10 Clever Uses for Sawdust That You Probably Didn’t Know

Here are 10 creative and practical uses for sawdust, from DIY wood filler to garden mulch and more. Learn how to repurpose it for your home and workshop.

With every project, the pile of sawdust seems to multiply every time. Sawdust is messy and annoying. It gets on EVERYTHING.

You probably just sweep it away like me and throw it away. But guess what? There are many uses for sawdust in your home and garden.

Plus, finding new ways to reuse it isn’t just practical—it’s great for the environment too. By repurposing sawdust, you are reducing waste and getting creative with eco-friendly solutions for your home and workshop.

Here are 10 uses for sawdust to repurpose and recycle it.

1. DIY wood filler

Wood filler can be expensive and more often that not, it feels like its either dried up or not enough when you are in the middle of a project.

You can use sawdust and mix it with wood glue to make custom homemade wood filler. This is great for filling small cracks, gaps, or holes in wood surfacesNot only is this a cost-effective solution that reduces waste, it makes it easier for your to get a closer match in the filler area with the stain. Of course, you want to use sawdust from the same wood type you are using.

2. Animal bedding

Sawdust is excellent for bedding material for small pets like hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, and even chickens. Make sure you use sawdust and wood shavings from untreated wood to avoid harmful chemicals.

Its soft texture and natural absorbency help keep their sleeping areas dry and comfortable. Unlike synthetic bedding, sawdust is biodegradable and easy to replace, making it an environmentally friendly option.

Not only does it create a cozy environment for your pets, but it also absorbs moisture and odors, keeping their space cleaner for longer.

3. Cleaning up spills

Sawdust is highly absorbent, making it a handy solution for cleaning up spills in the garage or workshop.

Whether it’s oil, grease, or other liquids, simply sprinkle sawdust over the spill. Once the liquid is absorbed, sweep it up, and your floor is clean again. This method is not only effective but also eco-friendly, as it avoids the need for chemical-based cleaners. Keep a bucket of sawdust nearby for quick cleanups.

4. Cat litter

Sawdust and wood shavings are a great alternative to traditional cat litter, especially if you’re looking for something more natural and eco-friendly. Its absorbent properties make it great at soaking up moisture, keeping your cat’s litter box dry and odor-free. Plus, it’s biodegradable, which means it’s better for the environment than clay-based litters.

You can use sawdust on its own or mix it with a bit of baking soda to help control odors even more. Just be sure to use sawdust from untreated wood to keep your pets safe. It’s a simple, cost-effective way to recycle your workshop waste while keeping your cat happy!

5. Mulch

Sawdust makes an excellent mulch alternative for your garden. Its texture helps suppress weeds, retain moisture, and improve soil health. Spread sawdust around your plants or mix it with store-bought mulch to extend your supply.

Remember —sawdust from treated wood should never be used in gardens, as it can introduce harmful chemicals.

For best results, use sawdust from untreated hardwoods. Over time, it will decompose and enrich the soil, giving your garden an all-natural boost.

6. Fire Starter

Sawdust makes a great fire starter – perfect for getting a cozy fire going in your fireplace, fire pit, or even when camping. Its fine texture allows it to catch fire quickly and burn steadily, making it ideal for kindling.

To make sawdust fire starters, simply mix the sawdust with melted wax or old candle stubs, pour the mixture into paper muffin cups or egg cartons, and let it harden. Once solid, you have easy-to-use, homemade fire starters that burn longer than paper or twigs. It’s a great way to repurpose your sawdust and make lighting a fire much easier and more efficient!

7. Alternative ice melt

With winter right around the corner, slippery sidewalks and icy driveways become a concern. Sawdust can act as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional rock salt. It provides traction on icy surfaces, reducing the risk of slips and falls.

Sawdust is also gentler on plants and pets than salt-based ice melts. Simply scatter sawdust over icy areas to make walkways safer during the winter months. As a bonus, sawdust won’t corrode metal or damage concrete like some chemical de-icers can.

8. Homemade potpourri

Think of all the homemade gifts you could make with that bucket of sawdust in the workshop. Combine some cedar shavings with dried fruit peels, dried flower petals, some aromatic spices, and your favorite essential oils to create your homemade potpourri.

9. Disposing of paint

Most waste facilities will not allow you to throw out leftover paint with your garbage, and hauling those paint cans for hazardous waste cleanup can be tedious. Sawdust helps dry out that old paint so you can throw it out without the hazardous mess. Learn how to store leftover paint here.

10. Garden path

Walking the rows of your vegetable garden can be a muddy mess, but sawdust can solve that problem. Sawdust makes an excellent alternative for pathways in your garden and helps stop soil erosion, weed growth, and unintended companion planting.