What do you reuse?

BizzyMummy

Great ideas -

Toilet roll innards - i.e. card tubes - inspiration from this site and I love it!! Use one outer and then fold over the next 15 or so, and fold inside so it becomes a solid tube. You have to find a space to push in the next one its addictive. Perfect for anyone with a real fire - they burn like logs.

Boxes from Chinese takeaways - resuse for freezing meals or for packed lunches

Drinks bottles - resuse a few times with squash..

Egg cartons - perfect for planting seeds.

BM x

Frugal_Mouse

What a fantastic and creative thread

I am currently using a very out of date road map book for gift wrap. When possible, I try to match the area to that of the gift recipient. You could also use to make a personalised cover for a journal.

The tops of fabric conditioner bottles make great toppers for garden canes - just need a blob of blue-tac to keep them in place. I suppose you could always use chewing gum?

Marg and other spread containers I cut up into strips to use as plant labels.

Both buttons and zips get removed before old clothes are put into the rag bag. I am still using my grandma's old button tin which has to be at least 60 years old.

babyshoes

I keep meaning to try using my partner's out of date aviation maps to make a gift bag. I saw some instructions for making gift bags a while ago, but it looked fairly complicated, so will need to put aside an afternoon for that, methinks!

thistledome

Lots of great ideas on this thread, won't repeat the ones I do - but I almost bought a kettle bell last week before I realised I could use a 2 ltr and a 4ltr plastic milk bottle filled with sand. Free weights!

Also use the plastic bags from fruit and veg section of supermarket as dog poo bags.

sparrer

bellaquidsin wrote: »

I was once given (by and old lady who crocheted non-stop) all the ends of yarn she had cut off. I never did find a use for these. Any ideas?

Bella.

Presuming they're only inches long...
thread through the holes on gift tags,
thread through zipper tags to colour coordinate with the cardigan/sweater/purse etc
thread several through the zip/handle to make a feature on suitcases so you can spot them on the carousel
tying indoor plants to stakes,
use in card making for hair, grass etc
thread through canvas to make patterns on bags leaving the loose ends on the outside - time consuming but looks really effective

not many ideas but no doubt someone will come up with more

Primrose

Empty plastic milk bottles washed and reused to freeze blitzed home-made soup.
Used envelopes cut up into squares to refill those cube note holders.
Teabags saved dried & used to put in the base of plant pots (peppers, chillis, aubergines, etc) to stop compost leaching out the bottom.
Empty loaf bags used to store apples in the fridge to make them last longer.
Empty cottage cheese or cream cartons used for storing grated cheese in fridge.

Tibbie's_mum

Frugal_Mouse wrote: »

What a fantastic and creative thread

I am currently using a very out of date road map book for gift wrap. When possible, I try to match the area to that of the gift recipient. You could also use to make a personalised cover for a journal.

The tops of fabric conditioner bottles make great toppers for garden canes - just need a blob of blue-tac to keep them in place. I suppose you could always use chewing gum...............

These are really good ideas, many thanks Frugal Mouse for sharing.

misshighlander

I re-use:
Glass jars for any coins
Carrier bags for cleaning out cat litter trays & for shopping (not at same time obviously) .
Any bags I have taken out from the freezer, if possible, I wash & re-use them. And remembering to write what food I have then put in it.
Cereal & cat food sachet cardboard boxes - use for any Amazon sales (depending what I've sold e.g. any vinyl records).
Any shredded paper & newspapers - I give to nearby animal rescue centre.
Vases I don't use for flowers, I put any pot purri (spelling?) in them

All I can think of just now

thifty

i have done lots of the above plus
use old shower curtain with the manky bottom bit cut off under the high chair as a splash mat
made draught excluders using old socks and tights
any small plastic bags I use for nappy bags
my mum used to cut a double sheet in half and then re-join with the thicker outer sides becoming the middle, can't say I've tried that though!
i also cut old towels up into flannel size pieces and overlock to make wipes for kids hands and faces

Mrs_Thrify

Gosh, so much has been said. Ok more idea's....

ceareal boxes cut at a slant to make a magazine tidy.

The card from cearal boxes has made masks for crafting with children.

Marg boxes can be made into Easter baskets and yellow/orange wool made into chicks to put in them.

Parcel ribbon can be washed and used as a band around a cake.

The skin from unwaxed oranges and lemmond can be finely grated and put into cakes.

Kids painting = yoghurt pots for water and egg boxes for mixing paint (no washing up as it is throw away stuff)

Large old sheets can make dens/tents for children

small plastic bottles are kept for travel, shampoo's etc...

key rings can be put on coat zippers to make life easier.