Save money and help the environment! Repurpose household items and become eco-frugal.
With the continual increase of gas prices, food prices, and just plain old daily living, people are learning and living the art of frugality. Add to that the condition of the environment and the emphasis on going green people now need to behave more eco-friendly. These two life situations can be stressful for anyone. However, there are some easy ways to save money and go green all at the same time. By finding creative ways to repurpose household items a stressful circumstance can turn into an enjoyable way of life.
The key element to becoming eco-frugal is to repurpose household items. This way of life was second nature for our ancestors who used flour sacks to make clothes and milk bottles to showcase flowers. Instead of throwing away used items, make this old idea new again and take a closer look at each object. Find new and creative ways to reinvent these products.
Some creative household repurposing ideas are:
- Use empty egg cartons for packing material. They act as shock absorbers for fragile items. Or use egg cartons to start seedlings.
- After drinking some wine save the cork. Glue it to the back end of each leg of a rocking chair to prevent it from tipping over. Or cut-off a small piece of the cork and place it on the back of a picture. This will act as a soft cushion between the wall and photo eliminating any scratches.
- Save the film canisters after reloading the camera. These work as perfect containers for storing small items like change, safety pins, bobby pins or medicine.
- After enjoying a pot of coffee do not throw away the grounds. Instead, after they cool, place the used coffee grounds around plants as a fertilizer. Also, rinse and dry the filter for three to five more uses.
- Use baby food jars to store spices or hardware. Label and date the spices and hardware for freshness and easy access.
- To avoid creases around the ankles of tall boots place a narrow soda or wine bottle in each boot. Now they will always stand at attention.
- Use empty plastic milk jugs to store and pour bird seed. This will make filling a bird feeder cleaner and easier. Or cut off the top of a milk jug to use as a funnel.
- Tennis balls can be used for more than just sports. Cut a tennis ball in half and reuse it as a jar opener for a hard to open lid or use it to change a hot light bulb.
- There is no need to throw away old toothbrushes. Use them to clean window screens, jewelry, and computer keyboards.
These are just a few eco-frugal ideas. By thinking creatively beyond the item's original purpose, household repurposing can be fun, will save money and will make the planet a little greener.
