Simple ways to make use of empty cardboard tubes
IF you're thinking of throwing your empty cardboard rolls away, don't! Give it a second life and see how it helps you. The website onegoodthingbyjillee.com provides a few simple ways to make use of your empty cardboard tubes.
• Organise your office supplies
Use your old cardboard tubes to make a handy organiser for your desk! Start by cutting tubes down to different sizes to make the stuff in the back more accessible. Arrange them into a small box and glue them into place. Decorate it however you want for a cute and free desktop organiser!
• Keep pants crease- free
Use a tube from a roll of paper towels (or two toilet paper tubes) to help keep your pants and slacks free from wrinkles. Just slice the tube(s) open lengthwise, slip them onto the bottom of a hanger, and then tape them closed. Hang your pants over the tube to keep them from getting creased in your closet.
• Organise cables and cords
Use a cardboard tube to keep cords and cables tidy. Just wrap the cable up and slip it into the tube. Label the tubes with the type of cord or cable for easy identification!
• Store plastic grocery bags
Keep your collection of plastic grocery bags contained in a cardboard tube. It will save you quite a bit of space, and it's easy to pull a bag out when you need one. Keep a bag-filled tube in your car so you always have a "trash bag" when you need one!
• Start seeds for your garden
Use a cardboard tube to start seeds for your garden. Press part of one edge down, then turn the tube slightly and press the next section of edge down. Repeat until you've formed a flat surface. Turn the tube upside down, fill with potting mix, and plant your seeds! Once the seeds are big enough, you can plant the seedling— tube and all—into your garden. (Just saturate the cardboard tube with water first to make sure it will start breaking down quickly).
• Keep your hair tools tidy
Tired of the cords of your hair tools getting tangled? Use cardboard tubes to keep them organized! Just wrap the cord up and slip it into a tube. For smaller tools like flat irons, you could also slip the tube over both the tool and the cord.