The Great 'Are you a re-user - what items do you reuse for max value?' Hunt

I keep trying to convince my OH that we only need to use half a dishwasher tablet as we only have a slimline model which is half the capacity of a normal one, but he won't have it !! Men !! :rotfl:

I didn't really think I re-used a lot of stuff, I'm always feeling guilty about putting so much into the recycling. To me recycling doesn't necessarily mean I'm doing good for the environment. Recycling uses a lot of energy too, so for me it's better to re-use and then recycle later on when it really has no more life left. However, I know I think I could do more:

Plastic bags for bin liners etc. I also use the paper or plastic bags from clothes shops for my recycling (we have to separate paper/card from everything else, and we have no lids on the bins so it's handy having all the little bits inside a bigger bag, it doesn't fly all over the road).

Compost every bit of food I can - our council is great and takes the food waste separately every week. (Our compost bin is actually full and ready for this year's veg growing!)

Plastic veg containers are reused in the fridge to keep things organised.

The obligatory old marg tubs are used for freezing bananas, breadcrumbs etc. I also use creme fraiche tubs, humus tubs, anything with an affixable lid to freeze stocks and sauces. Old M&S choco flakes tubs are perfect for soups.

Wine bottles make fabulous candle holders. If the bottle was from a special occasion it's even nicer. Try to find the candles which leak the wax down the bottle for a great effect.

My wedding bouquet! I chose a silk posy, so that I could keep it forever. Everyone thought it was real too.

Good quality picture frames - take out the print and replace with something new for a fresh look, or put a collage of pictures in for something more personal.

Unwanted gifts - if boxed up and not perishable, can be good for passing on as a gift to someone else (who would actually want/like it!)

Large tall tins (like posh hot chocolate tins) make beautiful utensil holders in the kitchen, adds an extra bit of style.

I've got two cupboards in our kitchen which are difficult to reach, they're full of jars, herb jars, nice spirit bottles (the whisky ones with the corks are especially nice if you fancy making spiced rum or whisky). I use the jars for chilli sauces, jams, chutneys, pestos, curry pastes, etc. I also share these with my mother-in-law.

Old calendars for framing (if particularly nice prints).

Packaging for ebay selling.

The netting the Christmas tree came in is now covering my pots with tulips in to stop the foxes getting in (it's taped on pretty good!)

Large plastic bottles cut in half and the lid end used to protect seedlings, keep the lid off to allow for the vital oxygen to get in!

Washing up liquid bottles - when I buy a new bottle, I empty half into the old bottle and fill up with water, makes the bottle last, erm, twice as long and it's just as effective. Same goes with handwash.

Soaps/shampoos etc from hotels - great for washing hands in bathroom, and OH uses the little shampoos when he showers at work/gym.

I cook with the leftover oil from a jar of roasted peppers - it adds an extra layer of depth to whatever I'm cooking and no waste!

I too have the obligatory buttons, in an old raspberry plastic tub with lid, also containing the small sachet of extra thread/sequins etc that come with new clothes.

Wrapping paper - easy to iron out and reuse, ribbons, gift bags etc.

White envelopes are my menu planning/shopping lists/to-do lists.

I always keep several free newspapers for when there's a glass breakage and it needs wrapping up safely, or when there's a DIY/painting project going on.

Plastic water bottles - refill several and keep in fridge, add to collection if a car journey is coming up - saves a fortune.

I have a small box of egg cartons, cereal boxes, odds and ends that are usually recycled. These are great for when my nieces and nephews visit - they love to play and get creative.

Old tin cans make great tea light holders. A bit of spray paint and a hammer & nail and you're sorted. I have two in my lounge that I've made before, and 3 tin cans in my craft cupboard waiting.

I have a plastic box of 'fabrics'. There's a variety of old shirts, old skirts with pretty patterns, new fabrics I've bought at markets abroad, clothing where I like the sleeves but not the rest (when I find the right dress, I know what I'm looking for, I'll be able to attach the sleeves to the dress). I've made a draft excluder out of an old pair of cords and some buttons before - very effective he is too! I've made 4 large cushion covers using old PJs and shirts.

ROSES and LAVENDER! If you prune your roses at the right time, dry the heads in an airing cupboard. It takes a couple of weeks. When they're dry they look absolutely beautiful. On a flat surface spray them with hair spray and then you can display them in a lovely bowl. I have some in my lounge. This method also works with a bunch of roses bought as a gift. Before they die, and while they're still looking good, hang the roses upside down in a warm place for about two weeks, hairspray them and they'll last for years. I have a bunch in my bedroom and another in my lounge. Alternatively, make confetti - the dried roses are great gently scrunched up, add some lavender for a beautiful natural scent.

Old bits of candles - melt down and pour back into the glass with a wick.

Old shoe boxes - quite often shoes won't come with a box, so it's handy to have spares. Keeping them in boxes will preserve their life. I have pairs that are over 10 years old in pristine condition as a result. Also good for use as draw dividers.

Old magazines - good for donating to hospitals/doctor's surgeries/local schools (if appropriate).

The jars that you put the wooden sticks in as an air scenter - use some glass paint to paint the jar and you have a small cute vase or make up brush holder.

Posh christmas crackers sometimes have little decorative ribbons or wire with a jewel on the end - beautiful to keep and use for wrapping presents next year.

Takeaway flyers - the really colourful ones, make great decorative paperchains for all occasions. Just need a stapler!

I have reused a basket that formed the base of a German gift basket of food/wine etc to keep all our kitty's toys and grooming brushes in, much neater and it looks really cute.

Anything I think might sell on - I do a car boot sale in April and again in September and clear out LOADS of stuff. You'd be surprised what people will find a use for and it's my final net after Ebay and Amazon has been exhausted.

Goodness me, I've just looked back at all this - it's a LOT of stuff. I hasten to add that my house does not look like a horder's house nor like Steptoe's!! It actually looks rather stylish!

:beer:

^^ thank you for that fab tip! Will now be using that in my kitchen too!

!id! do baby plum tomatoes at the moment in a kind of triangular shaped plastic box. This is perfect for packed lunches as you can put in a roll, with little toms or fruit at either end.

LameWolf wrote: »

Ooh, how do you make your own wick, please?:o

I've not literally made any yet. I just googled 'How to make a candle wick'. I'm not sure I'm allowed to link here? I feel bad not giving the person credit, but this is copied and pasted from a blog I bookmarked a while back. I don't know if there are alternative/easier methods, but this is what I have anyway:

'To get started making a basic braided wick, take 3 strips of heavy cotton string or cotton yarn and soak them in a mixture of 1 tablespoon of salt, 2 tablespoons of boric acid and 1 cup of water for 12 hours. (Or if you prefer, you can use a mixture of turpentine, lime water and vinegar.) Hang them to dry. When dried, braid the three strands together to make a wick. Be sure to cut the strips into lengths that are four to six inches longer than you want the candles to be.'

Useful for right now... I use free newspapers scrunched up to start the fire, and harvest the ashes to use on the snowy paths!