Sponges might be the best at cleaning spills and soaping up dishes, but if you confine them to your kitchen, you're missing out on their other hidden skills. These clever uses will have you stocking up next time you hit the cleaning aisle:

1. Remove pills from sweaters.
   Textured scrub sponges make quick work of tidying up a worn sweater. Gently run it across the garment to banish fuzz.
2. Keep houseplants well-watered.
   If you sneak a sponge into the bottom of a planter, it will soak up excess water when you give your plant a drink. This can prevent roots from rotting in too much moisture, and offers back-up sustenance if you forget to water your greenery.
3. Lift pet hair off carpeting.
   A damp sponge is just the tool you need to pull pesky hair out of your carpet's fibers.
4. Cushion breakables.
   If you're storing like a ceramic bowl or collection of figurines, strategically place sponge pieces near any fragile parts or sharp corners that could easily damage.
5. Protect surfaces from scratches.
   Before you place a vase on your vintage coffee table, glue a few pieces of a sponge to the bottom to curtail any bumps and bruises.