Waste Not Wednesday!
Tin cans! Tin cans of all sizes!
It always seems like such a waste to just throw them away, yet what is a person to do with them?
- Baking- Tall skinny cans, short wide cans, and regular vegetable cans can all be used to bake quick breads in (like banana bread). Use them as you would a regular baking pan, just make sure you grease them really well. The baking time will depend on the size of the can. To test whether it is done or not, use a wooden skewer rather than a toothpick. Once done, leave bread in can to cool slightly, this will make for easier removal and also help the bread to maintain its shape when removed. Another fun idea to try would be to bake regular bread in them.
- In the garden- Large gallon-sized cans work well as protection from the wind for young plants. Push the can slightly into the ground, so that it will not blow away. The cans also make watering easier, as the water will stay close to the plant and it roots. Remove the cans when the plants become taller than the can. For neater storage of cans until next year, stack several on a pole or stick. Small cans with holes punched in bottom can be used as small pots to start seeds in as well.
- Paint- Have you ever been painting and needed to climb on a ladder to do the edge or just a little spot and couldn't hold onto the whole paint tray? Short wide mouthed cans work great for this. Just pour in a small amount of paint and you can easily carry it up and down the ladder. Tin cans also work if using paint thinner to wash out your brushes. Pour paint thinner into can and swish brushes around in it until clean. Then when you are done with all the brushes just throw away.
- Storage- Most everyone knows about using cans for storage, but in case not, here are a few ideas. Items like pens, pencils, markers, paint brushes, screws, nuts and bolts, and nails are just a few. If the cans will be visible, you can spray paint them or even cover the outside with paper of choice.
A P.S. from Blessed Mama - With Resurrection Sunday and Spring Time fast approaching, here is an idea that might be usable. Tin cans can be turned into adorable "baskets". Punch two holes close to the top of the can making sure that the holes are on opposite sides of the can. Spray paint or cover can with paper. I have also seen multi-colored scraps of tissue paper or newspaper pictures decoupaged on the can. Seasonal stickers can also be adhered in a randomly pleasing pattern. Using a length of wire, bend the wire to form the basket handle. Insert each end through one of the holes in the can and twist to secure. Don't forget to make sure all rough edges have been made smooth. Viola! A basket for spring that didn't break the bank. This is such an easy project to personalize. The outside of the can wouldn't have to be decorated. A clean, shiny can could be just the contemporary look you desire or maybe you prefer the primitive rusty look. That could easily be achieved with paint. Chenille stems (pipe cleaners) can also be used for a handle. They would be nice and soft on little hands. Another option for a handle would be to use paper ribbon that is wire enforced or a segment of artificial garland with wire insides. As always, the possibilities are limitless.
Cans also make beautiful luminaries and/or candleholders. Punch out a design on the sides of the can, insert candle, light, and enjoy the patterns created as the light shines through the holes. Blessed Mama