Marsha's Spot: Frugal Friday With Marsha -- Uses For Newspapers Part 2

Friday, May 27, 2016

Frugal Friday With Marsha -- Uses For Newspapers Part 2

Continuing from part 1 last week, here are some more ways that I have used newspapers as well as ideas that I like, or plan to start using.

Housetraining a puppy or dog. Actually this is something my mom has always done, laid down newspapers for her dogs in the house. Her current dog is no different. He does go outside, but also potties in the house.

Paper mache -- Lots of fun and messy things you can make as a family project. Making pinatas is the most popular. We've made large Easter eggs for decoration as well. Simply mix flour and water into a thin mixture. Dip the newspaper strips until they are soaked, form them around your creation (usually blown up balloons), and let it dry once done. If you are making something around a balloon, use a pin to poke and pop the balloon inside once it's done.

Fire Starter-- Lots of times we have just used rolled up newspaper to get our camping fire started if there is no kindling around or if the wood is a little damp. At one time we went all out making little stoves with rolls of paper inside cans such as tuna cans, which were then coated in parafin. Not newspaper related, but you can also use cardboard egg cartons, fill each egg hole with dryer lent, and then cover with parafin. You then have small fire starters.

Try:
Messy dinner? Newspaper’s a classic tablecloth when boiled shrimp, lobster or watermelon’s on the menu. We always lay out newspapers when we carve pumpkins, so I'm not sure why I've never thought of using it for other messy type foods.

Smelly fridge? Line a shelf with newspaper overnight. The newspaper will absorb the odours. A piece in the vegetable drawer will keep your produce dry. Keep the refrigerator vegetable drawer dry and free of smells. Line the bottom with newspaper. I didn't think of this either and we have one drawer in the fridge in particular that will now be lined with newspaper. That's the drawer where we keep the fresh fruits and veggies.

Germinating seeds for your spring garden? Spread ‘em between damp sheets of newspaper. In school we did this in damp paper towels. It hadn't crossed my mind to try using wet newspapers. I heard from a friend that we needed to germinate the seeds before we planted them in the little pots this year, and that was probably why we weren't successful. Here's to next year and doing it right!