By Gail Marsh
Did you know that many so-called “single-use” items can often be reused—and even more than once, in some cases? Reusing not only means less trash going to the landfill, but it also means more money stays in your pocket. That saved cash can go towards fuel, food, and campground fees, which are all on the rise. So, let’s get to the savings!
• Paper towel. If you used a paper towel simply for drying water off a clean item, you could reuse that paper towel. Just let it dry and put it to use again.
• Dryer sheet. After using a dryer sheet for the laundry, you can reuse it again to dust off your RV furniture and window blinds, shine your rig’s chrome faucets, or clean your laptop’s screen. In fact, here are 17 ways you can use a dryer sheet (and yes, they work!).
• Parchment paper. Yes, you can reuse parchment paper. This baking aid can even be used over and over again. After each use, just fold the paper and put it away until your next baking day.
• Wine cork. Once the wine is gone, save the cork to use as a fire starter. Watch this how-to video.
• Swiffer duster. Did you know that the Swiffer duster can be laundered and reused? Yes, it can! Just wash it and let it air dry. The same goes for the Swiffer dust pad.
• Plastic bread bags. Reuse these to carry picnic sandwiches, fruit, or snacks for your next bike ride or hike. Bread bags also work well for cleaning up after your dog.
• Tennis balls. Reuse old tennis balls to protect your RV’s vinyl floors. With a utility knife cut an “X” in each of four balls. Slip the tennis balls over the feet of your dining chair or TV table. No more scraped floors. You can also cut a tennis ball in half and use it to help hold and open a stuck jar or bottle lid. Here are even more ways to use tennis balls around your RV.
• Aluminum foil. You can reuse aluminum foil to clean pots and pans. Just scrunch up a piece of used foil and scrub away.
• Cardboard boxes. Reuse all of those Amazon boxes. Cut them to fit inside the back of your RV cupboards for added insulation.
• Plastic ziptop bags. Rinse and reuse these bags over and over again.
• Greeting cards. The paper used to make greeting cards is often quite durable. You can cut sections from a card and repurpose them into unique and colorful gift tags.
• Bar soap. Eventually, that bar of soap will be used to the point that only a sliver remains. Here’s a great way to use all the soap slivers. Sew two washcloths together, except for a two-inch opening. Slip all of the soap slivers into the washcloth “pocket” and hand stitch the pocket closed. Use this self-sudsing bath mitt in your RV shower or outside near the water spigot for a washing station.
• Two-liter soda bottles. Wash in soap and water. Let dry completely. Use the bottles to contain dried beans, macaroni noodles, rice, and more. [Fill using a funnel or rolled up piece of paper.]
• Cardboard tubes. Don’t toss out cardboard tubes. Instead, use them to keep cords and cables under control, or stuff them with dryer lint and let them be your perfect fire starter. Here are even more ways to use them.
• Aluminum pie plates. Once you’ve eaten the pies, wash the pie plates. Then cut one plate in half and staple the half piece to an uncut plate to form a pocket. Cover any sharp edges with duct tape. Hang the “pocket” and use it to store saw blades.
• Milk jug. Cut the bottom off a milk jug and use it to scoop dog food, potting soil, etc.
• Solo cup. Stand your cell phone inside a rinsed and dried solo cup. Make sure that the phone’s speaker is at the cup’s bottom to amplify your cell’s sound. This is an easy way to have background music for your picnic or other outings. Just be sure the extra volume won’t bother your RV neighbors.
• Tissue box. When you run out of tissues, refill the tissue box with plastic grocery bags. The box will contain the mess and you can easily retrieve a bag when needed.
Can you add more ways to turn single-use items into multiple uses? Please do so in the comments below. Thank you!
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RVDT2668
Thanks Gail–good suggestions. I already do some of these things!
I love each one of these! I’ve been washing out my zipper bags since the 80’s.
Thanks Gail – we re-use plastic, paper, and tin foil. And recently tried reusable paper towels. We do like them. So far they’ve lasted 2 months and counting.
Have 2 trash receptacles. One for just paper/cardboard and the other for trash. Use the contents of the paper/cardboard for kindling. No need to carry starter logs, lighter fluid or other flammables in your RV.
These are great ideas! I also think about using water more than once. Mostly, when I’m washing dishes. Always have a dirty dish under one that’s being rinsed. Whether it’s to conserve grey tank space, keep the water bill low at home, or just to be environmental friendly, it’s something I think about. I have a rain barrel for watering plants.
I use a small tissue box, or similar, and put double sided tape on the back. Fill the box with “blue gloves” and use the double sided tape to attach the box to the inside of the door of the locker with my “dumping” items. The gloves are immediately available when I retrieve my gear for use at the dump station.
As I kept reading all the good reuses of 1 use items I was so relieved toilet tissue was not on the list.
Instead of sewing 2 wash cloths together, I just put bar soap slivers in an empty Soft Soap dispenser. Adding a little water to it and you have liquid hand soap, though somewhat watery at first. After adding enough slivers, the liquid thickens enough to become the same consistency as Soft Soap. Then it is just a matter of adding more slivers with a little water each time to maintain a nearly inexhaustible supply of liquid hand soap at no cost! And I still use original Dial bar soap in the shower because I don’t like “body wash” liquids.
Great tip! Thanks, Steve! Have a good afternoon/evening. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
We use plastic bread bags and plastic shopping bags for picking up our dogs poop.
The Swiffer pad plastic boxes are excellent for storing many items. Small, light weight. I velcro’d one to my utility bay door and keep vinyl gloves in for dumping. I also made a custom lst aid kit and velcro’d it to an interior cabinet door. Clear covers too so you can quickly see what is inside!
Thank you for the numerous suggestions, Gail! We have done a couple of these. Have a great weekend and safe travels!