"Repurposing" things - what have YOU done? Or what do you have that needs a purpose?

GreyQueen

JaneandBeth wrote: »

For years I have used my frying-pan Fish Slice as a wallpaper scraper when we redecorate. My husband was horrified at first, but as I pointed out, it has rounded edges, so doesn't dig into the wall like a triangular scraper, the handle is long enough to reach up to the celing instead of having to balance on a chair or stepladder, and being metal it is perfectly safe to wash up and treat with boiling water to remove any of the anti-fungal products in the wallpaper paste. (I have since bought a non-scratch one for the new non-stick frying-pan so the metal fish slice is a permanent addition to the decorating equipment)

On the rare occasion my family might need to remove a quantity of emulsion paint from a supersized tin to a paint tray etc, we use the kitchen ladle.


It a Pr3stige one, pressed from a single piece of stainless steel, with no crannies to hold onto emulsion and the clean up is fast and easy.

csikijanos

jackieblack wrote: »

When my daughter recently wanted to buy a funnel for filling her bird seed holders more easily, I suggested she made one from an empty fizzy drink bottle - cut off about halfway down and turn the top part upside down - she was amazed and delighted with her ‘free’ funnel!

Now, just to find a use for the bottom half... :think:

The classic use is as a mini-cloche.

LizzieFlorence

Last summer I used a tall laundry basket the type with a network of holes ,put some old stones in the bottom, filled it with compost and planted it up with a mixture of hanging basket plants. Looked good even if I say so myself.

Hobsons_Choice

A piece of drainpipe, cut holes in the sides, sink into the ground (near a wall maybe..we have ours next to the front door), fill with compost and plant flowers/strawberries or whatever your preference is through the holes.

Justdontwasteit

Mee wrote: »

What do others do with the wax used to cover cheese? Can it be melted to make candles, or are there other uses?

Scrape cheese off, store in plastic bag in salad drawer of fridge, break into inch squares, and use it as firelighters, tuck well into the paper and kindling as it can be a bit lively.

Justdontwasteit

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

I never used to throw away jars, sadly I now have to with some as the glue used for the label is impossible to remove but I still save all I can and refill with jam and chutneys and also use the larger ones as containers for dry stores in my store cupboard. Sealing things into jars with tight fitting lids prevents a mass infestation of pantry bugs/flour weevils in all your stores and limits it to just one jar so avoids a great deal of waste. We also always save bread wrappers and I use them over and over to store home grown produce in the fridge until I want to use it, I do all the prep and chop veg into the right sized pieces and then tie a knot in the bag and they keep fresh for a long time.

I’ve never found a label and glue that wouldn’t come off after some Sticky stuff remover, hot water and a bit of elbow grease. I’ve had the bottle for years so it works out quite economical.

Justdontwasteit

Nothing gets thrown away round here if it might come in useful although I have had to do some rationalising/freecycling recently.
Some things that come to mind;
-bird bath made from an upturned dustbin lid on a pottery umbrella stand, after the council switched to wheelie bins. Large pebble in the centre for stability.
-old trellis, best bits used as sides of a compost bin, worst bits for kindling
-odd bit of plywood, varnished as bed for craft printing press, cat litter tray that was too small used for wetting paper
-chipped clear plastic storage box as a tadpole nursery
-cotton freebie shoulder bag in a colour I didn’t like, stash bag for taking tools and decorating stuff up scaffolding=hands free
-old plastic and metal jugs, decant paint from big tins to do fiddly edges, easy hold while up a ladder
-long ribbon from new clothing, tied to a back zip I couldn’t do up, tuck down inside dress once it’s on
Plus the usual glass jars, plastic pump dispensers, bits of cloth, tapes and buttons...

Katiehound

I think my best one was turning a child's 'buggy bag' which I found thrown away into a very chic dog coat! With all the rain we have had lately it has proved to be both warm (fleece lining) and waterproof. All i had to buy was the tape for the ties. Since then I have discovered old style ruflette tape is good for ties.(and much cheaper)

Old blankets, old fleeces with broken zips , old woolly scarves turned into kennel coats for rescue dogs in Greece, Spain.....

Other than that I am constantly turning old duvets (some very grubby ones!) into doggy duvets with removeable covers made from duvet covers, pillow cases or curtains. Sold for assistance dog charities

Siebrie

The sleeves from an old winter coat cut off and sewn together to make a draft excluder.

commandomum

wD40 works really well for getting the glue off