Did you know that your morning coffee is worth more to you than just a caffeine hit? There are several items you use every day that actually have multiple purposes. So, before you toss those eggshells, check out our list of clever uses for household items that you would normally throw away.
Food
-Coffee grounds
Once you’ve made your morning cuppa, keep the coffee grounds. They’re actually rich in nitrogen, which is great for seedlings and plants. Grounds are also an excellent form of fertiliser, helping to improve your soil’s drainage, water retention, and aeration.
Got a strange odour coming from the fridge? Placing coffee grounds inside your fridge or freezer will help neutralise the smell.
-Eggshells
The next time you bake something, keep used eggshells aside. They are high in calcium so sprinkling them on the soil below plants will help them to grow. Simply dry them out and then grind them to a powder.
-Avocado seeds
Avocado seeds are naturally high in fibre and antioxidants. Dry them out, cut them into pieces, and grind to a fine powder to add to your post-workout smoothie.
-Teabags
There’s nothing better than a cup of afternoon tea, and now there’s a purpose for those used teabags! Break them open and sprinkle the contents over the soil in your garden. The acidic tannins of caffeinated tea feed and rejuvenate plants.
-Bananas
Besides being really good for you, bananas are also really useful around the home. Rub the inside of a banana peel over the leaves of your houseplants to clean them and to add a bit of shine. Or, bury the skins directly under the surface of the soil in your garden to protect your blooms from aphids. Bananas are extremely high in potassium and phosphorus, and these nutrients get released into the soil through the skin.
Household goods
-Plastic bags
Aside from reusing plastic bags when you go shopping, you can also protect your windscreen wipers and side mirrors with them during spells of cold weather. It prevents them from icing up.
-Corks
Having friends over for a party? Keep the corks from wine and champagne bottles and blend them until they resemble small chunks. Then, spread the chunks over the soil in your yard. The cork retains water, keeping the soil moist.
-Newspaper
Don’t toss that old newspaper! Stuffing the pages into your shoes actually absorbs smells. Newspaper is also really good for cleaning glass and mirrors as it doesn’t leave streaks, residue, or fibres.
-Toilet rolls
Cardboard toilet rolls would normally go straight into the recycling bin. However, you can hold on to one or two to keep your cords and cables tidy. Simply wrap the cable up and slip it into the tube, then label each tube according to what the cable is and which appliance it’s used for.
Also see: 4 Simple cocktails for the Springboks game day braai
Compiled by Claire Badenhorst
