What would you use ______

« WellTellMe • Forum • Health Products • Around the House • What would you use _______ for? »

(Read 1587 times) [1]

What would you use _______ for?
« on: February 13, 2007, 09:20:14 AM » by *MommaJo*

I apologize if a thread similar to this has already been started.
I thought it'd be neat to have a thread where we could post something that we have abundance of and see how others would reuse or recycle it. (not a food item

)
So, I'll start......
I have had people purchase for me those huge containers of laundry detergent. The detergent is almost gone and I was wondering how I could reuse those convenient containers. Any ideas?

Logged

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #1 on: February 13, 2007, 09:34:23 AM » by sarahmontgomery

I would use them for homemade laundry soap. Or maybe to put kindling for the fire in, or small toys like Lego's or blocks.

Logged

Home, home on the range, where the deer and the cantaloupe play..... according to my 4 year old

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #2 on: February 13, 2007, 11:05:14 AM » by CKSMOM

Quote from: mshelson on February 13, 2007, 09:20:14 AM

You could put clothes in them, ones that the are the next season or next size that you are saving. You wouldn't have to buy rubbermaid tubs then. They already have a lid don't they?

Logged

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2007, 11:14:39 AM » by mxmom

Quote from: CAMPBELLKIDSMOM on February 13, 2007, 11:05:14 AM

Quote from: mshelson on February 13, 2007, 09:20:14 AM

You could put clothes in them, ones that the are the next season or next size that you are saving. You wouldn't have to buy rubbermaid tubs then. They already have a lid don't they?

Along this line of thinking, maybe you could use them to sort the dirty laundry. I use a bunch of laundry baskets, but these would take up way less space.

Logged

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #4 on: February 13, 2007, 11:35:30 AM » by healthybratt

Related thread.

Reduce, Reuse, Recylce

Logged

My favorite herb book!!

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #5 on: February 13, 2007, 11:38:36 AM » by johnnygirl

My mom uses them to pot her plants in. Wrap 'em in tinfoil or paint them, and voila!

Logged

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2007, 09:21:48 PM » by *MommaJo*

Oops! I guess I should've said, LIQUID detergent. Embarrassed

Logged

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #7 on: August 01, 2007, 12:12:39 AM » by mandlwilliamson

I would use then still for ALL of the above, couldn't you just cut the top of the container off and still use them for storage?
I make my own laundry detergent, so that is what I'd be using it for:)
HTH

Logged

Homeschooling Mommy of 4.
Tate 7
Morgan 5-1/2
Charlotte 4-1/2
Silas 20 months

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #8 on: August 01, 2007, 09:13:02 AM » by BJ_BOBBI_JO

My mother is the always ready paranoid type which sometimes is a good thing.

I remember that before the year 2000 hit she was getting ready or the all consumming diabolical Y2K to destroy us all. So she saved all her liquid laundry containers and put water in them and put them back somewhere. The water in them was not fit to drink because of having had laundry soap in it but it was good to use for cleaning and bathing.

With that in mind I bet they would be good for use to keep 1 in the car while on picnics and camping since they would work good for cleaning up stuff when there is no water available.

Logged

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #9 on: August 01, 2007, 09:18:32 AM » by BJ_BOBBI_JO

My daughter Miracle-Grace saves the cardboard toilet paper rolls to make crafts with.

I use old toren up clothing to make bed liners for the outdoor cats in the winter time in their cat house.

I use socks that have lost their partner to make corn or bean microwave heating pads.

Logged

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #10 on: August 01, 2007, 09:53:49 AM » by daisey

I use the toilet paper rolls to keep appliance cords tidy. Sometimes if I am really energetic I will put contact paper around them so they are pretty and more stable. I store my long taper candles in the tubes from paper towels, although I don't buy paper towels anymore so that is out. Now sometimes I put them in the wax paper box when it is empty.
The big laundry pail buckets I use to store bird food, pick garden produce, gather weeds to burn or compost.

Logged

Be Still my soul, the Lord is on Thy Side

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #11 on: August 02, 2007, 05:26:24 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: daisey on August 01, 2007, 09:53:49 AM

We use the cardboard rolls to keep the pet rodents' teeth short. Wink

Logged

My favorite herb book!!

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #12 on: August 03, 2007, 06:21:03 PM » by herbalmom

Back to the subject-

Many cats like to play with TP tubes.

I get salt for cleaning in 50 lb bags. I don't use it up that fast so I use empty gal jugs from vinegar to store the salt in. It doesn't matter if the salt ends up smelling like vinegar since it's only for cleaning & the plastic is thick on vinegar bottles so it holds up. The handle makes it very easy to pour salt out instead of scooping it like you would have to do if it is in a bucket. Also, the salt doesn't clump if I pick up the jug with wet hands. In case anyone is wondering, DH & the kids all know that salt in the large containers is cleaning salt. Besides, we use Real Salt for the table which is PINK so it's easy to tell them apart.

We have used liquid laundry detergent bottles for carrying water for the radiator in the car. Also, they would work for salt for cleaning also just like the vinegar jugs.

Blessings ~herbalmom

Logged

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #13 on: August 03, 2007, 09:34:40 PM » by *MommaJo*

Quote from: herbalmom on August 03, 2007, 06:21:03 PM

Do you have to be careful how you use the salt? It can be corosive, right?

Logged

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #14 on: August 04, 2007, 01:36:46 AM » by herbalmom

Quote from: ~mshelson~ on August 03, 2007, 09:34:40 PM

Quote from: herbalmom on August 03, 2007, 06:21:03 PM

I get salt for cleaning in 50 lb bags. I don't use it up that fast so I use empty gal jugs from vinegar to store the salt in. It doesn't matter if the salt ends up smelling like vinegar since it's only for cleaning & the plastic is thick on vinegar bottles so it holds up. The handle makes it very easy to pour salt out instead of scooping it like you would have to do if it is in a bucket. Also, the salt doesn't clump if I pick up the jug with wet hands. In case anyone is wondering, DH & the kids all know that salt in the large containers is cleaning salt. Besides, we use Real Salt for the table which is PINK so it's easy to tell them apart.

We have used liquid laundry detergent bottles for carrying water for the radiator in the car. Also, they would work for salt for cleaning also just like the vinegar jugs.

Blessings ~herbalmom

Do you have to be careful how you use the salt? It can be corosive, right?

Well, I wouldn't let damp salt sit around in a skillet for a week but overall it's not a problem. Like any other cleaner, you have to rinse it when your done cleaning. I use it damp for scrubbing sinks, bathtubs & to scrub out stuck/burned food in cooking pans. Damp salt is abrasive but doesn't scratch, is cheap, antibacterial, & non toxic. Works for me.

Here's a quote of a post of mine on 7XS of a fun way to let kids scrub the bathtub with salt:

Quote from: herbalmom on January 05, 2007, 09:29:48 PM

Here's a tip for letting your kids make a mess, Shocked

have fun

& clean the bathtub all at the same time. Grin

Put the child in a swimsuit to protect sensitive skin, let him/her get inside a dry tub & let them scrub it with damp salt or baking soda. As long as they don't eat the salt/baking soda or get it inside the swimsuit Shocked

it won't hurt them, it does a great job on soap scum, the high sodium content of either one is antibacterial & they have a blast. I never measure I just dump a bunch in, dampen it & turn them loose. Just rinse the child & the tub when they are done. Damp salt or baking soda can be used clean sinks too but it isn't as much fun. Wink

Blessings ~herbalmom

I also use salt when we have power outages to anchor taper candles. I use canning jars with just enough salt (2-3 inches) in the bottom to anchor the candles. I use tapers because I got bunches of colored ones on clearance for just a few cent's each. Grin

(we use white for everyday) & I use canning jars because it means that I don't have to store a bunch of extra candle holders to have on hand for power outages & we have enough candles that we don't have to carry lit candles around. The jars shield the candles from drafts so they burn longer & they don't tip easily. They are esp handy in the rooms where we don't normally use candles & on the bathroom sinks. The salt also catches the drips which makes cleaning the jar easier.

For everyday use I also use a little salt (1/2 in) in the bottom of more delicate wine glasses, etc that I use sometimes for tea light candles. Since the bottom of a tea light cup gets hot, I don't want the glass getting hot from the tea light cup touching it because it might break. The salt is a barrier & the glass doesn't get hot. (I use glasses that are wide or that taper outward so the rim doesn't get too hot)

On a side note from salt- you can also half fill a wine glass with water & float a tea light candle in it. Very pretty, esp for a romantic evening. (Floating tea lights on water in wine glasses courtesy of Christopher Lowell) HTH Blessings ~herbalmom

Logged

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #15 on: August 06, 2007, 12:24:57 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: herbalmom on August 03, 2007, 05:56:16 PM

However, she might get upset with BOTH of us if we keep hijacking the thread. Shocked

Even then, I don't think she would cut us off, but she might give us a scolding.

http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,5489.msg101141.html#msg101141

Logged

My favorite herb book!!

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #16 on: August 06, 2007, 06:25:07 PM » by CrimsonRose

Quote from: herbalmom on August 04, 2007, 01:36:46 AM

For everyday use I also use a little salt (1/2 in) in the bottom of more delicate wine glasses, etc that I use sometimes for tea light candles. Since the bottom of a tea light cup gets hot, I don't want the glass getting hot from the tea light cup touching it because it might break. The salt is a barrier & the glass doesn't get hot. (I use glasses that are wide or that taper outward so the rim doesn't get too hot)

On a side note from salt- you can also half fill a wine glass with water & float a tea light candle in it. Very pretty, esp for a romantic evening. (Floating tea lights on water in wine glasses courtesy of Christopher Lowell) HTH Blessings ~herbalmom

Oooo, so elegant, Herbalmom- I love it! I've done the water before but never would have thought of salt. Another thought- it's fun to add a few drops of food coloring to the water for different occasions: I've done pink for an 'Anne of Green Gables' tea party, green for St. Patrick's Day, red for St. Valentine's, etc.

Logged

Sign the petition and say no to abortion!

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #17 on: August 06, 2007, 08:24:08 PM » by herbalmom

Quote from: CrimsonRose on August 06, 2007, 06:25:07 PM

Quote from: herbalmom on August 04, 2007, 01:36:46 AM

Salt can be dyed with food coloring also. Just thoroughly mix in food coloring until it's a little darker than you want & spread it out on a plate to dry so it doesn't clump. The color lightens as it dries. Break up any clumps & it's ready to use. If you want to mix colors, do each color separate & mix together after it's dry. Blessings ~herbalmom

Logged

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #18 on: August 12, 2007, 07:44:10 PM » by CrimsonRose

Quote from: herbalmom on August 06, 2007, 08:24:08 PM

Way cool! I think you can guess what I'll be trying for the centerpiece at our next family celebration! Wink

Logged

Sign the petition and say no to abortion!

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #19 on: April 20, 2008, 05:06:48 PM » by Whiterock

I have some of the one gallon buckets (with the lids) that we get VCO in from Mountain Rose Herbs.
Any ideas?

WR

Logged

Who Needs God?

My Blog - Yarb d'Farb Knarb Check out the Wellness Wednesday tag for your health-related blog posts!

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #20 on: April 20, 2008, 05:12:23 PM » by ladyhen

I like using food grade buckets to store foods that I buy in bulk; beans, flour, oats, etc. Usually I put them in a cotton fabric bag first, depending on what it is and how it's packaged. (I kinda obsess about plastics, I know) But the buckets are great for storage, as they can stack and keep little hands and tiny critters out.

Logged

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Titus 2:13

Re: What would you use _______ for?
« Reply #21 on: April 21, 2008, 09:51:02 AM » by healthyinOhio

I have a book recommendation that kind of goes along with this thread. It is called: Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things(2,217 ways to save money and time) by Reader's Digest. Seems like it fits well with us welltellers!

Logged

(Read 1587 times) [1]