Ah, the dailies — such a staple in our lives! How many of us kickstart our day with a cuppa in one hand and the paper in the other? Some people read them from front to back, others derive blithe gratification by reading the cartoons in the middle sections, and then there are those of us who even read the paper from back to front (there is a view, after all, that the back pages celebrate the achievements of man while the front pages highlight our failures).  

However, the dailies are not just for reading, which explains why the paper man famously comes round calling for “old newspaper”. There are many ways to recycle your old newspapers — they are sometimes used as liners, to make paper boats, start fires, make dress patterns or even to swat pesky insects. They can also be very useful around the house. In this edition of Tried+Tested, we explore some interesting uses for our old friend “the newspaper”.

1. To clear up broken glass shards
Try the following tip when you next break a ceramic or glass object. First, pick up and dispose of the larger pieces. Then, carefully blot the surrounding area with a few sheets of wet newspaper. The shards of glass will stick to the wet wad, which will facilitate removal and disposal. Finally, thoroughly sweep the area to ensure there are no rogue fragments of glass lying around.  
Conclusion:
When glass shatters, it is easy to miss those tiny shards when cleaning up (especially pieces of clear glass, which can lead to nasty cuts). Using wet sheets of newspaper to pick up glass fragments is best employed for very small shards as this technique is not as effective for blotting up anything bigger.
 
2. To absorb musty smells
Have you noticed how plastic containers have a tendency to retain smells? Likewise, even wooden chests and canvas suitcases can take on a musty smell. If you have a container or suitcase that has an unpleasant odour, try this tip. Instead of using mothballs or deodorisers, simply crumple a few pieces of newspaper and place them in the container, filling up roughly half of it. Seal the container and keep aside for a week. Then, throw away the paper.
Conclusion:
Oddly enough, newspaper does absorb most musty and lingering odours. However, the success of this tip depends on how tightly the container can be sealed — the more airtight the container, the more successful the application of this technique.

3. To clean glass windows
Use newspaper instead of paper towels or cloth when you clean your glass windows. Besides being inexpensive, newspapers do not leave bits of fluff or lint on the wet glass surface. First, using a clean rag, wash the glass window with a cleaning solution. Then, crumple a wet sheet of newspaper and use it to wipe off the soapy residue. Finally, crumple a dry sheet of newspaper and wipe the glass surface clean using even strokes. If necessary, repeat the last process until the glass is gleaming.
Conclusion:
If you’re after sparkling and streak-free windows, then the newspaper is a perfect cleaning tool to achieve the desired effect. This method works equally well on mirrors and glass doors.

4. To dry off wet footwear
Don’t fret if your favourite footwear has been soaked in a downpour. First, use a rag to wipe down the exterior of the shoe. Then, to prevent long-term damage, especially to the insole, stuff the inside of the shoe with balled-up pieces of newspaper. Next, place the shoe on its side overnight to allow for better absorption of the moisture. For fully soaked shoes, you might have to replace the paper stuffing several times over the course of two to three hours until the balled-up pieces of paper are merely damp and no longer wet.
Conclusion:
This is an effective technique when applied to soaked footwear such as gym shoes, trainers and sneakers as the insoles of these shoes are made of a more durable material. However, for shoes with leather lining and insoles, tissue paper is a better substitute for absorbing moisture as it is more absorbent and less abrasive.

5. As a substitute for cat litter
In a pinch, try the following tip if you run out of cat litter granules. Shred several sheets of newspaper into thin long strips. Then, spread a generous amount of the tangled strips in the kitty litter box.
Conclusion:
This is an easy, inexpensive and effective short-term substitute for your regular cat litter. However, as the bundle of thin newspaper strips is not too efficient at absorbing faecal odour, you will need to change the paper litter daily.
 
6. In the garden
Newspaper can be put to use in a variety of ways in the garden. For example, layer several sheets on top of each other. Next, using your hands, shape the pile of papers into a makeshift container to craft a provisional pot for germinating seedlings. Most pots have a few holes at the bottom to facilitate drainage. A consequence of these perforations is the washing out of soil. To prevent soil from trickling out of the holes, simply line the bottom of the pot with two sheets of newspaper. Be sure to only line the bottom of the pot and not put in a large clump of paper, which could retain water and contribute to root rot.
Conclusion:
There are many resourceful uses for newspaper in the garden, whether as mulch or in compost, or as a protective collar to prevent fruits and flowers from being eaten.

This article appeared in haven, Issue #36, April + May 2009, the deco and garden publication of The Edge Malaysia