Buzz
Are you constantly breaking down boxes and hauling them to the recycling bin? Especially during this season, the ease of home deliveries is unmatched—but the resulting pile of boxes can feel both unsustainable and frustrating to manage. Instead of discarding them, consider repurposing these boxes in unexpected and practical ways around your home. Here are some inventive household uses for cardboard you might not have considered.
Add extra “shelves” to your refrigerator
Transform cardboard into temporary “shelves” for your crowded fridge, particularly during busy times like the holidays. Rather than piling pies or ingredients directly on top of each other—which can damage their shape—cut cardboard pieces slightly larger than your containers. Slide these sturdy dividers between items to maintain stability and prevent crushing.
Rake leaves in the yard
Here’s a tried-and-true trick we’ve recommended before: Turn cardboard into a makeshift plow to collect leaves and yard waste during colder months. Cut your box into large sections, press a piece firmly to the ground, and drag it across your lawn for effortless leaf gathering.
Get crafty
While cardboard is perfect for crafting projects, it’s also ideal for cleanup afterward. Beth Skwarecki, Mytour’s senior health editor, suggests placing a cardboard sheet under your workspace to shield floors or tables during messy art sessions. The bonus? Once the creative fun is over, simply gather the cardboard and toss it away.
Protect your floors
Turn cardboard into a temporary heavy-duty floor mat to prevent office chairs from scratching floors or struggling on carpets. The University of Colorado Boulder also suggests cutting cardboard into small pieces and placing them under furniture legs to safeguard floors or simplify moving items like couches and tables.
Kill weeds
As recommended by the University of Colorado Boulder, old boxes can also serve as an effective weed killer. Simply flatten the box, place it over the weeds, soak it with water, and cover it with soil. The weeds will perish, leaving you satisfied.
Make your garbage can more functional
Create a cardboard insert to prevent garbage bags from slipping in even the smallest trash cans. While this requires some effort, detailed step-by-step instructions are available here. With careful measuring, folding, and taping, you can stabilize the bag and avoid messy leaks.
Fold your laundry
Instead of spending $10 on a laundry-folding gadget from Amazon, repurpose an old Amazon box to create one at no cost. The choice is yours, but it’s a simple and practical solution. Just grab an old box and some tape. Check out this guide to learn how, and enjoy the extra space in your drawers.
Store cords, jewelry, or art supplies
This clever idea, from Family Handyman, repurposes both cardboard boxes and toilet paper rolls. Take an old shoebox or small cardboard container and arrange toilet paper rolls inside in a honeycomb pattern. Each roll can hold cords, necklaces, sewing tools, art supplies, or other small items—making it a surprisingly adaptable storage solution.
Entertain cats (and protect furniture)
If your cat is clawing your couch, aesthetics might take a backseat, and wrapping cardboard around the base could be a practical solution—and we totally understand. For a more engaging option, Family Handyman suggests cutting cardboard into strips, rolling them into spiral shapes, and sprinkling them with catnip. This textured toy will keep your cat entertained, saving your curtains or Christmas tree from their claws.
