Your garden will be thriving
Sophie Harris Senior Lifestyle Reporter
16:02, 18 Mar 2026
Five surprising household items you can compost this spring including sponges(Image: lassi meony via Getty Images)
As the warmer weather approaches, many gardeners will be eager to return to their outdoor spaces. In addition to pruning and planting, there’s another way to kickstart spring gardening.
You can create creating the “perfect compost” to support new growth, suggests Richard King, a garden expert at Dino Decking. He shared how to maximise your waste by revealing lesser-known items that can be added to your garden.
He stated: “As spring brings longer days and warmer temperatures, gardeners will now see their compost piles thrive, and for those who are just starting theirs, now is a great time to get recycling.
“Compost heaps are great for the soil, feeding plants rich nutrients and are a great way to give back to nature. By composting these often-overlooked materials, you’re reducing waste whilst enriching your soil with diverse nutrients.”
Old sponges
Rather than discarding old sponges, cut them up and add them to your compost heap. Provided they are made from natural sources such as loofah or cellulose, the gardening expert said they are excellent for balancing the “nitrogen-rich materials” and absorbing water, reports the Express.
This helps to maintain the compost nice and damp for microbial activity. Richard pointed out: “Synthetic kitchen sponges, however, should never be composted as they can add toxins to the compost.”
Old sponges can also be placed at the bottom of plant pots, underneath the soil and the plant. Over time, they can gradually release water to the plant, which is particularly beneficial during the summer months.
Breads and pastries
Alongside old sponges, you can compost any leftover plain bread, cracker crumbs, or baked goods, provided they aren’t covered in butter.
Hairballs
Richard said: “It might not be the most appealing addition, but both pet and human hair are great for composting. Hair is rich in nitrogen, which helps the other materials break down faster and contributes to a fertile final product.
“Hair can also help aerate compost piles, but too much may lump together in large amounts and can actually slow decomposition.”
Mixing the hair with dry materials, such as straw, can help you incorporate it more effectively.
Feathers
Like hair, bird feathers are also excellent for compost piles as they are a fantastic nitrogen source.
The expert added: “However, they can take a long time to break down, so breaking them up into smaller pieces can help to decompose and contribute to a healthy, diverse compost.”
Corks
After enjoying a glass of wine, simply toss the cork onto the compost pile to contribute to a “biodiverse compost”.
Natural cork is the “perfect” addition to compost, according to the expert, as it is biodegradable. However, ensure you chop or grind it small, as it can take a while to break down.
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