THE first corrugated box was manufactured in the late 1800s. By the early 1900s, wooden boxes were gradually replaced by cardboard boxes. The average American generates an astounding 56 tons of trash per year. Before you recycle your cardboard boxes consider reusing them.
-- Insulate a window air conditioner by stuffing cardboard around the frame.
-- Create a pet bed for Dino by painting a low-sided cardboard box with non-toxic paint and then inserting a soft pillow or blanket. It's perfect!
-- Make a bed tray. Remove the top flaps of a thick and strong box and cut the side flaps so that they become legs to fit over your lap. Decorate the box with fabric, paint or photos.
-- Make the world's best non-toxic air freshener. Rip off a piece of corrugated cardboard and sprinkle it with a few drops of your favorite essential oil (not cooking extracts). Stick the cardboard in any place that smells; sports bags, suitcases, sandals etc.
-- Instead of laying down newspaper or garden weed control fabric in your garden you may want to consider using cut up cardboard boxes. This solution keeps the weeds away and it will eventually deteriorate into the garden.
-- Cut large boxes into flat sheets and store in your garage. When the time comes to change your oil, lay the cardboard underneath your vehicle to prevent spills on the floor.
-- Save and flatten cardboard boxes to use for making sewing patterns.
-- Speaking of patterns, you can create hundreds of costumes using large and small cardboard boxes, and you don't have to spend any money. With a little imagination you can turn a plain old box into: a washing machine, robot, car of fridge and those are just a few simple ideas.
-- Cardboard boxes can also be used to create placemats especially for Christmas. You want to decorate but not break the bank. Cut cardboard the size and shape that your want, then cover it with Christmas wrapping paper. The paper can either be glued onto the cardboard or taped. This idea can be themed to work for: baby showers, birthday parties or just to bring additional excitement to your everyday life.
-- Make a picture frame using a cardboard box. Cut one face of a carton into a frame and use the other face as a backing. Cover with paper, fabric, lace or other trims (flowers, buttons, paper clips or candy). Glue on three edges, leaving one edge for inserting artwork (or photo), or glue entire frame with artwork inside.
-- Planning to design and renovate your kitchen? Cut and flatten a large box to the size that you want your kitchen island to be. Move the cardboard around the kitchen to determine the best size and location for the island.
-- Sleighs are a must for every winter season. Flatten a cardboard box and create sides using duct tape or just leave the sides off and go!
-- Most experienced boy scouts will tell you that an outdoor stove is essential for camping. Make your own reflector box using a medium size cardboard box, aluminium foil and skewers. When done correctly a cardboard box oven will allow you to bake almost anything you decide to make while camping. Check out the Internet for detailed directions on how to make a cardboard box stove.
Warning; if you do not ensure every part of the oven is covered with foil, there is a high likelihood the oven will catch fire. Only use the oven outside and away from combustible materials.
-- Here is a gift idea that is both handmade and practical. Create a personalized decoupage box by painting a small cardboard box with cut two coats of acrylic paint. Next cut out photos or your favourite magazine picture (the thinner the paper the better). Apply watered down white glue or decoupage all over the box. Lay your design onto the box and gently press with your fingers. Brush the box once again with decoupage or thinned white glue. Apply a few more coats and let dry. Voila a wonderful gift for someone you love.
Reena Nerbas is the author of the national bestselling Household Solutions series. Her website is www.householdsolutions.org. You can contact her at Box 429, Blumenort, Man., R0A 0C0.
