Giving Items a Second Lease On Life
Guest post by: Ben Eagle, Content Manager at Carved
There’s no doubt that we live in a consumerist society that produces substantial amounts of trash. This trash doesn’t just disappear into thin air — it goes somewhere, and it’s our job as consumers to ask ourselves where these materials go and how they can be reused.
If you wonder, “Where can I recycle or reuse this material lying around in my home?” you’re in luck because there are many more options for recycling than you might think.
1. Old Toothbrushes
Old toothbrushes are suitable for cleaning small areas where a regular-sized brush doesn’t fit – think grout lines, small pieces of jewellery, sink hardware, and much more.
Scrub off scuff marks on floors and walls. A little bit of scrubbing power goes a long way when getting marks off hard surfaces like tile or linoleum floors and walls.
You can also use an old toothbrush as a quick-and-easy paintbrush extender. The bristles on an old toothbrush make it perfect for reaching into tight corners where your paintbrush would typically be too big to fit.
It’s also great for getting into the cracks between molding that might not be accessible otherwise because there’s no room for a large brush head or sponge applicator in those tight spaces.
2. Burned Out Candle
Why throw a candle when it gets down to only a few tiny inches? Clean the candle jar, use a wick dipper to remove any remaining wax, and then fill the jar with your favourite lotion or body butter.
You can also easily make a plant pot out of an old candle by simply cutting off the bottom end of it and placing some soil inside it. You can even add some stones on top as a decorative touch.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of actually doing something with your old burned-out candles, then you can try to place them on your mantel or coffee table as decor. You could also use them as a centerpiece for your table or accent pieces throughout any room in your house.
3. TP Rolls
Want an excellent way to keep your wires organized? Use TP rolls (or smaller sections of them) as cable organizers.
You can also use them as plant markers for your garden. Just write the plant’s name on each one and place it on the ground. This way, you will always know which plants belong together, and you don’t have to worry about losing track of any new plants.
You can make a bird feeder out of used toilet paper rolls by cutting holes in two opposite sides of the registration and attaching string or wire at both ends. Fill it with seeds and hang it outside for birds to enjoy. Your little feathered friends will thank you for this simple yet effective bird feeder.
Use TP rolls as gift boxes by folding them in half. You could even decorate them with paint or stickers if you want to add some flair. These boxes are great for small gifts like jewellery or trinkets you wish to give away at parties or other events where guests will take home goodies they received while there.
They’re also suitable for storing small items like buttons, beads, and other craft supplies that need protection from dust and dirt.
4. Unused Wood
You can use unused wood in your home in many different ways. It is not only a way to save money but also a way to keep the environment safe.
Here are some ways that you can use your unused wood:
If you have wooden furniture, you can find many people interested in purchasing old wooden furniture from you at a low price. This will help you earn money and ensure the environment remains safe from any harm caused by these old items.
Old wooden doors can be used to make new ones or even convert them into something like a table or chair. Many people want old doors because they can be used to make something beautiful out of them by adding more detail than they originally had. This will help them create unique pieces they can sell online or offline at their shops, art fairs, etc.
Another great way of utilizing unused wood lying around in your house is that you can easily make a phone case for your smartphone. You can cut the shape of the phone case from the wood and then glue it onto your phone’s back panel. You can even add some resin to give it a glossy finish. To make an iPhone 14 pro max wood case, you must cut out at least two pieces and glue them together using resin.
You can also make coasters using unused wood and resin. Just cut out shapes from the wood and glue them together with resin. Once dry, sand off rough edges and paint them with your favorite shade. You can also add other embellishments like beads or buttons if you want to give them more style.
5. Old Towels
If your towels are thinning out, you can use them as a towel scrubber. Just cut them into pieces and use them around the house for cleaning purposes. They work great for cleaning windows, mirrors, and other surfaces. You can also use them on delicate surfaces like wood tables or glass tables.
You can also turn them into clothes for your pets, or you can try to make a dog bed out of these old towels.
Utilize old towels as pot holders or protectors for your pots and pans. If there are too many bugs around your garden during summertime, placing an old towel around each plant will keep the bugs away from destroying your plants.
Final Take Away
Instead of throwing them away, you can use items you no longer need and give them a second lease on life. By doing this, you’ll not only save money on the things that you do need, but you might also make the planet a safe place to live.
