Whether you get the newspaper delivered every day or treat yourself to the weekend specials here and there (or should we say, periodically), collections stack up pretty quickly. While this is one of those items you can easily recycle, it’s also worth holding on to a few newspapers for household projects and crafts.
We’re sharing some of our favorite ways to repurpose newspapers below, and you might be surprised to see just how handy they come in across the house.
Gift wrap
An old newspaper is perfect for wrapping gifts, be it for the holidays or a birthday celebration. “Not only is this a great way to recycle, but it can save you a lot of money on wrapping paper,” says Andrea Woroch, a budgeting expert. “You can even make it a bit personalized by choosing a section that best matches the gift recipient’s interests or personality.”
For example, the travel section for a globetrotter, cartoons for the kids, and the fashion section for style buffs.
Wipe up cooking grease
Grease shouldn’t go down the drain because it can cause clogging. Instead, use old newspapers to soak up the excess from your pots and pans. Once the cookware has cooled, wipe away any leftover grease with a few sheets of newspaper, toss them in the trash, and wash your cookware as usual.
Protect surfaces
Keep a stack of old newspapers around to protect surfaces while crafting or working on a household project, Woroch suggests. For crafts, lay the newspaper out over the table to protect it from glue, glitter, paint, and beyond. You can also use it on the garage floor when working on the car or other household projects, or on the floors when painting a room.
Line fridge and freezer drawers
Placing dry sheets of newspaper at the bottom of a produce drawer can catch loose dirt and absorb some excess moisture. “This makes the drawer easier to maintain between cleanings,” Bossart explains. It also can help curb smells. She recommends replacing the paper whenever it becomes damp or dirty, and keeping it away from cut or peeled produce.
Decoupage and paper mâché crafts
Give old furniture, glass jars, or storage boxes a makeover by adhering newspaper clippings with Mod Podge and sealing with a protective topcoat. You can also use newspaper strips dipped in a glue-and-water mixture to create paper mâché bowls, ornaments, decorative objects, and even piñatas.
Absorb moisture in damp shoes
When shoes get wet or develop a musty smell, loosely crumple a few sheets of newspaper and tuck them inside to help absorb moisture. Bossart says, “Replace the paper as it becomes damp, then let the shoes air-dry completely in a well-ventilated spot.”
Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle journalist who routinely contributes to Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Women’s Health, and House Beautiful, among others. She covers home and garden, wellness, and travel, focusing on thoughtful storytelling and detailed reporting. When not writing, you can catch her perusing thrift stores, singing, hitting the gym, and petting any cat or dog that'll allow it.
