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

edwink

Tightwad222 wrote: »

Maybe not reusing, but we only put in half a tablet in our dishwasher. They break easily and dishes are still as clean as using a whole tablet.

I do not have a dishwasher. But I do only use half the amount of laundry detergent than recommended (easy to do with the tablets) Infact I did this by mistake when I first bought some laundry tablets, I used one at a time, then when I read the instructions on the box it said two, Clothes still come out clean. I also water down fabric conditioner, I keep an old bottle and when I buy a new bottle I divide it between the old and the new bottle and just add water to each bottle, so you end up with two bottles and it still works just as good.

Edwink.

cestlavie

the drawers from an old dead fridge now hold gardening stuff in garage -
small boxes or plastic food containers are used as drawer dividers to tidy and sort items within
all plastic coverings on some junk mail or eg the sunday paper magazines is carefully cut open and reused to package other things
if someone gives say a birthday card in an envelope with just our name on it, the envelope will be reused with a sticker - all envelopes sent with credit card statements that are paid online are similarly reused with the use of a new address label to pay completely different bills.
bits of gift ribbon that can't be reused due to knots etc are cut up and tie our bin bags
old contact lens cases are used to store earrings
shame film canisters are no more as i have masses of them storing pound coins for meters in cars, or again for jewellery or bits and bobs like safety pins or fuses or chewing gum/emergency nurofen to keep in my handbag.

fyi re rags : several charity shops will take rags as they can sell by the bag-load. obviously items should be clean and ideally in a plastic bag marked "rags"

ps one of the best recycle story i know is manager of a health club took the springy wood flooring of a squash court that was closed to make way for a cycle studio. it is now fitted in their kitchen and hall..

nefertaya

Have loved reading this thread... Keep them coming everyone

cmn374

Hi,
I save all ribbons, bows etc from presents to reuse, also gift bags & boxes.
I make gift tags from Christmas & birthday cards.
I save take away cartons to store food in the freezer.
I save wine/vodka/gin bottles for making & storing sloe gin & other liquers.
I reuse jam jars (with new lids) for homemade jam & chutney.
I keep & use discarded rubber bands the postman has discarded in my garden
I reuse bubble wrap & padded envelopes.
I use old envelopes for making lists.
I felt old wool jumpers (if you have any going spare they would be gratefully received - I'll pay postage)
I use old toilet rolls for sweet pea seedlings
I use old plant pots for potting on seedlings
I make my own garden compost..
I'm 37. Am I sad & middle-aged or thrifty??
Caroline

Valli

Douwe Egberts Coffee jars.


Little ones for store cupboard storage (this cupboard is built over a chimney breast and is just deep enough for one can/jar - it's VERY practical)

Larger ones for caster sugar and other baking needs
( I got loads in the summer as Asda were selling them off;))
and a huge one, salvaged from work (was from Costco I think) for my plain flour

Bubble wrap - gleaned from the greengrocery section of shops for ebaying
padded envelopes and other packaging - saved and scrounged
carrier bags = bin liners
jam jars - get used again and again. We've been in the house over 14 years and I brought jam jars from my previous house which I'm still re-using! (For jam, actually)
I compost F&V waste and pet bedding. Toilet rolls are processed by the gerbil (chewed) then composted (Everyone works for their keep in the house, except, possibly, the old cat, though she was a good mouser in her youth. Young cat has stepped up to the mark there;)
I re-use yoghurt pots for catching strawberry runners and propagating new plants
Old towels are cut into duster-sized pieces and used as floor cloths, football boot washers, to wash and dry the gerbil cage and cat litter tray and to wipe the loo and any other job (never the dishcloth though). Keep one by the sink for spills, changed regularly. They go through a hot wash with the towels so there are always some clean ones.
Old t-shirts and pyjamas go in the shoe cleaning box to apply polish and buff up.
Clothes collection bags - bin liners
I re-use gift bags if they look ok

H0gg1t

originalkat wrote: »

Helping to organise a fund raising fair and have an empty one of these I am going to fill with sweets and use as a 'guess how many sweets in the jar' game. Any other ideas on re-using things to raise money would be great other than the tombola/bric a brac ones which I am already doing.

Something I did for a PTA fayre one year; asked parents to provide any spare mugs they may have at home, asked them to fill them and we would sell them for £1 each. People filled with a selection of either sweets, hair accessories, crayons, small party bag toys, anything small and appealing to kids!
Hope your efforts go well!

Valli

H0gg1t wrote: »

Something I did for a PTA fayre one year; asked parents to provide any spare mugs they may have at home, asked them to fill them and we would sell them for £1 each. People filled with a selection of either sweets, hair accessories, crayons, small party bag toys, anything small and appealing to kids!
Hope your efforts go well!

In a cafe, before Christmas, there were lots of crockery items, but in particular 'old fashioned' cups and saucers, filled with bulb fibre and hyacinths.

I'm thinking of using this idea, along, possibly, with teacup candles, as a fundraiser. Just need to put an appeal out for china!

wik

hi all xxx
well i saw this thread and thought i cant add to this... then sat and had a think and i am quite amazed!!!
1. amazon boxes - turned inside out to use for ebay stuff
2. lakeland boxes - I take apart and make boxes from the cardboard
3. lakeland brown paper used for packing - i iron and keep i a drawer to wrap things
4. jam jars - they always useful
5. takeaway containers - to freeze individual portions of dinners in
6. worn out towels for dog drying
7. bread bags - for dog poop
8. buttons - I have my grandmothers. mothers, great aunts and mine - not bought a button ever!!
9. padded bags things arrive in - i reuse
10. my old duvet got a bit thin - so its now being used as a mattress topper
11. milk cartons get cut into plant labels
12. teas bags/ egg shells - go onto compost heap
13. broken pallets - dad got friendly with a local company - and gets them for kindling
14. old toothbrushes - for cleaning round taps etc
15. Christmas/ Birthday pressie bags - cut the label off and reuse
16. Christmas cards - cut up and use as tags
17. Chicken bones - i save 3 or 4 from sunday roast - then boil up and make stock to freeze in 1pint milk containers
18. if have the opertunity of staying in a hotel !!!! - i take the teas/coffees etc.. well i paid for them!!
19. jams etc.... ditto!!
20. plastic horlicks containers - great for storing muesli / pasta etc
21. Loo roll tubes - squish 3 into one - great for starting the open fire
22. loo roll tubes can also be used to start peas/ beans/broadbeans seeds
23. cut plugs off dead things
24. sweetie tins - great for baking things for school
25. stamps - i take to local hospice
26. carrier bags - i take to charity shop

Blimey!!!
wik x

SailorSam

I noticed on Freecycle last week someone was offering a roll of loo paper, only used once.

TravellingAbuela

Another container I miss these days are the sturdy little tubs that contained typewriter ribbons! I know, I know I am going back a long time!! I still have loads in my oddments drawer containing such tiny items as pins, paper clips, drawing pins, etc.