The
arrival of the monsoon during the months of Sawan-Bhadon (July–August)
brings a wave of joy and relief across India. For a country where agriculture
is the backbone, timely rains are extremely important for our farmers and bring
a smile to everyone's face.
However,
while the rains refresh the earth, the season also brings the challenges of mud
and wet shoes. Instead of buying a commercial plastic mat, you can tackle this
issue by recycling household waste. Here is a step-by-step guide to making a
highly durable, zero-cost door mat using discarded polybags.
Materials Needed
- Discarded plastic polybags
(such as those from grocery items or construction materials like cement,
tile grout, or putty)
- A large sewing needle
- Strong nylon thread
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| Discarded plastic polybags |
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Plarn: Start by thoroughly
cleaning your collected polybags. Cut them into long, $1/2$-inch wide
strips. This plastic ribbon is commonly referred to as 'plarn' (polybag
yarn).
- Braid the Strips: Take two strips at a time
and braid them tightly together, just like braiding hair, to form a
continuous, sturdy rope.
- Form the Base: Cut or measure a $10$-inch
straight section from your braided rope. This straight piece will serve as
the center foundation of your oval mat.
- Stitch the Oval: Coil the remaining braided
rope horizontally around this $10$-inch base. Use a large needle and
strong nylon thread to stitch the rows together securely. Stitching it
horizontally ensures that the mat stays flat and does not wrinkle or
buckle.
Why This Mat is Perfect for the Monsoons
- Excellent Scrubbing Action: Because plarn is naturally
stiff and textured, it works wonderfully for scraping thick mud and dirt
off the bottom of shoes.
- Effortless Cleaning: Cleaning it takes no
effort. At the end of the day, simply rinse it out in a bucket of water
and hang it up overnight. It dries incredibly fast.
- Hygienic and Odor-Free: Since it is made entirely
of plastic yarn, it does not retain moisture. This prevents the growth of
bacteria, mold, or mildew, keeping it completely hygienic.
- Zero Expenses: You can create a high-utility household item using completely upcycled materials without spending a single penny.
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| Door Mat |
A Note on
Sustainability: A single
plastic polybag can take anywhere from $500$ to $1000$ years to decompose
completely. To save our Mother Earth from turning into a giant landfill and to
protect our environment from pollution, let us stop treating these bags as
trash and start recycling them into beautiful, useful creations.
My inspirational blog today ...................
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