Using newspapers in everyday life. How to open a newspaper and make your way in the world of media

Every day our mailbox is filled with advertising brochures, free newspapers and similar waste paper. Previously, we took all this stuff to the nearest trash can, but now we accumulate it and use it for dacha needs. Old newspapers are suitable not only for mulching beds, but for many other useful things.

Method No. 1. Cups for seedlings... from newspaper

Instead of spending money on purchasing and, you can make disposable containers for seedlings yourself. Moreover, it is very easy.

Cut long strips of newspaper 10-12 centimeters wide.
Fit the strip to a bottle with a diameter of 3-5 centimeters, leaving 2 centimeters hanging freely.
Wrap the paper around the bottle in 2-3 layers, and bend the free part to form the bottom.
To prevent the cup from spreading, fasten its top edge with a stapler in several places.
Fill the resulting container with loose seedling substrate to ¾ of its volume.

Seedlings can be planted in the garden directly in newspaper cups; you just need to tear them slightly and don’t forget to water them more often so that the paper quickly decomposes in the soil.

If planted very early, the seedlings may be damaged by returnees. If the forecast predicts a sudden cold snap, install arcs on the bed, throw a film over them, and cover the structure with sewn strips of newspaper on top.

Method No. 2. We insulate trees for the winter with newspapers

At the end of November - beginning of December, as soon as the real winter cold sets in, wrap the garden trees with 3-4 layers of old newspapers up to the lower fork of the skeletal branches. It is also advisable to cover the sinuses of skeletal branches with folded and crumpled newspaper paper. To make it stick better to the tree, tie it with twine or a strip of hebesh fabric.

Wrap the lower part of the trunk with several sheets of newspaper soaked in nitrafen (to repel rodents), and add another layer of film on top. The film will protect the newspaper from precipitation and will not allow the smell to dissipate.

With the arrival of serious frosts (at the end of December), tree trunks can be additionally insulated with old nylon tights. There is no need to remove the newspaper.

Method number 3. We use newspapers to store the harvest

Newsprint can be used to cover each layer of vegetables when storing them. To do this, clean fruits are wrapped in crumpled newspaper and stored in the ground or in a cool basement.

Method No. 4. Seed tapes made of newsprint

Newspapers make convenient ribbons for sowing small and medium-sized seeds. To do this, cut the newspaper into strips 1-1.5 centimeters wide. Small seeds are glued to the tape every 0.5-1 centimeter, and medium-sized seeds - every 1-2 centimeters. A paste for applying seeds can be made from water and potato starch. It is advisable to add 1 tablespoon of sifted wood ash to a glass of finished glue.

After sticking the seeds, the dried tapes are rolled up, labeled and stored in bags until sowing.

Method number 5. Hunting belts from newspaper

Cut out pieces of newspaper 15-20 centimeters wide and a length equal to the diameter of the standard with a small margin. In the spring, use a rope or ribbon to tightly tie the newspaper paper to the trunk (there should be no gap!). After 7-10 days, check your catch. It usually accumulates under the paper a large number of pests that crawl from the ground into the crown. Burn the newspaper with the caterpillars and replace it with a new one. For a better effect, the paper can be soaked in a solution of entobacterin (10 grams per 10 liters of water). After this, all insects caught under the belt will die.

Method number 6. Mulching beds

Use old, unwanted newspapers to cover the beds to suppress the growth of weeds and retain moisture in the soil. They are also used to develop virgin lands and cover warm beds for the winter.

Method number 7. Newspapers against slugs

You can use newspaper to make a simple slug trap. To do this, lightly moisten the paper with water and roll it into a roll. Place the rolls in the garden bed where the largest concentrations of pests are observed. During the daytime, creeping reptiles will hide from the sun under newspapers - all you have to do is collect and destroy them more often.

By the way, an old newspaper can also come in handy around the house: you can use it to collect small shards of glass from an accidentally broken jar or glass. To do this, a sheet of newspaper is moistened with water and laid out at the “disaster site.” Tiny pieces of glass will stick to the wet paper, after which it is carefully folded and discarded.

Everything can be used. Probably thousands of unnecessary things and objects. So, this article will focus on unwanted old newspapers.

Newspapers can be used as fuel. To light a fire, for example. Or prepare homemade firewood for the winter. To do this, newspapers are folded in a stack, evenly, and then tightly wrapped with rope and moistened with soapy water. Then such a briquette is dried and it is ready for use.

Newspapers can be used as mulch (this is a surface covering of the soil that helps maintain plant health and fight weeds). To do this, wet newspapers, in several layers, need to be placed on the ground, and wood mulch should be poured on top. Newspaper retains moisture perfectly. In hot weather, such a coating will protect plants from death - it prevents the top layer of soil from overheating and maintains the optimal temperature for plant growth (root system).

Finely shredded newspaper can be added to your compost pile. It will help absorb unpleasant odors.

Newspaper can be used to ripen tomatoes. To do this, unripe tomatoes need to be wrapped in newspaper and placed in a dark place. For example, in the pantry. It is advisable to store tomatoes at room temperature and check them as they ripen.

Since newspaper is very hygroscopic, it can be used to absorb moisture when storing fruits and vegetables. It can be placed in a wooden box for storing the latter, as well as in a storage box in the refrigerator.

Again, the ability of newspapers to absorb moisture is used when drying wet shoes. If your shoes get wet, just stuff them with newspaper. The shoes will dry faster and retain their shape.

You can also place several layers of newspaper under wet shoes in rainy or slushy weather. This will eliminate the need to constantly wash the floors. For example, at the dacha or when guests arrived in large numbers.

If it suddenly gets colder and there are no warm shoes, then you can wrap your feet in the same newspapers. The newspaper will keep you warm and prevent your feet from getting cold.

Everyone knows that moths are afraid of newspapers. You can stuff newspapers into the pockets and sleeves of winter clothes. Of course, this does not guarantee 100% protection against moths, but people still believe that newspapers are very effective for prevention. You can also wrap fur hats and woolen items in newspapers.

Many motorists know that newspaper is a good anti-slip agent. The friction that occurs provides sufficient adhesion between the wheel and the newspaper, helping to push the car out of the rut.

Pet owners have found use for newspapers. The newspaper is finely torn for cat litter; placed in cages for birds and rodents. With the help of newspapers, they make it easier to clean up after small puppies that have not yet learned to endure a walk. Puppies get used to it and make their own puddles in a certain place, which is very convenient and easy.

Previously, newspapers were widely used to line the trash can. Now more reliable means have appeared, but for dry waste, newspaper is quite suitable and will even protect the bucket.

The well-known property of newspaper not to leave streaks, used for washing windows, allows them to be actively used.

You can easily collect trash using newspaper. Just put it on the floor and sweep up the debris with a broom. For example, broken glass.

Newspapers are constantly used during repairs, when moving, and during any dirty work.

Previously (and even now) newspapers were glued under the wallpaper for better adhesion. In many old houses, when you tear off the wallpaper, you can still get acquainted with the news from different years of the USSR.

Cold frames are insulated with newspapers. This method will be used and used for a long time to protect the room from wind and cold.

You can use newspapers to insulate external taps in your dacha. The tap needs to be wrapped in several layers of newspaper, put on a plastic bag and wrapped with wire.

You can use newspaper to seal any unwanted holes. Whether it's a country house or an apartment. For example, you can use newspapers soaked in putty to fill a hole in the wall, and then fill it clean.

And there are many useful ways to use unwanted old newspapers in everyday life.

But you can also make crafts and interesting things from newspapers.

For example, the English artist Jennifer Collier from the English city of Stafford decided to create her unusual works from waste paper after visiting thrift stores and charity sales. She makes rare items from waste paper. Its goal is to draw attention to the problem of what was once valuable and then fell into disuse. For example, she made an antique sewing machine, an unusual camera and other interesting things.

In general, there is one way for everyone to show their artistic skills and design talent. You can make an unusual and beautiful hot stand from unnecessary newspapers. This stand can also be used as a cup holder.

To do this, bright newspapers need to be cut into long strips 4-6 cm wide, folded in three so that the final width of the glued strip is approximately 1.5 cm, glued along the entire length, folded, and the resulting glued strip is rolled in a spiral and the tip is secured with glue. . These spirals can be of any shape (round or square), as long as they are the same. Then these spirals are dried and then fastened together with wire. The attachment points (nodes) should be on one side of the stand - for example, on the part that will lie on the table. This way all the elements of the stand are connected. And she's ready.

Newspapers can be used as gift wrapping. It's unusual and stylish

If the newspaper is colorful, with an appropriate theme. When making a gift for a football player, you can wrap the surprise in a newspaper with pictures of footballs on it.

A conscientious summer resident never wastes anything. Anything that can bring at least some benefit is used. This also applies to old paper and packaging cardboard from various purchases.

Mulching beds

The simplest and most understandable thing is to use newspapers as mulch:

Before laying them on the beds, they must be soaked in a bucket of water (each separately). You need to lay it out in 5 layers.
After the ridges are completely covered, newspapers are sprinkled on top with a small amount of earth, which will subsequently hold them in place.
Using a knife or other available tool in in the right places make small holes and plant seeds or ready-made seedlings of tomatoes, sweet peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, onions, etc. in them.

A layer of newspapers will help retain moisture in the soil for a long time after watering and rain, prevent the formation of weeds, and protect plant roots from the scorching sun.

By autumn, the newspapers will completely decompose, so this method not suitable for planting perennial crops. In this case, it is better to use cardboard - it can survive several seasons.

The printing ink in modern black and white newspapers does not contain lead, which was actively used until the mid-80s of the 20th century. Instead of linotype, computer technology is used. All components are non-toxic.

Garden paths

To prevent dirt from sticking to your shoes, cover the aisles with several layers of old newspapers or cardboard. In addition, such litter will help retain more moisture in the ground and inhibit the development of weeds (a very effective remedy against overgrown woodlice).

Filler for warm beds

When forming warm beds, newspapers, cardboard and old paper can be placed in the bottom layers, along with branches, straw and other rough materials to create an insulating air gap between the soil and the topsoil.

Such ridges will last for several years while the process of decomposition of organic matter continues. The heat coming from within will extend the growing season of cultivated plants (they can be planted 2-3 weeks earlier and dug up a few weeks later).

DIY cups for seedlings

Why spend money on buying cups for seedlings when you can quickly make them yourself from available free materials?

Take a small piece of construction material aluminum profile up to 20 cm long and the desired width (will affect the diameter of the cups). Wrap a newspaper folded in half around it. At the bottom, alternately bend the corners to fit the profile.

Instead of an aluminum profile, you can use a plastic bottle with a part cut off on one side or a table glass as a stencil. The diameter of the seedling cup will directly depend on the size of the source.

Do not rush to remove the profile; first fill the glass with the prepared substrate. Now you can carefully pull out the aluminum base.

As a result, you will get the required number of rectangular cups with soil, which you will only need to place in a large common seedling box.

If you have a lot of plantings, and even more so when growing seedlings for sale, this method is simply irreplaceable and will save a lot of money.

Large newspaper glasses can be used to create individual tube flower beds on the site, which look very original.

Lighting up the grill

I make sure to set aside any remaining paper. This even applies to small pieces such as sock labels, cardboard tubes at the base and outer packaging of toilet paper, light bulb packaging, etc.

All these small pieces of paper that are not used to fill warm beds can be saved as paper for lighting a barbecue.

Conclusion

You see how many useful things can be done at the dacha with ordinary paper waste of any size and shape. At the same time, you do not invest a single extra penny from the family budget!

If you know other practical ways to use paper in the garden, share them in the comments to this post.

Video

Are you preparing to move or packing things for storage? Take several sheets of newspaper moistened with water and wrap glass plates, salad bowls, glasses and other fragile items and dry thoroughly before installation. The newspaper, having hardened, forms a protective case on the glass item, increasing its chances of surviving the move intact.

Storing Sweaters and Blankets

Don't treat moths to a delicious menu of woolen sweaters and blankets. When storing, wrap them in several sheets of newspaper, taping the ends together. This will protect things from moths, dust and dirt.

Window washing and polishing

You're probably like most of us and use a lot of absorbent paper towels to dry your freshly cleaned windows. Did you know that crumpled up newspapers are even better at wiping and polishing windows than paper towels? Plus they are much cheaper.

Deodorization of luggage bags and containers

Is there a persistent unpleasant odor in a plastic container or wooden box? Stuff them with crumpled newspapers and close them tightly for three to four days. This method is also suitable for deodorizing travel chests and suitcases (for which, of course, more newspapers are needed).

Drying wet shoes

If your shoes get wet while walking in the rain or snow, stuff them with dry crumpled newspapers to prevent them from drying out later. Place the shoes on their sides and keep them at room temperature until the newspaper absorbs the moisture. If the shoes are very wet, the padding may need to be changed several times.

Improvised ironing board

If you're bringing a portable iron with you, it doesn't cost anything to quickly make a temporary ironing board. To do this, just put a low stack of newspaper in the pillowcase, trying to make the surface as even as possible. Then place the bundle on the countertop or floor and begin ironing.

Splint in case of emergency

If your companion has a bad fall and you suspect a broken leg or arm, it is important to immediately immobilize them to prevent pain and complications. Make a homemade splint by folding several sheets of newspaper until it becomes rigid and attach it to the injured limb with duct tape. You may need to layer several layers of newspaper on top of each other to ensure the splint is long enough to fit on the injured leg.

Unscrewing a broken light bulb

To remove a broken light bulb from the socket, fold several sheets of newspaper, wrap the rest of the light bulb and turn it inside out, wearing protective gloves and unplugging the light fixture. The light bulb will become loose and can be easily removed from the socket. Wrap it in newspaper and throw it away.

Ripening tomatoes in late autumn

According to the forecast, early frosts are expected, and unripe fruits are still hanging on the tomato bushes. Do not panic. Pick the tomatoes and wrap each one in newspaper. Place in airtight containers and store in a dark cupboard or closet at room temperature. Check the fruits every 3-4 days until they are fully ripe.

Additive to compost

A moderate amount of wet, shredded newsprint (using only black ink) in a compost heap is a good and relatively safe means of reducing odor and attracting earthworms.

Down with earwigs

If you have earwigs (crawling insects with pincers on the back of your body) in your garden, you can get rid of them using environmentally friendly traps. Roll the wet newspaper tightly and secure with a rubber band to prevent it from unraveling. Place where pests are present overnight. In the morning the newspaper will be full of insects. Place the newspaper in a plastic bag, tie the edges with a knot, and throw it in the trash. Repeat the procedure until the traps remain empty.

Winter insulation of outdoor taps

If your home has outside faucets that are not protected from frost, you should insulate them to prevent them from freezing. Close the valve of each faucet and drain the excess water. Then insulate each faucet by wrapping several layers of newspaper and a plastic bag over it (secure the bag with duct tape or rubber bands)

"Logs" for the fireplace

Fold the stack of newspapers flat, roll them up as tightly as possible, tie the ends with string or wire, and moisten with soapy water. Dry thoroughly by placing it on its end. Attention: you should not burn newspaper “firewood” in a wood-burning stove unless this is provided by the stove manufacturer’s instructions.

Increased wheel traction

If your car does not have 4-wheel drive, it is worth keeping a small supply of newspapers in the trunk in winter to prevent the car from slipping on icy or muddy roads. A dozen or two newspapers under the rear wheels often create enough traction to keep the car moving.