this image is not available
20th Century Studios

This story originally appeared on GoodHousekeeping.com.

Ah, the humble lint roller. It's lightweight. It's sticky. You always have one handy in your sock drawer. And it makes quick work of picking up life's tiny messes when you don't feel like getting the vacuum out. Seriously, you'd be surprised by how many cleaning to-dos (and maybe even a few craft projects) you can check off your list around your house—in just a couple swipes.

1. On fuzzy towels
If you notice pilling on your bath set, run over it with a lint roller to freshen the terrycloth.

2. Over your stereo speakers
Dust got you singing the blues? Whisk it away with a quick flick of the lint roller.

3. On a lamp shade.
Remove everyday dirt on all your lamp shades with just one swipe—no electricity required.

this image is not available
20th Century Studios

4. In your purse
Spot dirt, sand or, err, cookie crumbs in the bottom of your bag? Banish them on the go with a handy roller.

5. Over broken glass
A lint roller makes sure you get every tiny shard.

this image is not available
20th Century Studios

6. While crafting
The roller's tackiness is great at picking up spilled glitter, paper slivers, or other small DIY messes. But you can also quickly fashion the tool into a rolling stamp, like this one from Handmade Charlotte.

7. To trap a pesky bug
Not a fan of scooping up insects with your hands? Pick 'em up with a lint roller, and then toss the sticky paper in the trash.

RELATED: 12 Handy Uses for Baby Powder

8. In your car
When you spot dust and dirt in your car's interior, don't lug your vacuum to the garage. A lint roller is an easy-to-handle solution, and can sometimes fit in nooks and crannies where your vacuum attachments can't reach.

this image is not available
20th Century Studios

9. On stuffed animals
In between deep cleans, freshen your kids' plush pals by giving them a quick once-over with the roller.

10. In your sewing room
Errant threads, dropped pins, and even tiny buttons are no match for the lint roller's sticky paper.

11. Before you paint a wall
Pass over your paint rollers with a lint roller before you apply any color. The sticky paper will remove any loose fibers, so they won't stick to the wall as you paint.

TELL US: How do you use a lint roller around the house?

NEXT: 10 Smart New Uses for Dish Soap »

Photos: Getty, Handmade Charlotte

From: Good Housekeeping US
Headshot of Lauren Piro
Lauren Piro
Senior Web Editor
Overseeing all things home for GoodHousekeeping.com and HouseBeautiful.com, Lauren swoons over midcentury design and employs tough-love approach to decluttering (just throw it away, ladies). She loves anything neon coral, puts bacon on her veggie burgers, and would follow Tina Fey and Amy Poehler to the end of the earth.