From the page: The newspaper still has plenty of stories to tell
Idea 9
Fabric softener and glass cleaner
Grandmothers used to fill linen closets with newspaper to keep sheets smelling fresh and soft, and cleaned mirrors and windows with balls of crumpled paper. The secret is twofold: the newspaper's mineral ink acts as a light polish, and the paper's fibers, well compacted, absorb grease without shedding lint the way a careless microfiber cloth does.
What you need
- Newspaper sheets (magazine paper doesn't work: glossy ink scratches)
- White vinegar
- Water
- A spray bottle
- Balls of crumpled newspaper (hand-sized)
How to make it
-
1
Mix equal parts water and vinegar in the spray bottle — vinegar is a weak acid that dissolves grease and the dust residue accumulated on the glass.
-
2
Spray the solution on the window or mirror without soaking it: excess liquid drips and leaves marks on the frame.
-
3
Crumple newspaper sheets into firm, compact balls — well-crumpled paper doesn't fall apart or shed lint during friction.
-
4
Wipe in circular motions, pressing lightly: the newspaper's mineral ink acts as a polish that removes the whitish film left by many commercial cleaners.
-
5
Finish by buffing with a dry ball of newspaper — it draws out the remaining moisture and restores the transparent shine.
-
6
Keep a few balls of newspaper inside shoes or between folded bed linens: there they act as a natural softener, absorbing moisture and odors.
Finishing touches
Do it early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the sun won't dry the liquid too quickly on the glass. The same paper, once used, can still go into the compost bin or become papier-mâché — every sheet yields more than one life.
This is one of the ideas from the full page — see all the possibilities.
This page feeds the collective knowledge 🌱 — every discovery makes the next answer better.