It’s tempting to buy new things since there are innovative new products, designs, and creations emerging on the market or dropping into our Instagram feeds and email inboxes. However, it’s important to preserve our planet and recycle more, meaning there are many inventive ways to upcycle that you might not already know. Instead of reaching for the trash bin or donation box, here are six more was you can upcycle your household items.
These unsuspecting ways of upcycling will improve your life and organization via reutilization and budget savings. Plus, every habit helps to save the environment and preserve our beautiful planet. Here are some life hacks you’ll be adopting in no time:
1. Reuse candle jars
for cookware, jewelry, or as planters. Microwave the wax until it melts, dump and scrape remaining wax, and voila.
2. Save those cute drawstring bags
that come with fashion purchases or jewelry, and use them to separate items on a trip or via travel. Intimates go in one bag, tees in another, and so on.
3. Use old towels or t-shirts
as cleaning or car wash rags. Or, donate them to your local SPCA. Pets always need linens and such! You can also breathe new life into them by taking up a fun tie-dye project. RIT dye is only $3 a bottle at Target, and there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube.
4. Old shoe boxes
can become compartments in your drawers or under the bed. Stay tidy, organized, and reuse all in one! You can even paint them or wrap them with a decorative paper to style them the way you want.
5. Save your wine corks
and turn them into a bulletin board. This will require patience (unless you drink a lot of wine), super glue, and a basic backing or frame to organize them into.
6. For lemon, orange, and grapefruit rinds
scrub and squeeze them as a varnish or extra zest on cocktails, drinks, or dessert, if possible. Otherwise, put them in water and let them infuse for a few days, or repurpose them into cleaning products! White vinegar is a great all-natural base for homemade cleaners.
Whenever you can’t think of an alternate use for your byproducts, remember to always recycle or compost! One step might no seem like a big change, but if everyone made a tiny adjustment in their daily routine, we’re actively making a difference together.
