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These Creative Ways to Reuse Old Newspapers will help you make the most of your subscription instead of just sending them straight to the trash or recycling bin.
What To Do With Old Newspapers
Reading the morning newspaper is a relaxing ritual for many people, but unfortunately, this habit results in the waste of a lot of paper.
Rather than simply tossing your old newspapers in the garbage pail we have created this list of other useful ways to use newspapers.
So, instead of throwing away old newspapers, reuse, upcycle, and recycle them instead. Let’s turn yesterday’s news into a creative craft, gardening project, or helpful home cleaning accessory.
Did you know there are many other useful ways to use your newspaper?
Before you send the funny pages — and every other section — to that big paper pile in the sky, consider using it for something else. Upcycling is the way to do things nowadays.
Plus, the benefits of not throwing that newspaper into the recycling bin far outweigh its benefits to using it around the house for other things.
No need to worry, most of these ideas are not craft-related at all.
Let’s go over some other ways to use old newspapers instead of recycling them.
1. Clean Your Windows & Mirrors – Polishing Glass surfaces
My Grandmother actually taught me this trick. It is pretty amazing.
First, spray the window with a glass cleaner or a 50:50 mixture of white vinegar and water, then crunch up your newspaper into a loose ball, quickly wipe clean with the newspaper in a horizontal motion across the glass.
Be prepared for streak-free windows & Mirrors. What I love, no little fibers are left behind, which is what you get when you use paper towels.
2. Wrap Presents
Have a birthday coming up?
Use the comic section of the newspaper for a really fun and different way to wrap your presents or use the black and white sections for a different look.
Make sure to add in some fun twine as a ribbon.
Wrap gifts in 2-3 layers of newspaper to make them more durable.
3. Newspaper Kindling for Bonfires
Old newspaper makes a great fire starter.
Use it to start your campfire or your cozy fireplace fire.
To make your own, bunch sheets of newspaper into loose balls and place them in the fire pit, then put a few pieces of wood or charcoal on top and light the flame. Just don’t use too much or you will have flying paper.
If you have used this method before, I know you can relate.
Make sure you have added in your dry wood to the fire first, then using your newspapers, stuff around the wood, and light the fire. VIOLA!
4. Packaging
Storing away fragile items. I moved quite a bit, growing up. (Military Brat).
We got great at moving. I also store and pack away my seasonal items in newspapers.
Newspaper is a lot lighter than bubble wrap, which helps with shipping costs as well. Just make sure when packaging that all items are wrapped tightly so there’s no opportunity for movement during transit.
5. Ripen Tomatoes
With a few copies of the Sunday paper, you can ripen and preserve fruits and vegetables.
Wrap green tomatoes in sheets of newspaper, layer them in a box, and put a lid on top to slowly ripen them.
With a few copies of the Sunday paper, you can ripen and preserve fruits and vegetables.
Another FUN use in the kitchen: Place several sheets of newspaper in the crisper drawer of your fridge to absorb any mess from rotting produce and keep the drawer free of odors.
6. Catch Leaks From Your Car
Place layers of newspaper on your garage floor to protect against oil stains.
We are currently using this method right now. My hubby’s car is leaking power steering fluid.
No Worries his car is scheduled to meet the car doctor soon. Ha ha 🙂
7. In The Garden
Before placing down fresh mulch, line your garden in old newspapers to remove unwanted weeds.
Cover your flower or vegetable garden beds with several layers of old newspapers, layering the paper right up to the base of the plants you want to protect.
Thoroughly soak the newspaper with water and cover it with a thin layer of compost or mulch.
The paper will smother the weeds, and it can be tilled into the soil when the season is over.
Side Note: If you have a compost pile, the newspaper makes a wonderful “brown material” to add-in.
The dry material will help balance the ratio of “green” (carbon-rich) and “brown” (nitrogen-rich) materials in your pile. If you are finding your compost bin a little stinky, cut up strips of newspaper, toss them, and give it a few days for it to balance out.
8. Make Crafts
We love crafts at our house. The kids also love to make bowls from balloons and paper mache. We also make HUGE newspaper hats.
They don’t last very long, but the kids love them. Plus, I have seen very crafty people turn newspapers into flowers, baskets, and more.
9. Liner
Use newspaper to line the bottom of your trash can or kitty litter box. Newspapers helps control odor. You can do the same thing at the bottom of your veggie drawer in the fridge.
If you spill something, just remove the paper and toss it out or recycle it. Simple!
10. Decorative Stuffing
Shred newspaper to make an eco-friendly filler for DIY gift baskets and Easter baskets. Place your newspaper or even old wrapping paper in your paper shredded for a really fun way to dress up your presents.
It is a lot of fun to repurpose old newspapers as eco-friendly DIY gift wrap. Think about using more colorful sections of the paper, such as the Sunday comics, to make the packaging pop.
These Creative Ways to Reuse Newspaper will help you make the most of your subscription instead of just sending them straight to the trash or recycling bin.
More Creative Ways to Reuse Old Newspapers
- Dry out waterlogged shoes. This will come in handy during the rainy season.
- Garage shelf liners. Protect your shelves and cabinets in the garage from paint spills and rusty spray cans.
- Hamster/Gerbil Cage Liners. Will protect the cage from urine and prolong little changes for a small amount of time.
What are some creative ways to reuse old newspapers? We would love to hear from you.
Drop us a comment below.
Other Smart Upcycle Ideas
How to Make Frugal Plant Holders Out of Old Pans
New Uses for Coffee Filters – Surprisingly Genius Ideas
The Best Eco-friendly Cleaners to Keep Your Home Sparkling Clean
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