Does anyone know of any household items that can be used as a trumpet silencer? Thanks.

None that I can think of off hand; I justt use the silent brass system. Sorry.

I heard of someone who used a potato...on second thought, don't try it

Well, before my sister ever got a mute for her trumpet she would just stuff a shirt or something into the bell of her trumpet. It didn't work half bad. But I would try to get an actual mute as soon as possible.

Yeah, most 'improvised' mutes don't work too well, and sometimes just straight up don't come out of the bell once you put em in.
But one that I've tried, I can't remember how well it worked, as it was a few years back, was a mid size styrofoam cup.
I THINK it worked rather well, but sometimes memory doesn't serve.
May as well try it eh?
But I wouldn't suggest the potato...
Blake

A HAT OR BALL OF SOME SORT!

If you absolutely have to control the volume when you practice you should consider a practice mute. Check out this link
http://freespace.virgin.net/sd.richards/pmute.html

i put rolled up socks in the bell of my instrument it works okay but a wee bit hard too blow.

A trumpet silencer...is your trumpet like a pistol or something? If you want something for making the trumpet less loud, buy silent brass. It's like 80 bucks or something made by yamaha..works fine. You could practice in your room at 12 in the morning without wakin anyone up. Check it out on wwbw.com