Cardboard tubes come in all sizes. Don't throw them away or put them into the recycling without considering these uses for them.
- Push a cardboard tube over the end of your vacuum cleaner nozzle to extend it's length. This will enable you to reach into those high corners.
- Flatten a cardboard tube and tape the end shut. This gives you a protective sheath for transporting knives or picnic cutlery.
- Keep cords from computers, TV's, VCR, etc, neat and tidy. While the electricity is switched off, carefully fold the cord and push into the tube. Toilet roll tubes are good for this but longer tubes can be cut to the required length.
- If you have a coal, or log fire, you can make kindling sticks from cardboard tubes. Cut the tubes into lengths around the size of toilet roll tubes. Stuff little pieces of paper tightly into the tubes and use to light the fire. Pack very tightly for best effect.
- Store important documents, rolled up in cardboard tubes. This protects them.
- Cut tubes into pot sized lengths and use for seedlings. Stand them in a tray close up to each other and fill them with compost, or whatever growing medium you prefer. When you plant the seedlings outside the pots will quickly disappear as cardboard is biodegradable.
- Make a musical instrument for a child. A simple kazoo can be made by cutting three holes along the length of the tube and fastening a piece of waxed paper over the end with a rubber band. Blow into the other end and you have a kazoo.
- Long cardboard tubes make great megaphones for the kids if they don't make enough noise without them!
- Toilet roll tubes make good pencil pots. Tape over the ends and cover them with colored paper, or paint. Glue them in a group to make a desk top pencil and pen holder. The same method can be used to make a holder for paper clips, pins, etc.
- Split a cardboard tube lengthways to make a temporary protective guard for other plants when you are spraying in the garden. If you use one of those trimmers with a nylon line it is easy to catch delicate stems and cause damage. Slip a protective cover over before starting the job.
