Plastic bags are multi-purpose objects that can come in handy in various situations and be useful all around the house. Here are some ideas for using them that may not have crossed your mind so far.
1. Stinky Diapers
If you have a baby in the house, you know what diapers smell like- if you don’t, you don’t want to know, trust us. So before throwing them away, collect them in plastic bags and throw them away when these are full.
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Flickr
2. Travel Odor-free
When traveling, put your shoes in a plastic bag and then in the suitcase, so that any shoe odor doesn’t affect your clothes.
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Flickr
3. Pick Up Dog Poop
When you take your dog for a walk, make sure you have some plastic bags with you so you can pick up their poop afterward.
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Flickr
4. Crinkle Toys
If you have a kid, you can stuff crinkle toys using plastic bags- quick, cheap and easy.
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Flickr
5. Storing Shoes
When storing season shoes, make sure you stuff them with plastic bags so they don’t lose their form.
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Flickr
6. Stuff Outdoor Pillows
See here how to make outdoor pillows using plastic bags. It’s so quick and easy you won’t believe it.
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in my own style
7. Water-proof Bag
Follow these detailed instructions to make fancy-looking water-proof bags.
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green diary
8. Lamp Shade
Here’s a smart way to reuse plastic bags: make a ruffled lamp shade following this tutorial.
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green diary
9. Plastic Bag Mandalas
Grab a bunch of plastic bags, an exacto knife and tape, and make beautiful meditation mandalas.
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green diary
10. Wrap Grassware
When moving into a new home, fragile stuff like glassware can be wrapped in plastic bags so they don’t break easily.
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Flickr
11. Trash Can Trick
See here a cool plastic bag and trash can hack that will make your life a little easier.
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Youtube Screenshot
12. How To Store Them
Store your plastic bags into empty lysol wipes containers and use them when necessary.
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Flickr
13. Paint Tray Hack
Line a paint tray with plastic bag before use and make clean up a two-second job. Thank us later.
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Flickr
14. Kitty Litter Tray
Make cleaning your kitty litter tray easier by lining it with a plastic bag before adding the sand.
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Flickr
15. Cast Protection
Cover your cast for a broken arm/leg with a plastic bag when you shower so you protect it from water.
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Flickr
16. Wreath
Upcycle plastic bags by turning them into a cute wreath for your door. Doesn’t it look elegant?
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get ready for Betty
17. Basket
Find out here how to make a cute basket out of plastic bags. Doesn’t it look impressive?
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get ready for Betty
18. Yarn
Did you know you can turn plastic bags into rope or yarn? Well, now you do.
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bureau baggerman
19. Easter Basket
Shred plastic bags to make fake grass for your Easter baskets- how cool is that?
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Flickr
20. Pick Up Trash
Take a plastic bag at the park with you and pick up any trash you see, then throw it away.
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Flickr
21. Cover Car Mirrors
Wrap the mirrors of your car with plastic bags before a snowstorm so it’s easier to clean afterward.
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one crazy house
22. In The Car
Always keep an extra trash bag in your car- you never know when car sickness will hit!
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Flickr
23. Dispose Of Cooking Oil
Forget about the bad habit of pouring used cooking oild down the drain. Pour it in a plastic bag and then throw it away in the trash.
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Flickr
24. Keep Paint Rollers Wet
During your lunch break when painting walls, wrap the paint rollers in a plastic bag to keep them wet.
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Flickr
25. Protect Your Phone
Keep one in your beach bag to put in your mobile so you protect it from water and sand.
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Flickr
26. Kite
Follow this tutorial and make a beautiful kite out of recycled plastic bags.
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budget dumpster
27. Smock
Why not use a plastic bag as a smock when cutting your kids’ hair? Who would say no to less mess?
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Flickr
28. Make A Soccer Ball
Make a soccer ball out of reused plastic bags- kids will get excited about creating their own toy.
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huffpost.com
29. DIY Rug
If you’d like to weave recycled plastic bags into a rug, then follow these instructions.
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thrifty fun
30. Fusing Plastic Bag
This detailed tutorial will help you make a unique bag that noone will believe is handmade.
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etsy labs
31. Crocheted Sandals
Here’s another cute idea for upcycling plastic bags: handmade crocheted sandals.
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boing boing
32. Crashed Cookies
Whenever you need crashed cookies for a recipe, you can put them in a food-safe plastic bag and crash them using a rolling pin.
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Flickr
33. Pastry Bag
Whenever a recipe calls for a pastry bag, you can substitute for a simple food-safe plastic bag, pour in the filling you want and snip one of the corners. There you have it.
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Flickr
34. Cover Clothes
Cover seasonal clothes that you won’t be using for a while to protect them from dust.
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one crazy house
35. Play Parachute
Use a buch of plastic bags to make a parachute that will keep your kids entertained in the garden.
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Flickr
36. Flower Craft
See here how to make an easy flower craft. Your kids will love it.
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kids activities blog
37. Paint Walls
Use plastic bags instead of paintbrushes and rollers to paint walls. Find the details here.
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dengarden
38. Transport Unpotted Plants
If you happen to have an unpotted plant and want to transport it, just wrap it in a plastic bag. This way the soil will remain moist for a while.
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Mike's backyard nursery
39. Fill In Gaps
Use plastic bags to fill in cavities around pipes or anywhere around the house. They can come in really handy.
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this old house
40. Protect Fruit
When your fruit is almost ripe, you can wrap it using a plastic bag to protect it from bugs or frost.
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this old house
41. Seal Paint Cans
Use scraps of plastic bags to seal paint cans so that they don’t dry out.
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today's home owner
42. Clean Jeans
When working in the garden, cover part of your jeans with plastic bags so they don’t get muddy.
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this old house
43. Apply Wax
Use plastic bags as gloves to easily apply wax and creams on furniture.
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this old house
44. Donate Them
Find a location to donate your plastic bags, where they will be recycled.
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cleansd.wordpress.com
We’re pretty sure that many of these ideas can be used in your home too. Let’s try to help the environment by not throwing away more plastic. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
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