DIY woodworking projects can be challenging (depending on your skill level) but also quite rewarding – resulting in an actual physical thing that you made yourself. But all that cutting, screwing, sawing, sanding and drilling can also cause something else: a huge mess.
As thoroughly as you sweep, it seems like there’s still some sawdust left over. But instead of throwing it away, you may want to save your sawdust and use it for some of those household hacks that are kindly provided to us Donna Boyle Schwartz from BobVila.com.
Make your own trail
Turn your garden into a mini park with your own paths – all thanks to sawdust. “If sawdust is strategically scattered around your yard or wooded lot, it can create a natural path while reducing soil erosion and preventing weeds.” Schwartz writes. Bonus: sprinkle some sawdust on slippery sidewalks in winter for traction.
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Throw away paint safely
Getting rid of paint is not easy. You should never pour it down the drain, says Swartz, and most city and local governments don’t allow residents to throw paint in the trash. That is, unless you fill the rest of the paint can with sawdust and let it sit until it hardens. Then it is possible to throw the whole can in the trash without contaminating everything.
Fill in cracks and gaps in wood
If you have holes, cracks or grooves in something made of wood, steal this trick from the floor repair professionals and fill them in with sawdust. According to Schwartz, the following must be done:
Create some sawdust out of the wood you want to mend, then grind it to a fine, flour-like consistency. Mix the sawdust powder with wood glue to create a putty and use it to fill in the damaged areas. The color of the DIY fountain pen goes exactly with the wood.
Plant some mushrooms
If you’ve gone into the garden and grown your own fruits and vegetables, you may have considered adding mushrooms to your harvest list. According to Schwartz, mushrooms love wood – that’s why they grow on cut logs and fall in the wild. Bring the wood to them in your yard by making a bed of mushrooms using a combination of sawdust and organic compost and keeping it moist.
