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All out of Folgers? Upcycle that empty coffee can to keep your metal garden tools sharp, clean and rust-free throughout the summer months -- and beyond.
Here's what to do: Funnel some sand (any kind will do) into an empty, clean 13-ounce coffee can; leave three inches of space at the top. Pour in ¼-quart of linseed oil, and allow for complete absorption. Hard-pressed to find linseed oil just lying around the house? A good glug-glug of clean motor oil works just as well. Plus, it's relatively inexpensive and you're bound to already have some lying around.
Then store the following handheld tools in the can for as long as you'd like:
• Trowels
• Shovels
• Hoes
• Forks
• Pruners
• Hand rakes
• Weeders
The oily mix seals out moisture (and rust), keeps metal screws and hinges lubricated, and hones sharp edges. Pull out those tools whenever yard work beckons, and they'll be garden-ready.
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Reader comments (Page 2 of 2)
I use the plastic coffee cans to make toiletry kits for the homeless. It will hold a roll of toilet paper, soap, tooth paste, comb, shampoo and lotion in sample size, Qtips and whatever else I have that will fit. Once it is full I give it to our local Rescue Mission to give away. Gives them everything they could need and it is in a sealed container to keep out the rain, wind and dirt.
ReplyThats a great idea. Also makes a great kit for backpacking and camping.
I bring my coffee cans out when watching a game or something and piss in em when i have to go.
ReplyWD-40 Aerosole cans have not been outlawed yet. Neither has flatulence, (silent but deadly) been banned yet. I have done research on both WD-40 and blowing wind. They are about equal in volume, dispersing into the atmosphere quite easily. When Mr. Al Gore starts ballooning into a giant gas bag, (the problem being banned) I will begin to worry.
Replyi use my used coffee cans on my kitchen counter to store frying oil that i reuse,i keep 1 for the good oil and 1 for the oil that has passed it's usefulness, i then bring to the local recycling center along with my used batteries,reuse your frying oil by filtering it through an old coffee filter that you have used to make coffee, but be sure to wash out the filter and dry it out first,reuse your oil good by lightly brushing a pan with some of the used filtered oil before frying instead of those sprays that are releasing harmful gases into the air
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