The Many Uses for Binder Clips: 11 Smart Ideas

Last Updated on December 22, 2025 by teamobn

Binder clips are usually used to hold stacks of paper together. But with a little creativity, they can help you organize your home, office, and craft supplies, too. You can use binder clips to manage cords, keep tablecloths from blowing away, store art materials, mark wine glasses at parties, and more.

Below are 11 simple, practical ways to use binder clips, with easy steps you can follow at home.

Quick List: 11 Clever Ways to Use Binder Clips

1. DIY yarn bowl using a binder clip
2. Binder clips as cord keepers and cable organizers
3. Binder clips to maximize fridge and freezer space
4. Binder clip glove holder
5. Desk cord holder with binder clips
6. Binder clip cell phone stand
7. Paint board and canvas storage with binder clips
8. Using binder clips instead of sewing pins
9. Binder clips as party wine glass markers and decor
10. Binder clips to hold outdoor tablecloths in place
11. Binder clips as a temporary keychain

What Is a Binder Clip?

A binder clip is a small metal office tool used to hold stacks of paper together. It has a folded steel body and two wire arms that you squeeze to open and close the clip. Binder clips come in several sizes, from very small to quite large. Because they are strong, reusable and inexpensive, they are perfect for DIY projects and home organization.

The Many Uses for Binder Clips

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DIY Yarn Bowl Using a Binder Clip

If you knit or crochet, you know how annoying it is when your yarn rolls away or gets tangled. A simple binder clip and a bowl can solve this problem.

How to make a DIY yarn bowl with a binder clip?

1. Choose a medium or large bowl or a smooth storage container.
2. Clip a binder clip onto the rim of the bowl.
3. Thread your yarn through one of the metal arms of the clip.
4. Place the yarn ball inside the bowl.

The yarn will stay inside the bowl instead of rolling onto the floor. The binder clip helps control the tension, so your knitting or crocheting feels smoother and less frustrating.

Binder Clips as Cord Keepers and Cable Organizers

Tangled cords from chargers, headphones and small devices are a common headache. Binder clips make excellent cord keepers that are cheap and easy to set up.

How to use binder clips as cord keepers?

1. Clip a binder clip to the edge of your desk, table or nightstand.
2. Thread one charging cable or headphone cord through a metal arm of the clip.
3. Let the plug end of the cable rest in the loop so it does not slide down.
4. Repeat with more clips for extra cords.

You can also wrap a cord loosely and clip it shut before putting it in a bag. This keeps cables from knotting in your backpack or drawer and makes it simple to grab the right one when you need it.

Binder Clips to Maximize Fridge and Freezer Space

Binder clips can help you organize your fridge and freezer more efficiently. They are useful for hanging bags and stopping bottles from rolling around.

How to use binder clips to organize your fridge?

1. For bottles stored on their sides, clip a binder clip to the fridge shelf in front of them.
2. Use the clip as a stopper so the bottles do not roll forward.

How to hang bags in the freezer?

1. Fill a freezer bag with fruits, vegetables or snacks.
2. Seal the bag and clip a binder clip to the top edge.
3. Clip the binder clip onto a freezer rack so the bag hangs down.

This method frees up shelf space and keeps bags easy to see and reach. You get more storage without buying special organizers.

Binder Clip Gloves Holder

Kitchen, cleaning and gardening gloves can make a space look messy if they are tossed on a counter or over a sink. A binder clip glove holder keeps them dry, clean and out of the way.

How to make a binder clip glove holder?

1. Choose a spot under the sink, inside a cabinet door or on a shelf.
2. Clip a medium or large binder clip to the edge of a shelf or screw it in place if you want a permanent holder.
3. Hang your gloves from the metal arms or from the grip of the clip.

This helps gloves dry properly and keeps them together, so you are less likely to misplace one. It works well for dishwashing gloves, gardening gloves and winter gloves.

Desk Cord Holder With Binder Clips

If you are always fishing for phone chargers that fall behind your nightstand or desk, binder clips can serve as simple cord holders.

How to create a binder clip cord holder

1. Clip a binder clip to the front or side edge of your desk or nightstand.
2. Thread a charging cable, USB cable or laptop cord through one of the metal arms.
3. Pull enough cable through the loop so that the plug end reaches your device comfortably.

Use several binder clips in a row to keep different cords separate. You can also label the clips with small stickers or tape so you know which cable belongs to which device.

Binder Clip Cell Phone Stand

You do not need a fancy phone stand to watch videos or join video calls. A couple of binder clips can hold your phone upright.

How to make a binder clip phone stand

1. Take a large binder clip and open the metal arms.
2. Bend the arms forward slightly to create a small ledge where the bottom of your phone can rest.
3. If you need more stability, attach a second binder clip to the back of the first one for extra support.
4. Place your phone horizontally in the clip so it rests securely on the arms.

This DIY stand is small, light and easy to carry in a bag or pocket. It is a handy solution for watching movies, reading recipes or making hands-free calls.

Paint Board and Canvas Storage With Binder Clips

If you enjoy painting or drawing, you may struggle to keep your boards, canvases and paper neat. Binder clips are a simple way to store and carry these supplies.

How to store paint boards with binder clips?

1. Stack your paint boards or canvases in a neat pile.
2. Clip one or two binder clips along one edge to hold them together.
3. Hang the stack by the metal arms on a hook or nail if you want to store them off the floor.

You can also use binder clips to attach reference photos, sketches or color samples to your easel while you work. This keeps everything in view without using tape that might damage paper.

Using Binder Clips Instead of Sewing Pins

Binder clips can act as sewing clips, especially when working with thick or delicate fabrics. They hold layers in place without leaving holes.

How to use binder clips for sewing?

1. Line up the edges of your fabric where you plan to sew.
2. Place binder clips along the seam instead of pins, spacing them every few centimeters or inches.
3. Move the fabric under the sewing machine and remove each clip as the needle approaches it.

Binder clips are especially helpful with layers of quilting, denim, canvas, vinyl or leather. They are also good for beginners who might struggle with sharp pins.

Binder Clips as Party Charmers

Binder clips are not only useful for organizing. They can also add a fun, personal touch to a party by helping guests keep track of their drinks.

How to use binder clips as wine glass markers?

1. Choose small, colorful binder clips or decorate plain ones with tape or stickers.
2. Clip one binder clip to the stem or rim of each wine glass.
3. If you like, attach a small paper tag to the clip and write each guest’s name on it.

Other party uses for binder clips

1. Use binder clips to hold place cards at each seat.
2. Clip table signs or food labels to trays on a buffet.
3. Attach balloons or light decorations to thin edges where tape does not work well.

Binder clips are cheap and reusable, so they are a good option for casual gatherings and more formal dinners.

Binder Clips to Hold Outdoor Tablecloths in Place

Eating outdoors is great, but wind can easily blow a tablecloth out of place. Binder clips make simple tablecloth holders.

How to use binder clips as tablecloth holders?

1. Spread your tablecloth evenly over the picnic table or folding table.
2. Clip a binder clip to each side of the table, grabbing both the table edge and the tablecloth.
3. For windy days or larger tables, add more clips along each side and at the corners.

Binder clips are easy to remove when the meal is over. You can also reuse them to hang banners, secure menus or hold light decorations at outdoor events.

Binder Clips as a Temporary Keychain

If you ever lose a keychain or need a quick way to keep a few keys together, a binder clip can stand in as a temporary keychain.

How to make a binder clip keychain?

1. Open the binder clip and carefully remove one of the metal arms.
2. Slide your keys onto the metal arm.
3. Reattach the arm to the binder clip.

You can then clip the keys to a belt loop, bag strap, notebook or lanyard. It may not look fancy, but it is a practical way to keep keys from getting lost until you get a regular keychain.

Conclusion

The many uses for binder clips go far beyond holding papers together. With a few simple tricks, you can turn binder clips into cable organizers, yarn guides, phone stands, paint board holders, party markers, tablecloth weights and even temporary keychains. These small tools are strong, reusable and inexpensive, which makes them a smart addition to any home, office, craft room or workshop.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Smart Ways to Use Binder Clips

1. What are some creative uses for binder clips at home?
   • You can use binder clips to organize cords, hang gloves, store paint boards, hold outdoor tablecloths in place, create a phone stand, mark wine glasses, hang freezer bags and keep snack bags closed.
2. How can I use binder clips to organize cords?
   • Clip a binder clip to the edge of your desk or nightstand, then thread each cord through a metal arm. This stops the cables from falling behind the furniture and keeps them easy to grab.
3. Are binder clips safe to use in the kitchen?
   • Yes, binder clips are fine for organizing sealed bags in the fridge or freezer, or for keeping chip bags closed, as long as the metal does not touch the food directly. For long-term food storage, keep the clips on the outside of the packaging.
4. Can binder clips replace sewing pins?
   • Binder clips work very well for holding thick or delicate fabrics together before sewing. They do not poke holes, and they keep layers from slipping while you stitch.