A bar of soap is a cheap, simple thing, but it can do so much more than just clean your hands and body. I’ll bet you didn’t know there is a reason to keep a bar of soap in nearly every room of your house. After you’re done reading this, you’ll want to have one in every room.

Pretreat stains – No one wants to have a stain on their clothes. So next time you have a pesky spot on your shirt, rub a bar of soap on the stain before you wash it. If you do it right, the stain will wash right out in the laundry.

Prevent stray paint marks – When you’re painting, the last thing you want is a stray paint mark. Even if you use painters tape, they still seem to happen. To make paint marks easier to remove, simply rub a bar of soap on the surfaces that you don’t want paint on and it will make the paint much easier to remove when you’re finished.

Break in shoes – New shoes may look great, but they can be really hard on feet. The next time you get a new pair of shoes, just rub soap on the inside to soften the material. It won’t damage your shoes, but will make them more comfortable to wear.

Clean your nails – If you’re about to do a messy chore such as gardening or working on the car, scratch a bar of soap and get some under your nails. It will create a barrier and keep gunk from getting under there as you work.

Create your own toothpaste – You might have thought getting soap in your mouth as a kid was punishment, but it can actually be used as toothpaste. Find a chemical-free soap, rub it on your toothbrush, and go to town on your teeth.

Repel pests – Soap can keep away plenty of annoying pests, including bugs and mice. Just spray chemical-free soapy water on the leaves of your plants and the bugs will leave them alone. To keep deer and rodents at bay, hang a bar of soap where you want to keep them away.

Stop buying liquid soap – Soap bars are a lot cheaper than liquid soap most of the time. To make your own liquid soap, melt grated bars of soap and pour the mixture into a container.

Reduce leg cramps – Leaving a bar of soap under your bed sheets can reportedly sooth pain and cramps in your legs. You’ll have to try this one for yourself, but Dr. Oz recommends a lavender-scented bar.

Quit using WD-40 – Soap can take place of this smelly spray. Just rub a bar of soap on zippers, squeaky hinges, and more.

If you found these tips helpful, be sure to share them with your family and friends.