Cheap Trick: Clean Tight Spaces with a Mascara Wand

Before you eighty-six that clumpy CoverGirl, save the mascara wand (wash and recycle the container) and use it to whisk gunk out of tight spaces.

To clean the wand thoroughly, fill a small bowl with warm water and two to three drops of liquid castile soap. None handy? Shampoo or eye makeup remover should also do the trick.

Separate and soak the tube and wand in the soap-and-water solution for about 10 minutes. Banish makeup that's still clinging to the sides of the tube with a cotton swab. If the wand still has residue, apply a couple drops of soap directly onto the bristles and lather up. Rinse well, air-dry, and get down to the dirty work.

Here, five hard-to-reach (and grime-attracting) areas where a mascara wand works its magic best:

- Behind kitchen and bathroom taps
- Around cupboard knobs and drawer handles
- Between the keys on a computer keyboard
- Along the edges of light-switch plates
- Inside sink and countertop seams

Eco tip: Mascara containers tend to be composed of plastic No. 5, which may not be accepted by your local curbside recycling program. Cosmetics giant, Origins, is doing its part to reduce the amount of plastic waste sent to landfills, one tube at a time. Drop off empty primary cosmetic packaging (jars, bottles, caps, and covers, regardless of brand) at any one of their locations and the company will reprocess it and give you a free skincare sample for your troubles. Click here to find an Origins location near you.