5 Functional Ways To Reuse Toilet Paper Cardboard Tubes In Your House
At best, a toilet paper roll may seem like nothing but a recyclable material. However, it can be so much more than that. It has its place in the home, not just in a bathroom. For example, a child might see it as a telescope for the high seas, and another may use it to create beautiful art and crafts. But adults can repurpose these cardboard pieces and use them in the home and garden.
Paper Tubes says these little cardboard multitaskers are created with wood pulp or recycled paper, making them biodegradable; however, they add up quickly in the trash if you toss them out. So before heading to the bin, consider giving this cardboard a second chance since there are many things you can do with them. From décor to home organization, here are the best practical ways to reuse toilet paper cardboard tubes in your house.
1. Tame those cords
Chances are that, like everyone else, we all have charging cables around the house. Then it comes time to look for it, and no one can find any. By using an electrical cord holder, you will know where to look every time. To use a toilet paper cardboard tube as an electrical cord holder, put the cable through the material and tape it to the wall.
The fantastic thing about making these cord holders is that you get to be as creative with them as you want. Natural Living Ideas shares that you can use decorative tape to create fun designs or paint it to match your office or room. If you decorate everyone's cords in a different pattern, it will be easy to avoid any mix-ups. Another fun thing you can do with the tubes is to create a desk organizer; then, you can unclutter your desk and keep your pens, pencils, and other office supplies together.
2. Seed starters
When springtime rolls around, and it is time to cultivate your garden, and you need to start them from seeds, look no further than toilet paper cardboard tubes. Hobby Farms says that using this common household item is excellent for planting seeds, and they offer a tutorial on creating them on their website. It is so easy that you will always make these fun little planters. Plus, if you want to distinguish which plant is which, you can always decorate the tubes however you see fit.
Once the seedlings get large enough, rather than transferring them out of their cardboard pots, you can quickly move them straight into the ground since cardboard is 100% biodegradable. Cardboard typically takes around one year to break down and decompose, so you don't have to worry about purchasing any plastic pots to transfer the plants into. These little tubes can change your whole gardening experience!
3. Bird feeder
If you want to spruce up your garden, you could always tie a little bird feeder outdoors to attract our feathered friends. Cardboard does it again here; by being biodegradable and safe — you can create a bird hangout out of it. Plus, this is a craft you can get the kids to help with as a fun boredom buster. They are especially great to make in the wintertime because a lot of food is still thawing, and you'll be providing birds with a food source in your yard or garden.
Fireflies and Mudpies share how easy it is to make with regular kitchen staples, like shortening, peanut butter, and other nut butter. Something else that makes these bird feeders excellent is that you can easily slide them over branches to hang them. If you wish, you can tie twine through it instead. However you create your bird feeder, the birds in your yard will thank you, and it will be thoroughly enjoyed.
4. Create wall art
With just a few folds, some cuts here and there, and a little hot glue, you can create a piece of art worthy of hanging in your living room. Making wall art with these tubes is fun since you can decorate them however you like. If you want a more natural-looking option, you could always leave your art uncolored. But you could paint it if you want to match it with your décor.
You could even try your hand at a sculpture if you wanted to. Artsology talks about different ways to make sculptures with these cardboard tubes. An artist named Junior Fritz Jacquet from Paris is famous for producing incredibly detailed faces out of toilet paper cardboard tubes. It could also be fun to save the tubes and make a focal point by turning them into folded artistic masterpieces. There are many tutorials that can help you achieve the look you are going for.
5. Tree ornaments
There is something so special when the most wonderful time of the year comes around! If you are looking for some new ornaments to put on your tree or even decorate around the home, these sweet owl ornaments are just the thing. Ohoh Deco shares a tutorial on making tree ornaments from paper cardboard tubes. For owls, it looks as though you would fold the flaps inward and tape them. Then you can decorate them however you wish for the holiday season.
These don't have to be limited to just owls and stars, either. You can create just about any shape you can think of, especially if you can fold it. For example, you could make cardboard tube snowflakes and tie some ribbon on the top, and you have a new adornment for your tree. Try making new ones each year, and store them carefully, so you can pass them on to the next generation to use on their trees!