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Reusing Household Items

TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-1204 -- More Projects »
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Use a plastic accordion file around for all of your to-do lists and take it with you when you run errands. Be sure to label the sections with clear titles.
Diane Davis, aka "the Clothespin Lady," provides tips for repurposing household items.

  • Recycle film canisters and use then to store small items such as quarters, safety pins, bobby pins or medication. These are great to have in the car or even in a suitcase.

  • Place a half empty water bottle in the freezer. Grab it on the way out the door, fill with more water and you'll have a cool drink for later.
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Figure A
  • For easy access, wear your clothespins on your shirt (figure A) when hanging laundry on the clothesline.

  • Make your own clothespin holder from an ice cream pail. Crimp the metal handle in the middle with a pliers and add an "S" hook for easy hanging on the clothesline. Hook and loop the cover onto the bottom edge of the pail while using the clothespins. Place the cover back on when you are finished in case it rains.
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    Figure B
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    Figure C
  • Reuse the bottom half of a two-pound cheese box as an organizer (figure B) for things like socks, washcloths, compact discs, kitchen utensils or plastic lids. Decorate it with paint, contact paper or stickers, if you like.

  • Use a broom handle to change a hard-to-reach light bulb. Just attach a can cooler to the top of the broom handle with duct tape (figure C).
    • Also in this Episode
    TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-1204
    •Reusing Household Items
    •Candy Bar Pie
    •Unusual Uses for Tea
    •Tip of the Day
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