Newspaper

Practical use…

Weed killer  

If weeds are a problem in your garden, cover the flower beds with newspaper and soak them with water. Then cover the paper with compost or mulch. Eventually the paper will smother the weeds, and the organic matter will help your garden flourish.

A chemical-free way to prevent weeds from germinating in your garden beds is to lay down layers of wet newspaper strips on the ground. Lay the newspapers where you don’t want anything to grow, such as surrounding shrubs or bushes.

Let the layers of “newspaper lasagna” dry for about 24 hours, and then you can cover them with a thin layer of dirt or mulch.

Deodorise luggage and containers

Stuff your foisty-old suitcases with crumpled up newspapers and let them sit for 3-4 days, closed up. They will absorb the odours.

This also works with smaller containers, such as lunch boxes and thermoses, if your kids have accidentally left them with something inside for too long, and there is a stink to them even after washing.

Practical and aesthetic use…

Toilet paper rolls bowl

Collect around 20 empty toilet rolls and flatten them out.

Remove all remnants of paper from the rolls, flatten the rolls, measure and cut into strips about 1.5” wide.

Using a guide like a salad plate or pot lid arrange pieces to create a base for the wreath.

Begin gluing pieces together. I tried to put most of my glue on the tip of the piece.

Attach slices together in the form of a petaled flower.

Beginning attaching flowers together. The toilet paper rolls are pretty pliable at this point, so attempt to line the petals up exactly to form perfect circles.

With thanks to professor Fara Hanif and her valuable assistants, Catherine and David.