In order to live off of the grid, you have to start thinking in a different way. Remember in kindergarten when the teacher told you to put your “thinking cap” on, well that is exactly what you have to do. By thinking outside of the box and harnessing your creativity, you can live a more sustainable lifestyle, because you will be able to figure out more innovative uses for common household items.

When you have some free time, gather up some common household items, maybe those odds and ends that have found themselves in your junk drawer. Arrange them on a table and start brainstorming ways to use these things around your home. The more people you can get involved in the process the better. You can even turn it into a fun game and reward whoever comes up with the most ideas.

Here are some creative ideas that can help get you started:

Pantyhose

Clean hosiery can be used as a strainer. Or if you have scraps of hose, you can insert a piece of it over a hairbrush. Then when you’re ready to clean your brush, just pull off the hose and the loose hair will come with it.

Pillowcase

Old pillowcases can be great cleaning accessories, especially for dusting. For house fans, place a pillowcase over the fan blade and wipe it clean. By holding the pillowcase around the blade, you reduce the amount of dust floating off into your home.

Jelly Window Decals

Maybe you or your children got these to dress up the windows for the seasons. They’re definitely cute decorations, but once the season or holiday is over, you put them away and never use them again until next year. Instead you can add these jelly stickers onto drinks as a label so everyone knows which drink is theirs.

Living a more sustainable life is about altering your mindset. However, even if you’re not a normally creative person, you can always enlist your family to help.

The scrubbing bristles might be deformed if you have used it to death, but it can still work wonders in your bathroom. You can get into the small spaces of the tile, bathtub and sink. Or use it for your basic grooming needs. Although there are specially designed brushes to use on your eyebrows and fingernails, it doesn’t mean a toothbrush can’t work as well.

The worn out bristles can also be your best friend in the mudroom and garage. You can remove stains from clothing or try cleaning the dirt out of your work boots and shoes. If you have children, stain removing is most likely part of your every day life. In the garage, shine your hubcaps and other car parts. If you have a boat, you know how challenging it is to remove algae stains and dirt from the outside, but a small brush can zone in on the area and lift it out.

Old toothbrushes can have so many uses, and once you reuse them, you will come up with even more ideas. Consider cleaning other soft fabrics, jewelry and window screens too. Since toothbrushes are pretty gentle, you have some versatility, and you reduce the chance of ruining soft fabrics. Many scrub brushes are large and too rough, but a toothbrush can help you get into small spaces. Reusing common household items is a creative and effective way to complete your housework, and sometimes these items are more effective cleaners and scrubbers.