Put extra charcoal to work around the house
With
summertime coming to an end and all of this much-needed rain coming through, we
are saying goodbye to BBQ and picnics and hello to ice cream and movie nights
(that’s what rainy weather does to me at least). But before you throw out that
bag of leftover charcoal take a look at these creative repurposing ideas that
will have
you saving money and going green all at the same time.
1.
Rust-free tool and tackle boxes: Charcoal absorbs moisture, so stick a couple
of lumps in your toolbox and fishing tackle box to keep your hammers and hooks
from rusting. I also put a few pieces in a garbage bag and wrap the business
ends of my gardening tools in it for a rust-free winter's nap.
2.
Compost it:
Charcoal can be added to the compost pile -- in moderation -- and will increase
the carbon content of the resulting humus. Of course there are plenty of
other unusual things you can compost as
well.
3.
Natural air freshener: Charcoal
keeps air smelling fresh by absorbing moisture that can cause mold and mildew.
Put a few pieces in an old pair of pantyhose and hang it in the basement or other damp room, or put
some in drawers, closets, or even in the fridge instead of baking soda.
4.
Moisture-free salt and sand: Replacing the bag of summertime charcoal in the garage
with sacks of rock salt and sand to handle winter de-icing? Mix a couple of
pieces of charcoal in with the salt and sand; it will absorb moisture and keep
them from clumping. Since our winter will likely resemble summers up north it
isn’t likely that we’ll need this tip, but your family in Colorado will love
you for it!
5.
Flatulence odor control: Okay, so it's not exactly a do-it-yourself project for
leftover charcoal -- and in fact I'm not certain that it even works at all --
but Flat-D is definitely one of the most
intriguing products I've unearthed. (And just in time for Christmas shopping!)
6. Shoe odor control: So maybe you're not
ready to stick a briquette down you undershorts, but putting a piece of
charcoal in an old sock and sticking it in your shoes before you put them away
will help reduce odor. It also removes moisture, which will make your footwear last longer. Great for those teenage football cleats
stinking up your foyer!
7.
Keep cut flowers fresher: Just like the charcoal filter in a fish aquarium, a
couple of pieces of charcoal in the bottom of a flower vase will keep the water
clean and clear and make fresh cut flowers last longer.
8.
Mark the spot: Use charcoal instead of chalk when marking measurements and
construction plans on concrete and other surfaces -- not to mention making a
hopscotch court for the kids in the driveway. Like chalk, it washes off in
fairly short order.
9.
Healthier orchids: Some plants, including orchids and bromeliads, thrive in soil
enhanced with a small amount of charcoal. It increases drainage and alkalinity.
10.
Naughty kids: If you get through all of these repurposing ideas and still
have leftover charcoal, go ahead and take the old-fashioned route around
Christmas time -- put a couple pieces in your kids’ stockings to scare them
into cleaning their rooms.
[*IMPORTANT NOTE: Use chemical-free,
natural "lump variety" charcoal for the purposes discussed in this
article; contact with chemically enhanced charcoal, particularly some
"quick-start" varieties, can be dangerous to plants and animals, including
humans.]
