterwards.

  5. Chopping boards

    Stained cutting boards are inevitable, especially if you cook a lot. Luckily, there’s a pretty quick hack for this one: Mix together lemon juice with salt, and then use a sponge to scrub the board down. Not only will they be as good as new, they’ll be lemony fresh.

  6. White sneakers

    If you’re anything like me, you love your pair of white sneakers because they go with everything. But it’s nearly impossible to avoid getting these guys dirty. Instead of buying a new pair every time you walk outside, try this mixture: one teaspoon of dishwasher cleaning liquid, three tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, and two tablespoon baking soda. Scrub with a sponge over the shoes and you’ll be blinded (and amazed) by how white your shoes are again.

  7. Bathroom tiles

    We all know the struggle of dirty bathroom tile grout. But redoing the grout or getting a new floor or shower wall—who has time for that? Instead, dedicate a Sunday morning to cleaning them with this solution: equal parts bleach and water. Just don’t forget to ventilate the room before you do this to avoid breathing the fumes. It’s worth it, though—nothing like squeaky clean bathroom tile.

  8. Leather purse

    Stains on a leather purse are the absolute worst—especially when it’s your favorite bag you wear everywhere. All you need for this one are wet wipes. Simple wipe it over the stain, and voila! Your purse is pursing again.

  9. Toothbrush

    Alright, so there are definitely times you should think about just throwing out your toothbrush and getting a new one (Colgate suggests replacing it every 3-4 months). But let’s face it, sometimes we don’t have time to run to a CVS and need to get a few more uses out of it. In this case, boil some water and swirl your brush around in it. The bristles will look as good as new in no time and will hold you over until you can get a new one.

What do you think of these neat hacks to make some of your old stuff look good again? Let us know which you’re going to try first!