Paper Clips Week!

An object made to hold sheets of paper together, usually made of steel wire bent to a looped shape… Paper clips can also have several alternative uses...

Flowers with short and thin stems

To straighten and even out flowers with short and/or thin stems in a vase, insert each one into a plastic straw. Align the flowers and trim the straws to the desired length for your arrangement.

Protect paint brushes

Prevent paint brushes from rusting, by laying 4 plastic straws across the opening of an empty coffee can, creating a tic-tac-toe design. Fold the ends over the edge of the can and secure with tape. Place already cleaned brushes in the can, bristles up, and the partitions will prevent them from leaning against each other or touching the edge of the can.

Preserve an open caulk tube

To prevent an open caulk tube from hardening, insert a plastic straw into the tip and trim the straw, leaving 1 to 2 inches. Fold over the outside end and seal with tape.

Coring strawberries

Wash the strawberries and pluck the stems. Cut a plastic straw at an angle for sharpness, press and twist the pointed tip through the top of the fruit and pull back the straw. The hollow pipe will easily remove the unwanted core.

Grab-and-go iced tea

Ideal for a big family, when you buy powdered drink mix bulk. Make individual packets to add to water bottles whenever you need: cut several plastic straws in half; fold over one end of each half and secure with tape; fill each straw (use a funnel) with mix; fold over the other end and secure with tape.

Airtight seal for freezer bags

Remove all the air from the plastic zip bag, by squeezing out as much air as you can with your hands and closing the bag most of the way, leaving it slightly open at the end. Then, slide a plastic straw into the opening and use it to suck out the rest of the air. Quickly remove the straw and zip up the bag.

Straw Week!

A thin tube normally intended for transferring a beverage from its container to someone’s mouth, can also have some alternative uses... Check them out...