** This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase, I will receive a small commission after you have clicked on my link.

20 Surprising Uses For Bobby Pins

Bobby pins are a wonderful and inexpensive hair accessory. Its main purpose is for holding hair in place. There are actually other uses for bobby pins other than holding back strands of hair. 


Keep a few of these pins in a small case or little bag handy in your purse, car, and sewing basket. You never know when they may just come in handy.

Now onto some other surprising uses!


1. Attach small fabric pieces or small trinkets to top of pin making it a cute hair accessory.


20 Surprising Uses For Bobby Pins

2. Make jewelry. Apply paint, glitter, or little trinkets to make a broach or add to earrings or necklaces.

3. Nail art tool for making designs on fingernails or toenails such as little dots. 

4. Clean under fingernails.

5. Toothpaste saver. Using a pin push the unused toothpaste in the tube forward.


20 Surprising Uses For Bobby Pins

6. Replacement for the pull on a broken zipper.

7. Securing a belt. Secure the lose end of a belt for a more neater appearance. 



8. Thread a string back into the waist of a pair of pants.

9. Pant hem. While out if a hem comes undone use a clip or two to hold it up.


20 Surprising Uses For Bobby Pins


10. Pit cherries or olives. Push the ends of the bobby pin in making sure that there is an end on either side of the pit. Then push until both ends come out the other side of the cherry or olive. Grab the ends and pull them all the way through along with the pit.

11. Pin a bag of open snacks closed to seal in freshness. 

20 Surprising Uses For Bobby Pins

12. Hold down the end of a string from a ball of yarn.

13. For gluing hard to reach areas. 

14. Mark the end on a roll of clear tape making it easier to find for future use.


20 Surprising Uses For Bobby Pins

15. Clothespin alternative. Use on the lighter fabrics if facing a shortage of regular clothespins.

16. Hold a small nail in place.


20 Surprising Uses For Bobby Pins


17. Use in place of a paper clip to hold papers together.

18. A bookmark. Use to bookmark a page without worrying of it falling out whereas a paper bookmark will most likely slide out.


20 Surprising Uses For Bobby Pins


19. Use in place of straight pins to hold fabric together for sewing. This has become a favorite alternative of mine as I no longer have to worry about stabbing myself with those sharp straight pins.

20. Mark items such as thread, measuring tape, or ribbon. Pin down the end to make it look neat and easier to find for future use.

20 Surprising Uses For Bobby Pins

Do you have any other handy uses for bobby pins? Please feel free to share!