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6 Tips and Tricks for Bobby Pins

Get ideas from storing bobby pins to making DIYing a little easier.

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using a poppy pin to hold a nail to safely hammer into a piece of woodfamily handyman

Nail Holder

There’s no need to risk hammering a finger when working with tiny nails, or in tight quarters. A common bobby pin makes a great nail holder and keeps your fingers at a safe distance! Once the nail is started, remove the bobby pin and continue hammering away.

using bobby pins to route wiresfamily handyman

Route Wires

Use old-fashioned bobby pins to route small speaker or other wires along baseboards and other molding. Clip one end off the bobby pins so they slide easily into the gaps while holding the wire.

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Pin Magnet

Anyone who uses bobby pins can tell you they disappear at an alarming rate. Keep track of them by getting a magnet and letting it attract all the pins. Or purchase this nifty magnetized holder.

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Filter Fur When Washing Your Dog in a showerFamily Handyman

Fur Filter for Dog Bathing

If you wash your dog in the bathtub or shower, you’re begging for a clogged drain. Keep fur out of the drain with a mesh-type scrubbing pad.

In a shower, clip the pad to the drain plate with a bobby pin. In a bathtub, wedge two pads under the stopper from two sides. The pads catch fur but let water flow through. Even if your dog doesn’t shed a lot, you’ll be astonished by how much this catches.

magnetic strip to hold bobby pins and hair clipsfamily handyman

Use a Magnet Strip

Tired of having all those hair pins and barrettes scattered all over the bathroom counter? Here’s the solution: Attach a magnetic strip to the wall and stick all those accessories on it for instant organization. You can find magnet strips at most hardware stores or online.

Photo: Courtesy of Milady Pro.

using a recycled pill bottle to store bobby pinsAlaina DiGiacomo/Family Handyman

Store Bobby Pins in Old Pill Bottles

Don’t toss those old pill bottles! Repurpose them instead.

You can quickly lose track of your bobby pins, but an old pill bottle is a great way to store and quickly find them again. Peel off the label to see easier into the bottle so you know what’s in it. It’s also wise to keep your bobby pin and medicine bottles in different places to avoid confusion.

Alex Shoemaker
Alex is an avid DIYer but had little experience before purchasing his first home in 2019. A Family Handyman subscription was one of his first purchases after becoming a homeowner, and he's been hooked ever since. When he’s not working, he can be found fixing up his 1940s Florida home or relaxing on the beach with his family.