Off the Urban Grid

Ordinary Household Items Can Work Wonders

The ordinary items that you have lying around your home can be turned into useful tools if you put on your thinking cap. Reusing or using these items for the first time can save you money, because you don’t necessarily have to buy the exact product for the job. Instead you can create new uses for regular household clutter. Below are some examples to help get your brain working.

Compact Disks
Old compact disks that you no longer need can be turned into a variety of cool things. For example, you can turn them into holiday ornaments, driveway reflectors or catch candle drips. Or break them into smaller pieces and get crafty with your children.

Duct Tape
This type of tape can be a miracle worker. It can hem pants, cover school books and remove lint. Of course, you can also use it to make various repairs around your home. Maybe your toilet seat, door screens or vacuum hose can be salvaged if you apply some duct tape to the problem area.

Fabric Softener Sheets
Although these sheets are meant to freshen clothes in the dryer, why should it stop you from using them to deodorize more places? For instance, put a fabric softener sheet in your gym bag, car, suitcase or shoes. If you have pets, use them to collect your pet’s shedding hair.

Plastic Bags
How many plastic bags do you come home with after you’ve visited the grocery store? Use these extra bags to waterproof mattresses, drain your children’s bath toys or line your pet’s litter box.

Nail Polish
There are so many different colors of nail polish, so it’s easy to accumulate them. Use your least favorite shades to label poisonous containers and sports gear. You can also seal envelopes and fix nicks in floors, glass and ceramic.

Once you assess the bulk items you have in your home, you can brainstorm ways to use them more effectively so they don’t clutter your drawers or cabinets. It’s better to use common household products as many times as possible before dumping them into your garbage, which goes to your local landfill.

Tags: household items, recycled, reuse