Reuse! Be Green. Uncommon uses for those common items

We all know that recycling is good for the planet, but REUSING is even better.

We all have things sitting around the house that we haven’t ever used, yet we just can’t stand to part with them. Dig around in your attic, garage, or storage area and see what you can find. There are many ways to use common items in some not-so-common ways.


Tea Bags:
1. Apply wet tea bags to burns or scrapes to ease the pain. (Chamomile is best as it is more soothing than regular tea)
2. Plants will thrive when watered with weak tea one every week or two.
Aquariums:
The old aquarium that the kids lost interest in but is still sitting in the garage. Haul it back into the house and use it to plant an indoor herb garden. Aquariums are also just the thing to use to force bulbs so that your winter days can be bright with color.

Old Headboards: Old brass headboards make unique garden trellises.


Pantyhose:

1. Cut the entire leg off of pantyhose and use to stake tomatoes in the veggie garden. They wont dig into the plants like string.
2. Use old pantyhose to store onions so they don’t sprout. Fill the legs with onions, tying a knot after each onion and hang in a cool dark place. When you need an onion, just cut between the bottom knot. 3. Use pantyhose feet to strain paint that has been sitting. They fabric will catch any chunks that may have formed.
Popsicle Sticks: 1. Use a wet popsicle stick to apply caulking. 2. Use them as garden markers. Write the type of seeds you have planted on the stick with permanent marker and push into soil.


Borax:
1. One part Borax with 6 parts kitty litter will keep the litter box fresh longer.
2. Mix 1/4 cup of Borax to a sink full of hot water to get your china sparkling clean. (Be sure to rinse properly before use)


Hair spray:
1. Spray hair spray on freshly polished brass or copper pieces to prevent tarnishing.
2. To remove fresh ink or dye stains on fabric, spray with hair spray and then blot. Wash as soon as possible.

Coffee Grounds:
1. Work used coffee grounds into the soil around rose bushes.
2. The next time you go fishing, add used coffee grounds to your bait box. The grounds are lighter than soil so the worms will be easier to find. The coffee also comes off of hands easier.


Corks:  Attach an old cork to your keys before you go boating: if they fall into the water they will float. 

Plastic Jugs:
1. String several plastic jugs ( the type with the handle) on long lines to mark designated swimming areas at the cottage.
2. Cut the bottom from a plastic jug with a handle and use as a scoop. This is especially handy for pet food and large bags of potting soil.

Bottle Caps:  String caps together and hang in your gardens. They will scare the birds away.


Old Hammocks:
1. Using two hooks, hang an old hammock high up in the garage, basement or utility area to store footballs, soccer balls or other sports equipment.
2. Using hooks, hang a hammock kitty-corner in your child`s play room or bedroom to store stuffed toys.

Bread:
1. Put ½ slice of bread into the container with your brown sugar. The bread will prevent the sugar from going hard.
2. Use a piece of bread to pick up small shards of broken glass. They will stick to the bread rather than piercing your skin.


Dental Floss:
1. Sew rips in leather garments with Dental floss. It is stronger than regular thread. (If the leather is a dark color, darken it with a magic marker before sewing)
2. Use dental floss to cut a cake into two layers. It does a better job than a knife


Kate@Green Frog Eco


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