How to Mulch With Household Waste

Start the compost pile in a 20- to 30-gallon wood or plastic bin. This size of container allows for a large batch of compost. Drill five to six holes in each side of the bin for air circulation, and put it in a spot with partial or filtered sun. Keep the bin out of full sun or rain, as these elements interrupt the pile's temperature and moisture needs.

Fill the bin one-quarter full of garden soil as a base. Add kitchen scraps such as eggshells, coffee grounds, bakery goods, fruit and vegetable scraps and pasta leftovers. Don't add meat, bones, fish, oils or cheese, as these items draw pests. Add household items, including paper, cardboard, tissue, wood and plant matter, and yard waste such as old flowers, foliage, dead grass and leaves. Don't add weeds, as these will sprout in your compost. Add a commercial compost starter to get the pile off to a quick start.

Water the pile until it's moist throughout, but not wet or soupy. Compost requires consistent moisture to break down, but it cools and rots in standing water.

Stir the compost with a shovel or garden fork one to two times a day. The microorganisms responsible for breaking down the compost require air for survival, and work faster with more air movement. Mix more frequently for faster composting.

Feed the compost pile once a week with more scraps. Water the pile at every feeding or whenever you notice it drying.

Use compost when it reaches a dark, crumbly consistency. Scoop out the ready compost, and turn it into garden soil for fertilizer or lay it on top of the established soil for mulch.