8 Alternative Uses for Plastic Wrap.

By: Chrisjob Oct 22, 2009

 

Plastic wrap, cellophane, Saran Wrap, cling wrap... whatever you call it, this just-a-bit-too-sticky surface does what it does - sealing food in containers to keep it fresh - and does it well. Turns out, there's at least eight other things it can do, as well, and they've been compiled thusly by Diane Rixon at DIYLife.

  • Salvage corked wine
  • Preserve paint and spackles
  • Pack silverware
  • Get a non-slip grip
  • Banish frizzies
  • Keep ice cream fresh
  • Continue Reading
831 views | Comments (0)

Ten Alternative Uses for Tennis Balls.

By: Chrisjob Oct 15, 2009

Tennis ball with lock and keysThey're green. They're fuzzy. And there's at least ten other ways to use 'em beyond bouncing on the court. Volley on over to This Old House. and check 'em out.

1. Erase scuff marks.
2. Protect a padlock.
3. Remove a broken lightbulb.
4. Cushion the blow.
5. Install a parking guide.
6. Open a jar.
7. Make a hitch cover.
8. Collect change for tolls.
9. Keep a door open.
10. Get a better grip.

Via.


979 views | Comments (0)

Ten Alternative Uses for Used Tea Bags.

By: Chrisjob Oct 12, 2009

tea bag

Once you've given your tea bag a dunk, you could head right to the compost bin. OR, you can give it a second chance with one these alternative options for steeped tea bags.

  • Soothe Tired or Injured Eyes
  • Flavor Your Meat
  • Make “Less Sinful” Drinks
  • Around-The-House Cleaner
1979 views | Comments (2)

Pantyhose Candle Jar Cozies and Tattoos

By: Diy maven Sep 15, 2009

Jar Candle Cozy

Have you ever seen or considered doing this...stretching pantyhose or tights over candle jars?CraftyChi's suggests ripping holes in the hose for added interest. I'm not sure if I like the… Continue Reading

738 views | Comments (0)

Ten Unusual Uses for a Colander.

By: Chrisjob Aug 25, 2009

The colander. It drains liquid away from solid stuff you don't want soggy, and, well, not much else.

http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/Fe/8-leslie-honey-into-colander-07.jpg

Except, apparently, it does! DIYLife has assembled ten clever uses for this seemingly at-first-glance multi-tasker.

1. Grease splatter reducer.
2. Warm a serving bowl.
3. Berry storage.
4. Bathtub toy scoop.
5. Play accessory.
6. Craft template.
7. Bug tent.
8. Wind chime.
9. Lamp shade.
10. Holiday display.

Photo.

610 views | Comments (1)

Six Extraordinary Uses for Shampoo.

By: Chrisjob Jul 28, 2009

Stuck zipper? Crunchy cuticles? Out of shaving cream? Just reach into the shower...

shampoo

Shampoo, in all it's sodium lauryl sulfate goodness, can do a whole heap of tasks, soap-y and… Continue Reading

2346 views | Comments (3)

10 Clever Uses for Plastic Bags

By: Diy maven Jul 14, 2009
Woman wearing plastic bags as knee pads
  1. Knee protectors for… Continue Reading
1205 views | Comments (3)

How To: Van Gogh on a Bottle.

By: Chrisjob Jun 09, 2009

dscf4194

Seeking to repurpose a used wine bottle and reapply the skills she learned in college, Monica Ewing sought to recreate a classic impressionist painting on her unlikely surface. "It was the perfect assignment for a novice painter such as me. On a wine bottle, you can’t see the entire painting at once, so mistakes in proportion, etc. are obscured. Here, I copied one of my favorite Vincent van Gogh works: Wheat Field with Cypresses." Use the… Continue Reading

697 views | Comments (0)

Nine Alternative Uses for Ketchup.

By: Chrisjob Jun 08, 2009

Ketchup. Catsup. Catchup. Some folks in my family even choose to say 'tomato ketchup'...you know, to distinguish it from eggplant or fava bean ketchup. Or perhaps to convince themselves that it shouldn't rather be called "corn syrup ketchup."

Regardless, it's sticky sweet and acidic make-up provide from some interesting uses other than dressing your tater tots. Here's nine from the Daily Green.

1. Shine Your Copper

 

2. Get Those Auto Parts… Continue Reading

786 views | Comments (1)

How to: Repurpose a Ketchup Bottle for Perfect Pancakes

By: Chrisjob May 18, 2009

Ketchup bottle as batter dispenserYou've seen the technique at your local diner: a handheld dispenser full of batter is floated over a nice cripsy griddle, creating perfectly round and drip-free flapjacks. And you can buy things for home use...

But why would you, with this tip from Real Simple. Just throughly wash a large, squeezable condiment bottle, and fill it with your batter of choice. "Portioning pancake batter with precision and without the usual mess of transferring… Continue Reading

1110 views | Comments (2)

Eight Alternative Uses for Old Socks.

By: Chrisjob May 14, 2009

Sock puppets?

Yep, and these eight other alternative uses by Wisebread. Be sure to check out the shoe freshener idea by filling an old sock with baking soda, and stuffing it in your sneaker.

  • Moth Repellant
  • Shoe Freshener
  • Washcloth for soap scraps
  • Hot Pack
  • Draft Dodger
  • Drink Cozy
  • Dolly Dresses
  • Broom Buddy

Via and photo. 

896 views | Comments (1)

Rain Gutter Gardens.

By: Chrisjob May 01, 2009

Below: Suzanne Forsling's windowbox garden after two months.Suzanne Forsling, raised in Iowa but now living in Juneau, had a need to grow her own produce, has only a bit of sunny space in her yard, and it was tiny. Her solution? Don't grow the goodies next to the house...grow 'em ON the house.

"Why not put rain gutters in rows along the wood siding on the sunny side of the house[?] It might look weird, but that was where all the heat, sun and protection from damage is best.We went to Home Depot and… Continue Reading

2226 views | Comments (2)

17 Cool Magnetic Tricks.

By: Chrisjob Apr 29, 2009

Home use and DIY projects, geek crafts, handmade toys...there's nothing wrong with keeping a few neodymiums in your tool box. The clever team at Evil Mad Scientist have assembled seventeen helpful uses, with original photographs!Magnet tricks

Some highlights:

  • Extract batteries from stubborn holders
  • Find studs in your walls
  • Make a homopolar motor
  • Make LED Throwies
  • Demonstrate magnetohydrodynamic propulsion
  • Make a simple compass
  • Experiment with self assembly
  • Continue Reading
374 views | Comments (0)

DIY Cardboard Chaise Lounge.

By: Chrisjob Apr 19, 2009

Sure, we've seen lots of cardboard art and furniture (and a house), and a small scale how-to, but this Instructable is totally approachable and makes fabulous use of a mess of Ikea boxes. Pretty impressive, says I.

CCL_000.JPG

So grab some corrugated cardboard, a bit of tape, and utility knife, and follow the instructions above.

 

1185 views | Comments (0)

Alternative Uses for Tea Bags

By: Diy maven Apr 15, 2009

created at: 2009-04-15

Woo Hoo! Today is Tea-Bagging Day! For all those tea-baggers out there, here’s some alternative uses for teabags, to help celebrate the… Continue Reading

1443 views | Comments (1)