In 1962, Chicago city workers dumped 100 pounds of dye into the river flowing through downtown Chicago. It left the river emerald green for an entire week and kick-started an annual tradition.

A plumber working with a dye spilled it on his white overalls, causing them to turn “Irish green.” The union’s business manager, Stephen Bailey, saw the results and asked about the color.

Instead of laying your Easter egg dye to waste, why not put it to good use with other household projects? Here are seven ...

Editor's Note: Is the Chicago River still green? Take a live look at the river on St. Patrick's Day here. The Chicago River dyeing has taken place, kicking off a weekend of St. Patrick's Day ...