Managing a home is something that I believe I would never be able to learn because of how exhausting it can be at times. It surprised me how my Mom has always been so perfect at it. Having grown up in a large family of nine, she learned to be resourceful right from the beginning and still believes in reusing and repurposing stuff until they can’t be used anymore. It amazes me how she manages to find a job for every item that I intend to throw away – empty jars & bottles, old newspapers, tattered clothes, broken picture frames and everything else that is otherwise supposed to end up in trash.
My Mom’s clever sense of repurposing the old stuff seems to have rubbed off on me so much so that I find it really hard to throw away anything that can be of use. However much I try, I simple can’t get rid of old soap dispensers, empty shower gel bottles and old T-shirts until they are just too worn out to be of any use.
Reusing and repurposing takes a little bit of efforts but can help you minimize the waste and save some money. So if you’re someone who is throwing a lot of stuff into the trash, below are a few ways to recycle and repurpose this stuff into something useful:
1. Old T-Shirts
As a kid, I used to watch my Dad use his old T-shirts to clean the car. My Mom used to repurpose our old clothes for dusting and cleaning purposes. If your old T-shirts have faded away or are simply torn, you can use them as cleaning rags or dusting cloth instead of throwing them away. Since the fabric of these clothes is good, they can save you some money on cleaning resources.
2. Coffee canisters, Nutella jars and mason jars
Ever since I became a minimalist, I have stopped buying new jars and containers for my home. Coffee canisters and mason jars are amazingly perfect to store a lot of pantry items like condiments, grains, oils, etc. My sister has been using old containers to store small stationary items for years now and I use Nutella jars to preserve stuff like sauces and pickles.
3. Plastic/Paper bags
If you have been throwing away those plastic/paper bags that you get at the grocery store or with takeaway food, stop doing it right now. You can cut the thin paper bags into pieces and use it to wrap the food that you take away to the office. Plastic bags can be used to line the trash bin or simply as a waste bag. I sometimes carry these plastic/paper bags to buy groceries as it helps reduce environmental waste.
4. Old toothbrushes
Instead of buying a scrubber, you can reuse old toothbrushes to scrub the stains away from utensils or metal surfaces. I use old toothbrushes as a cleaning tool for kitchen appliances like toaster and microwave and to clean the chopping board. My sister uses them to clean her fingernails and also to clean her jewellery.
5. Lidless Containers
I used to throw away the lidless containers until I learned about the many ways of reusing them. One of the best ways to repurpose those old plastic containers is to use them for plantation. You can also use them as a storage bin or a desk organizer to store stuff like paper clips, rubber bands, accessories or craft supplies.
6. Old Furniture
If your furniture has turned old, look for ways to repair it. But if you can’t, there are many ways to reuse or repurpose it. My Dad used the wood from our old furniture to make small stools and shelves. You can use it to make a chair, a nightstand or a small table to save some money.
7. Old Newspapers And Magazines
If you have been throwing away those old newspapers and magazines, now is the time to stop doing it. There are a bunch of ways to reuse them that can easily help you save a few dollars. You can use those old newspapers to line the cupboards and kitchen drawers or as odor absorbers for your shoes. Many people also use them for gift wrapping purposes besides putting them to some artistic use. For many years, I have used the glossy magazine papers to wrap my food that I used to carry along to the college.
8. Butter Wrappers
Instead of throwing away the butter wrapping paper, store them in a Ziploc bag to be used later for either lining the baking pan or for some light shallow frying. Butter wrappers can also be used to separate frozen food items so they don’t stick together. I also use it for buttering vegetables and to smear the potatoes while baking them in a microwave.
9. Egg Cartons
Besides being used for craft purposes, egg cartons can be used to store small accessories like earrings, chains and lockets. One of my Uncles uses these egg cartons to plant small saplings, an idea which I absolutely love and swear by.
10. Blunt Razors
Disposable Razors can be your perfect tool to remove those ugly pills from sweaters and other woolen clothes. Before using it, make sure that the razor is absolutely dull and blunt so that you don’t end up damaging your clothes.
11. Shoe Boxes
Shoe Boxes, that we otherwise usually throw away, can be used to store a lot of our stuff. I have been using them as Donation boxes and to store newspapers, magazines and other documents. You can use them as a storage bin while decluttering your house or simply as a keepsakes box. Along with cardboard tubes and egg cartons, shoe boxes can also be used as fire starters.
It isn’t hard to find another use for worn-out products if you are willing to put in a bit of efforts. Sometimes, it can be fun to experiment with the different ways in which these items can be repurposed. Besides, you will be contributing a lot to help conserve the environment.
What other stuff do you repurpose or reuse or recycle at home?