Comments on: How can I reuse or recycle … Q-tip/cotton bud sticks?

By: Marie Burton

Marie Burton — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:59:29 +0000

Can you please tell me where you bought your paper stem cotton buds as I am needing the paper stem ones and cant locate any?
Many thanks

By: Thomzo

Thomzo — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 14:21:45 +0000

When I was young we used to put 3 or 4 together in a star shape and then weave wool in and out. I can’t remember exactly how we did it but it pulls the sticks into a bowl shape. We used clean ones though and left the cotton wool on to stop the wool falling off. I guess you could glue a bead on each end instead.

By: rani

rani — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 17:14:22 +0000

Thanks all. I just found out I can actually reuse them by re-covering with a little cotton as well! But I still have too many for that. I love the plastic tube idea – alas, mine are paper. I’ll try one of the other ideas and get back to you.

By: Mart

Mart — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 17:47:25 +0000

I chop up the plastic ones into inch long strips and use them when I’m tiling to keep everything evenly spaced.

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 06:52:22 +0000

I cut the end of mine with a sharp angle to it, then i have a perfect toothpick!

By: SuZ

SuZ — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 00:24:05 +0000

You could also see if the local kindergarten or childcare centre might want them for their art projects. They’re usually happy with things like that.

By: Solomon Broad

Solomon Broad — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 15:08:57 +0000

Poke into old sheets of polystyrene and put in the garden to deter cats.

Modern art?

By: Dr OM

Dr OM — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 06:10:34 +0000

I use the paper sticks as smudge sticks when I work with charcoal or pastel drawing

By: fishcake

fishcake — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 18:06:28 +0000

How about using them to make a beaded curtain, most of the plastic ones are tubes you can use them as they are or cut them into smaller sections.
ive made one out of sherbet sweet tubes because of the bright colours and it works really well.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 21:41:48 +0000

Probably not a good idea with q-tip sticks, but the similarly shaped incense sticks (the wood bit that’s left once you’ve burned the incense) are super useful for lighting candles with hard-to-reach wicks.

also for spreading glue on surfaces (like when you’re repairing a broken mug)

By: N1X

N1X — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 12:12:50 +0000

hmmmm if you get some child friendly glue, a homemade k’nex style kit would be an idea.
Spheres, rectangles, pyraminds etc