by contributing writer Angie

If you regularly receive newspapers, you know how they can pile up after they’ve been read.  Hopefully you’re making sure to recycle these newspapers.  However, recycling isn’t your only option for old newspapers.  Here are six ways to use newspaper around your home.

Compost

Composting is the ultimate recycle around our house.  We love knowing that the things that we’ve put in are going to eventually become rich soil for our garden.  Newspaper is a perfect addition to your composting efforts, or even to layer right into a garden before planting.  Newspaper can be an especially great thing to add to your composting bin if you find yourself adding a lot of vegetable, or “green,” matter.

Gift Wrap

This is a classic use for old newspaper.  Of course, it’s a classic for a reason.  With the price of wrapping paper rising all the time, why not go green and wrap gifts with newspapers that you’ve already read, especially something fun like the comics.  While you probably won’t want to go this route for a wedding gift, it is fun and appropriate for many less formal occasions.

Glass Cleaner

For years, I used various glass cleaners for the windows and mirrors in my home.  It was only after my Grandmother passed away that I thought nostalgically on her washing all of those things with a vinegar and water mix and old newspaper as a “cloth.”  I thought it seemed like such a crazy thought to try to wash something like mirrors and windows with newspapers.  However, since trying it, my mirrors and windows have never been cleaner.

Art Projects

Keeping a stack of old newspapers with art supplies for kids is a perfect way to attempt to save surfaces that might otherwise get marked up with paint and markers from your child’s latest art project.  Newspaper mats aren’t just for kids though, as I often lay them out when I am creating a painting as well.  Not only does it keep my work area neat and speed clean up, but I can also doodle or test colors on it.

Packing Material

If you’ve ever packed up your household and moved, you know what a life saver old newspapers can be for packing up delicate items.  While the newsprint means that you might need to wash items after you’ve unpacked them, hopefully you’ll just be pleased that your breakables have made it to their new home in one piece.

Vegetable Crisper Helper

A vegetable crisper drawer in the refrigerator can have the problem of too much moisture.  Adding in some old newspaper can absorb both moisture and some odors.

What are some other ways that you use newspaper?

photo by Erich Ferdinand

More posts from Angie

Scroll to the bottom for a coupon code for Method cleaners. 

One of the most popular (and controversial) articles on my site is the one I wrote about age appropriate chores for kids. The real life truth around here is that my kids do chores. We live by the – if you make a mess, you clean it up- rule around here and that means everyone helps out when it comes to cleaning.

Let’s face it, between laundry, cooking, homeschool, errands, extra curricular activities, friends, and everything else that happens in our house, I need help with the daily chores. Especially when it is the kids who are creating 90% of the messes around here!

Around the time child #5 arrived I realized that my children were totally capable of doing basic chores around the house. Not only were they capable, they loved helping! It made them feel like “big kids” and they often argued over who got to do certain jobs.

My biggest concern in having my kids help out around the house was that I didn’t want them to use harsh cleaners. I have a few children who would probably squirt themselves in the eye given the opportunity, so I always made sure they didn’t use any chemicals that could harm them while they cleaned.

So, if you want your kids to help you clean around the house here are a few tips.

Remember they are children.

Each child has different personalities and abilities. Only assign chores that they are capable of doing without harming themselves or others.

Work with your children.

The best way to get your kids excited about helping around the house is to work with them. When you work with your children you can teach them how to do the chores properly and eventually you will spend less time re-doing their work.

Make it fun.

Most kids, when they are little, think chores are fun. As long as you make it fun they’ll keep this attitude for a long time. We’ve done everything from racing to see who can finish the fastest to contests to see who can get something the cleanest. My kids are super competitive so contests really motivate them to do a good job. Some kids love stickers or other small rewards. Depending on your child’s personality, there are many fun ways to motivate them.

Keep it safe.

Young children should not have access to harsh cleaners. Even the most responsible eight year-old should not use anything that could harm them or anyone else. I often try to find cleaners that are safe for my children to use (middle school age) so they learn how to clean but don’t risk hurting themselves or others.

If you are looking for an all-purpose cleaner that is non-toxic and not harmful to the skin check out Method cleaners. They have an entire line of cleaners (you’ve probably seen them at Target) from kitchen to bath and they work great. They are available in numerous stores and you can also order them online.

Personally I love the all-purpose cleaner because you can use it all over your house. From kitchen clean-ups to quick bathroom spiffy-ups you only need one cleaner to get the job done. Last month when all seven of my kids got the flu, I was cleaning every surface several times a day and it was nice to know there is an option out there that is killing germs without killing the environment. Oh and they have one with the clementine scent, and you know how much I love my clementines!

For my children I love the all-purpose cleaning and disinfecting wipes. To be clear, I do not clean my children with the wipes. But rather I keep a container of wipes under their bathroom sink and every day one child is responsible for wiping down the sinks and cleaning up the entire tube of toothpaste that the toddler as deposited on the sinks and counter.

Teaching your older children how to do a quick clean of the bathroom makes all the difference in the world. Instead of the kids’ bathroom looking like an episode of toiletries gone wild it is actually a place that I don’t mind going in to give a child a bath or help them brush their teeth.

If you aren’t familiar with Method cleaners visit the website to learn more about what’s they’re made of and how they can help you clean like a mother. And now you can save $1 on when you purchase Method’s all-purpose cleaner through Methodhome.com. Just use the coupon code APCBLOG at the checkout to receive $1.00 off your online order.

Method has sponsored this post but all children and opinions are my own.