Tips About Anything

Archive for the ‘Reusing or recycling tips’ Category

Instead of tossing wrapping paper after it has been used, a clever, decorative use for used wrapping paper is to put it through the shredder or cut it up into thin strips.  These strips can add color to gift bags.  Instead of tissue paper, use the colorful strips in gift bags.

Instead of buying new trick or treat bags for Halloween, here are a few tips to recycle items to serve the purpose:

1. use last year’s trick or treat bags
2. use a pillowcase
3. reuse a shopping bag with handles

other uses for coffee filters:

1. Prevent rust: place a coffee filter inside cast iron skillets or pans to absorb excess moisture when it’s not in use
2. Keep hardware, or other small items, organized: Pile nails, screws, safety pins into separate coffee filters while you are working to keep them from rolling off the table
3. Make an air freshener: place a tablespoon of baking soda in the center of a coffee filter and tie it closed with twine.  stash the packet in the fridge to absorb odors
4. Clean mirrors, windows : spray mirrors and windows with cleaner and wipe.  Filters are lint-free and leave no streaks.
5. Strain solvents: if you have residue floating in paint thinner, strain it through a coffee filter into a clean container and safely dispose of the filter and residue after they’ve dried up
6. Line flower pots: line flower pots and planters with coffee filters to stop soil from leaking throughout the drainage holes at the bottom.
7. Absorb spills on upholstery: use coffee filters to blot  liquids off sofas or fabric car seats.  The filters won’t leave lint behind like paper towels do.
8. Shine shoes: use a coffee filter to buff your favorite pair of loafers (or heels).  For brown shoes, a used filter will work-just let it dry, first
9. Protect your china:  keep your best dishes chip and scratch free by putting one between each piece when stacking
10. Save the wine after you’ve broken the cork:  if you pour the wine through a filter, you’ll catch the lost pieces of cork

I have found an easy way to store fresh fruits and veggies in the original plastic containers that they come in.  I rinse the food to remove pesticides(blueberries, strawberries, grape tomatoes, etc…) and wash the plastic container the food came in.  Once the food is rinsed, I store it in the original cleaned container.  I add a paper towel to absorb the water if the container does not have holes in the bottom.  This makes for easy storage and clean up as I just throw the container away when all the food is eaten.

We all know that panty hose are costly.  Instead of just throwing away panty hose that run and that you can no longer wear, here are some other uses:

1. panty hose can be used to collect lint or debris in a variety of places to prevent clogs in sinks or other basins
2. panty hose are strong and can be used in place of twine or string to hold plants to stick or tie items together
3. you can cut the panty hose and make knee hi hose to wear under pants.  You will need to use an elastic to hold up the knee hi