Want free school supplies and a smaller carbon footrpint on the environment? Teaching about recycling? Studying ancient civilizations, colonial life or pioneer life? Here's make paper from dryer lint and old newspapers.
Instructions
1. Clean out the dryer lint trap and save the lint. Wait until there is about a grocery bag full. Cleaning the lint trap regularly prevents fires and helps the dryer work more efficiently and use less energy. Be sure to clean the dryer vent as well.
2. Collect old newspapers. Tear them into strips and put them in a washtub. Add water until paper is covered, no more than an inch above the paper. Let sit for 48 hours, stirring every eight hours or so until paper becomes a slurry.
3. Mix dryer lint into the slurry. Add water if the slurry gets too thick to stir.
4. Add 3 or 4 tablespoons of cornstarch to the slurry. Mix well. If desired, add food coloring to make colored paper, or leave the paper gray.
5. Pour slurry onto an old screen placed over a washtub or dishpan so that the water drains off. Smooth slurry over entire screen as evenly as possible.
6. Allow slurry to dry completely once all the water has drained away. Paper should be ready to peel away from the screen in two to three days. Trim the paper if desired, or use as is with the rough edges.
Tags: dryer lint, lint trap, until paper