100 Reusable Household Items You Should Never Throw Away

Learning how to reuse items in your home will save you a ton of cash down the line. It’s also better for the environment! Check out our list of top 100 items to never throw away — and instead, use them for something different!

Rural365

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Keep egg cartons and use them for organizing smaller items around the home. They're perfect for separating nuts and bolts, jewelry, or office supplies like paper clips and erasers.

Champion LIFE

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$19.95

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Instead of tossing an old T-shirt, you can always repurpose it! Grab a pair of scissors and reinvent the shirt, cut it up and use the scraps for rags, or designate it as the shirt you clean or paint in.

STERILITE

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$41.90

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Storage containers like these can be used in so many different ways, so you’ll be able to repurpose each container plenty of times.

Bonus: Since you'll have created a storage system in your home based on a standard shoe box size, you can easily keep shoe boxes you acquire and add them into your storage routine without messing up sizing.

Chesapeake Bay Candle

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$10.99

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The most sustainable thing to do would be to make or buy soy-based candles and drop them into your own jar at home, but there will be plenty of times when a beautiful, pre-jarred candle will find its way to your home.

When the candle burns all the way down, instead of tossing out the jar and lid, use it to organize makeup, self-care essentials, or office supplies instead.

Excello Global Products

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$22.95

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If you have a photo frame you love yet don’t feel like keeping a cluttered surface with too many framed photos, use it as a jewelry tray instead. Insert a solid-colored piece of paper and lay it down to create a pretty catchall.

Levi's

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$34.75

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Before you get rid of your jeans, make sure there’s nothing else you can use them for. If the bottoms were fraying too much, consider snipping them to give yourself a new pair of casual jean shorts to wear on beach days.

BagDream

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$15.99

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If you have a surplus of paper bags hanging around at home, whether from the supermarket or brown lunch bags that didn’t make it to school or work, you can grab some scissors and make book covers. Depending on the type of paper, you might be able to get away with some sustainable wrapping paper, too.

Valspar

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$25.88

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If you just worked on a major paint project at home, yet you’re not sure what to do with all of the extra paint, peek around your home for older pieces of accent furniture that could use a fresh coat.

AmazonBasics

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$12.19

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Instead of throwing away your dumbbells when a cooler pair comes into your hands, keep them stored somewhere like the garage. You can use them as cover weights for outdoor furniture or air conditioners to prevent a disaster on windy days.

US Art Supply

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$24.96

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Sometimes, we take up hobbies that don’t always stick. If you’re not sure what to do with an art easel that’s not getting used at all, transform it into an eclectic flatscreen TV stand.

Vitruvi

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$13.00

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Essential oils are all the rage, and it’s such a shame to toss away the empty bottles the oils come in when all of the essential oil is used up. Save the bottles and use them for your own mixtures. We love the dark ones by Vitruvi, which keeps light away from delicate ingredients.

Bubblefast!

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$25.10

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If you shop online, it’s tempting to just toss out all of the packing peanuts that come in the package. Instead, store them somewhere safe at home so you can use them again when you’re shipping items out.

LEGO

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If you have a ton of toys at home that are in good condition, yet have completely lost the interest of your kiddos, don’t throw them away. There are so many ways to donate toys, and so many children at just the right age who don’t always get to play with really cool toys.

BOLSIUS

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$16.96

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Taper candles are a classic addition to a tablescape, but they sort of lose their beauty when they’re burned down to the very bottom. When there’s just a bit left, keep it instead of throwing it away. After you’ve collected enough, you can melt down the neutral wax, add your own scents and colors, and create a brand-new candle the easy way.

Eco-Life Home Design

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$22.99

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Bento lunch boxes will keep you on track for living a sustainable life. They can also be repurposed and used for organizing travel essentials, makeup, teas, and more.

Fix Find

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$15.99

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Pool noodles can serve a ton of different purposes outside of the water. If you cut your pool noodles in half, you can use them as edge protectors — or even as a wrist rest. If you’re really crafty, you can use a piece of fabric so it blends in with the decor of the room.

Lausana

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$29.99

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Baby clothes are the cutest thing ever, but it doesn’t take much time until they no longer fit. Instead of throwing away all of those adorable outfits, save them for a future baby or donate them.

Shireake Baby

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$13.99

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Halloween costumes are a perfect example of something that gets used once and then really has no other purpose beyond that single day. Instead of just storing it (because who wants to wear the same costume twice?) donate it, or see if you have kids in your life who would love to add it to their dress-up box.

CSBD

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$16.95

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When you have an empty milk or water jug laying around at home, you can cut off the top and use it as a scoop. It’s the perfect scoop for things like sidewalk salt, dog food, or cereal.

L'Occitane

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$20.00

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When you find yourself with a beautiful bottle of soap, keep the bottle even when the soap is gone. You can take a gorgeous hand soap dispenser and use it for your shampoo instead.

You’ll feel like you’re having a luxe experience all the time, and it will save on plastic in the long run if you can buy your liquid soaps and washes in larger quantities.

Brentwood

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Lamp shades, especially in the drum shape, can be repurposed in several different ways.

Before throwing out a lampshade, think if you’d like to use it as a decorative element somewhere else in your home. Lampshades are also super easy to cover with the fabric of your choice. Top it with a nice piece of glass to create a little surface for serving or using as an end table.

Hummingbird Glass Straws

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$19.99

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It’s time to stock up on reusable straws at home. You’ll love taking them with you when restaurants don’t offer straws or using them at home in regular drinks or cocktails.

Beautyinside

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$5.99

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Loofahs get ratty over time, but that doesn’t mean they should be thrown away. Use an older loofah for other wash sessions, like for next time you wash your car or windows outside.

Enerwear

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$22.99

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Socks get holey after plenty of wear. Instead of tossing them out, use the socks (or parts of the socks) to dust counter tops, blinds, or smaller surfaces.

The Next Gardener

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$20.49

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Small pots or planters don’t have to be discarded if the plant it was holding withers away. Wash out the planter and use it for organization purposes in your home.

Mommy's Helper

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$11.91

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If you have a little one at home, consider adding a mini bath into the actual bath. It saves on water, which is great, but you can also take it out of the bath and use it for toy storage once your baby grows too big for it.

Bee's Wrap

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$17.99

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If you pack your lunch and bring it with you to avoid extra trash that often comes with takeout, these reusable wraps will be your new BFF.

JANSPORT

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$39.29

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Even if you have a teenager at home who swears they will never use a certain backpack again, don’t throw it out. Consider hanging onto it and using it for storing seasonal decorations that have to travel anyway.

If outdoor Christmas lights are stored in a backpack like this, you’ll never have to feel like you’re lugging heavy boxes outside just to decorate again.

Ball

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$14.40

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Glass jars should rarely be thrown away without a thought! Stock up on Mason jars (you can use them for food or decor) and wash out store-bought salsa jars and salt the rims to give new life to margarita night.

Murwall

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$29.00

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After it’s removed, wallpaper bits and pieces can be used for scrapbooking and other craft projects. Don’t be so fast to throw it away!

Vaseline

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$12.36

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Once you run through some Vaseline, don’t throw away the container. It makes for the perfect little storage box that you can easily toss into a suitcase or slip into a drawer.

Post

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$2.82

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Cereal boxes can be cut and used to store supplies throughout the home. They are particularly helpful for filing papers away, too.

AmazonBasics

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$12.10

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When you replace your shower curtain, don’t throw the old one away. Save it to use as a drop cloth for future home projects or craft parties.

Misscrafts

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$14.99

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Fabric squares and swatches can be collected and contributed to a bigger project, like making a blanket or scarf, even if parts of the original garment can not be used for something else. Remember this before throwing away clothing!

Evenflo

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$34.99

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Room-divider gates are helpful when pets and babies are in the home, but if you realize there isn’t much use for a room divider gate anymore, use it for something else. This wooden option would be perfect for creating a vertical garden outside.

Cypress Home

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Coffee mugs break so easily. Instead of sweeping away the pieces and throwing everything out, consider holding onto them for your next DIY project, like a mosaic. Coffee mugs usually carry really nice colors and a smooth surface.

Uboxes

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You can use cardboard boxes over and over again to store your belongings, or move them. If you get cardboard boxes in the mail, flatten and store them before just throwing them out. There’s a good chance you’ll have a new purpose for it sooner than later.

Stasher

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$11.99

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Lighten the load of waste created at lunchtime by stocking up on reusable sandwich bags. They’re the perfect size for storing travel toiletries, too.

LOCHAS

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$25.99

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If you’re trading an area rug in for a new one, don’t be so quick to throw away what you had. You can likely use it in a different room or cut it up into smaller pieces for a doormat or bathroom mat.

Rockridge Press

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$6.99

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Even if you’ve transferred your favorite recipes onto your device, you shouldn’t just throw away recipe books. These are considered thrift-store or garage-sale gold, so you’ll likely be able to move your favorite cookbooks into the hands of someone who will appreciate them.

Juvale

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$12.99

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Extra pieces of wood can be used for so many different things. Don’t just throw out extra wood — hang onto it for a future craft or to use as fire kindle.

New Wave Enviro

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$8.99

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If you like to spend time tailgating or camping, you can reuse your gallon water bottle as an ice pack. Fill it up, place it in the freezer, and drop it into your cooler. It will function exactly as ice does, and then you’ll have clean water to pour and use for cooking or washing when the ice is finally melted.

Penguin Classics

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$13.99

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Instead of throwing away your favorite hardcover books, you can create mini shelves out of them.

BIC

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$11.88

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When your disposable razor is too dull to shave with, you can use it as a lint remover instead.

Hiigoo

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$20.99

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Even if you think your bag is out of style and good for nothing, don't throw it out just yet. See if you can use it at home for organization, and if you can't, donate it.

TOURNA

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$15.40

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Tennis balls can be cut in half and used as floor protectors or for storing little items like paper clips.

SOJOS

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$19.99

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If your lenses break, don’t toss out the frames. It’s the perfect time to turn your pair of broken eyeglasses into sunglasses.

Carson

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$23.40

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Garden stones easily get cracked, and when they do, don’t throw all of the pieces away. Hold onto them since you might want to use them in a future DIY mosaic project.

Officemate

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$7.98

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Take any extra paperclips you don’t need and see if there are any wires around the home that could use a little organization.

MAYTEX

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$9.99

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Instead of getting rid of shower curtain hooks you may no longer need, use them in your own closet or clothing rack to help organize your clothes, bags, and accessories.

Cafe Du Monde

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$7.49

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When you get to the bottom of the coffee canister, you can use the older grounds for adding to plant soil and then keep the canister and use it to organize other things.

Blue Summit Supplies

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If you rip off the wrong length of duct tape (it happens to us all), instead of throwing away that piece, use it for something else. You can use it to remove lint from your clothing or furniture or place it upside-down on the floor to stop any roaming insects in their tracks.

Isaac Jacobs International

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Transform a photo frame you don’t have use for anymore into a mini shelf or soap dish.

Wilton

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$3.99

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After throwing a party, you may be left with a bunch of themed cupcake liners that you won’t want to use for baking again. You can use them to organize small things (and easily cut them down for shallow drawers in your jewelry box), or even use them to prevent ice pop drip in the summertime.

Ethical

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$13.55

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If your dog is getting a new dish, consider a few new uses for the old one before throwing it away. You can use it for outdoor hydration sessions or slip it in a drawer to organize other doggy essentials — like special treats or medicine.

Bare Decor

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$81.98

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Once a flooring project is complete, don’t be so quick to throw away the extra tiles or pieces of wood. Hang onto them and incorporate them into other design elements of the room, like end tables or even a bar surface.

AmazonBasics

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It’s never a great idea to throw an instrument away! There are so many curious musicians willing to bring an old instrument back to life at way less of a cost than what a music shop might list. If you can’t sell it, donate it. And if you can’t donate it, leave it outside for someone to take home.

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day

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$11.67

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When your dish soap runs out, reuse the bottle to store other liquids. Plenty of people swear that using this kind of bottle is perfect for dispensing pancake batter.

Rawlings

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$18.37

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If you’re a sports fan with various forms of memorabilia, it can be hard to not feel cluttered.

Though you might be tempted to clear it out and just dump it, you should consider showcasing it at your next garage sale or dropping it off as a donation. Shoppers will be tempted to snag sports memorabilia since it will really pop out to a fan among other things on display.

Super Value Depot

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$13.99

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Don’t throw away your old marbles. Sure, you may play with them one day, but old marbles can actually be repurposed and used to jazz up plants, seal holes, and more!

AmazonBasics

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$70.64

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If you just got a brand-new luggage set, you might want to throw away the one you’ve had for years. Luggage takes up a ton of closet space, but instead of throwing it out, open it up and see if you can incorporate it into the storage and display system you already have going in your closet.

Tidy-Cup

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$11.99

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After you’ve used up all of your laundry detergent, you can use the container and push dispenser at your next camping trip and fill it up with water and soap for a quick and easy hand-washing station.

Blue Summit Supplies

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$18.99

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If you know a kiddo or teen who uses binders throughout the school year, make it a tradition to turn it into a fun scrapbook once summer hits.

ECBIO

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When you’ve worn the bristles of your toothbrush down, don’t throw it away. You’ll be glad you held onto it next time you’re scrubbing down really small spaces.

Art3d

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$39.99

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If you have extra decorative tiles (or if you’re taking them down) hold onto them. You might want to use them in a DIY project soon — whether you keep them complete and create a smooth-edged drink coaster, or break them apart for a mosaic project.

COTTON CRAFT

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$33.99

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It’s easy to spot when a towel is reaching the end of its life. Instead of just discarding it, cut it up and use the pieces as rags for bigger cleaning projects.

Duck

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$29.66

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After you get a package in the mail, hold onto the bubble wrap instead of throwing it away. You never know when you’ll need it to fill space in your own box that’s being mailed out.

THETIS Homes

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Whenever you have a spray bottle — especially glass — that’s filled with product, consider the things you’d like to do with the bottle once the original cleaner runs dry. You can use it as a water spray bottle for misting plants, or pour in your preferred homemade cleaner.

TecUnite

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$17.99

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Reuse seasonal clothing and accessories instead of tossing it all out once the day is over. You might need them again, or know someone who will!

bounce

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$10.52

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Once your fabric sheets have cycled through a dryer load, hang onto them for your dusting and static-removing needs. Whether your hair has too much static or your TV screen has a layer of dust that you can see, used dryer sheets present the perfect solution.

Augonfever

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$9.99

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It might not be your style anymore, but you should never throw away something with your zodiac symbol. Save it for a future garage sale or take it to a consignment store. Shoppers will be faster to buy something if they personally connect with it and chances are some of your shoppers might be the same sign.

Generic

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Instead of throwing away your empty pill bottles, clean them, keep them, and use them to store other things like bobby pins, change, or hair ties. It will be so easy to reach into your purse and grab a bottle like this instead of feeling around for super small items.

Nicole Home Collection

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$6.67

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Thin, flexible cutting board mats don’t need to be thrown away if you just marked up one side pretty good. You can cut the cutting board down to create a more compact space for chopping while saving money on buying a new one. These can also be used in other areas of the home, like as a protective mat for the cleaning supplies that reside underneath the sink.

Annovero

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$32.99

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Smaller decorative cereal bowls can be repurposed if you need to replace the plating themes in your kitchen for something new. Use bowls like this as planters or organizers in other areas of your home, like at your vanity.

will's

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Rather than throwing away all of the wine corks you collect, pile up a collection and then choose a craft to put those corks to good use.

WLIVE

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$69.99

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If upon redoing a room you realize you no longer have need for a piece of furniture, like a dresser, you should absolutely consider donating or selling the item instead of just throwing it away.

With dressers, specifically, see if there’s something simple you can do to completely reinvent the piece so it has a different purpose for another room in your home.

Unknown

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$18.50

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Once you run through a box of tissues, push your collection of plastic bags from the supermarket inside. This creates an easy system for you to grab a bag (like you’d grab a tissue) each time you need one — and saves a ton of space.

MyGift

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$64.99

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Transform an older ladder into an interior decor piece that offers shelving and style. Even if it isn’t a wooden ladder, you can still paint it whatever color you’d like to make it match in any room.

Gift Expressions

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$20.99

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After a birthday party or gathering, it’s tempting to just toss out the plastic tablecloth that was used for just a few hours. Consider rinsing it off and using it as a drop cloth for a future project, instead.

Opps

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$24.99

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When you’re given a floral arrangement in a vase, it’s tempting to throw out the vase when the flowers are being thrown away as well. Even if the vase that was sent to you isn’t your favorite color, you might want to use it in a DIY project at some point, use it as an outdoor planter, or save some money on the next floral arrangement you give.

House, Home and More

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$145.00

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Outdoor carpets can catch some stains pretty easily. Before throwing out the carpet, cut off some pieces that you can use as furniture sliders on hard flooring. It's counter-intuitive, but you just flip the carpet so the soft side slides on the floor and the rubber side grips the furniture.

VAKKER

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Once your baby gets a little older, you might not need that diaper bag anymore. You can, however, use it as a weekender or rep it as your new gym bag, depending on the style.

Twinings

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$9.26

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Instead of throwing away your tea bag as soon as your tea is at the perfect strength, let it cool down. Apply it your eyelids as a mini spa treatment at the end of a long day.

Mountain Dew

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$2.88

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After sipping through your soda supply, see if there’s something you can use the bottle for before throwing it into the recycle bin. Each base is the perfect size for starting off some newly planted seeds.

Woodman Crafts

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$11.86

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If you have extra wooden paint stirrers laying around at home, keep one by the dryer. You can cover the end of it with a secured cloth and use it as a tool to remove lint from your dryer efficiently.

Apple

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$124.99

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Even though you may think your electronics aren’t cool anymore, there’s someone else who will. Place a listing up on eBay and chances are, someone will bite.

GiftWrap Etc.

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$8.95

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Never throw away holiday or gifting bows! Hold onto them so you can use them the next time you’re wrapping gifts. If the adhesive isn’t strong enough, just use a piece of tape to keep the bow attached to the present.

HMC Holdings LLC - Homak

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$74.09

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Reinvent the purpose of that old toolbox you’re tempted to just throw away and use it as a magazine holder in your home instead.

Mkono

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$8.99

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If you don’t have a use for that hanging planter anymore, consider where else it can be used in your home before ditching it. A new coat of paint won’t take long at all if you need to change the color. One of our favorite uses is hanging it in a kid’s room and using it for added stuffed animal storage.

Heinz

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If you’re out of ketchup, don’t throw out the glass bottle it came in. Campers love cracking open their eggs and storing them in bottles just like this. Keep it nice and cold on your journey, and in the morning you can easily whip up some tasty eggs thanks to this transportation method.

The Body Shop

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$7.00

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When new hair tools come in, old hair tools should go out, right? Well, not always! You can repurpose detangler combs and use them to detangle other areas of your life, like necklaces or wires. Simple string each wire (or necklace) through the gaps in the comb before setting down.

YOUR SMILE

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$8.99

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If your favorite decorative pillow has suffered through a wine stain that you just can’t shake, don’t jump to conclusions and turn to the trash can. As long as the pillow is clean, just grab a new pillow cover and slip that one inside.

Ziploc

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Just because these Ziploc bags are technically disposable doesn’t mean you have to dispose of them once you’ve used one. Depending on what you used it for the first time, you can likely rinse it out and use it for something else. You’ll love this hack once you realize how much cash it saves in the long run.

Royal Imports

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$12.99

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Easter comes and goes, but the baskets you received shouldn’t go as well. Keep them, make them a different color (if you want), and use the woven baskets around your living space to keep guest towels, magazines, body sprays, and more well-organized.

Huffy

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$648.12

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Vintage-style bikes can be used for decor in different areas of your home. Before tossing out a vintage bike that just doesn’t ride like it used to, see if there’s anywhere in your home where you can use it as decor.

Henné Organics

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$22.00

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Once you make your way through your favorite lip balm, save the little jar it came in so you can use it for something else.

U Brands

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$23.75

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Take your old bulletin board and turn it into a jewelry organizer. Use pushpins to hang necklaces, bracelets, and earrings galore.

TeiKis

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If you enjoy the occasional Sunday paper, hang onto them even if what you read soon becomes old news. You’ll be able to use newspaper for multiple purposes.

Some of the most common uses include using newspaper as extra packing in a box for shipping, or using newspaper as a table mat during a messy craft session.

Empura

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During the wintertime, you can save on your heating bill by leaving the door of the oven open after a meal is served and the oven is off. Let all of that extra heat warm up the kitchen. Who needs a space heater? Don't let that warmth go to waste.

Presto!

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Keep the cardboard piece inside of each of your toilet paper rolls until you have a collection. Arrange the little tubes together in a drawer to create super helpful organization.