Think Green - Save and Salvage
Mount a cookie tray on your wall with an inexpensive plate mount and use it as a magnetic note board.
Paint the outside of peanut butter, mayo or other glass jars and use them to store other household items like flour, sugar, coffee, etc.
Old clothing that is stained or torn can be cut to make cleaning rags.
Left over candle wax can be saved and melted together to make a new candle. Wicks are widely available at many craft stores.
Frame and mat the photographs from old calendars. Use in your own home or give them as gifts.
Pencil shavings can be saved and used as a fire starter in a fireplace or when you’re camping. Dryer lint can also be used for this purpose.
Tie old pantyhose around the tube that drains water from your washing machine. It will trap lint and prevent it from clogging your drain.
Use an empty film canister as a travel toothbrush protector. Cut a hole in the lid and slip your brush through, place the cap over the bristles. These canisters can also be used to hold thumbtacks, paperclips, coins and any other small household item. Use a silver pen (found in craft stores) to indicate the contents on the outside of black canisters. Since some photo chemicals may be left behind in the canister, always wash them thoroughly first before using them in any other way.
Wrap rubber bands over the edges of wire hangers (from dry cleaners) to keep tank tops from slipping off.
Save your gift bags and bows for reuse. It’s a shame, not only to throw out all that paper, but to spend so much time and money wrapping a present to have it go into the trash.
Used aluminum foil works great as a fishing lure. Wrap a section over the hook and fringe out the ends so that it dangles.
COMPOST! Even an apartment dweller can compost. Carrot and potato peels, other kitchen scraps, pruned leaves from your plants, dead flowers, anything organic can be used for compost. Use a metal or plastic garbage can on your balcony. Punch holes in the bottom, sides and lid and then put the can on some upturned bricks with an old cookie tray all the way on the bottom to catch any excess moisture. Put three inches of soil or shredded leaves on the bottom on the can and then start dumping in your organic kitchen waste. Do NOT put meat or dairy products into the compost. Since you’re in an apartment and within close proximity to other residents, you don’t want the smell to get out of hand. When you add waste to the compost, you should add an equal amount of soil or leaves, or shredded newspaper or the contents of your vacuum cleaner bag if you don’t have access to soil or leaves. Decomposition happens when there’s a good ratio of heat, dryness micro-organisms and chemical reactions. Because your compost pile isn’t flat and in a yard, stand your bin against your building in direct sunlight so that it can absorb natural heat from the sun. Lastly, the compost will need to be turned frequently to avoid moisture buildup. In about 4 to 6 months you’ll have an organic soil compound that will work wonders on indoor houseplants or perhaps a balcony garden!
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