Coffee Filters, Flowers & Cleaning

(pretty paper flower made from coffee filters)

What do flower pots, cleaning towels, crafts and cleaning windows have in common?
These and more are things you can use paper coffee filters for; coffee filters are bought very cheap and can be used for a lot of different things. Not sure if this goes along with being "green", so use if only for ease and usefulness!

Serving snacks (popcorn, chips, goldfish crackers, etc) the filters are disposable and less expensive than paper bowls or plates.

From BusyBusyMom: Prevent soil from draining out of flowerpots. When repotting, place a filter at the bottom, over the drainage hole (works great as we don't have any rocks or pebbles which are traditionally used), then add the soil (wonder if you can use the used coffee filters - will the coffee grounds hurt the plants?).
Protect hands from Popsicle drippage. Slide the wooden stick of an ice pop through a coffee filter so your hands stay mess-free.

From The Family Corner: Be crafty with the paper filters and make beautiful flowers (see picture). Martha Stewart even has coffee filter roses (looks too complicated for me!!). Or check out this school activity for making clothespin butterflies or paper flowers.

Clean windows and glass. Coffee filters leave no lint or other residue.
Put some baking soda in the center and tie up to a pouch; use in drawers or refrigerator to eliminate odors.
More ideas from Mary Jane Farm: Use as a strainer when making tea or juices.

From eHOW: Decant wine through a coffee filter. Filter the wine into a decanter to sift out any bits of cork that may be loose it in.
Cover food cooking in the microwave. Invert a coffee filter over small bowls or plates to prevent splatters.
Store cast iron skillets with a coffee filter tucked inside. Prevent surface rust with the highly absorbent filter paper pulling moisture from the air.

That was fun researching, my motive is that I have some filters leftover from our old coffee maker. We now have one that grinds the beans and uses a permanent "basket" that has a wire mesh. While searching I found lots of cute paper crafts that will be fun with little girls!