Dumpster Diving, Decorating with Garbage: A Guide for Turning Trash into Treasure

With spring cleaning comes great big garbage piles chock full of finds. I love to garbage pick. This is the time I find every thing from toys to income potential.

There are so many possibilities when you're treasure hunting, but the three reoccurring finds are usually toys, furniture and stuff to sell.

I look for big out door toys, ride-ons and furniture. Be sure they are things you can thoroughly wash and disinfect. Also look for things that are sturdy still and not broken beyond repair. People are wasteful and lazy. You'd be surprised what you will find. My finds include a "Step 2" shopping cart, a handmade wooden kitchen hutch (children's) a "Little Tykes" picnic table, the list is really long so I'll stop now. But I am proud of my 6 yr. old son, this weekend he found a "Little Tykes" play yard set for his little sister. It is a slide with a small hid out and platform!

Cleaning is usually the biggest job with all of these finds. Some good spray cleaner or diluted bleach accompanied by a ruff plastic scrubbie and hose usually do the trick. I have gone as far as painting these plastic toys. I stay away from stuffed and cloth items. Its too hard to be sure its clean enough. The picnic bench and table for example. I covered the table with Minnie Mouse contact paper, shoving the ends down in the toy's seems. The rest of the table and bench was painted pink to match the contact paper.

I love to redecorate my home. I am always on the look out for furniture in the garbage. Often like finding toys, furniture is in pretty good condition. I am always leery of cloth and stuffed furniture. (it may smell or have gross stuff in it)

Shelves, dressers, bed frames, desks, lamps, pretty much you name it I have found it. Some items take more work to get into presentable condition, but they are free. Paint, nails, staple gun, hot glue gun are some things you should try to keep around for these jobs. Be creative and open minded. You need to look at finds as potentially finished products, and not necessarily used for what they are intended. Think "Design on a Dime". Don't be afraid to use say a step ladder as a plant shelf. Or a bunch of miss-matched wood chairs in your kitchen (you could pick some coordinating colors and paint your chairs to match). Decoupage is also a great great way to spruce up dressers, tables and even frames on mirrors and pictures. Or just keep the frames to ugly pictures in the trash too. They are always handy.

Selling your finds is a great way to make extra cash. You can do this in your own garage sale, Ebay or my favorite Craig's list (its free). The toys often can be re-sold to consignment shops, call area used item shops and see if they are purchasing these items.

Scrap metaling is also a great option. Look for: copper, aluminum, brass, lead and iron. You can find these in air conditioners, piping, old door knobs, car batteries, gutters, storm and screen doors, soda cans, lawn furniture, catalytic converters (the big part of a muffler) anything metal.

Check homes that have been remodeling, especially rewiring, the wires are often copper. Take the scrap to your local scrap yard or recycling center. They pay you on the spot. Do a local search on line and call them first. Many people make a living doing this you can surely make some money too!

Do a local search to get the dates of big garbage pick up in your own and surrounding areas. With a little good luck you can find some great treasures too.