Many Uses For The Lowly Pipe Cleaner..

[randelli]

Today I was setting up some new HAM radio equipment and realized that I didn't have any zip ties! I hate cords, and messiness, so messy cords are just not going to happen. I do happen to have a lot of pipe cleaners; and they did a great job in tidying up the spaghetti cords.
What else have you hacked your pipe cleaners for?

 

[mackeson]

Nice one, I'll need to remember that.

Realizing I was out of toothpicks when baking my son's birthday cake last Jan., I dipped a pipe cleaner in the middle of the cake to check for done-ness. A little cake came out on it, but didn't look raw---success

 

[ashdigger]

Mackeson, cake.....pipe cleaner.....I see what you did there.
Similar to substituting for cable ties (which I do all the time, for the same reasons) I will sometimes use them temporarily to affix evidence tags to the item collected.

 

[pagan]

One time, at pipe camp, I put a pipe cleaner in my.....
:rofl: :rofl:

 

[ashdigger]

Pagan, :rofl:

 

[pitchfork]

:rofl:

 

[jacks6]

ahhh Pagan! lmao!

 

[pitchfork]

If you bend a fluffy one (that sounds like a euphemism for something really dirty)... it makes a pretty decent Q-tip.

 

[cobguy]

How about making a pair of sneakers:

 

[ashdigger]

Cobguy......GET OUT!!

 

[cobguy]

:P

 

[cynicismandsugar]

@ Pagan, :rofl:
I use pipe cleaners to clear the spout head and steam wand from my espresso machine.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Have used them in my garden to tie plants to stakes.

 

[cossackjack]

Clean the steam vent & regulator cap on a pressure cooker.

 

[newbroom]

I don't do this anymore, but it was an option. Pipe cleaner bent to hold a pipe on the jar lip.

 

[ray47]

My wife has some metal drinking straws for her large tall metal cups and she uses the churchwarden pipe cleaners to clean the inside of the straws.

 

[prairiedruid]

Moistened a pipe cleaner in alcohol to clean the gas lines and orfices on my propane heater.

 

[akfilm]

I've rolled one side into a tight curl and used as a tamp when I couldn't find anything else. Cleaned propane heaters like prairiedruid, used them for leather die and wood stain for hard to reach or tight spots. I've tied cables, affixed tags, cleaning reusable straws, fire starter, and much more. When you burn off the fuzz, the very fine wires are useful as well. They are incredibly useful to have around.

 

[stbruno70]

In winter I use a wood pellet stove for heat. Pipe cleaners are handy for cleaning the small ventilation holes in the burn box that are easily clogged up with fine dust.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Cleaning the holes for nectar in hummingbird feeders.

Doubling over and cleaning the mortise.