The Best Ways to Reuse Wine Corks Instead of Throwing Them Away

When we think of cork, the first thing that comes to mind is cylindrical wine bottle stoppers. But the eco-friendly material can also be used in other ways throughout the home, including flooring, wall panels and light fixtures, not to mention various types of home renovations. With that in mind, why throw away wine corks after you’ve finished the bottle and waste this durable and multi-purpose material? Here are some ways to use them instead.

How to Reuse Wine Corks Around the House

First of all, we should clarify that we are not going to focus on crafting today. Anyone interested in making a wreath out of used wine corks has probably already made one, and if not, the instructions are easy to find. Instead, here are some ways to reuse wine corks at home:

Make a chip clip

Have you opened a bottle of wine and a bag of chips, but only finished the wine? A previous Lifehacker article explains how to turn a cork into a makeshift chip clip.

Protect your wood floors

Of course, you can buy these little round protectors to put on your furniture legs to keep them from scratching your wood floors, or you can make your own using wine corks .

Using a sharp knife, cut the cork into small circles, then attach them to the legs of tables and chairs using strong glue. To make sure you cut the cork circles evenly, you can start by using a measuring tape to mark the cork every 1/8 inch (or desired width) so you don’t have to eyeball it.

Fix wobbly chairs or tables (those with thin legs)

Likewise, if you have a table or chair with relatively thin but uneven legs, you can cut the cork to the desired width and attach it to the short leg to prevent the furniture from wobbling.

Take the hot cap

As Lifehacker senior food editor Claire Lower notes in this post , you can insert a wine stopper—or a sparkling wine stopper, which is her preference—under a metal pan handle or pot lid so you can grab it without burning your fingers.

Silent cabinet doors

When someone slams a closet door, it’s not only loud, but it can also speed up the wear and tear on the door. To avoid this, cut thin cork circles and attach them to the inside of your cabinet door to serve as a cushion.