How are you dealing with old newspaper, expired milk, broken latex gloves, and scraps?
Besides disposing them into trash, is there any ways we could reuse them? Here
are some tips on how to take advantage of this waste.
Old newspaper:
1. Maintain and polish the shoes
How: Make the newspaper into balls and plug them into your shoes. It allows your recently worn
shoes to contract and prevents moisture. You could also use newspapers to wipe the black
shoes with shoe polish.
2. Clean the windows
How: It is more efficient and cleaner when you use newspaper instead of rags. The cotton in the
rag might remain on windows, making it looks even more fuzzy. The newspaper does not
contain cotton while the ink in it will make the glass brighten. In addition, the friction of
newspaper and glass will generate static electricity, which easily absorbs dust and dirt.
3. Keep the vegetables and fruits fresh
How: Before you put fresh vegetables and fruits in your refrigerator, wrap them with newspaper,
so they could be stored longer. For fruits that are still immature, such as bananas, wrap them
with newspaper and put in shady places, and they will be edible in days.
4.Clean the kitchen ware.
How: Newspaper is ideal for cleaning grease. It saves water when you use newspaper to clean
your kitchen ware first, and then use water.
5. Make a litter box on your own
How: You can save money by making a litter box for your pets on your own. Just tear the
newspaper up and fill the litter box. The ink smell of newspaper will cover the unpleasant smell
of pets’ litter.
Expired Milk:
1.Clean gold jewelries
How: Heat the milk and put gold jewelries into it. Soak for 1020
minutes and then take them
out. After washing the jewelries with clean water, rub them up with a piece of soft cloth. The
expired milk can bring back the shine of gold.
2. Mend cracked plates
How: Put cracked plates (small fissures only) into milk and heat until it boils. Then turn down to
lower heat and heat for 45 minutes. The protein of the milk will be combined with the clay in the
plates, so that the cracks will be mended.
Broken Latex Gloves:
Latex gloves are useful in daily life, but they become “useless” when you accidently break a
hole on them. However, forget the idea of disposing of them, they are still reusable if you cut the
latex gloves into bands.
1.Seal and Sort
How: Use them as rubber bands to tie bags and bottles, so the food could be easily sealed. Coil
the cables with these bands, so they could be sorted out neatly.
2. Skid proof hangars
How: Attach two bands onto each side of a hangar, and make sure the rubber surface of the
strips are on the outside. Then when you put clothes with thin straps or those made of smooth
materials, such as silk on the hangar, the clothes will not slip off.
3. Collect the hairs
How: Tie several bands on a paper tube and roll the tube on the floor or on a carpet. You could
easily collect the hairs now.
Scraps:
1. Apple/Pear Peels – clean stubborn oil stains
How: Add the peels of apple or pear into water and heat until boiling. The peels will release acid
composition that could clean up the hard grease.
2. Potato peels – clean tea stains
How: Add hot water into teacups first, and put in some potato peels. After soaking the peels for
2~3 minutes, rub the stains with the peels. The teacups will be shining.
3. leftover beers – clean microwaves/ovens
How: The yeast of beer could effectively remove grease. So you can use a cloth or sponge
dipped with a few leftover beers to wipe your microwave or oven.
4. Expired/burnt bread – odor eliminator
How: Although expired/burnt bread is not edible, they could be used as deodorant, just like a
charcoal deodorizer. You can wrap it with paper and then use it in the refrigerator or in your
closet.
Refereces: Tips for Newspapers, Tips for Expired Milk, Tips for Latex Gloves, Tips for Scraps
