Friday, June 27, 2008

Using it up

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without," is an old saying that fits very well with the frugal lifestyle. That's what most of us try to do, at least to an extent. Sometimes we have to stretch it a little to use up what we have in a way that makes sense and/or saves money.

Some of the things I've tackled before: plastic bags, coffee grounds, newspapers... and now? How about old panty hose? (Do you have something to add to that list for old panty hose?)

I'm also contemplating those poor socks that get orphaned in the laundry. I'll let you know when I get it figured out. (Not where they go, but how to "use them up"!)

Throwing anything into the trash just because it's served its original purpose is not a frugal attitude. Think twice, think three times, wait a bit and think again...

15 comments:

  1. Many many years ago when I was in college in New England, one of the girls in the dorm collected all the old pantyhose she could. She made little, maybe 4" square pillows that she stuffed with pantyhose (don't remember if it was 1 or 2 pair). She then whipped stitched them together in strips, then whipped stitched the strips together to make a really nice, warm quilt.

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  2. We have a couple of scouring pads that work well on Corningware, Visionware, heavy glass bowls from dollar stores, etc. My husband thinks that his aunt crocheted them from old pantyhose. I'm going to ask next time that I see her. I'd like to make more of them.

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  3. Cool idea! That would use up a lot of pantyhose. The quilt would dry fast, too. Thanks.

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  4. Please let us know what you find out about the scouring pads? If they're made from pantyhose, I'd love to know about it. Thanks.

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  5. Orphaned socks: Sock top quilt. If the foot is in good condition, You can use it, too. Then the toe and heel goin in the bag of scraps for stuffing.

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  6. stuff the pantyhose in the old socks fold the toes and the tops down to make a square then use them to make the quilt mentioned above, kill two birds.
    Or stuff them really puffy, beanbags for toddlers.

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  7. for a link to pot scrubbers.
    http://home.inreach.com/marthac/scrub.html

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  8. I found a link for pantyhose recycling ideas. It includes: Old pantyhose make a great scrubber for bathtubs, sinks, countertops, etc. They won't scratch them either!
    http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf001257.tip.html

    As for socks, I have cut off the foot part to use old socks as wrist-warmers. I suppose a stitch could be made at the thumb, if one wanted fingerless mitts :) Socks also can make sock dolls, or bean bags (filled with beans).

    -Taylor

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  9. As for socks, depending on the type they make great mitts for dusting!

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  10. I save odd socks to make dolls. I found a book at our library named "Stupid Sock Creatures". (I'm not real fond of the "stupid" part because some of the creatures are real cute!!) Once you master the basic directions, you can make all sorts of "creatures" by using your imagination.

    Now I have people giving me their odd socks.

    For pantyhose, I use them to strain paint, to strain fresh harvested honey, etc. The mesh is finer than the usual plastic and metal strainers. If I'm going to use the pantyhose for food, I boil them for 10 minutes. Of course, they must be clean to begin with--LOL

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  11. I tuck a ball or skein of yarn into the cut off foot end, or a section of leg stitched (serged) at one end. It makes it much easier and neater for knitting with a center pull ball.

    I cut and serged two good halves of pantyhose together to make a "new" pair. It works particularly well on control top styles. When worn, neither you or anyone else will know the difference.

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  12. Good idea, Harper, thank you!

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  13. Well, now we're getting really creative, pattidriving. Thank you! Great idea.

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  14. FYI, abandoned socks make good cat toys. I put some catnip down in the end and then tied a knot, snipped off the excess and it was fun for my kitty for hours. I also use them to put over my hand to play a little rough with her...we call it the "sock of death." It keeps from getting scratched or bitten too badly, but lets your kitty be a little wild:)

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  15. I use mateless socks as dust rags because they fit so nicely over my hand. My wee ones enjoy dusting with the sock mittens, too.

    We hang a bar of soap (or bits and pieces of soap bars) in an old panty hose leg, tied to an outdoor spigot. It's convenient for cleaning off hands when doing outdoor work. Three lengths of panty hose, when braided, work well as a scrubby for cleaning.

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