Environment

SMAP Is a Fraud

September 30, 2015 By Alexa Mason Leave a Comment

NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive, SMAP, is a mission of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). SMAP launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on January 31, 2015. SMAP is an orbiting observatory that measures moisture in the top 5cm of soil everywhere on the Earth’s surface. It uses active and passive instruments to measure the planet’s moisture level from space. The three main parts of SMAP are a radar, radiometer, and the “largest rotating mesh antenna every deployed in space”.

The top 5cm of soil is the topsoil layer in which the food we eat grows and where other vegetation lives. SMAP will also determine if ground is frozen or thawed in colder areas. It is designed to measure soil moisture every 2-3 days over a three year period.

The data SMAP provides will help scientists provide early warning for drought. Researchers forecast an increase in drought frequency in many regions of the world by the end of the 21st Century. Sustained drought can lead to crop failure, livestock death and eventually the death of people. The National Drought Mitigation Center helps reduce vulnerability to drought through preparedness and risk management. The data from SMAP will help reduce vulnerability.

SMAP will help improve crop yield forecasts and irrigation planning not just in the US, but around the world. This will improve humanitarian food assistance. The number of malnourished people around the world is expected to increase by 5-26% by 2080.

The SMAP data will also improve the ability to predict floods with higher resolution measurements of soil moisture. Floods are the #1 natural disaster in the United States and the leading cause of weather-related deaths. The data will help improve local weather projections from days to weeks.

Soil moisture links the water, energy and carbon exchanges between the land and the air. The health of the biosphere is dependent on the flow and storage of water, energy, and carbon. The global climate depends on how these cycles link together and vary. Global climate change is the major environmental challenge of this century and will have a major impact on society in the future.

SMAP is one the highest priorities for the Earth Science community. The data gathered will have a major impact on science’s ability to predict weather and provide preparedness and risk management to society.

SMAP’s radar stopped transmitting on July 7, 2015 due to an anomaly with the radar’s high-power amplifier (HPA). Mission managers from NASA’s SMAP Observatory say that the SMAP spacecraft continues regular operations even thought the radar is not able to return data. They acknowledge that although some of the planned applications of SMAP data will be impacted by the loss of data, the mission will produce valuable science.

SMAP is a fraud. The SMAP mission is costing $915 million. The radar is the core component of SMAP’s mission and failed after a few months of use. Without the radar the SMAP mission cannot achieve the minimum success criteria, or Level 1 science objects, that NASA set when approving the mission. NASA has acknowledged that the radar cannot be repaired, but will not admit that the radar failure prevents mission success.

35 More Places to Find Coins

September 25, 2015 By Alexa Mason Leave a Comment

Do you know a person who is always finding money? Do you ever ask yourself how is it possible that Mary/John or Joe always seem to find money wherever they go? Well, it begins with the process of always picking up the change that crosses your path. Here are 35 places to find coins.

• Under your washer.
• Under your dryer.
• On the street.
• At the restaurant on the floor next to the cash register.
• Old bank accounts
• Forgotten IRS returns
• In an old secret hiding place.
• Your baby’s diaper bag. Most parents will throw a wallet into the bag and then change will fall out.
• In your high-end camera bag.
• Change is almost always at the bottom of one of my backpacks.
• In between the cushions in your car.
• In any guy’s pants pocket.
• Next to a fountain that people throw coins in and make a wish. I tend to throw these in the fountain…just in case!
• Whenever the giant pile of snow melts you definitely find change…and some other things.
• Under a ski lift; you will also find tons of gloves, sunglasses, and the occasional hat.
• In your kid’s piggy bank. Hopefully you don’t have to use it though.
• In an old coffee can that was being used as a coin collection jar.
• At your Grandma’s house in odd places.
• In an old coin bag that you used to throw in your purse.
• In your random collection of boxes that everyone seems to always have.
• In the seat of your moped.
• Next to the ticket machine at the light rail station.
• On the bus.
• In your kid’s cheerleading bag.
• On the dance floor-but those coins are usually a little sticky.
• Underneath the outdoor patio at your local bar. If you’re lucky you’ll find some crumpled up dollar bills.
• In the sand at the beach.
• At your next food truck festival you may find change next to the front of each food truck. People are usually furiously digging through their pockets to pull out some change to make their purchase.
• At the “circle of death” during your next cruiser ride. The “circle of death” is where all the cruiser ride participants ride around and party at the end fof the night.
• You’ll sometimes find change on the patio that surrounds your local swimming pool or on the bottom of the pool if other swimmers tossed a coin in for fun. CAUTION-if you aren’t a strong swimmer avoid retrieving those coins.
• In your old yoga bag for the yoga class that you don’t take anymore.
• In your old swear jar.
• Sticking to the bottom of your shoe. It has been known to happen.
• Old garage sale change boxes.

There is an endless number of possibilities to explore and consider when looking to find loose change. Make finding change a game and over time you will be amazed at how often you will find change around you. Let your friends and family know about your loose change love. Have fun!

50 Places to Find Coins

September 25, 2015 By Alexa Mason 2 Comments

It is amazing how many places coins manage to find themselves. From the obvious to the not so obvious places there always seems to be an opportunity to stumble upon some unexpected cash. If you think it’s impossible, try looking for change in the following 50 places!

• Under church pews-I would donate this change…just in case!
• In your summer purses. Like most women I rotate my warm weather and cold weather items. It’s not unusual for me to find change and random bills in last season’s purses.
• In a suitcase. Most people don’t keep purses and wallets in their suitcases while traveling but they do leave stuff in their suitcase while hanging out in foreign locales.
• In an old wallet you’ve forgotten about that is hanging out in the back of your closet.
• In a bike parking lot.
• At the train station, specifically where the self-service kiosk is located.
• On the floor of the children’s museum.
• In the aftermath of a mud run.
• In the aftermath of a marathon (you might find keys too).
• At the ski resort equipment rental room.
• In a forgotten digital savings account.
• Near a Coinstar change machine.
• On the floor of your local pool hall.
• Outside your local bar (but usually you’ll find bills).
• In your old party supplies box.
• In your old storage unit.
• In your “everything” drawer at your house.
• On the floor of your favorite coffee shop.
• At your local food hall.
• Your forgotten yard sale change collection. You decided not to have the garage sale after all.
• In your washer.
• In your dryer.
• In the pockets of suits that are sent to the dry cleaners. Check these before you send them out.
• In your baby’s diaper bag.
• Coins are often found in your back or front jeans pocket.
• On the gym floor at your local Girls and Boys club.
• Under your bed. There are nights when you pull off your jeans, the change falls out of your pockets and you’re too tired to pick it up!
• In the cushions of your local bus. Proceed with caution if you stick your hands between the cushions.
• In between airplane seats.
• In a forgotten swear jar.
• At the amusement park near the Tilt-a-Whirl.
• At the amusement park near the roller coaster.
• In between the seats of an Uber car. You should proceed with caution before sticking your hand between the seats.
• In a skirt hem that you weighed down for your old biking obsession.
• Coins may be found in an old makeup bag.
• On the grass after a bbq.
• In between the seats of a taxi.
• At the tattoo shop. If someone is in pain and they are shaking, there is a found change opportunity.
• Near, in, or around any green (read-pot) business. For obvious reasons.
• At the next beer festival that you attend, look around for change. More often than not you’ll probably find bills.
• During Oktoberfest. People’s pockets move a lot during the chicken dance.
• At the DMV.
• Next to any ice cream stand with an outdoor facing window.
• On the floor of your next fraternity party. Caution, that change might be gross.
• On the floor of your next sorority party. Again, caution that change might be grungy.
• In the next golf cart that you rent.
• At Dave and Busters, anywhere and everywhere.
• Random thrift store boxes.
• At the bottom of every foam pit.
• In your tool kit.

Following my own advice I found a quarter at the bus stop today. In fact, hardly a week goes by without finding some change. Whenever I find change it reinforces my belief that there is an infinite amount of money to tap into. What do you think? Found any loose change lately?

50 Uses for Old Towels

September 24, 2015 By Alexa Mason 1 Comment

When towels become worn or frayed we replace them. But what do you do with those old towels? Here are 50 uses for old towels:

Apron

Use an old bath towel to make a half apron. Just add ties.

Baby Bibs

Cut your old towels and repurpose them as baby bibs. Cut the towels into bib shapes, hem the edges and add strings.

Baby Wipes

Old towels make an inexpensive alternative to expensive a baby wipes. Cut old towels into small squares. Keep them on your changing table. Dip in warm water before using. If you use cloth diapers you can wash the wipes with your diapers.

Bath Pouf

It just takes an old towel and some sewing skills to make a bath pouf.

Bathroom Rug

You will need a rubber gridded mat, three old towels and scissors to make a bathroom rug. Cut towels into thin strips of equal size. Knot each strip on the mat until your mat is completely covered.

Beach Bag

Cut an old beach towel into two squares the size of a beach bag. Sew three sides together. Add handles and you have a beach towel beach bag!

Beach Sarong

An old towel makes an excellent beach sarong. Get a pattern on Pinterest.

Block A Draft

Roll an old towel up and place against bottom of door to block a draft.

Bolster Pillow

You will need some fabric and other supplies, but you can make a bolster pillow and fill it with rolled up old beach towels.

Braided Rug

Fold towel in half and cut into 1.5″ strips. Sew three strips together at the top. Braid the three strips. Sew another set of three strips onto the braid. Continue until all the strips are braided together. Wrap braid around and stitch the rows together.

Car Rags

Cut old towels into smaller rags to wash your car. You can also keep some handy in the car to clean up spills.

Chair Pad Cover

Use an old towel to cover the seat of a chair.

Checking Oil

Tear an old towel into pieces and use to check oil.

Child’s Pool Robe

Use old towels as the fabric and make your child a pool robe that is perfect for after the pool.

Clean Glasses

Cut into hand sized pieces for a non-abrasive eye glass cleaner.

Cleaning Rags

Cut old towels into smaller rags for cleaning. You can wash them and reuse.

Cobwebs

Wrap an old towel around a broom to clean the cobwebs on your ceiling.

Cushions

Sew two old towels together and stuff to create new cushions.

Dog Toy

Make a toy for your dog with three old dish towels. Tie the towels together at one end. Braid the three towels and tie at the end of the braid

Donate

Donate old towels to your local pet shelter. They have many uses for them.

Drawer Liner

Cut an old towel to fit in a drawer and use as a liner.

Dusting Mitts

Trace an outline of your hand. Add 1/2″ and cut out old bath towels. Sew together to create a dusting mitt.

Floor Pillows

Sew two large towels together and stuff to make large floor pillows.

Halloween Decorations

Use white towels to make ghost decorations for your yard.

Head Wrap

You can make a head wrap with an old towel, elastic loop and button.

Hooded Towel

Use old towels to make your own hooded towel. Customize with ribbon or embroidery.

Hot Water Bottle Cover

Make a cozy cover for your hot water bottle from old towels.

Ironing Board Pad

Cut an old bath towel to the size of your ironing board. Then cut an old sheet large enough that you can tuck it under the board. Add a drawstring to the sheet to keep it secure on your ironing board.

Knee Pads

Cut old towels into 6″ squares. Sew four or five towels together. Then sew an elastic to secure the knee pad on your leg. Don’t make the elastic too tight!

Leaky Windowsill

Roll an old towel up and put on windowsill to stop a leak.

Mop Pad

Cut an old towel use it on your Swiffer sweeper instead of buying replacement mop pads in the store. You can either discard it after use or throw it in the wash and use again.

Mop Head

For an old fashioned mop that uses a head. Cut your old towel into equal strips. Tie the strips together and attach to your mop.

Packing Material

Wrap old towels around fragile items to keep them safe during packing. You can also scrunch them into gaps in the boxes to keep items from shifting.

Pet Beds

Use your old towels to make a bed for your cat or dog. Sew two towels together and stuff them with old plastic bags for a comfy, recycled pet bed.

Picnic Blanket

Sew old towels together to make a picnic blanket. Try using four large towels, but you can always add more if you want a larger blanket.

Plants

Place under plants to absorb water when the plant does not have a bottom.

Pot Holder

Cut up a few towels into 8 inch squares and stitch them together for a new pot holder. Three or four towels should be thick enough.

Pot Insulation

Wrap an old towel around a pot to keep it warm at a potluck.

Quilt

Sew a few old towels together to use as the batting for a quilt.

Spa Slippers

You will have to Google the instructions on this one, but you can make a pair of slippers with some old towels and flip flops.

Stuffed Toys

Cut towel into pattern. Sew together and stuff to make a soft stuffed animal.

Sunbathing Companion

With two used bath towels, some stuffing and sewing supplies you can make a sunbathing towel with built-in pillow.

Superhero Cape

Add some ties to the end of an old towel and you have a superhero cape! Let your little superhero decorate their own cape with a logo.

Swim Bag

Convert an old beach towel into a bag to carry your wet swimsuits.

Swim Cover Up

Use old beach towels to make a swim coverup for your kids.

Tea Towel Cupcake

Fold tea towels to look like cupcakes. Wrap with ribbon and place in cupcake holders.

Tea Towel Cake

Create a cake base from cardboard. Wrap in tea towels and fill with kitchen utensils to create a tea towel cake.

Towel Dress

This will take a pattern and some sewing skills, but you can make a cute summer dress out of old towels.

Wash Cloths

Cut old towels into squares and hem the edges to create wash clothes.

Window Valence

convert old tea towels into a window valence.

50 Uses for Old Socks

September 22, 2015 By Alexa Mason Leave a Comment

Socks are always getting lost in the laundry. What can you do with the single socks left? Here are 50 uses for old socks:

1. Baby Wash Cloth

Take a soft old sock and use as a washcloth on your baby.

2. Ball

Roll up a sock, roll another one onto the first one, then take a very thin sock and place this over the roll. Twist the sock around the rolled insides, then fold back over itself again. You now have a soft type ball for indoor or outdoor play.

3. Bath Mat

Cut the toe off of a long sock, then begin to cut a 1 inch spiral strip until you reach the cuff of the sock. Using strips like this, crochet them to make bathmats, hotplates for the table, placemats and more.

4. Bean Bags

Fill baby socks with rice. Sew the top closed to make a bean bag.

5. Braided Rugs

Cut socks into strips, sew strips together to form long widths almost like thick yarn and use to create braided rugs.

6. Can Cozies

Cut the feet off old socks. Put the socks on cans to absorb moisture.

7. Candles

Keep taper candles from getting broken or scratched by putting them in socks.

8. Cat Toy

Fill with cat nip and tie off the end to make a cat toy.

9. Christmas Stocking

You don’t need a fancy stocking for Christmas. Hang an old sock for Santa to fill.

10. Clean Dry Erase & Chalk Boards

Wipe the boards clean with an old sock.

11. Cup Warmer

Cut the foot off and slide over cups to keep drinks warm. Also works to keep cold drinks cool.

12. Decorate Vases

Pull patterned socks over vases to decorate.

13. Dish Cloths

Cut the toe off of two socks that are roughly the same size. Cut the sock across the ankle and cut off the toe section too. You will now have a ‘tube’ with two open ends. Cut the tube to open it into one piece. Take both pieces, put smooth sides together and pin together. Sew around all four edges; then sew an X from one corner to another and you have an instant dishcloth.

14. Dog Toy

Tie a knot at each end of a tube sock. Use to play tug-of-war with your dog.

15. Doll Clothes

Old socks make wonderful pieces of fabric for children to create doll clothes.

16. Dusting

Put an old sock over your hand to dust. It makes getting into corners easier.

17. Gloves

In an emergency, put two old socks on your hands to protect from cold if you don’t have gloves.

18. Ice Packs

Put an ice pack inside an old sock to protect the skin.

19. Jump Rope

Tie socks together until the rope is the length you want.

20. Keep Game Pieces Together

Put all the small game pieces in a sock to make sure they stay together. Put the sock in the game box.

21. Knee Pads

Cut the feet off old socks. Pull over legs and fold over at knees to create a cushioned pad for gardening.

22. Knitting Needle Case

Sew the mouth of a tube sock closed and cut off the toe. Slip it inside another tube sock so they are double thicknesses. Sew the two together and you have a thick case to keep knitting needles that won’t poke through. Tie the end shut with a pretty ribbon.

23. Ladder Socks

Slip socks over the tops of a ladder so they won’t mark the surfaces they are leaning against.

24. Leg Warmers

Cut the feet off long socks. Pull the cut sock over the socks you are wearing and up to the knee. They will keep your legs doubly warm without the added bulk in your shoes.

25. Level Table

Put an old sock under the leg of a wobbly table to level.

26. Money

Place bills inside a colorful sock and place the sock in your sock drawer. Burglars are unlikely to find it, but you will be able to see it quickly in your sock drawer.

27. Mop

Cut the end off a sock and use as a wet mop behind toilets. Throw the sock away when finished or rewash to use again.

28. Mothballs

Place mothballs inside the sock, tie closed and hang in your closet. When you no longer need the mothballs or want to replace them, simply throw out the old sock and hang a new one.

29. Pillows

Cut old socks up into small pieces and use to stuff toys or pillows.

30. Polish Silverware

Use a sock to apply silverware polish.

31. Potpourri Sachet

Fill bottom with potpourri and either tie the open end or sew it closed. Place in drawers.

32. Protect Golf Clubs

Put old socks over golf clubs to protect them.

33. Purse

You can make a change purse by adding a purse clasp to the open end of a baby sock.

34. Quilt

Cut the good parts of the socks into patches for a patchwork quilt.

35. Rough Feet

Spread vaseline on your feet and put on old socks. Sleep with them on. The next morning your feet will be softer.

36. Shining Shoes

Use old socks to apply shoe polish and shine shoes.

37. Sock Monkey

Old socks are ideal for making a sock monkey.

38. Shoe Protection

Pull over shoes to protect from mud.

39. Shoe Freshener

Stuff with baking soda and put inside shoes to absorb odor.

40. Sock Puppets

Let kids decorate with craft supplies to make sock puppets.

41. Stop Drafts

Fill the cracks under doors and windows with socks to stop drafts.

42. Storage

Store golf balls, tennis balls and other small balls inside a sock.

43. Tall Boots

Stuff tall socks with newspaper and keep in your boots to keep them from flopping over. The newspaper will also absorb moisture.

44. Trees

Tie newly planted trees to a stake with old socks.

45. Umbrella

Slip a tube sock over a wet umbrella to absorb the water. Take it off when you get home or the umbrella will be moldy.

46. Wash & Wax Car

Use one sock as a rug to wash the car. Use another sock to apply wax to car.

47. Wax Furniture

Use a sock to apply wax to furniture.

48. Wet Shoes

Place clay cat litter (not the clumping modern kind) into two socks, tie or sew the ends closed and place inside the shoes. The cat litter made with clay will help absorb the moisture so the shoes will dry more quickly.

49. Windshield Wipers

Put socks over windshield wipers before a freeze. Remove the socks and you will not have to scrape.

50. Wrist Support

Fill to comfort with split peas, lentils, or rice and then sew the end up and place either for wrist support for key board, or make a smaller one to use for comfort support for your wrist when using mouse.

50 Uses for Plastic Bags

September 22, 2015 By Alexa Mason Leave a Comment

There are many, many ways to reuse plastic bags and keep them out of the landfill. The key skill to make most of these projects is learning how to fuse plastic bags. Here are 50 uses for plastic bags:

1. Apply Wax

Wear a plastic bag as a mitt to apply furniture wax or polish.

2. Basket

Make a woven basket out of plastic bags instead of yarn or rope.

3. Belt

Fuse plastic bags together. Cut the fused bags into strips the width of your belt. Attach the fused plastic to a woven back. Cut holes and add belt buckle.

4. Bowls

Make bowls and cups out of plastic bags. The instructions are a little complicated so Google if you would like to try.

5. Braided Hanger

Cut plastic bags into loops. Join the loops and use to braid around a plastic clothes hanger. The resulting braided clothes hanger looks attractive and clothes won’t slip off.

6. Coasters

Fuse 3 plastic bags together to create “fabric.” Cut into circles the size you want for your coasters.

7. Diaper Bag

Keep plastic bags in your diaper bag to pack dirty clothes and to discard dirty diapers.

8. Donate

Donate your excess plastic bags to an animal shelter, food bank or thrift store.

9. Fill in Gaps

Stuff plastic bags into gaps around pipes and ducts before filling with spray foam or caulk.

10. Flowers

Many different techniques exist to form flowers of different shapes and sizes from plastic bags.

11. Frost

Protect plants from frost by putting plastic bags over them.

12. Gift Bows

Cut as many strips from the plastic bag as you can. Strips should be about 1/2″ wide and the width of the bag, but experiment with strip width to see which look you like best. Firmly bind your bunch of strips in the middle with a wire kitchen tie. Trim your bunch so edges are even. Fluff and separate strips from one another, and pull strips up towards center to form a pouf shape.

13. Hand Protection

If you have to pick up something gross, wrap your hand in a plastic bag. It’s a free substitute for a glove!

14. Holiday Wreaths

Using a wire hanger, make a circle shape with the help of pliers. Cut the plastic bags in 1/2″ wide strips. You will have multiple plastic bag “rings.” Cut both ends of these rings. Fold strips in half. Cut the folded end. Fold the strips in half again. Cut the end. Repeat until you have strips that are 5-6″ long. Tie strips onto the wire. Tie the strips tightly together next to each other until you no longer see the wire.

15. Ice/Snow Protection

Wrap your side mirrors and windshield wipers in plastic bags to reduce the amount of scraping you have to do during cold weather.

16. Jewelry Beads

Cut the bag into a 3″ long triangle. Put glue on inside of triangle. Put a thin straw on the long end of triangle and wrap plastic around it. Put modge podge around bead. Let dry for 12 hours. Cut off excess straw. You now have beads to string together into bracelets or necklaces.

17. Juggling

Use three plastic bags to practice juggling.

18. Jump Rope

Cut plastic bags open so they are one flat piece. Then cut off the handles and any extra pieces so you are left with one large rectangle of plastic. Next cut each rectangle into long strips. After cutting a few bags worth of strips, start tying the strips together to a little longer than the length you want the jump rope. Make a total of 12 long strips. After twisting the two braids together, tape the ends with duck tape to create a handle.

19. Keep Cast Dry

If you have a broken arm, put a plastic bag over the cast to help keep it dry during a shower.

20. Kite

Cut a bag into the shape of a kite. Tape thin, bendable sticks for frame to the bag. Tie a string to the kite and add a tail made from a long plastic bag strip.

21. Knee Pads

Cut holes in the bottom of two plastic bags and wear them as knee pads while you are gardening.

22. Litter Box

Line the litter box with a plastic bag. It will make cleanup easier when you change the litter.

23. Lunch Sack

Use a plastic bag to carry your lunch to work or school.

24. Miniature Greenhouse

Put a plastic bag over your potted plant to create a miniature greenhouse. Use a bamboo stick to keep the bag from touching the plant.

25. Motion Sickness

Keep a few plastic bags in the car for motion sickness emergencies.

26. Pack Wet Clothes

If you are travelling and have to pack wet clothes, put them in a plastic bag first so that the rest of your clothes won’t get wet.

27. Packing Material

Use scrunched up plastic bags as stuffing to pack boxes, protect fragile items, and keep contents from shifting.

28. Paint

Place a plastic bag over a can of paint before you put the lid on to keep dried paint flakes from falling in can.

29. Paint Brushes

If you need a break while painting, put the brushes in a plastic bag so they don’t dry out.

30. Parachute

All you need to make a toy parachute is a plastic bag, some string and a paperclip.

31. Pet Bed

Stuff an old pillowcase tightly with plastic bags. Sew the open end closed and you have a bed for your cat or dog.

32. Pick Up Dog Poop

Instead of buying special poop bags to pick up your dog’s poop, use a plastic bag.

33. Pillows

Create woven floor pillows by weaving plastic bags into a pillow shape and stuffing them with more plastic bags.

34. Placemat

Fuse 3 plastic bags together with your iron and then cut into the shape of a placemat.

35. Pom Poms

Fold the bag so that the sides are tucked in and it lays nice and flat. Then, fold it into thirds lengthwise. Cut off the sealed bottom and the handles up top. Fold this strip in half and then half again. Thread a twisted length of plastic bag as a “string” through the center of the folded top as pictured. You will use this to gather the pom pom later. Notice at the bottom one flap will have a fold while the other side has raw edges. Just snip along that bottom fold so that all the bottom edges are raw. Cut strips up from the bottom, but leave 1/4″ at the top. Take that ‘string’ along the fold and tie it loosely. Slowly pull it tighter and tighter to ‘gather’ the fringe. Tie it into a knot. Fluff your pom pom.

36. Pom Pom Light

Cover the dome lids from drink cups with double-sided tape. Cut plastic bags into 2″ strips. Wrap each strip around a pencil and stick them to the tape. Put a LED light inside and snap two domes together.

37. Pot Filler

Put a plastic bag at the bottom of a pot before putting in soil and plant. The pot will be lighter to lift and you will use less soil.

38. Pot Scrubber

Cut plastic bags into 1″ strips. Crochet together into a pot scrubber.

39. Purse

Sew plastic bags together to create an environmentally friendly purse.

40. Rain Hat

If you are caught in a downpour, you can use a plastic bag to protect yourself from the rain.

41. Reusable Sandwich Bags

Design cute, reusable bags are from fused plastic bags and fabric scraps.

42. Rug

Weave twisted plastic bags into a rug.

43. Rolling Dough

Put a plastic bag over dough for a nonstick surface when rolling.

44. Rope

Cut plastic bags into sheets. Tie sheets together and then twist. Braid three twisted sections together to create rope.

45. Shoe Protector

Tie plastic bags over your shoes to protect them if you are caught out in the rain or snow.

46. Shoes

Stuff plastic bags into your shoes so they keep their shape while air drying.

47. Shower Cap

A plastic bag can be used as a shower cap. Wrap a plastic bag around your hair and tie it closed.

48. Storage

Use a plastic bag to store old rags.

49. Trash Liners

Use plastic bags to keep your trash cans clean. Just pull the full bag out and throw it in the dumpster.

50. Woodworking

Before clamping up a woodworking project that’s just been glued, slip a plastic bag between the piece you’ve worked on and the clamp blocks. The blocks will slip off easily when the glue has dried.