Pantyhose Tip #10 Wrapping Paper Holder

My wrapping paper always ends up ratty on the ends, but in my search for ALL the useful things you can make from old pantyhose (see Pantyhose tip #1) I found this tip, and am going to give it a try.

Put the tubes of wrapping paper in the legs of an old pair of pantyhose. Hang over a closet rod. No more torn paper.

I imagine you don't have to hang it to get the same paper-saving results, but it would be a handy way to get them out of the way, I guess.

Houseplant Starts, Your Free Air Cleaners

Some plants are so easy to propagate, it’s ridiculous. You just take a piece of the plant, stick it in water and before long, roots! When I trim my pothos, I can’t bear to throw out the trimmings. Instead I sprout them. The spider plants are even simpler, since they send out babies all by themselves.

Not only are propagated plants cheap/free, these houseplants plants clean the nasties out of your indoor air. New countertops, synthetic rugs, plastic shower curtains, paint... all possible sources of VOCs that reduce indoor air quality (benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, all carcinogenic). But these babies suck it all in and clean it up, giving you sweet oxygen in return, some better than others (check link above for the best ones).

If you need a start, come by and I'll hook you up. Before long, you will be making more, they grow like crazy. They are the sourdough bread start of the plant world.

Pantyhose Tip #9 Find Small Things

Lost something small, like an earring, a sewing needle, maybe a bead? Try this:

Stretch a section of wrecked panty hose over the nozzle of your vacuum cleaner, then vacuum around the area where you think you lost the thing... jewelry comes to mind, but it can be any small, hard to see thing. The vacuum will suck up the stuff around without sucking it into the bag.

Test your Olive Oil

I hate being ripped off. And it isn't like olive oil is cheap, but given the choices in oils, for my own reasons I prefer olive oil to corn or canola... too bad corn or canola oil is probably what I have in my cupboard!

This is the most expensive canola oil on the planet! It SAYS 100% extra virgin olive oil, and has no other ingredients listed, yet I know it is not extra virgin olive oil. How? I did the refrigerator test. Olive oil hardens, canola and corn oil do not. Apparently there is big money to be made in fake olive oil. Add a little green coloring, maybe a slight flavor, and there you have it.

Apparently, Italy was exporting more olive oil than they make. So someone figured something was up. ABC did some tests to discover the fake oil. NPR did a report. I am just flat out mad about it. Maybe I should have known. I bought mine at the Devil's own “Sam's Club”. Oops.

The NPR guy says if it’s less than 10 bucks a half litre, it’s probably fake. I hate using price for my pre-buy test, though.

Pickled Eggs

I just enjoyed a homemade pickled egg. They are an acquired taste, so I am told, but if you love you some pickled eggs, mmm boy, try making them yourself.

First, peel a hard-boiled egg. Next, put it in a jar of pickle juice, after you've eaten all the pickles. It can be hot pickles, pickled peppers, mustard pickles... even pickled beet juice. Wait a day to a week, depending how pickly you like your eggs. Then eat. They are chewier than straight-up hard boiled eggs. And easier than pickling eggs from scratch.

Look, I've never gotten sick from this, and I've done it lots of time. This is a much-tested recipe. I haven't tried it with sauerkraut juice yet, but that's because I never have enough juice left, however, some friends gave us a can of sauerkraut juice, and I feel obliged and challenged to create something from it for our next get-together.

Dried Orange Peel for Firestarters

Dried orange peel can be used as a firestarter in your fireplace. Save your peel and let it dry out, then burn it in the fireplace. It's so much nicer than paper... smokes less, pops more. What fun!

We did this for the first time last night, and oh, what a show! It burned and sputtered for a long time, and it was amazing to watch. I suppose the oils in the orange act as fuel. It was well worth the effort. In fact, I plan to save ALL of my orange peel from now on, just so I can do this.

Cheap Greens

Maybe you've eaten sprouts before. “They're alright, I suppose” is what you thought. Well, it's what I thought, anyway, until I sprouted my own. Really. I've always had the store bought kind or the salad bar kind, and I am telling you, those are all slightly funky. The difference is huge.

When you sprout these yourself, not only do you control freshness and eliminate the need for any additives, you also get a much wider variety. Of course, you can sprout straight alfalfa, but for some excitement, you can add other things too. You can sprout broccoli (way more nutrients, apparently, than regular broccoli). You can sprout radish, for a hint of peppery goodness, without that overpowering radish harshness. Or onion sprouts. Or bigger bean sprouts. You can make a mix of sprouts for a new taste, oh the possibilities!

We got a mix from the local health food store, alfalfa, radish, clover (weird, eh?) and fenugreek. It's a 16 ounce bag for just under 5 bucks. There are two tablespoons in an ounce, so that is 16 things of sprouts. And each container of sprouts is 2 times bigger than the store type, because I am using one of those extra large plastic containers from the Thai restaurant (about 6 inches tall) so these work out to be about 15 cents a pack. It's almost done now and I am munching it, even though it is a day or two away from being done. Yum.

This was ridiculously easy to do. 2 tbs of seeds in a container with 4 tbs. of water. Soak overnight. Add water in the morning. Like magic, they sprout. Then rinse twice a day until they are far enough along to be yummy. Or a week, which is apparently the official amount of time. Then store in your refrigerator. Here are the step-by-step directions. Someplace on that site is a video, too.

Homemade Toothpaste

We started making our own toothpaste because we didn't like the ingredients in regular toothpaste. Some of that stuff is scary! But as it turns out, it is also cheaper. Here is our recipe:

• baking soda
• hydrogen peroxide
• flavor (optional. We've used peppermint extract and anise extract. I think cinnamon is next.)
• Dr. Bronner's (optional)

Here is the how-to video that got us started. Basically, it's a paste of two parts baking soda, one part hydrogen peroxide, add in flavor.

We make ours fresh every morning, but I am thinking of making a small amount of paste. I like a drop or two of Dr. Bronners (hippie soap) because I like a little foam. We are also growing stevia just so I can add the ground, dried leaves to make it a little bit sweet. Stevia is a very sweet herb that does not cause cavities. Or so I've read. As for fluoride, well... it's in the rinse water whether we like it or not.

Old Envelopes for Saving Seeds

Save seeds from your garden in reused envelopes. To do this, you are going to have to open that junk mail (something I used to just toss away).

Cut the junk mail in half. Pull out the insides, and recycle or reuse them. Now you have two empty seed-packet sized envelopes. Put seeds in each, fold top down, tape closed. Write the name of the seed on the back, along with the date of storage and any other information you might want to know about it at planting time.

If you can't stand the thought of not reading the junk mail first, get into the habit of opening your mail on the short end. Shake the envelope contents down to one side, and cut or tear off the other. Pull out the junk mail, read it, then proceed by cutting the envelope in half to make two packets (or, if you don't mind the size, don't cut it, just use it as one big pack). The other piece will have to be sealed on both ends, though.

Paint tray clean up

So you forgot your reusable grocery sacks at home, and ended up with some of these. Now what to do?

Cover your paint tray with one of these before pouring on the paint. After you've finished, you can remove the cover for fast clean up. Be sure to let the paint dry on the bag before tossing, so it will not leach into the landfill.

Use a plastic bag to cover your paint tray (or roller) to keep it fresh, if you plan to paint the next day. This way, you wont have to rinse off all your stuff.

Toilet Paper Roll Plant Starter

Save the cardboard tube in the center of your toilet paper for starting seeds for your garden.
Bend one of the ends in, to make a base. (If you want to get super neat about it, set the tube up and use a brush handle to push the ends from the other side as well.) Fill with soil, put your seeds in, water. When it is time to transplant these, open the bottom and place directly into the ground, no need to remove the cardboard, it will decompose.

If the plant you are growing is attractive to slugs, use paper towel tubes instead. Cut these in half (for a longer tube) follow the directions, but instead of filling the tube, leave a space on top. This will create a dry collar that the slugs will not want to climb.

You have to start saving these tubes early, if you want to use them for your garden, because you will need one per seedling.

Safety Razor

You know those iconic, flat razor blades? The kind that make you think of suicide and punk rock and a different era? Turns out they are great for shaving.

Really. I've always suspected that the multiple blade thing was just marketing. Maybe because after the two blade system came out (with the illustrated cartoon of a very thick hair being pulled out and a second blade cutting it) it seemed odd. Or maybe because the follow up Saturday Night Live “Triple Blade” commercial, mocking the idea made me suspect that it wasn't all good.
In any case, now that they're up to 5 blades, they can charge 5 times for each one. (This came out in The Onion a couple of years before the 5 blade razor was actually released. Can't WAIT for the 7 blade, oh just imagine how close that shave will be!)

Since I like sharp blades, but go through them like candy,(apparently blessed with steel wool hairs) the cost really added up. So I did some research and found an old razor on eBay. They were made to last back then, so if you find an old one, just clean it up and it will probably be good to go.

You can also still buy them new, you just have to order them from another country, since they are widely available, just not in the U.S. (Hmmm, suspicious, no?)

On the bottom of the handle, there is a knob that unscrews and two panels open to gracefully hold the single blade. Mine opens like two butterfly wings. Some have a top that comes off, and you insert the blade, reinsert the top and twist the bottom. Some are even adjustable, but that is too fancy for my shaving needs.

Blades for this thing are super cheap, but they are not all alike. Some rust, some are not as sharp. After some research, I found a stainless steel brand with a good sharpness ranking, and bought a case (Wilkinson). I think it works out to about 25 cents a blade. They last longer than the twin and triple blades I was using, are easier to clean, and you can flip them over to extend their use even more.

I read an article about “wet shaving” and these razors are apparently making a comeback. Men are discovering badger bristle brushes, scented shaving soaps and these lovely safety razors, and turning shaving into a whole experience. Maybe I'll give that a shot. Sounds fun. Here is a lovely article with more details about the whys and hows called “How To Shave Like Your Grandpa”.

Oh, and how could I forget the brilliant, step-by-step video for building up a good lather for shaving. I stumbled upon this whole series of safety razor shaving tips posted by Mantic59. Very helpful and inspiring.

Pantyhose Tip #8 (Store Onions)

Cut the leg off an old pair of pantyhose, and push an onion into it. Tie it off, then push another onion, tie that one off, add another onion... Soon you will have an onion chain, which you can then store in a cool, dark, dry area. Cut the chain from the bottom to use onions as needed.

What is so great about an onion chain? Well, if you've ever had a bag of onions go bad because one was going bad, so all the others went bad, you know the power of onion badness. It spreads, and it's gross. One bad onion CAN spoil the whole bunch, girl. Onions need air circulation and dry, dark conditions to keep well, apparently.

Last year, we grew no onions. This year, though, we are planning to grow lots of onions, enough to get us through the whole year, just like in the olden days (like 30 years ago or so). We are going to need to store them, and this is how we plan to do it. Now, if we can just keep our basement dry so it meets the requirements, we'll be set.

Bubble wrap window insulation

Did you get a lot of things in the mail over the holidays? Did it come wrapped in bubble wrap?

Reuse that bubble wrap (that hasn't been popped) for covering your windows. The insulating value comes from the small pockets of air in the bubbles. Cut the wrap to size and put over glass, over each pane.

I hear you can spray the clean glass with water, and attach the bubble wrap that way, so I will have to give it a try. Basement windows or windows that have no view are best, since the bubblewrap will obscure the view.

Pantyhose Tip #7 Big Giant Rubber Band

Cut the waistband off the top of an old pair of pantyhose, and use it to keep the trash bag from slipping down into the trashcan.

If you're moving, you can bundle books together in easy-to-lift piles. Use two, one going horizontally across the books, one vertical. If you want to carry them by the crosshairs, you have to be sure they're in there tight, or the band will slip off while you carry them.

What else could you use a big, giant rubber band for? I dunno. Giant slingshot? Hang something big to a hook?

Pantyhose Tip #6 (under pants)

Use old pantyhose to keep your legs warm under pants. This will accomplish several things: 1. Your legs will be warmer, not much, but a little. 2. No panty lines. 3. You won't have to give up that slightly itchy, uncomfortable feeling just because you're wearing pants. You know who I'm talkin' about, librarian friends. (Oh, do you suppose that rule will now be repealed?)

I am starting to run out of pantyhose stuff.

Add Water to Use It Up

Get into the habit of adding water to your nearly empty jars of tomato sauce, soups, etc. to get the last bit out. This also helps with clean up if you are saving the container, as it will remove the otherwise stubborn bits that are hard to reach. (Here are some ideas for what to do with that last bit of spaghetti sauce, for example.)

You can add a bit of water to condiments as well. Part of the reason it's so hard to get out the last bit of ketchup from the container is it is thicker, since evaporation has taken place. Add water to put it back to the right consistency. If you add too much, use it as an ingredient in some recipe.

The last of the shampoo, conditioner, liquid laundry soap and dishwashing soap can be used by adding water. You'll be adding water to these in the process of using them anyway. This way, you can go just a little longer before you have to get a new bottle. I remember reading once that shampoo actually works better when diluted to 50% water.

Store Food in Glass

Sure, you could recycle them, but why not use glass jars again and again? Instead of buying inferior plastic containers, use these free, durable jars. In fact, as you are shopping for groceries, keep an eye toward reusing the glass containers.

Glass does not leach into your stored food, the way plastic can. Did you know cans used for food are now lined by plastic as well?

Dried beans, grains, cereals, even herbs and spices can be stored in well-cleaned jars. It will keep them dry and safe from invading pests, and allow you to buy in bulk for greater savings.

Store your leftovers in glass. Although you can use glass containers for any leftovers, they work especially well for pourable foods (soup, gravy, sauces) or foods in separate pieces (green beans, corn) as these are easy to remove from the jar.

To cut down on frustration, clean and store the lids with the jars so you don't have to hunt them down later.

Pantyhose Tip #5 (sachet for drawers, closet)

Make a sachet for your drawers from pieces of old pantyhose. If you cut off the foot, you can load herbs into that section, tie it off. But don't stop there, cut the next section, tie off one end, stuff herbs in, and tie it off. Continue until you have enough for all of your drawers.

We grew tons of great smelling herbs last year, so I was lucky enough to have lots to put into my sachet. Lavender, rosemary, mint, lemongrass... yum. I made one with lavender only for my pillow. You could use ribbon to make it pretty, or to create a tie to hang from your closet pole. Some herbs deter moths, I hear.

I also had some 'old' spices (over three years old) that I hated throwing out. Do not use powdered spices for this, of course, because it will sift right out and get all over everything. I'm going to try dried citrus peels next time, and maybe collect and dry some flowers that will hold their scent.

Cheap Vodka Drycleaning

I read this tip from a stage costumer. She wrote that to keep costumes fresh, costumers spray the costumes with vodka, the cheaper the better. (We used the ironically named “Aristocrat” brand, $4.49 at Price Cutters)

“This shirt says ‘Dry Clean Only’. Which means it’s dirty.” Mitch Hedberg said it, but I always think it when I see my own pile of dirty dry cleaning. The worst, though, was my green suede jacket. I love that thing, but have been forbidden to wear it until it is dry cleaned. Yeah, that's gonna happen.

So I tried the vodka trick. I turned the jacket inside out, sprayed vodka in the pit regions and let it dry out. At first it smelled a little of alcohol, but that soon disappeared. Now I have my jacket back, and it smells like suede. Not booze. Not B.O. Just suede.

Pantyhose Tip #4 Grass Head Project

(I am making a point of only posting stuff I actually do, or have tried. In this case, though, I am making an exception because I think if I had kids, this is something we'd make.)

Create a science project/chia pet type craft. (I would have added a starburst, but alas, I could not.) It’s Mr. Grass Head.
Cut the leg off a pair of ruined pantyhose. Up by the toe, add a face. Then, put in some grass seeds. (I am not sure if alfalfa spouts or chia would work. Maybe!) Then, add some soil. Tie this off, and place in a small container of water, like an old baby jar or a yogurt cup. Add face, details to the front, and trim the hair as necessary.

Pantyhose Tip #3

Back to pantyhose....

Cut off a leg from the pantyhose, and fill with soap that has become uncomfortably small for bath usage (bars of soap that have whittled down to thin slivers of soap). Tie off the end and use it inside or outside. The extra length of pantyhose can be used to tie to your garden faucet, making a quick wash up outside easy.

Oh, Christmas Tree

Did you know that today, January 6, is the Epiphany (a celebration that goes back to Roman times)? The 12th day of Christmas (where apparently you have a whole gaggle of geese a laying, maids a milking, etc.)? Did you know this day is sometimes celebrated with presents? Are you burned out on presents?

Well, this CHEAPbit is not about presents, but rather, what to do with your Christmas Tree. What to do with it now that all the festivities are over. Seems a waste to just throw it out. Even if you do, the trash guy probably isn't going to help you out.

So here is a link to all of the things you can do with an old Christmas tree (remove strands of tinsel first) My favorite use is to put it where it can protect wildlife. If you put it near a birdfeeder, it will act as a quick shelter for them, to hide from predators. Some cities with lakes collect them to put in the river, where they act much the same way, only for fish instead of birds. Here are some recycling help options that are available here in Springfield.

Get Ready for the Holidays!

I am breaking with the "everything pantyhose" project to bring you this: If you celebrate the holidays, load up on holiday gear now. I know everyone says this, shop after any major holiday for the best deals, but I don't think I realized how true this is until I was shopping yesterday. 75% off!

We've never been big holiday decorators, but even I succumbed to the deals. Some of this stuff is usable even after the holidays are over. It will continue to be marked down, though what's left will be picked over pretty well.

We bought a strand of white LED lights, which we will use on our back deck and under the stairs for year-round safety. I've wanted to try out LEDs, they are supposed to run on 1/10th the electricity, but they're still a bit pricey. Except now!

Pantyhose Tip #2

Cut the pantyhose horizontally across the leg (see hair ties) and use these for staking up plants. The soft, yielding material won't damage the stems, especially if you tie using the loose, crazy-8 pattern. Combine two ties for a longer cord, if needed.

To combine two, overlap two loops on a flat surface. Simultaneously pull the lower loop through the upper loop on one end while pulling the upper loop through the lower on the other end. These will tighten into a knot as you pull. Hmm, that isn't as clear as it would be with illustrations.

Here is an illustration that is pretty close. Their loops have a long tail, but the method is the same.

Pantyhose Tip #1

Old, ruined pantyhose are so incredibly useful... I almost regret not having to wear them anymore. Almost. Because there is so much to do with these, I am going to put a tip a day on here until I run out of ideas for pantyhose.

Take an ruined pair of pantyhose. Cut strips, 1/2 to an inch wide, across the leg, to make loops. Pull on the loops, and the cut ends will curl on themselves. Use these to tie your hair back. Bonus for black pantyhose, the black ties look great.

You can cut the elastic waistband to make a headband, too. It's not pretty, but it will keep the hair away while you wash your face.

Play Pretend with the Weather

When heating your home in the winter (or cooling it in the summer) try to keep the temperature as close to the outside temperature as comfortably possible.

If you are doing the opposite (heating to 80, cooling to 65), you are already halfway there, you just have your seasons backward! So pretend the weather outside is opposite and enjoy your inside temperature. For example, in the winter, pretend it's summer outside, baking hot, and you are keeping your house pleasantly chilly. In the summer, pretend the weather outside is frightfully cold. Look at you, all warm and toasty in your house.

Turning the heat down at night or when you aren't at home is another way to save. Programmable thermostats are available and our local utility company has a rebate to make the switch even more attractive.

Water Your Plants with Bathwater

Use your old bathwater to water houseplants, or non-food producing plants in your landscape.

You will need to use a soap that is safe for your plants. We like Dr. Bronners. Or, if you are taking a hot relaxing bath, add epsom salts, the plants love it.

Let your bathwater cool to room temperature. Ideally, let it sit for 24 hours, to allow the chlorine to evaporate out (plants don't like chlorine).