From the FAMILY HANDYMAN’s website:

Learn how to use Bar Keepers Friend in ways you’d never thought of before, including cleaning rusty tools, removing a stubborn toilet ring and more!

Go-to cleaning product Bar Keepers Friend (BKF) has developed a cult following, and with good reason. The inexpensive powdered cleaner invented by chemist George William Hoffman in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1882, can do much more than polish brass bar fixtures — the job it was originally marketed to do.

What Is Bar Keepers Friend Made Of?

Bar Keepers Friend’s seemingly magic powers come courtesy of its main ingredient, oxalic acid. This natural substance attacks rust, lime, tarnish and other stains on a molecular level, breaking the bonds holding them together to eliminate all trace. It works on multiple surfaces, too.

“BKF powder has just the right blend of powdered oxalic acid and micro-abrasives to safely scour off even long-term mineral build-up without damaging fiberglass, chrome or stainless steel,” says Melissa Homer, chief cleaning officer with MaidPro.

And at a mere $2 a can, you can’t afford to ignore its cleaning power!

How To Use Bar Keepers Friend

Our cleaning experts suggest mixing the powder with water to create a paste, then wiping it off after a brief period. Extended contact can damage finishes.

Homer recommends creating a thick slurry of 1/4-cup BKF mixed with a little water. Smear the slurry onto the surface you want to clean, let sit for 10 minutes while the acids work their magic, then scrub. “Dampen, sprinkle, smear, sit and scrub, and you can clean virtually anything,” Homer says.

The manufacturer says to avoid using BKF on porous surfaces like cast iron, granite, marble, wood, fabric, leather or painted surfaces.

Ways To Use Bar Keepers Friend

Read on for a host of ways to put this hardworking, inexpensive helper to good use all over your home. A few caveats before you start: Wear gloves, don’t mix with other cleaning products, and always test in an inconspicuous spot first.

Refresh bathroom surfaces and fixtures

Homer recommends smearing a Bar Keepers Friend slurry on hard water spots, mineral deposits and rust stains on glass shower doors, fixtures, tubs and sinks. You can use it on toilet rings, too.

“Clean the toilet with your favorite bathroom spray, flush and pump the flusher [in the toilet water tank] to lower the waterline,” she says. “Sprinkle the powder on the ring, smear it around on the stains with your brush, wait 10 minutes and scrub.”

Remove rust on tools and more

Apply the paste directly on the trouble spot, let sit for a minute, then wipe away. This helps all kinds of items in your garage, including golf clubs, garden tools, ice skate blades and old bikes.

Pro tip: Use a cotton swab to scrub hard-to-reach spots. “I saved a dirty old classic Radio Flyer tricycle with rusty handlebars from the landfill with just a can of Bar Keepers Friend and the back of a kitchen sponge,” Homer says. “I had it looking like it just rolled off the factory floor in less than 20 minutes.”

Get rid of sticky labels

Use Bar Keepers Friend Spray Foam Cleaner to dissolve adhesive and easily remove the annoying residue left behind by labels. Simply spray and let it sit for a minute before wiping clean.

Renew a fireplace

Use Bar Keepers Friend to remove layers of grime and soot stains and from the fireplace door. Remove the insert and lay flat. Wet the glass and sprinkle with BFK. Wait 15 to 20 seconds, then lightly scrub with a wet sponge. Rinse and repeat until sparkling.

Clean kitchen surfaces

Sinks, cookware, appliances and more can benefit from a little BFK. For stainless steel, use a microfiber cloth or non-abrasive sponge and clean with the grain.

On glass cooktops, go with BKF Cooktop Cleaner. First, scrape off any food. Then cover the affected area with cleaner and let it sit, no longer than five minutes. Wet a sponge, apply more Cooktop Cleaner to the sponge, then wipe the stained area in a circular motion. Rinse the sponge and wipe cleaner from cooktop.

Scour siding

Give dingy vinyl siding a good scrub with a Bar Keepers Friend and water solution to help it look new again. Wet a section of siding, scrub the solution on with a wet sponge, then rinse well.

Detail your vehicle

BKF can cut through carbon buildup on your exhaust pipes and make dirty hubcaps shine. It can also turn cloudy headlights clear again — clean, then dampen before sprinkling with BKF. Gently scrub, let sit for up to a minute, then rinse with warm water. Repeat until sparkling.

Update dishes

To get rid of stains and scratches on mugs, glassware and porcelain servingware, sprinkle BKF on a damp sponge and wipe onto the scratched surface. Let sit for 10 to 15 seconds, then lightly scrub with a damp sponge. Rinse and wipe clean.

Refresh sneakers

Make a paste of BKF and water and start scrubbing to clean shoes. All surfaces except leather can benefit! Use a toothbrush to detail rubber soles and edges. Scrub until clean, then wipe off remaining cleaner with a damp sponge.

SOURCE: FAMILY HANDYMAN : ANDREA COOLEY

I was intrigued by the name of this article I found on balconygarden.web. (I discovered upcycled is simply repurposed.) I hope some of these ideas spark your imagination! (Tutorials can be found at the website.)

GARDEN GATE

RUSTY SHOVEL FLOWER

RAKE GARDEN TOOL HOLDER

GARDEN TOOLS BIRD FEEDERS

GARDEN TOOLS TRELLIS

SOURCE: balconygarden.web: SHERIN WOODS

While searching for something entirely different, I came across this article on How Stuff Works about some alternate uses for salt. 

From How Stuff Works:

In the Garden

Kill poison ivy. A strong solution of saltwater can kill an infestation of poison ivy plants. Apply a mixture of 1 cup (236 milliliters) of salt with 1 gallon (3.7 liters) of soapy water to the leaves and stems with a garden sprayer.

Deter ants. Keep ants from congregating in your garden by sprinkling ordinary table salt in areas where ants tend to gather. This also works to keep ants from coming into your house. Sprinkle salt across the path where they’re coming in and they’ll be deterred from crossing.

Slug those slugs. Sprinkle slugs with a heavy dose of salt to kill them. Wait five minutes, then sprinkle them again.

Control cabbage worms. Cabbage worms eat garden cabbages, broccoli and cauliflower. To control them, dust their leaves with a mixture of 1 cup (239 milliliters) of flour and 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) of salt in in the morning or evening when they’re damp with dew.

Outdoor Gear

Deodorize canvas. Sprinkle salt inside musty-smelling canvas bags (or inside canvas shoes); zip up the bags and let them sit overnight. Dump out the salt the next day and let the bags air out.

Remove rust. Make a paste with 6 tablespoons of salt and 2 tablespoons of lemon or lime juice. Use a dry cloth to rub the paste on rusted bike handlebars, tire rims or other outdoor gear. Rinse and dry the areas thoroughly.

Health and Beauty

Exfoliate your skin. Salt makes a wonderful skin and/or face scrub. After you shower and while your skin is still moist, sprinkle salt onto your hands and rub it gently over your skin. The salt will remove dead skin and promote circulation. Sea salt is best.

Soothe itchy skin. Soaking in a tub of saltwater can be a great itchy skin reliever. Just add 1 cup (236 milliliters) table salt or sea salt to your bathwater to help soften your skin.

Cleanse and tone. Sea salt face toners are all the rage, but you can make your own by mixing 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon olive oil in a small bowl. Massage the mixture on your face and throat, being careful to avoid contact with your eyes. Follow by washing with your usual face soap.

Whiten your teeth. Don’t pay for expensive tooth whitener. Make your own with sea salt. It’s a natural abrasive, so it’s gentle at removing stains on your teeth. Just brush with it once a week.

Household Cleanup

Clear coffee stains. Add a mixture of 1 cup (236 milliliters) crushed ice, 1 tablespoon water and 4 teaspoons salt to your coffee pot and swirl the mixture. Rinse and wash as usual. Use the same method to get the stains out of your favorite coffee cups, too.

Deep clean oven and stove. Sticky spills are tough to remove from your oven and stovetop. Make it easier by sprinkling the spill with salt. Let it sit until the spill gets crisp and you can lift it with a spatula. You also can soak up liquid spills on the stovetop by sprinkling them with a mixture of salt and cinnamon. Leave it on the spill for about five minutes and then wipe away.

Sanitize the fridge. Just sprinkle equal amounts salt and baking soda on a damp sponge and wipe down the interior of your fridge.

Remove wine stains. Sprinkle kosher salt on the stain and let it sit for two or three minutes, then rinse with cold water.

Brighten your brass. Restore the shine to your brass and copper items by combining 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of flour with enough vinegar to form a paste. Rub the paste on any brass or copper piece and let it dry. Wash off with soapy water and buff to a shine with a microfiber cloth.

Erase watermarks. Make watermarks on wood disappear with a paste of 1 teaspoon salt and a few drops of water. Gently rub the paste onto the ring with a soft cloth until it’s gone. Follow up with a good furniture polish.

SOURCE: How Stuff Works.com By: Sarah Gleim

Continuing from FAMILY HANDYMAN:

Laundry Detergent Twine Dispenser

Prevent balls of twine from tangling up by making a twine dispenser from an empty plastic detergent jug. Cut the bottom off the jug and drill a hole in the cap. Screw the jug to your shop wall with the spout facing down. Drop the ball of twine into the jug, thread it through the hole and screw the cap on. — Paul Chupek

Furniture Stripping Helper

When stripping old paint or varnish, how do you get rid of the stuff once it’s on your putty knife? Cut a semi-circular opening in the side of an empty gallon jug, then clean the loaded scraper on the flat edge of the hole. When you’re done, and you want to reuse some of the stripper, upend the jug and use the neck of the jug as a funnel to pour the stripper into another container.

Plastic Bag Dispenser

To make it easy to stow and reuse plastic bags, make a dispenser from a discarded 2-liter soda bottle. Cut off the top and bottom with a razor knife. Trim any jagged edges so you don’t tear the bags when you pull them out, then screw the dispenser to a cabinet door or closet wall (or attach with hook-and-loop tape).

Water Bottle Nail Pouch

Make a nail holder from a plastic beverage bottle. Cut the top off an empty bottle, leaving a 3-1/2 in. tall container. File off any sharp edges or cover them with tape. Cut two 1-1/2 in. vertical slits 1 in. apart in the center of the side. Slide the end of your belt through the slots for a homemade nail pouch. — R. B. Hines.

Laundry Jug Watering Can

Instead of throwing away empty laundry detergent containers, rinse them out thoroughly and then recycle them for watering plants. Drill 1/8-in. holes in the top of the cap, and a 1/2-in. hole just above the handle to relieve pressure so the water flows freely.

Out with the Mustard, In with the Glue

I no longer put up with the messy “over-designed” carpenter’s glue dispensers. Instead, I use old mustard bottles; they don’t clog and they easily reseal between uses. — reader Richard Painter

Plastic Jug Planters

Those plastic milk jugs can be cut and used as planters. Try hanging them from a fence with wire coat hangers, as shown here.

Better Bucket Storage

Stacked 5-gallon buckets fit together so tightly that it’s almost impossible to pull them apart. Prevent the problem by placing a large plastic pop bottle (with top on) or milk jug between each pair of buckets. You can still nest the buckets together, but they won’t stick together anymore.

Better Glue Bottle Cap

Screw the flip-up, 1-in. inner dia. cap from your shampoo or liquid cleanser bottle onto your glue bottle. The 1-in. cap fits on every glue bottle we tried. Now:

You can’t lose the little cap.

Glue stays fresher because the cap snaps shut.

The cap’s small round hole makes it easier to control the size of the glue bead.

Glue doesn’t harden in the cap and require clearing before use. — reader Dorothy Nanchu

Instant Tool Holder

Store chisels, files, large drill bits, screwdrivers and other long tools so they’re both visible and close at hand. Simply cut off the top from a clear 2-liter plastic soft drink bottle, leaving a flap for hanging. Use smaller bottles, which are extremely common household items for smaller tools.

SOURCE: FAMILY HANDYMAN: Jenny Stanley Updated: Dec. 01, 2023

I found this article on Family Handyman that details some helpful and amazing uses for those plastic bottles you might have.

From Family Handyman:

Give those otherwise useless plastic jugs and bottles new life in your home or workshop. And the best part, these super-resourceful ideas don’t cost a thing!

Make a Paint Tray with a Handle

For small paint jobs, I find that a 4-in. paint roller works great with an old gallon-size iced tea jug serving as a disposable roller tray. I just cut out part of the plastic to create a place to dip the roller. It even has a built-in carrying handle. When I’m done, I just throw the empty gallon jug away. — reader Fred Thies.

Simple Skinny Funnel

If you’re in need an easy to make disposable funnel, we have the perfect solution for you.

Simply cut off the handle from a gallon water (or milk) jug, and use this to serve as a disposable funnel. This funnel will help you to drain anything from your left over wood glue to the old oil in your leaf blower. This handle funnel will help you get to hard to reach places and small bottle openings. When using this funnel to drain old oil, it directs the oil to the drain pan without spilling a drop. It’s also smart to use this disposable funnel for messy projects because you can just throw it away once you are done. It’s so simple and effective!

Soda-Bottle Bee Trap

My husband stumbled on this cheap, effective bee and wasp trap. (Never thought I’d be glad he drinks soda all the time.) Cut the upper one-third off the top of a 2-liter plastic soda bottle with a utility knife. Pour a few ounces of soda pop into the bottom, then invert the top of the bottle and nest it inside the bottom part. Bees and wasps are attracted to the sweet smell and find their way through the bottleneck but can’t find their way out. Eventually they get exhausted, fall into the water and drown. — reader J. Chamberlain

Tangle-Free Twine Storage

Can’t find your twine to bundle that pile of recyclables? Try reader Norm Hoch’s slick solution. Cut the bottom 4 in. off a 1/2-gallon plastic milk or orange juice jug and load the container with a fresh spool of twine that unwinds from the middle. Then thread the twine through the jug opening and tape the jug back together. Cut an “X” in the cap with a utility knife to keep the twine from falling back into the jug.

Portable Storage for Free

You can drop a few bills buying storage totes for supplies like nails, screws and plumbing parts. Or you can make your own with laundry detergent jugs and a utility knife. They’re big, tough and mobile—and they’ll make your workshop stink nice.

Touch-Up Bottle

When there’s only a little bit of latex paint left in the can and I want to save it for touch-ups, I put a half-dozen marbles in an empty water bottle and pour in the leftover paint. When I’m ready to do a touch-up, I shake the bottle and the marbles mix the paint. A roll of tape with a rag draped over it helps hold the bottle steady while I pour the paint into it. Just be sure to use a funnel or you’ll have a mess on your hands. — reader Ron Hazelton

Protect Sprouting Plants

If you cut an empty gallon jug (like a classic plastic milk jug) about two-thirds down the bottom, you can create an effective enclosure to protect planted seeds and new shoots from birds and rodents, which is faster and more effective than trying to use sprays and traps. For busy gardens, get a marker and write the name of the plant on the jug so you know what’s growing beneath without needing to check your seed packets: Remember to eventually take the jugs off as shoots develop to avoid mold. 

Oil Bottle Hardware Storage

Here’s a fun little project to keep your screws, nails, nuts and electrical whatsits handy and neatly organized.

Pet Food Scoop

I’ve read many hints that advise the reader to cut off the tops of gallon-size plastic jugs and use them for funnels. I’ve found that if you replace the cap after cutting the top off, you can use the top for a scoop for handling potting soil, fertilizer or pet food. The no-scratch plastic also makes the jug/scoop ideal for bailing water out of your boat. — reader Ray Dean

For this scoop, we used an empty half-gallon milk jug and angled the cut so that the side opposite the handle is slightly longer, more like a scoop than a funnel. However, as Ray notes above, this scoop can also be used as a funnel by simply removing the milk jug cap. It helps to draw the cut line with a marker first, and then clean up any sharp or rough edges with the scissors after the initial cut.

Dish Soap Glue Bottle

Reuse an empty dish soap container as a refillable glue bottle. The small size and screw-on top with attached cap are perfect for squeezing out wood glue. Be sure to rinse the inside of the container thoroughly (including the lid) and let it dry completely before filling it with glue.

Milk Jug Furniture Movers

When you have to move heavy furniture on carpeting, don’t just drag it around. That’s hard on carpet and you might damage the furniture legs. Make the job easier with these homemade moving pads. Cut the bottoms off four plastic water or milk jugs with a utility knife and rest each furniture leg on its own slider. The rounded, slippery bottoms make them perfect for furniture moving. Yes, you can buy fancier versions of these things—for 15 bucks or more! But these work just as well, and best of all, they’re free!

Tomorrow: PART 2

SOURCE: FAMILY HANDYMAN: Jenny Stanley Updated: Dec. 01, 2023

I found an interesting article on Crafts By Amanda on repurposing plastic pill bottles.  Many of the ideas were just storage ideas—for small items: buttons, paper clips, needles and so on.  A few were creating traveling sized items—like a sewing kit or for a larger bottle, or a travel first aid kit.  A couple of them though, I thought were very clever and those I wanted to share here.

Hide-a-Key

As you can see from the graphic above, detailed instructions are not really necessary.  Take a cleaned pill bottle (they are water tight—I tried one of mine) and a plain old rock.  Make sure the rock is large enough to cover the lid completely and that it is not unusual in any way (pretty or unusual rocks will draw unwanted attention…lol).  Use a good glue and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on drying time to glue the rock to the lid.  Dig a small hole to accommodate the bottle and you’re good to go!  NOTE: in the comments to the article, someone suggested a pine cone could also be used. 

Campfire Matches

Since the pill bottles are water tight, they make an excellent container for matches for a camping trip—especially if there’s water (as in rafting or canoeing) involved!  The website says you can remove and tuck the striking surface into the bottle OR you can glue to the bottle which I think is the better option.

SOURCE: Crafts By Amanda

I saw these catapults launching everything from peeps to jelly beans to candy corn or even ping pong balls!  They looked like a lot of fun—and not just for the young ones!  This Easter, when my daughter and her family visits, we’re going to have a contest.  First, these instructions on building the catapult will come in an envelope with all the necessary building materials on the table.  Contestants will have to construct their catapult, head to the playing field—the hallway—and try to launch their peeps into the Easter basket at the end of the hallway.  (Each contestant will have different color peeps for ease of scoring.)

You might suspect that my daughter’s family consists of young children—but you would be wrong!  The family of 3, daughter, son-in-law, and teenage granddaughter are very competitive!  They have a family game night every week and this small competition will be perfect.  The prize? A coveted, LARGE bag of Ghiradelli Salted Caramels.

Craft Stick Catapult

Craft Sticks  (7 for each catapult)

Plastic Spoons  (strong spoons work best)

Small Rubber Bands

How to build a craft stick catapult:

Stack 5 craft sticks on top of each other and secure both ends with a rubber band.  This will be your crossbar.

Next, stack 2 craft sticks on top of each other and secure one end with a rubber band.

Carefully open up the 2 craft sticks and slide your stack of 5 in between them.

Then lay a plastic spoon on top of the top craft stick and secure both ends of the spoon to the craft stick.

Finally, criss-cross one more rubber band around the area where the craft sticks intersect, holding it all in place.

This version does not use a spoon at all:

This version uses a plastic cap:

And there are a lot of more difficult designs as well, like this one:

It should be a fun time, although sacrificing my peeps will be difficult…LOL

This is an easy craft for anyone to do…and it comes with a story.  First off, you need pinecones, some twine, peanut butter and birdseed.  Merely tie the twine around the pine cone, spread peanut butter on the pine cones and roll in birdseed.  (I microwaved the peanut butter to turn spreading into dipping—much easier.)

We live in a mature wooded area meaning there are extremely few—if any—trees with low enough branches for us to hang these pine cones on.  (This is also why we have no hanging bird feeders—that and the bears would attack them.)

We wanted to attract and feed birds during the winter, so hubby devised a wooden tree of sorts.  Similar to the one pictured below, but not as tall or full.  We put it in a plastic bucket with some rocks thrown in to make sure the wind would not blow it over and put it on the deck.  I tied about a dozen of these pine cone feeders to it securely with bright red ribbon.  The project was finished around dinner time and we didn’t expect to have visitors till the next day. 

We were wrong!  Watching tv that evening we heard a THUMP! and looked at each other.  We thought for sure wind had blown the pine cone tree over, but it wasn’t windy at all.  We turned on the spotlights and saw squirrels DRAGGING our tree!  They had the pine cones in their teeth and paws and had managed to bring the tree down to the deck where they were trying to drag the tree, bucket and all, off the deck and into the woods.

I was out the door and charging at the little thieves while hubby stood and laughed.  The squirrels took that moment to let go of their treasure.

I picked up some of the rocks that had spilled out of the bucket and was winding up to hurl a couple when I felt hubby grab my arm.  “Let them go,” he laughed.  “You scared them good.  They won’t be back.”

Guess what? He was wrong.  They came back in the middle of the night and CHEWED the ribbons OFF the tree and made off with all 12!!

Sigh.

I found this article on the Real Advice Gal.com website and I had to share. She details ways to use up expired baking soda!!! 

From Real Advice Gal.com:

Here are My Top 10 Uses for Baking Powder

For Cleaning

So, you forgot about that baking powder you bought last year and now it’s expired. Don’t throw it away just yet! There are actually a few surprising uses for expired baking powder that might come in handy. And for me, the best way is to use expired baking powder to clean!

Baking powder can be used as a natural cleaner for various household items. It can be mixed with water to make a paste and used to scrub away stains on sinks, countertops, and stovetops.

Use it to soak for pots and pans – Stuck on foods making pots and pans hard to clean? Soak them in a mix of hot water and baking powder and you won’t have to scrub so hard!

As a Crayon Mark remover -Did little one decided to use the wall to make a master piece? Use a mix of hot water and baking powder and gently scrub the marks off with a toothbrush.

As a Cleaner for your Microwave – Put 2 tbsp of baking powder and 2 cups of water in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 2 minutes. This will loosen any stuck on food and make it where you can easily wipe it clean!

Deodorizer

Baking powder can be used to absorb unpleasant odors in refrigerators, closets, and shoes. Simply place an open container of baking powder in the area and let it absorb the odor.

You can sprinkle some baking powder on your carpets and then vacuum it up to suck up some of those set in odors.  The same can also be done for car seats (fabric, not leather)!

As a freshener for your shoes:Fill a pair of socks with baking powder and tie off the ends. Stick them in shoes you want to keep fresh!

Natural Deodorant

Baking powder can be mixed with water to create a natural deodorant. Apply it under the arms to absorb moisture and neutralize odors.

Detergent Booster

Put a tsp of baking powder in with your clothes and it will help remove odors in the wash.

Degreaser

Got a grease stain on your shirt? Sprinkle some baking powder on the spot and leave it to soak up the grease, wash as usual and the grease spot will be gone!

As a Way to Keep Out Ants

Ants invading your house? Mix an equal amount of baking powder and salt and sprinkle around the outside of doors and windows to deter them.

As a Gas Blocker

A tsp of baking powder in water while cooking dried beans will lesson gas and bloating that comes from eating the beans!

As a Drain Opener

Have a partially clogged drain? Pour in 1/2 a cup of baking powder followed by 1/2 a cup of vinegar and let bubble. Wait a few minutes and follow up with some hot water and the clog should be gone!

Homemade Playdough

Baking powder can be used as an ingredient in homemade playdough recipes. It helps the playdough to rise and become soft and pliable.

Fruits and Vegetables Wash

Baking powder can be used to help remove pesticides and other chemicals from fruits and vegetables. Soak them in water with a teaspoon of baking powder for 10-15 minutes before rinsing them off.

So there you have it, 10 uses for baking powder that you may not have thought of before!

SOURCE: REAL ADVICE GAL.COM

From the SPRUCECRAFTS.COM website:

A stress ball is a fun and malleable toy that’s a great tool for portable stress relief. Both adults and children can squeeze the toy in their hands, moving their fingers around to relieve muscle tension, stress, and to exercise the hand. Beyond being a toy, stress balls may help make you feel relaxed and lower your blood pressure. Toss one in your bag before you start a busy day or keep one at your desk for convenient stress relief.

Make your own DIY-crafted stress ball at home. Creating your own stress ball can be a creative way to release pressure and have fun making a squishy and playful item. You can even customize your own by choosing your favorite color (or a calming one, such as blue) and adding stickers or colored patterns.

Equipment / Tools

Funnel

Scissors

Permanent marker (optional)

Materials

Small, round balloon

1 cup Cornstarch

Instructions

Blow up the Balloon

Blow up the balloon until it is about 4 to 5 inches in diameter. Do not tie it, but keep the balloon inflated as best you can.

Pinch It Closed

Pinch the top of the balloon shut, about 1 to 2 inches from the opening, leaving room for the funnel to be inserted into the neck of the balloon. If you don’t have an assistant to help, use a clip to pinch the balloon.

Insert the Funnel

Place a funnel inside the opening of the balloon while still pinching the balloon closed. You may need help securing the funnel inside the balloon. Don’t worry if your balloon deflates a little, as this tends to happen during this step.

Fill Your Balloon With Cornstarch

Fill the top of the funnel with cornstarch using your free hand (or enlist a helper). It works best to add a small amount of cornstarch at a time.

Slowly Release Pinched Fingers

Carefully begin replacing the air with cornstarch by slowly letting go of where you’re pinching the balloon so the cornstarch can slide into it. If you go too quickly, the air leaving the balloon will blow the cornstarch into the air and make a mess.

Continue adding cornstarch to the funnel until the balloon is filled to a depth of about 3 inches. Continue adding small amounts of cornstarch to your funnel, moving slowly, and swirl the cornstarch around with your finger to help work it into the base of the funnel and into the balloon.

Squeeze out the Excess Air

Pull up tightly on the opening of the balloon and pinch out any extra air. In order to have an effective stress ball that won’t pop, it’s important to eliminate any extra air that’s inside your balloon. All of your stress ball’s contents should be cornstarch.

Tie the Balloon Closed

Tie the balloon closed as near to the cornstarch as you can. Use scissors to cut off any excess balloon, making sure not to cut too close to the knot on the balloon.

Decorate the Stress Ball

Decorate the stress ball with stickers or permanent markers as desired. Choose your favorite colors to make your new toy your own and add fun patterns to show off your artistic skills. Now you’re ready for stress relief on-the-go with your very own DIY stress ball!

SOURCE: The SPRUCECRAFTS.COM