Ducks 'n a Row

new uses for old things

New Uses for Old Things

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By Sinea Pies

Don’t you just love finding new uses for things you already have around the house? I do. 

Here’s my recent success story:  I bought a Pet Rider cover for the back seat of my new Subaru Forester. When I visit my dad, I often take Lexi, my beautiful English Yellow Lab, with me and I wanted to protect the back seat. 

Lexi with Troy

The seat cover concept is great. It is priced right, installs well, covers every area you’d want to cover. 

But, ugh, the SMELL!  I couldn’t believe it. It has a plastic smell–a very strong odor. And I was actually starting to react to it. Tingling in my hands, my face, my lips. Headache.  I couldn’t get back home fast enough so that I could get away from it.  After a couple of days of airing it out, the scent was no better and I knew that it had to go. I took it back to the store for a refund.

But now what?  My car seat still needed protecting and I was tired of shopping. I’m sure there are other products out there that don’t smell bad but I just was done. 
Then the light-bulb went on! I had an almost-new bathroom rug with rubber backing. Could that work? Lexi stands most of the time we drive. She likes to look out the window. So, all I really wanted to do was to protect the seat, not the back of the seat. I tried it.
PERFECT!
The rug stayed in place the full 40 minute drive. She was safe (using a towel does NOT work…it slips and she slides), it’s cushy, pretty and the car seat will now last much longer. And, it’s washable! 

Price?  FREE! Zero dollars because I already had the rug.  If you don’t have an extra rug in the house, you can get one for about $10 at most stores.

Have you re-purposed items in your home or office?
What was your great discovery?
Please share it with us in the comments below.

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