11 Clever Uses For Newspaper

What do you do with newspapers once you're doing reading them? If they're just laying around gathering dust, our friends at All You have some clever tips on how to put them to use.

Cover the surface in vegetable oil or baby oil. Let sit for 15 minutes, then scrape stickers or tape away with a metal spatula. To remove the greasy sheen afterward, wipe with vinegar using old newspaper, which is highly absorbent and lint-free — it's a great way to repurpose what you've read.

Got a bad odor in your fridge? Spray a few sheets of newspaper with water, then crumple them into balls. Tuck them into corners and drawers overnight to soak up bad smells. To prevent odors in the future, line your fridge drawers with newspaper and replace a few times a month.

Choose an appropriate section or article, like the comics or horoscope, to give a present a touch of whimsy. You can also shred the newspaper and use it as filling for a gift basket.

Never buy pricey stationery again: follow these easy directions from blogger Kanelstrand to turn old newspaper into pretty, fun envelopes.

Are you mailing something fragile? Instead of packing peanuts, shred newspaper to use as packing material (it's cheaper and more environmentally friendly!) (Source: Apartment Therapy)

Lay a few sheets over your car's windshield and secure overnight with the wipers — you won't have to de-ice in the morning!

Stuff a balled-up piece of newspaper into a lunch box or thermos, seal it, and let sit overnight. (Source: Real Simple)

Lay wet newspaper in the garden, then cover with a thin layer of dirt. The paper keeps weeds from sprouting. When planting bulbs, make sure you leave a large enough hole in the paper that the plants can grow through.

Wrap them individually and leave them out at room temperature. (Source: Real Simple)

When faced with wet shoes, stuff newspaper into the soles of the feet, and change every few hours until dry. (Source: The Thrifty Couple)

For your caged or crated pets, try using old newspapers for bedding. It's warm and healthier than sawdust or straw since it resists bacteria and is nontoxic if eaten. (Source: This Old House)

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