REUSE ALMOST EVERYTHING  

Save money by giving a second life to household products

Practically everything in your home has a hidden talent or two. So before you toss anything into the trash, think for a minute and maybe you can come up with a creative way to reuse the item. If you can’t then maybe the following suggestions will help you. You and the environment will be much better off.

Dear PP Grandma, I was really enjoying your website so I thought I would send you a recycle/reuse tip. My grandmother and mother have always reused plastic kool-aid or Tang scoops for their sugar and flour jars. They also reuse tin cans for cookie and biscuit cutters.
Hope this helps someone out like your tips have helped me!

Susan
Juneau, Alaska

KITCHEN HELPERS: These durable containers are too good for the trash.

Foil potato-chip bags – Wash and turn inside out to use as gift bags, tie the top shut with a pretty ribbon.

Liquid Detergent bottle – Wash thoroughly and cut off the bottom 2 – 3 inches and use to store steel wool pads.

Mustard Squeeze Bottles – Clean thoroughly and fill with frosting to decorate cakes. Or fill with melted chocolate to decorate cookies.

Old Tin Pie Plate - Hammer a nail through the center of the pie plate, then place a couple of washers under and hammer the nail through your cupboard shelf. You now have a lazy- susan for your spices.

Berry Baskets – If you don’t have a garbage disposer, use in the sink to catch peeling for the trash. Better yet, catch those peelings and use to make stock for your soups and sauces.

TLC FOR YOUR TOOLS:

Put a flexible straw over an oilcan spout to reach those tight spots.

Protect the teeth of a circular saw by storing the blade in an old record album cover.

Cut off the top of an empty bleach container opposite the handle and you will have a convenient tool carrier. Sand down any rough edges.

Small glass jars are great for storing nails and screws. If you want to be extra organized, drill a hole in the lid and mount to the underside of a shelf. Makes what you are looking for easier to find.

If you need to drill several holes the same depth, slide a piece of cork (from the empty wine bottle) onto your drill bit. Place it right above the depth you need, this will keep you from drilling too deeply.

Throw a few pieces of chalk into your tool box, it will help absorb moisture and keep you tools from rusting. Use the broken pieces you children are no longer drawing with.

BEAUTY REUSE:

Just bought a new shampoo and it isn’t as good as you thought it would be? Pour into an empty pump dispenser and add water. It is a mild hand cleaner and also a great degreaser.

Have some old perfumes or colognes in the cupboard that you no longer use? Place a drop or two onto a cool light bulb. When you turn it on it will give a lovely fragrance to your room.

Use clear nail polish to cover the prescription medicine labels to keep them readable.

Too many bottles of hand lotion around? Make sure you keep one near your kitchen sink. Put some on your hands before you put on the rubber gloves, makes them easier to slip on and also moisturizes your hands at the same time. If you don’t use rubber gloves, then just apply after you wash the dishes.

IN A PINCH:

If you don’t have a scouring pad, ball up a piece of aluminum foil and us it to scrub your pots and pans.

For a makeshift funnel to use with non-food items, cut a empty and clean detergent bottle in half, use the top half for your funnel.

Run out of icing bags, or don’t want to go to the expense of buying them? Fill a plastic zip lock bag with icing. Twist the bag and seal, cut a small piece off the corner with scissors. Squeeze out the icing and decorate.

Need to fill some nail holes when you rehang or relocate a picture? Use white toothpaste, it will harden and also pick up the pigment from the paint color of your walls.

Holes too big to use toothpaste, and you don’t have any plaster around? Mix white carpenters glue and baking soda into a paste. With this mixture, you will have to touch up your paint.

Can’t find a Philips head screwdriver? Try using a large nail and grip the nail with pliers to give it some leverage.

ON THE ROAD:

Take a zip lock bag and fill it with potpourri, poke a few holes in the bag and it will freshen up your car.

Cut a rubber bathmat in half (lengthwise) and keep the pieces in your truck. The next time you are stuck in ice, snow or sand, place a piece under each rear wheel to give it traction.

Stuff plastic grocery bags into an empty tube (toilet paper or paper towel) and keep under the car seat. They will stay neat and out of sight, but will be there when you need them.

Use an empty coffee can for an emergency light. Fill half full of sand, place a large diameter candle into the sand. Replace the lid, then wrap with reflective tape. Keep in the trunk.

Toss and old pair of nylons or panty hose into the trunk. If you have a bulky item to transport they will make an excellent tie down.

FUN AND GAMES FOR THE CHILDREN:

Save the plastic soda bottles and transform them into bowling pins. Fill them with sand to keep them stable.

An old colander makes a great bathtub or sandbox toy for toddlers. I would not recommend using a metal colander, the edges might be too sharp, plastic would be preferable.

Use an old pillowcase for aspiring artists. Simply cut a hole on each side for the arms to go through and a large on at the top for the head.

Old white gloves with the fingers cut off make dandy finger puppets. Let the children decorate with markers, yarn, etc.

Turn those unwanted shoe boxes into great building blocks. Tape the tops on and spray paint pretty bright colors.

PARTY POINTERS:

Need an extra serving dish for a casual party? Ice buckets are insulated and will keep food hot or cold.

You can steep cider in your automatic coffee maker. Just place the cinnamon sticks and cloves into the coffee basket and brew as usual.

If you are in need of another cake stand; invert a bowl and place a large plate over it. Secure with double sided tape or removable putty.

CLEANING QUANDRIES:

Need to clean a delicate surface? Take a pair of panty hose and ball them up. Creates a nonscratchy scouring pad.

Try cleaning your stained grout with a mix of baking soda and white toothpaste. Use an old toothbrush for this, it make take a few applications.

Cleaning hard to get places can be made fairly easy. Use an old t-shirt to cover a broom, spritz with water and dust ceilings and high places, such as corners.

Put an old mismatched sock over a yardstick and secure with a rubber band. Clean under the refrigerator, stove, radiators, etc.

Water spots on your glassware can be easily removed by adding 1//2 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle of your dishwasher.

Clean shower doors with a used fabric softener sheet. The residue should dissolve easily.

JUST LIKE NEW!:

To salvage hardened paintbrushes, simmer in boiling white vinegar for a few minutes. Wash with warm soapy water.

Try placing the tips of dried up markers in warm water for about 10 seconds; it is possible that just the tip is dried. Blot away excess water.

EASY DOES IT— DENTAL FLOSS:

Use to clean awkward utensils such as can openers, pizza cutters, etc.

Slide under freshly baked cookies that are stuck to the pan.

Pull taut and slice through cheeses and cakes cleanly.

Sew buttons back on jackets. It is stronger than thread.

STORAGE SOLUTIONS:

Stash cleaning supplies in a shoebag and hang it in your utility closet.

Put your luggage to work when you aren’t traveling. Or pick up luggage at thrift shops; it is cheaper than the plastic storage bins. Store seldom used or off season clothing inside.

Stuff an empty tissue box full of plastic grocery bags for tidy storage and easy removal.

Need more storage space in the bath or powder room? Roll up towels and place them in the slots of a wine rack. Takes up little space and makes a great display.

A SECOND LIFE More ideas from around the web on how to re-use items before you recycle them. Great ideas for your craft room.

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