Don't waste that collection of straws you've built up from all those takeaways - use them in a variety of exciting and useful ways instead.
There are so many wonderful ideas, some creative, some musical - and even some practical ways for you to use them. Enjoy...
Before you continue, don't forget to follow us on:
1. Straw flute
You need a straw, a pair of scissors and a person to listen to that lovely tune you're about to play. Cut off the end of the straw into a point (taking care to make the sides the same) and then gently chew on the straw. Make sure the edges are pushed together and then blow really hard. It's funny how loud the sound is!
2. Cherry pitters
Using a thick plastic straw, remove the stem off your cherry and aim it through until it comes out the other side. Ta da - the pit has been removed. Your cherries will be perfect for a delicious fruit salad. Enjoy.
3. Blow paint
Remember this from school? Relive your the joys of youth by having a super-fun time with blow painting. It's incredibly easy to do - all you need is some paper, a spoon, straws and paint.
If the paint is very thick, thin it down with a few drops of water. Spoon some paint onto your paper, then blow through a straw so it scatters over the page. Add more and more paint to make an exciting piece of art. This is a lovely way to entertain the kids at the weekend and might make lovely Christmas presents for some lucky family members!
4. Make a utensil holder out of bent straws
Fold the straws in half and fill an empty can. Once it's completely stuffed full, use it to store your utensils. It's exactly like owning a universal knife holder - but without the hefty price tag.
5. Wire organiser
These days our lives are ruled by wires and I know the pain of unplugging the wrong item all too well. Prevent this horror from happening by grabbing a few of your trusty straws.
Cut the straws length-ways and label with a permanent marker the name of the gadget it belongs to. Wrap your straws around the wires. If you have different coloured straws, you might like to colour code your wires - you'll quickly get used to which wire does what.
6. DIY drinking straw packets
If you're going on a camping trip and need some supplies like sugar and coffee, you'll love these little storage packets.
To make them, you need:
- Heat sealer (16.99 from Amazon)
- Cotton bud
- Scissors
- Plastic drinking straws
- Washi tape
1. Use your heat sealer to seal one end of the straw.
2. Fill it with whatever you need - moisturising lotion, shampoo, conditioner - it's up to you! Use a cotton bud to push the filling down.
3. Snip the straw with scissors and seal up the end.
4. Label the contents so you know what's inside.
7. Bracelet & necklace holder
My jewellery drawer is a mess. The necklaces are all wrapped around each other, so when it came to picking one out to wear, I just gave up. Prevent your bracelets and necklaces from getting tangled with the following tip.
Thread the chain of your jewellery through a straw and do up the clasp the other side. You may need to cut your straw according to the size you need. This way you'll be able to stop all those annoying knots from happening. If you have a big trip planned, pack your jewellery with straws too and then they won't end up moving around and getting all tangled up while en route.
8. Use straws as hair curlers
Learn how to create spiral curls with your straws. Watch this wonderful video from beautyklove to find out how you can do it to your own hair. You won't believe the end result!
9. DIY vacuum pack
I love a good sandwich bag (I know, how sad) - they're so useful for whacking leftover food in. If you plan to store lots of food in your freezer, go grab your trusty straw. Close the seal as much as you can, insert a straw into your bag, and then suck out the air. You'll be able to fit much more into the storage spaces in your fridge and freezer.
10. Make a tiny scoop
You can cut out a tiny scoop with the end of your straw. This might useful if you've lost all your spoons, or you need to transfer some spices into your dish.
11. Got bits of cork in your wine?
Use your trusty straw to get those broken bits of cork out of your wine bottle. Insert the straw into the bottle over the cork, put your finger over one end and then lift the cork out. Repeat until all the bits have gone.
12.Make animals out of straws
There's lots of craft projects to do with straws. A particular video that caught my eye is by Naluri Jiwa who made a rather cool fish. Check it out now.
13. Use it as a stirrer
Run out of spoons? Don't panic. Grab a straw and use it stir your coffee. Hot chocolate not been mixed well enough? Pick up a straw and use it to get to the bottom of your cup. You resourceful thing you.
14. Hold up flowers
If your poor flowers are looking a little worse for wear then I have the answer. Help weak stems with straws! Slip your flower stem through the straw and insert them into a vase. They will be able to stand up tall and proud.
15. Nail art
Give your nails an exciting new look by using straws to create a cool effect. Paint your nails a light colour. Dip the end of the straw into your pot and dot it around your nail. I'm sure you'll have people queueing up to ask you where you got your nails done.
16. Tweezer protector
Keep the end of your tweezers protected by snipping a straw and placing it over your pointy old tweezers. Heading off on a nice trip and need them? This is an easy way to avoid any hand scrapes when reaching into a make-up bag.
17. Make Jelly worms
Follow the directions from instructables and make your own jelly worms. It's a perfect treat for a kid's party - they'll love it. The jelly worms are also brilliant if you're looking for a special treat for Halloween.
18. Label your herbs
Snip a straw at the top and insert a piece of card. This way you'll be able to direct the kids to the right herb when you're busy preparing dinner!
19. Make jewellery
Don't throw those straws away, save them and make your own jewellery. These three amazing ideas are not to be missed...
Aren't they beautiful? I know what you'll be making for presents this Christmas...
20. Hull a strawberry
You've probably seen this trick before. Grab a strawberry and push a straw gently through the bottom, aiming for the green at the top. This is a simple way to get rid of all the green stalks quickly and easily. If you fancy adding to your strawberries, why not squeeze some cream inside before serving?
21. Adorn your bicycle spokes
If your bicycle is a little boring, Cut the straws length-ways and into segments. Fit them around each bicycle spoke and then pop out for a colourful ride. This is great fun for the kids, but adults might also enjoy the excitement too.
22. Homemade Pan flute
Forget straw flutes, make a pan flute! With 7 drinking straws, tape, a ruler, pen and some scissors you're all set. Cut the first straw to 20cm long, then with the next straw, cut it 2cm shorter than this - 18cm. Every subsequent straw will be 2cm shorter than the last. Tape them together and you've got yourself a pan flute. Blow across the top of the straws. Voila!
Now go find all those straws you've got in your kitchen draws! Which use will you try first?
some really good tips and I will be trying some
Thanks Lynne, glad to hear you liked them!
Corked wine doesn't mean there are bits of cork in it but that it has been contaminated by the cork.
Thanks for letting me know Judith, I have changed that. Hope you enjoyed the rest of the blog post!
Reading this article really was the last straw
Oh no, that's a catastrawphe!
I admit, I only found your blog because I wanted to enter some of your competitions, but I love reading your tips and fun things to do with everyday stuff. Some of these straw tips are so inspiring. I'm defo gonna try a few of these out. Thanks :)
Hi Louise, glad to hear that you enjoyed the post and hope you discover lots more on our blog!
Hi Colleen, Really like some of your tips, in particular the use of named straws to identify plugs. Think i will use that one on my elderly mums' appliances. Can also see myself using straws to hold up flowers and the jewellery tip.
Oh so happy to hear you'll be trying out the tips Susie - the plug tip is so useful. I also like to use stickers as well.
I can't believe that so many people loose all their spoons as your tips suggest!
An emergency spoon Jo, everyone needs one!
I use a straw to cover the string on a pull light switch to keep it clean. Either thread the string through the straw and then tie a knot or cut the straw along one side of the length to slide the string in side it.
What an interesting idea Maria, thanks for sharing!
It's too helpful
I’m sorry but I think that a lot of these “uses” are rather naff. Firstly... I don’t actually believe that plastic straws would be strong enough for some of the above tasks? Secondly... I don’t believe that some of the uses do not actually class as a full time job or method of recycling? Because after you have used the straw, you are still left with the straw? Thirdly... Who the hell wants a straw Pan Flute?? Lol. I do appreciate your efforts though, and do still believe that a lot of people are far too wasteful these days. Best wishes Martin.
It's not necessarily recycling as you say, but repurposing. If you can give something one more use before it goes to landfill, it's much less wasteful. We're glad you agree with that. As far as the pan flute goes - you'd be surprised! Thanks for your feedback, Martin.
Some great ideas thanks for sharing Colleen
We're glad you enjoyed them, Lincoln!
During the lock down, instead of having large hand towels lying around, I have had piles of face cloths one in the Kitchen and one outside the Bathroom, then you wash your hands dry them on a facecloth then put them in a wash bin,bucket or washing machine, when the pile has nearly gone wash the load dry them and start all over again. If one cloth does not dry your hand you can use another one, it is a lot easier than washing and drying a load of larger towels.
That's a great idea!