WAIT!!! DON’T THROW THAT AWAY!

WAIT!!! DON’T THROW THAT AWAY! (Aired: 3/20/17 on 3TV/Phoenix (8:20am))

There are so many things we toss out without even thinking about it. Things like tissue boxes, pump soap containers, sneakers, and used tea leaves. But stop, don’t toss until you read this.

TISSUE BOXES:

Empty tissue boxes make great trash containers for the car. They don’t allow trash to spill out like plastic bags do, even if they tip over. They can be emptied easily or replaced anytime you want. I like the square boxes, but use whatever size works for you.

Tissue boxes are also great for storing used fabric softener sheets which can be used for so many things.

DRYER FABRIC SOFTENER SHEETS:

Used dryer fabric softener sheets still have a lot left to give, so don’t toss them. Store them in the laundry room in an empty tissue box.

Use them to remove burned on food from casseroles. Fill container with hot water and drop in a couple of used softener sheets. Let them soak a few hours or overnight. When you dump out the water, the food will be softened and you can wipe it right out, wash and dry as usual, no scrubbing required.

Next Monday I will show you ways to use dryer fabric softener sheets that you won’t believe! Join me on FB or Queenofclean.com right after the show for a written printable copy.

TEA LEAVES:

If you have a fireplace, then you have a place to use your used wet tea leaves. Sprinkle them over the ashes in the fireplace before you clean it out. The damp leaves will keep the ashes from creating dust that goes all over. You can also use the grounds from your morning coffee the same way.

TENNIS SHOES:

Instead of throwing the shoes out, toss them in the washer and wash them so they are nice and clean and let them dry. Then toss them in the dryer with things like down bedding, towels, blankets, pillows etc., anything that you want to puff up and remove static electricity from as it dries. You can toss them in the dryer with your down vests and coats and set on “air dry” to puff the down up again.

PUMP SOAP DISPENSERS:

Never toss these. You can buy large economy soap refill containers and put the soap into the dispenser.

Put your liquid dish soap in one and use at the kitchen sink.

When the kids are going to paint instead of an open container of paint put the paint in a soap or hand sanitizer container. Then simply squirt a small amount into a small container. No more large quantities of paint spilled all over. The colors show through the bottle, you can tell when you are running out and storage is a breeze.

PAPER TOWEL OR GIFT WRAP CARDBOARD ROLLS:

Make a cut lengthwise from one end to the other. Place it over a hanger and use it to lay folded sweaters or table linen over. It will not leave a crease in these items like thin cardboard cover hangers or regular hangers.