8 Clever Ways To Repurpose Packing Paper Once You Are All Moved In

Packing paper is a lifesaver when moving. You can wrap up and pack fragile items to reduce the chance of breakage and fill in boxes so things stay put during all the movements. Paper products are so versatile though, so moving doesn't have to be the only time these sheets get utilized. Some clever ways you can repurpose them include using them to wrap gifts, cover furniture, clean windows, and line your drawers.

The most common packing paper is the newsprint type which is very light and thin. It helps to keep your belongings safe in long-term storage because nothing has been printed on it, and therefore there's no risk of ink staining, unlike with newspaper. There is also a honeycomb type which is soft and stretchy, offering a cushion that is especially ideal for fragile items. With the basic type, you need to prep it before reusing it for some of these ideas. The paper should be ironed free of any wrinkles so it's good as new. All that takes is laying out the sheets, covering them with a towel, and ironing on the towel, not directly on the paper. If the paper doesn't need to be straightened, you can simply fold it up or store it the same way you would store wrapping paper.

One idea is to keep it for when you have gifts to give out. Packing paper can work just like wrapping paper to bundle up a variety of items. For instance, you can use it to cover books, boxes, and product packaging or to give a little cushion to more fragile items like mugs and plates as filler in a gift bag. Packing paper can also help to create little cases for small, loose items like jewelry by folding it into an envelope shape and closing it with an adhesive gift tag.

If you've just moved in, chances are there are still some unfinished home projects to tackle. Tasks like painting or applying wallpaper, tiling, working on the ceiling, or installing floors will require you to cover some things in the room so they're protected from any accidental impact. Packing paper can help out here because it can be used to cover things like chairs, beds, and tables until the work is done. You can ensure your surfaces are protected for free, whether it's from dripping paint or dust in the air. You can even use it to cover plants and garden beds while following ideal guidelines for painting your exterior to protect them from splatters.

Packing paper can help clean glass surfaces like windows and mirrors without leaving streaks or residue like lint. Spray your cleaner or your homemade cleaning solution on the glass, wipe it down dry with a towel or cloth, and use the packing paper to do the final wipe down. You can also skip the cloth and use just the paper. Newspaper is typically used for this, but plain newsprint packing paper is even better because it doesn't have any ink on it so you don't have to worry about smudging.

If you've just moved in and are unpacking your stuff, try and reshape any tall boots, soft bags, caps, or hats that have been bent or squeezed. This typically happens when they've been packed away wrongly in storage for a long time, especially in tough climate conditions. All you need to do to give them back their form is to squeeze up sheets of packing paper and fill them out completely. This can also be done as a regular storage practice. Get ahead of the problem by stuffing these fragile items before putting them away.

Lining your dresser drawers with paper is a way to keep your clothing fresh while also protecting the inside of the furniture from scratches or stains. There are liner products that are designed for this purpose, but repurposing your packing paper is much more cost-effective. Cut your packing paper sheets down to size, place them in the drawers, and put in your clothes. If the sheets are moving around too much, use spray adhesive to hold them in place. A bonus tip is to also leave a sachet of coffee grounds in the drawers to get rid of bad smells.

Another clever way to repurpose packing paper once you are all moved in is to use it as scratch paper. Leave a pen and some cut-to-size sheets on your living room coffee table, bedside table, home office desk, and anywhere else where there's a table so you're always prepared to jot down something. It can also be used for sketches or doodling if you want to give your kids a great big canvas to keep them occupied. You can keep some to have on hand for playtime instead of buying sketchbooks.

If you want something more involved than sketching, try out one of the many crafts out there that you can do with packing paper to create an easy and fun activity for the family. You can fold and cut up the sheets to make flower wraps, envelopes for letters, decals to hang up on the wall, kid costumes, and seasonal decorations like flowers, wreaths, garlands, and confetti. Depending on the color of your paper, you might have to paint it first so it's more colorful and fitting with the type of project you're doing.

As you make your own DIY compost, add some used packing paper. Non-colored newsprint-style packing paper is safe enough to be composted since it doesn't have the inks and dyes on it. To do this, shred the paper into pieces and don't add too much all at once. This is so it can break down properly and also be balanced with all other types of matter going into the pile. Packing paper falls into the category of brown material, alongside things like dry leaves, so it shouldn't be more than the green material, which is more like food scraps.