by Jessica Capelle

Created on: May 06, 2008   Last Updated: May 20, 2008

As many of us strive to go green and cut costs, repurposing is becoming all the rage. Repurposing involves taking common household items and giving them new and often unexpected uses. Many items that can be easily repurposed are hiding in our homes right now or can be found at yard sales. Here are some ideas to spark your creativity.

The garden or backyard is a great place to start. You can use any number of household items for planters, from plastic containers or milk jugs to mailboxes or vases. Mismatched plates make great saucers, and who needs garden tools when you have old serving utensils? Got winter gloves that still fit but don't keep out the cold? Gardening gloves.

Of course the most common use for "repurposeables" is for storage. Pill bottles and baby jars are great for sewing notions, nails, even spices. Pill cases and tackle boxes can be used for jewelry, while ribbons can keep rings and barrettes from disappearing. Jelly or Mason jars can be used over and over again for cooking or can be used to store leftover paint in the garage. Egg cartons are great for art projects and even storing small items.

For those trying to get fit, plastic soda bottles and milk jugs become weights when filled with sand or water. An old ottoman or trunk (with some padding on top) makes a great weight bench. And if you have jump-ropes, hula hoops, or pogo sticks around, use them!

Our furry friends love "leftovers". Grab some wood, carpet scraps, a little batting, and maybe some rope, and you've got a great scratching post or cat tree. Egg crate mattresses make great pet beds- make a fabric cover from scraps and Fido won't be on your bed. An old peg-board or coffee mug rack makes a great leash-holder by the back door. For travel, the bottom of a milk jug makes a great dog bowl. Use a flat plastic container from sour cream or dip for the cat.

Repurposing can even be used to give you a clean house. Baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice mixed with salt can all be used as non-toxic cleansers. Scrap material and old t-shirts always make great all-purpose rags. Damp basement or laundry? Take a plastic container, poke holes in the lid, and fill with kitty litter. The charcoal in the litter will help absorb moisture. Old shower curtains make great drop-cloths or tarps for painting or craft projects, and dental floss that's too old to use makes great twine.

Repurposing is great for decorating too. Dome lights, fishbowls, vases, and pots make nice lamps. Broken glass? Make a pretty mosaic. Silverware makes for melodic wind chimes, and old doors, windows, or gates make for beautiful art.

An Internet search can lead you to all kinds of projects. There are so many ways to repurpose, and anyone can do it. You'll save money, recycle, and have some fun in the process!

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