How to Repurpose a Parmesan Cheese Container in Your Kitchen

Wait a second; you are not going to throw that away are you? The EPA reports that, on average, each of us throws out four and a half pounds of trash per day - that is over 1600 pounds apiece every year. So many of the items we trash can be repurposed into something useful. Take parmesan cheese shaker containers, for example. You probably have one in your refrigerator door or on a shelf in your pantry right now. When it is empty, will you throw it away? Toss it in the recycle bin? Why not hang onto it, instead? There are many ways to repurpose a parmesan cheese container in your kitchen.

Baking Soda

After cleaning it and removing the label, you can repurpose a parmesan cheese container by filling it with baking soda. This kitchen staple acts as much more than a leavening agent. Use the shaker side to sprinkle baking soda into your damp sink, stovetop or refrigerator shelves. Baking soda cuts grease and deodorizes without scratching sensitive surfaces. It is great for cleaning your counters. Baking soda will even remove stubborn stains such as juice or ink from bread wrappers.

Sprinkle it into the bottom of your empty garbage can to neutralize odors. Use the pouring side of the parmesan cheese container to dump a bit into your sink to eliminate smelly drains. Store the container near your stove. Baking soda will put out grease fires, as well.

Cinnamon Sugar

Repurpose a parmesan cheese container by filling it with homemade cinnamon sugar. Fill the jar with two cups of white sugar. Add three to four tablespoons of cinnamon. Close the lid tightly and shake to mix it together. Use the sprinkling side of the lid to dust toast or oatmeal. Use the pouring side to measure cinnamon sugar for recipes or to pour large amounts for dipping fresh donuts or pretzels.

Confectioners' Sugar

Powdered sugar typically comes in a plastic bag, which is difficult to store and awkward to use. Repurpose a parmesan cheese container by filling it with the sugar. Use the larger spout to measure confectioners' sugar for recipes such as icing or cookies. Use the smaller side to sprinkle powdered sugar onto French toast and brownies. Store the container in your pantry with ease.

White Sugar

Repurpose a parmesan cheese container into a sugar container for your table. Your family can dip into the pouring side with a teaspoon to sugar cereal, coffee or tea. Likewise, they can sprinkle the sweet stuff into cups or bowls. In addition, you can use it when you need a bit of sugar for cooking or baking.

Flour

If you do a lot of baking from scratch, you can repurpose a parmesan container by filling it with flour. This is ideal when you need to dust a surface before rolling out dough or you want to grease and flour a baking pan. You can use it when your dough requires just a little more flour, as well.

As you look around and work in your kitchen, you will likely begin to find many ways in which you can repurpose a parmesan container. Once your collection begins to expand, be sure to label the containers so you know what's what. Use a permanent marker to write directly on the container, or write on a piece of masking tape stuck on the side. Then, impress your friends and family with your ingenuity and environmental friendliness.