Uses for Newspapers

Newspaper readership is dropping at an alarming rate as Americans turn to the internet for their news source.... it's not only convenient, it's free, for the most part.  I get the weekly free newspaper and I save it because newspapers come in handy........

To Deordorize Shoes - simply made a few balls of scrunched up newspaper sheets and put them in your shoes, overnight the odor ( for most of us) is gone

Washing Windows - after you washed your windows, dry them with newspaper (not the slicks) for a streak free finish

Old Fashion Fun - Make paper sailor hats for kids (  I know, I know, I sound a little like Martha Stewart right now)

Line Compost Buckets - Put a little paper in the bottom of your indoor compost bucket (or line the bucket) to keep it neat and let it empty faster.

Bird Cages - go ahead and line the bottom of the cage with old newsprint, again, not the slick stuff

Save the Comics - can use these to wrap gifts in a pinch

Gardening -  Use around plants as layer one covered wth mulch.

                    Use it to make new gardening beds and paths

                   Along the gardening line, you can use newspaper sections to kill grass in an area you'd like to

                   plant or mulch or whatever if you are patient. Just put the newspaper down, wet it (blocking light

                   from the grass, add mulch over it, and in a few months you have a bed ready for planting, no

                   herbicide or backbreaking sod cutting necessary.

Line the Cat Box -  newspaper to line the bottom of our cats' box, works beautifully. We do cut down on the amt of litter, though...just about 1-2 cups for the whole box, on top of a section of paper. Change every day or other day (just lift up the clean ends of the paper and toss). Never smells, cuts down on the dust, works for cats who have "issues" with dirty boxes...and best of all, no fussing with a gigantic mound of smelly litter! Takes about 1 minute to completely change the box.

Use it as shredding for gift wrapping -   If you have a paper shredder, cut up the funny pages or used, decorative gift wrap by type (example: all occasion vs. Christmas) save for later use to place in gift bags (hopefully reused) to be given - or gift boxes to be mailed, this adds a frugal and festive touch!


Kitchen -  Clean the refrigerator,  put a layer of a couple sheets of newspaper topped with a paper towel in the bottom of vegetable drawers. Very easy to replace every couple weeks--no scrubbing. Keeps things smelling fresh too

When storing dishes or glasses out come the newspapers
Coolers and Lunch Boxes -  put a few pages of newspaper in the bottom of unused, closed coolers and lunch boxes--No smell or mold!

Protect Floors - I spread them on the floor and sink when coloring my hair.

Fireplace Starters - They can also be rolled into "logs" to use as fireplace starters (but don't use the colored print).

Pass unwanted newspapers on to a local organization that deals with children for placing on the table during arts and crafts time.

Useful for creativity, having children cut out the words and make stories (kinda like old kidnapping messages).

Wallpaper -
And although not for everyone, it can even be used as wall paper. (From web) -  "I did not use newsprint, but I did use the picture books that get damaged beyond repair to "wall paper" one wall on my children's bedroom. Simply took white glue (bought in the gallon), thinned it out and placed full pages on the wall until the entire wall was covered. I used a lot of different books (cleaned out the bookshelves) and my girls are all young so the resulting wall is very colorful and the girls have fun making up new stories for their old favorites depending on the pages they are surrounded by. Since books vary greatly in size, they are placed higgly-piggly not in rows, but newsprint could be done in rows. The boys who are older wanted their room done in old maps. You could finish with a coat of varnish, although since my kids are young I did not. I foresee more pages going up in the future when their tastes change. The white glue is easily removed with a flat paint scraper, not sure that varnish would be."



More from the web -
One of the best uses is to roll the newspapers up, then shellac them, and use them as building blocks for furniture. The columns are pretty strong for their weight, and the resultant stuff looks cool. It was in Readymade magazine, but I can't find the issue around my house anymore.


Spread-out newspapers make great weed barriers. Lay them down several sheets thick in spring, before weeds start, or in fall, when they've died. Cover them with mulch. Water can get through, but it stifles weeds. Cut X's if you need to plant through the papers. The papers very slowly decompose into the soil. Bonus: Earthworms seem to really love decomposing paper.


It makes a good addition to a compost heap, too. Shred or rip in strips and floof it when you throw it on. You just use it in layers between organics.


Protect plants. You can also protect your plants by using newspaper to cover them in extreme cold weather or by using wet damp newspaper to transplant new plants.

Insulation. Rolled up newspaper stuffed under doors, in and around cracks makes good temporary insulation and help you stay warm during the cold season. If you are worried about it looking tacky, you can do it temporarily until you buy more fashionable insulation or only do it a night when no one else can see it.


Fireplace. Tie newspaper in a knot and use in the fireplace. Or you can make fire logs out of old newspapers. Roll sheets of newspapers up tightly in the shape of a log (don't use the colored print) and use them in your fireplace.


Packing and storing. Newspaper is a good way to protect your precious items whether you are moving or just storing some stuff away. Stuff vases, glasses, or other fragile items with newspaper then wrap them in newspaper.

Drop cloth. Whether you are painting, cooking or chaining the oil in your car you can use newspaper to make messes a little easier to clean up. Just place the newspaper where it is needed and do what you need without worrying about staining or messes.


Prompt. Use headlines, pictures or first lines for writing prompts. The newspaper is filled with enough bad news and weird stories to take you out of your worst writers block.

Ripen Tomatoes -Wrap green tomatoes in sheets of newspaper. Then, layer them in a box and close the lid. Check on them every couple days, and they will eventually ripen up to a rosy red color!

Sleep Outside Better -Place several sheets of newspaper underneath your sleeping bag when you sleep under the stars. The newspaper will keep your bag dry, free from dirt and grass stains, and provide a warm padding.

Make A Funnel -Roll up a newspaper to make a paper funnel. It's best used for dry goods, but it can hold up to water for awhile.

Table Padding -Place several sheets of old newspaper on your kitchen or dining room table. Then, place a tablecloth over them. The newspaper will take the place of an expensive padding. It will protect your table top from spills and other damage.

Shoe and Boot Mat -Place a folded up newspaper beside the door and place wet and muddy boots on it. It will keep the mud contained.

Makeshift Umbrella -Get caught in a rain storm? Use a newspaper to cover your head and shoulders until you reach shelter.

Grill Cleaner -Soak newspapers in clean water. Then, lay the sheets across a warm barbecue grill. Close the lid and let them soak for an hour or so. Then, remove the papers and wipe the grills clean!

Cheap Rags -Use old newspaper as rags in your garage to wipe your greasy hands on, to wipe off paint brushes, to wipe up oil spills, and to clean up gasoline spills!

Messy dinner? Newspaper’s a classic tablecloth when boiled shrimp, lobster or watermelon’s on the menu.


Shucking corn? Spread out newspaper to catch the silk.

Germinating seeds for your spring garden? Spread ‘em between damp sheets of newspaper.

Smelly Tupperware? Leave a balled up piece of newspaper inside overnight to absorb the odours.


Cold climate? Place on your windshield to prevent icing.
 
Decorate old shoes - I think these are actually very cool.... 
 
Keep Warm - put inside coat for emergency warmth.
 
Bug Basher - roll up newspaper and swat flies
 
Feed the Birds in the Snow -   place on top of snow with bird feed on it.