Smart Tips Tuesday

What is this flower made from?
And this one?

You probably guessed by now....paper, but not just any paper.....coffee filters. And that is the subject of Smart Tips Tuesday. Here is a list of great ideas for coffee filters:

1. Place a tablespoon of baking soda in the center of a coffee filter and tie it closed with a twistie. Stash the packet in the fridge to absorb odors.

2. Line flowerpots and planters with coffee filters to stop soil from falling through the drainage hole.

3. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave.

4. Protect china by separating your good dishes with a coffee filter between each dish.

5. Prevent a popsicle from dripping. Poke a hole or two as needed in a coffee filter.

6. Put baking soda in a filter and insert into shoes or a closet to absorb or prevent odors.

7. Use them to strain soup stock and to tie up fresh herbs for soups or stews. Use brown filters only, white ones have bleach in them.

8. Use then to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage.

9. Use them to remove fingernail polish when out of cotton balls.

10. Use them to sprout seeds. Simply dampen the coffee filter, place seeds inside, fold and place in baggie until they sprout.

You can check out this site kaboose.com/coffee-filter-flowers-markers.html for the flowers or http://www.crafterscommunity.com/.

The coffee filter was invented by Melitta Bentz in Germany about 80 years ago.