The Canny Lass

Before tossing that empty jar or worn-out t-shirt, consider this — with a little creativity, it could save you money and reduce waste.

There are loads of things you can do to repurpose everyday items into something useful, save money and keep items out of the landfill.

Here are a few ideas to get you started!

Reuse glass jars for storage

Jam, pickle or sauce glass jars are fantastic for storing other items in. I use mine in the garage to store small items such as nails and screws, but they have loads of uses. You can use them to:

• keep pens, pencils, paint brushes, scissors and other craft equipment in
• the long jars you buy hotdogs in are fantastic for keeping my knitting needles in order
• use them in the pantry to store rice, pasta, dried beans or baking supplies
• fill with soil and plant herbs or flowers in them
• melt leftover candle wax or get a kit and use them to make your own candles
• store soups, home-made sauces or overnight oats in them
• make your own face creams and store them in a jam jar
• fill with water and use as a makeshift vase for flowers
• insert fairy or tea lights in them and create ambient lighting indoors and out
• you can make your own home-made gifts such as a biscuit/cookie mix and use the jar as packaging – add a ribbon and gift tag and you’re done
• fit a pump lid from an old soap bottle and store liquid hand soap in one
• cut a slit in the lid and turn the jar into a piggy bank for spare change
• fill a jar with baking soda with some drops of essential oils for a DIY air freshener – poke holes in the lid or cover the opening with breathable fabric

Cut up old t-shirts

Old t-shirts make great cleaning rags, but there are loads of other things you can do with them. This includes:

• cutting off the sleeves to make them into a vest for comfortable gym clothes or loungewear
• using the fabric to make a small tote bag for groceries or the beach
• saving t-shirts with sentimental value (e.g. concerts, children’s etc), cutting them into squares and stitching them together to make a blanket
• braid strips of old t-shirt into chew toys or stuff them into an old pillowcase to make a DIY pet bed
• cut into a child’s smock or crafting apron
• cut them into strips to tie up garden plants or to braid into macrame plant hangers or rag rugs
• cut them up and set them into hair ties or headbands
• cut them up and use them as eco-friendly gift wrap, Furoshiki style

Toilet/Kitchen Towel Rolls

You can use these cardboard rolls in many different ways:

• wrap up chargers, earphones, or holiday lights and slide them into tubes to keep cords tangle-free – label each roll for easy identification
• fill with soil and start seeds inside them, once the seeds sprout plant the whole roll into the ground, it’ll decompose naturally
• use the rolls for kids’ crafts, they can become animals, rockets, binoculars or race cars
• dip the end of the roll in paint and use as a stamp to make patterns for DIY wrapping paper or kids’ art
• stuff the rolls with dryer lint or shredded paper and use as eco-friendly fire starters for your fireplace, campfire or grill
• rolls socks or tights in them to keep drawers neat and prevent stretching
• tear them up and put them in the composter

Wine Corks

These suggestions are mainly for natural bottle corks, not the plastic ones. So, what can you do with them? Well, you can:

• add a few drops of essential oil to a cork and place it in drawers, shoes, or gym bags to keep them smelling fresh
• slice a cork and stick it on the sharp tip of kitchen knives when storing in drawers — it protects both the blade and your fingers
• Crush corks and mix into soil or place at the bottom of pots to help with drainage and prevent root rot
• stick sewing pins or needles into a cork to keep them secure and easy to grab when crafting
• glue corks inside a frame or on a board to create a stylish message or photo pin board. Great for offices or kitchens
• screw in a small eye hook and attach to a keyring — a floating keychain that’s perfect for boating or beach days
• carve simple shapes (like hearts, stars, or initials) into the end of a cork and use as a stamp for DIY gift wrap or card
• soak corks in rubbing alcohol and store them in a sealed jar — they make excellent fire starters for fireplaces or camping
• slice corks thin and stick them to the bottom of chair/table legs to prevent scratches on floors
• use corks to make wreaths, trivets, coasters, or wall art. They’re easy to cut and glue, and look great with rustic or farmhouse decor.

Coffee Grounds

Are you throwing away your old coffee grounds? Well, stop. Here are some ways you can repurpose it:

• coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen and make a great slow-release fertilizer – sprinkle around acid-loving plants like tomatoes, roses, azaleas, and blueberries
• scatter coffee grounds around garden beds or doorways to help deter ants, slugs, and snails. Cats also dislike the smell, so it can help keep them out of garden areas
• mix coffee grounds with a bit of dish soap to create a natural abrasive scrub for pots, pans, or grimy surfaces
• mix with coconut oil or yogurt for an exfoliating scrub. It removes dead skin and may help reduce the appearance of cellulite due to its caffeine content
• place dried grounds in a small container or sachet and put it in the fridge, freezer, shoes, or car to absorb unwanted odours
• lay dried coffee grounds in a DIY candle mould for a natural scent and textured look.
• Massage grounds into your scalp before shampooing to exfoliate and remove product buildup, which can promote healthy hair growth
• coffee grounds make an ideal base for growing mushrooms like oyster or shiitake. Some DIY kits even use them as the sole substrate
• add coffee grounds to your compost pile. They’re considered “green” waste and help balance the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio for faster breakdown.

Have you got any great ideas for using up any of the above? If so, drop me a comment.