Ever Thought Of...

For some reason today, while doing laundry, I thought about the way my grandmother would have done certain tasks during her lifetime. Before you read any of these suggestions, think for a minute how it would have been for your grandparents or great-grandparents. Waaaay different, right?

DRYER LINT
First off, grandma didn't have a dryer. Well, she did. It was called a clothesline. She hung her clothes to dry year round, whether it be inside our out. Don't be scared to try the same thing. Line drying certainly has its benefits. Your clothes will be static free and the sun will "bleach" away any tough stains.
If you're like me and leave line drying your clothes to the warmer months, think for a second what you could do with that dryer lint... (I'll wait.)
One great idea is to leave it outside for the birds to take and use for nesting. Either leave it on the ground, in a bush or place it in a mesh bag (like the one your oranges come in) for them to pick out.
Another great use it to save it for kindling. If you have a fireplace you can certainly use this tip all year long. If you don't, keep a little on hand for those summer camp fires. ;) Add a little newspaper to it and you're cookin' in no time.

KLEENEX
I know this seems like an essential item. Most everyone I know has a box on the back of their toilet or in several places around the house. Tissues are certainly very handy but think for a minute if you could do without them. I bet you could.
Instead of spending the money on buying box after box that you literally throw away, try buying "hankies" to have on hand. Oddly enough, my dad always has one in his pocket during the winter months. I bet your grandfather did/does too.
Rather than throwing away a box full of tissues, just wash and reuse your own. Get creative with it! Buy a different color or pattern for everyone in the house. Visit the jewelry/accessory department and pick up a few bandanas or small cotton scarves.

PAPER TOWELS
I know they're handy. Trust me, I know. But think for a minute how many rolls you go through in one month. It's probably more than one. Try using dishcloths or rags to wipe up spills rather than using a paper towel and throwing it away. You're doing laundry anyhow, right?

PAPER PLATES
The only reason paper plates are "handy" is because we don't have to wash them. That's about it. Just use a real plate. Okay? The same goes for plastic cups and utensils. They're great for parties and get-togethers because we don't have to wash them afterward but is all that trash really worth it?

SPONGES
If you must have a sponge, look for a natural or biodegradable one. Here are several examples. Even better, just stick to your rags or dishcloths.

ZIPLOC BAGS
Plastic storage bags are so super handy. You can pack snacks, sandwiches, small craft items, toiletries for traveling, etc. in them. I'm not saying we should give them up entirely. I really do use them quite often. (Thankfully, they can be recycled.)
If you want to cut down on the money you spend on them, invest in BPA free plastic containers or glass storage containers. You don't have to be like my grandma and wash and reuse your plastic baggies. ;)

FOOD SCRAPS
This one really had me thinking today. I can promise you that my grandmother never threw food waste in the trash. The cows, horses, dog or barn cats were probably able to take care of just about any leftover food problem.
You can still do that today. Cows and horses love to munch on things like pumpkin, apple or corn. While our dog doesn't get the pleasure of "people food", yours might.
If you're in an animal free zone, think about starting a compost pile. You truly don't need to have a large space to do it. Even apartment dwellers can compost. If you really don't have the desire, someone you know probably does. Any composter would jump at the chance to receive MORE scraps to add to their pile.

SPEAKING OF COMPOST
Things like fruit scraps, vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, shredded newspaper, pet and human hair, leaves, weeds, dead flowers, and grass clippings (among other things) can be composted.
You want to stay away from meat products (they'll make your compost stinky and attract the wrong bugs) and any food that has been cooked. There are tons of resources out there for beginners. Check out my previous post with three very informative videos.

COMPOST TEA
Consider making "compost tea" instead of using chemical fertilizers on your lawn and garden. This method is safer for the environment, your home, your children and your pets. Plus, it's FREE people!

CLOTHING
Go look in your closet. What did you find? A bunch of stuff you don't wear? After you've gone through your wardrobe and made a pile of things that you don't like, haven't worn or can't fit into (most of us fit into ALL of those categories), don't just throw them out.
Look for old t-shirts that you can use for rags or dusting (worn out bath towels work great for this too).
Ask a friend if they're interested in looking through them. You may get lucky and they'll do the same for you. ;)
Donate them. Drop them off at a place like Goodwill or The Salvation Army. Maybe your town has something like a shelter or extended need dwelling that can use such items. Maybe your church runs a program for people that have had a fire or have found themselves in a difficult financial situation. The possibilities are endless. SOMEone will want or use what you no longer do.
Don't forget your childrens' closets. Give gently used baby clothing to a Women's Center or a friend with a newborn. Trade clothing with a friend with bigger or smaller children. OR check out a resale or thrift store. You won't get a ton of money doing this, but you can be assured that someone is looking for that Winnie the Pooh sleeper.

BREAD
First off, you could make your own. Grandma did. Just sayin'...
If you aren't a fan of the ends of the bread (homemade or otherwise) toss them out to the birds, save them for bread crumbs or croutons or save one to put in your cookie jar to keep your cookies moist. Resist the urge to just throw it in the trash.

Take a look around your own home. What's the first thing you see? How could it be reused? Can it be recycled? (Even things like computer monitors can be recycled. Check your local recycling center to see what you need to do.) Is the particular item necessary? Could you replace it with a more environmentally friendly option?

I hope these suggestions have given you a few ideas of your own. I'd love to hear how you reuse or eliminate things from your homes!