Mason jars and veggie scraps: Reusing common household items
When it comes to frugal living, creativity is a virtue. That鈥檚 why we were excited (but not at all surprised) to receive such clever responses to our most recent 鈥淩eader Tip Tuesday鈥� : 鈥淗ow do you reuse things around your house?鈥�
Over the years, we鈥檝e shared a lot of our about reusing kitchen and laundry items like Ziploc bags, dryer sheets and other single-use items that usually end up in the trash, but as it turns out, it鈥檚 The Simple Dollar audience that has the most ingenious frugal tricks and secrets to share. Readers offered up their best solutions to running a more frugal, eco-friendly, and even fashionable household.
Here are some of our favorite responses with minor edits!
- I use old muslin from making a sewing pattern for kitchen rags鈥andanas as our everyday napkins rather than paper towels鈥nmatched tube socks for dusting. I make cleaner out of vinegar and lemon peels. And coffee grinds make a good lawn fertilizer that also cuts down on mosquitoes鈥�.Also, veggie scraps are put in the freezer. (No cruciferous veggies). When I have filled a gallon bag I make veggie stock. -Larry F.
- I use old carpet for path covers in my garden. I cut them in strips about 12 inches wide鈥uts down on weeds and they can be used over and over again.(place newspaper under the carpet, reuse 2 things at the same time). -Cindy H.
- Toilet paper tubes as seedling starters. Just plant them right in the ground when you鈥檙e ready to move the seedlings outside. -Kristi H.
- 鈥ampfire starters with cardboard egg cartons, dryer lint and leftover candle wax. 鈥� Sarah H.
- 鈥 use Mason jars for all the following things: As flower vases, to store lunches to go (they also actually keep salads fresh longer and all foods can be safely warmed up in them), store leftovers in the fridge, for my DIY smoothies and vitamin water (drinking from them is great!), to make and store homemade salad dressings, to make my own soy candles鈥� There are so many uses for them and you can keep reusing them for everything. -Lisa V.
A huge thank you for the readers that shared their ideas! Every Tuesday we鈥檒l post a new question on our page. 聽We look forward to hearing and sharing your tips.
