Whatever You Do, Don’t Throw that Away!

MARGARINE TUBS – Put in a desk drawer to organize paper clips or place with sewing supplies to hold bottons or pins.

SHOE BOXES – Put the top of the shoe box under the box for extra support and place one or more boxes in your dresser drawers to separate socks, underwear, pantyhose, etc.

ICE CREAM LIDS AND PAILS – Use to water outdoor plants, to store sewing supplies, small tools, bird seed Use to mix and/or store paint. Place lids under large houseplants to keep water off tables and plant stands.

PLASTIC MILK JUGS – Make into bird feeder by cutting hole in side and hanging from a tree branch.

PLASTIC BAGS – Wrap fragile items in the bags when packing. Put around a plastic storage container and secure with a twist tie before placing it in the freezer as an added defense against freezer burn. Keep a bag in your car for garbage. Stash a bag in the diaper bag for wet clothes or soiled diapers.

PAPER GROCERY BAGS – Cut apart and use as mailing paper to cover small packages. Stamp or stencil and use as wrapping paper. Store newspapers for recycling in bags.

TOOTHBRUSHES – Save a toothbrush that is past its prime for scrubbing out stains in the laundry room, for cleaning the sink in the kitchen and keep two in the bathroom – one for cleaning the tub and one for cleaning jewelry.

PANTYHOSE AND KNEE-HIGH NYLONS – Use to stuff pillows. Tie vegetables or bushes to stakes.

USED DRYER FABRIC SOFTENER SHEETS – Place in garbage cans to deodorize.

USED GREETING CARDS – Cut around designs and use as package tags on gifts. Particularly pretty or appealing designs can be framed.

BUTTONS – Save buttons from stained or otherwise damaged clothing and use to embellish greetings cards, picture frames and other clothing. Save some for replacing lost buttons on clothes.

LACE – Remove lace from outgrown or damaged clothing and use to adorn cards or other craft projects. Sew a wide row of lace to the hem of a little girl’s dress to add length.

PLASTIC SHOWER CURTAIN LINERS – When liners have outlived their usefulness in the shower, use as drop cloths to protect flooring and furniture when painting.

SWEAT SOCKS – Slip your hand inside a worn sweat sock and dust to your heart’s content.

SHOELACES – Keep with your string supply, tie around a small child’s gift, save to replace broken shoelace.

BABY WIPES CONTAINERS – Use to store craft supplies or small children’s toys.

BABY FOOD JARS – Use to hold small items such as craft supplies, nails, screws, etc.

GLASS JARS – Sponge paint and tie a ribbon or raffia around the top. Put a votive candle inside or use as a vase.

THREAD SPOOLS – String several on an old shoelace and tie tightly to make a baby toy.

ALUMINUM PIE PLATES – Hang several together on a tree or fence to scare pests away from your garden. Use one as a guard above your bird feeder to keep squirrels out of it. Give one to a baby to play with. (Babies love them – they make lots of noise!) Fill with cookies or bars and take to a friend or neighbor.

OATMEAL CONTAINERS – They make great toy drums.

PLASTIC CUPS – Save those big plastic cups you get when you buy a large pop at convenience stores and fast food restaurants. Keep one by the bathtub to wash and rinse a child’s hair.

PLASTIC JARS – Keep plastic jars and their corresponding lids on hand for bug collecting.

MUFFIN TINS – Are ideal for holding change at garage and bake sales.

PLASTIC SPORTS DRINK BOTTLES – Fill a bottle one-third full of water and store in the freezer. When you’re ready to leave for a sporting event or practice, fill the bottle with water.

NEWSPAPERS – Use with glass cleaner to wash and dry windows and mirrors for a lint-free shine. Save the funnies section to wrap children’s gifts. Use newspaper to wrap breakables when packing. Preschoolers or primary grade students can look through newspapers to cut out or circle words, letters or numbers they know.

LAST YEAR’S PHONEBOOK – Keep it in your car to check addresses and phone numbers while on the go.

35mm FILM CANISTERS – Use to hold small items in your purse or to store change in your vehicle.

MAGAZINES – Make a picture book for a young child by cutting interesting pictures from magazines and putting them into a magnetic photo album. Keep several on hand for kids’ art projects such as collages.

PROCESSED CHEESE BOXES – Save the cardboard bottom portion of the box and use it to help organize your “junk” drawer. It’s the perfect size for pencils and pens.