Save Money By Recycling Household Items

White vinegar is a cheap alternative to all those expensive cleaning products. It is safe to use on most surfaces and, when diluted to a solution of 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water, it can be used to clean a number of areas. Use this water/vinegar solution to clean work surfaces and chopping boards and leave your windows clear and streak-free. It can even be used to clean your fridge and remove lingering odours. Mix up a stronger solution to target carpet stains or put a cupful through a dishwasher cycle to to keep it clean. You can even use it neat to wipe down your shower curtains. Don’t be concerned about the strong smell of the vinegar as it evaporates quickly.

Socks make a great alternative to dusters and a cheap chenille sock placed over an old dry floor sweeper will give it new life. When it’s dirty, simply wash the sock and you’re ready to re-use!

If you’re still throwing away fruit and vegetable pulp from juicers, consider using it in other dishes. Vegetable pulp can be used to thicken soups and some vegetables, such as beetroot or carrot, work surprisingly well in cakes. As well as adding flavour, additions of fruit or vegetable pulp increase fibre and nutritional content in baked items such as bread or cakes. Likewise, fruit pulp makes a tasty treat of fruit leather by spreading it thinly over a baking tray and baking at a low heat. Alternatively, boil water and fruit pulp together, perhaps adding spices such as ginger or cinnamon. Cool the mixture and then strain the pulp to make a delicious fruity tea.

Fancy growing your own? There’s no need for expensive biodegradable seed pots when you can simply recycle cardboard items such as egg boxes and toilet rolls. Egg boxes make great containers for chitting potatoes and toilet rolls are just the right shape for sweet peas and runner beans. When you’re ready to plant out, simply pop the whole container in the ground and avoid disturbing your seedlings.