The Unexpected Way To Reuse Packing Paper Around The House

Whether you're moving boxes into a new home or unwrapping those new wine glasses you ordered online, you may find yourself swimming in packing paper. Instead of cramming it in your recycling bin, which might already be overflowing, see if you can reuse it first. There are lots of ways to repurpose packing paper in your home and garden, from lining your drawers with it to using it as an ingredient when making your own DIY compost. One of the lesser-known things you can do with packing paper is clean your glass surfaces.

Newspaper, brown masking paper, and other types of packing paper are excellent for cleaning windows because they don't create streaks or deposit lint, though it's crucial to note that different types of packing paper have different benefits and drawbacks. For instance, newspaper is very absorbent, but it can deposit ink on glass surfaces. In other words, watch for ink transfer if you use this type of paper. Newspaper and packing paper also have a rough texture that acts as a gentle abrasive to get rid of dirt and grime, making these items ideal for cleaning any type of glass. Consider using packing paper for cleaning windows, glass coffee tables, shower doors, or even your car windshield.

No special tools are needed to make your surfaces sparkle when using packing paper. Simply spritz your glass with a cleaning solution and then buff away the blemishes with your paper, in exactly the same way you would use a rag or cleaning cloth. Be sure to grab new pieces of packing paper when the old ones start to look filthy or worn out. You can also use packing paper at the end of your usual glass-cleaning process as a way of absorbing any excess moisture and achieving a sparkling shine. To start, scrub the glass with your usual sponge, squeegee, or cloth, and water blended with dish soap. After that, use packing paper and glass cleaner to wipe down each surface. 

Packing paper pairs well with a variety of glass cleaners, including Windex Glass and Window Cleaner Spray, so you won't need to buy any new products to try this hack. Using packing paper to clean glass is eco-friendly because it repurposes the paper and reduces waste, but you can make it even more environmentally friendly by using a natural cleaning solution. Consider making your own cleaner in a spray bottle by mixing vinegar with diluted castile soap, a natural alternative to store-bought cleaners for windows and other surfaces. Two soap options are Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Liquid Soap and WholeNaturals Unscented Pure Castile Soap Liquid.