by Karen Chamchuk

Created on: May 08, 2008   Last Updated: May 20, 2008

Do you ever dream about finding new uses for your worn out socks and old car tires? Read on and find out how turning your trash into treasure can be easy on both the environment and your bank account.

CLEANING PRODUCTS
Use food products from your kitchen to make inexpensive, environmentally-friendly household cleaners. Regular white vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice and club soda are basic staples you will need for this. A great all-purpose, odor-zapping cleaner can be made by mixing one part vinegar with two parts water. Get rid of tile mildew and rings around bathtubs and sinks by dipping a damp toothbrush or sponge in baking soda. To get rid of stains on your counter tops without causing scratches pour lemon juice over entire counter and let soak for half and hour. Sprinkle baking soda on a clean cloth and scrub gently for a stain-free, wonderful smelling counter. Club soda can be used on new carpet stains.

CLEANING TOOLS
Put an old sock on the end of a yardstick and secure with an elastic band. Use this to clean behind your fridge and stove. Worn out socks also can be used as dust cloths. Old tooth brushes make great bathroom tub and tile scrubbers. Cardboard paper towel rolls can be flattened and used as vacuum extensions for cleaning hard-to reach places. Old towels make excellent rags for washing the floor or the car.

FIX-IT
Repair items so that you can keep using them. Stitch tears in clothing, sew buttons back on, and glue insoles back down in shoes. Give your vehicle regular tune-ups and oil changes to save thousands on major repairs down the road and add years to the life of your vehicle.

TRASH INTO TREASURE
Old mayonnaise and pickle jars can be jazzed up with old wallpaper or mack-tack and used for storing ladles, wooden spoons, and spatulas. Old jars with lids work great for storing food items such as flax and bran. Wine bottles make great flower vases. Empty cookie tins find new life as gift boxes when lined with tissue paper. Old plastic milk crates can be rearranged into shelves and coffee tables. Empty film cannisters make sturdy containers for storing craft items like googly eyes and glitter. Shoe boxes are great for storing photos and other items. Old envelopes or paper with writing on only one side can be cut into smaller pieces and kept by the phone to use as notepaper. Reuse and refill old ink cartridges. Turn your used car tire into a tree swing for your kids. Don't reuse old plastic bottles for water bottles because the plastic starts to leak chemicals when they are used more than one. It is OK to reuse glass bottles and many fruit juices are sold in small glass bottles that make great water bottles.

Many of us are already reusing an exercise bike or treadmill for hanging clothes on. Why not take this basic principle a step further and find new uses for other household items? I challenge you to come up with your own ideas for reusing items and share them with your friends and family. All of the little things you do can add up to make a big difference for the planet.

Learn more about this author, Karen Chamchuk.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.