How to Use Cardboard

Cardboard is a form of paper that is used to make many things, including boxes, toilet paper rolls, cards and signs. Not only can cardboard be recycled in a recycling plant, but it can also be recycled in your home. When you are finished using it in one capacity, you can turn around and use it for something else. You can even get your children in on the fun and have them come up with some uses for cardboard.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cardboard

1. Pack your items to ship using cardboard. Cardboard boxes are very sturdy and make shipping packages easy. They can be taped closed and addressed with a permanent marker. You can also use the cardboard boxes to pack your household items if you have to move.

2. Convert cardboard toilet paper rolls into napkin rings for your dining room table. Use scissors to cut the rolls into 1 1/2-inch rings. Then decorate them with fabric, felt, paint or even ribbon. You can use a hot glue gun to glue a flower on top.

3. Take a large cardboard box and turn it into a playhouse for your kids. Flip the box over so that the open end is on the floor. Choose one side to be the front and use a utility knife to cut out a door. On the sides of the box you can cut out windows. Let your kids color or paint the box.

4. Use cardboard to keep away weeds. Lay cardboard pieces under your mulch near where you plant your flowers and it will keep the weeds to a minimum.

5. Cut pieces of cardboard to fit in your dresser drawers. You can use these pieces as separators to keep your drawers organized. You could have socks on one side of the drawer and underwear on the other side with the piece of cardboard in between.

6. Cut out rectangles from your cardboard and use them as place mats for your kids. Your kids can color them while they are waiting for dinner to be ready.

7. Paint on a large piece of cardboard to let drivers know you are having a yard sale. You can nail the cardboard to a tree or telephone pole. Cardboard pieces make great signs.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use cardboard to replace a broken window until you have time to get the window fixed. You can use small boxes to organize your office.
• Never throw away cardboard. If you can't find anyone else who wants to use it, take it to a recycling center.