15 Alternative Uses for Baby Wipes (Complete with a bonus tip on how to make your own!)

By: Diy maven May 15, 2008

created on: 05/15/08

Baby wipes are kind of like duct tape. Even if you don’t have a baby in the house or repair duct work on a regular basis, it’s not a bad idea to have both on hand. Books have been written extolling the versatility of our favorite grey tape, but if you haven’t heard about the awesome power of the butt wipe, here’s some alternative uses:

  1. Water-less pet baths for Fido or Fluffy.
  2. Remove crayon marks from… Continue Reading
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Creative Ways to Reuse "Disposable" Items.

By: Chrisjob May 12, 2008

Lifehacker users have compiled a list of creative uses to recycle your disposables, namely those that cannot be recycled in obvious ways. They include old standbys like the CD spindle bagel holder and placing fabric softener sheets in drawers to keep your clothes smelling fresh, but also some clever tips for yogurt containers, wine corks, bum CD-rs, and a link to a great Flickr group entitled, "How Can I Recycle This?"

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Make a Three-Tiered Plant Stand from a Recycled Tomato Cage.

By: Chrisjob May 12, 2008

Instructable-user CarlSandra2005 came up with this clever alternative use for a tomato cage: a tri-level plant stand. And since this only cost, what 25-cents, and you probably have at least three or four unused ones lying about, you could do them in multiples for a Jetsons-like effect. Simply use pliers to shape your cage appropriately, spraypaint a color of your choice, then fill. The only difficult part may be to find containers that will… Continue Reading

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Make a Cereal Box Magazine Organizer.

By: Chrisjob Apr 14, 2008

I cringe everytime I put a cereal box in the recycling bin. Sure, it's better than tossing it in the trash, but there's such stiff yet pliable material in my hands, yet at that moment, I'm not clever enough to come up with a project for its re-use. Luckily, someone else is (though I bet it wasn't the mogul herself)...

Materials

  • Large, sturdy cereal box
  • Craft knife
  • Straight edge
  • Decorative paper
  • Spray adhesive
    • … Continue Reading
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Curbly Video Podcast: How to Make a Handbag out of a Recycled Book

By: Chrisjob Apr 10, 2008

created at: 03/29/2013

I have a penchant for purchasing stuff that’s cool, but for which I don’t have specific plans or use. Case in point: I have piles of pulp and sci-fi novels from the 40s-60s. The art and colors are amazing, and the language provides for ridiculous quotes for ages. But after I slice out the illustrations, and force my way through the first and last chapters so I can say I ‘read’ them, these dimestore masterpieces don’t escape from their cardboard homes often.… Continue Reading

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27 Household Uses for Citrus.

By: Chrisjob Apr 02, 2008

Citrus fruits come from the family rutaceae, and include species such as limes, lemons, grapefruit, tangerine, citron, rangpur, Buddha's hand, and myriad types of oranges.

Like everything else that's good for you and delicious, they also boast an abundance of household uses. Re-Nest (by Apartment Therapy) suggests:

  • Rub lemon on your faucets to remove lime scale, hard water stains, and soap residue. It also works on porcelain.
  • … Continue Reading
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Puppetronics.

By: Chrisjob Mar 28, 2008

From MocoLoco:

"Lighting by Georgiosi is influenced by music and objects of everyday. The Puppetronics concept is translated into a giant UV sculpture of a dancing puppet not unlike a jellyfish, synchronized to the music and suitable for any rave. Other items that are used in Georgiosi lighting include speakers, saws, screws, rubber balls and marbles, but you can also find slinky lights, scouring pads, mesh and sink… Continue Reading

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50 Alternative Uses for Tennis Balls

By: Diy maven Mar 24, 2008


Tennis balls aren’t just for the courts anymore. Life Hackery offers up 50 uses for the fuzzy spheres, none of them involving rackets. Hints on the list include wrapping sandpaper around them to sand curvy surfaces, cutting them in half to make jar openers, and converting them into field mice condos. For the entire list, visit Life Hackery.

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DIY Flash Diffuser From an Airsickness Bag.

By: Chrisjob Mar 19, 2008

Hate the In-The-Cave look of flash photography? The answer lies in the airline Barf Bag. "Yes, that’s right… Those cute lil’ white plastic bags that the airlines keep tucked away in the back of every seat are absolutely perfect for diffusing the harsh beam of a direct flash. Just one barf bag (a/k/a: “flight discomfort bag”) stuck onto the top… Continue Reading

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25 Alternative Uses for Inner Tubes.

By: Chrisjob Mar 09, 2008

Okay, so you might not have a huge stockpile of unused inner tubes in your garage, just waiting for an uncommon use. But if you did, here's twenty-five things you might do with them.

•    Deceptively simple dog toy.
•    Make rubber bands
•    Clear the drain.
•    Make a belt.
•    Clamp glued projects.
•    Make a… Continue Reading

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Make a Mini Greenhouse from Recycled CD Cases

By: Chrisjob Mar 05, 2008

This clever photo led me to this excellet tiny recycled greenhouse. What a use for the boxes of CD cases that I refuse to throw away. 

Materials: Four compact disc cases

1. Remove the front (the clear part) from three of the cases.

2. Tape or glue the three cases in a box shape, and then add the final case on the back, as in the photo.

3. Help your little seedlings thrive by placing the greenhouse over the plant, using… Continue Reading

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30 Uses for a Dead Tree.

By: Chrisjob Feb 21, 2008

If you logged on to your local Craigslist, chances are you'd see at least one household with a dead or recently removed tree, begging for someone to help reuse the material. "Cool," you'd say, "but what would I do with a dead tree?"

DIYLife has 30 ideas.

LEAVE IT ALONE
1. Leave it standing.
2. Turn it into yard art.

CUT IT UP
3. Use planks for fencing.
4. Build a big brush pile for wildlife.
5. Make garden mulch.
6. Use it for firewood and/or kindling.… Continue Reading
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10 Alternative uses for Bananas

By: Diy maven Feb 11, 2008

People are using bananas to make some weird stuff, let me tell ya. But, in the interest of spreading the knowledge, from the not-so-odd to the head scratchers, here goes:

10. Aphid deflector: Burying dried or cut-up bananas peels a few inches deep around the base of your rosebushes to detract aphids.

9. Fertilizer: Potassium rich, bananas are great for us as well as our gardens. Dry out leftover peels over the winter months. In the spring grind… Continue Reading

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10 Alternative Uses For Alka-Seltzer.

By: Chrisjob Jan 29, 2008

  1. Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush, and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action will help loosen the grime.
  2. Attract Fish. Fish dig on bubbles. Fill a tube jig with a piece of Alka-Seltzer and cast off.
  3. Clean hard-to-reach areas of deep vessels, such as a flower vase. Fill with water and drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets.
  4. Polish jewelry. Dissolve two Alka-Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and… Continue Reading
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(DIYable) Hairpin Necklace by Mana Bernandes.

By: Chrisjob Jan 28, 2008

Brazilian designer Mana Bernandes specializes in making beautiful jewelry from common, inexpensive items, like "Clasp" made from hair ("bobby") pins. While she doesn't offer a how-to, I bet one could figure out the technique from the photo. It reminds me of those regal neckplates you see on ossuaries and paintings from the Ancient Near East...a handmade version would certainly complement your handmade Pharoah costume nicely.

Other designs include:

… Continue Reading

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