40 Brilliant Ways To Reuse Plastic Lids Around The House

I know I can’t be the only one that ends up with more lids hanging around my kitchen than actual containers! I’m convinced that the same little elf that sneaks in and takes socks out of the dryer, must be the one taking containers and leaving the lids.

If you’re stuck with an abundance of plastic lids for whatever reason, you’re in luck! Today I’m sharing 40 handy uses for all kinds of plastic lids.

40 Practical Ways To Reuse Plastic Lids

• Use a plastic lid to keep yarn from getting tangled as you knit or crochet. Cut an “X” in the center of a plastic lid. Thread yarn through the “X.” As you pull the yarn through the “X” the kinks will come undone.
• Save various sizes and colors of lids to use as toddler toys. Just make sure the lids are too big to fit in a toddler’s mouth. Plastic lids are great for teaching colors, counting, building blocks, play food, or for various imaginative games. Here are 30 more great ways to use plastic lids with kids from Powerful Mothering.
• Use clear plastic lids to make sun catchers. Kids can color on them with markers, then punch a hole in the lid and hang them on windows with string and Command hooks.
• Use a sturdy plastic lid to scrape dried-on food off of a non-stick skillet.

• Pringles lids (or something similarly sized) are perfect for covering small yogurt containers when you don’t finish the whole thing.
• Use the edge of a sturdy plastic lid to scrape ice off your car windows in a pinch.
• When making homemade hamburger patties, put a plastic lid between each patty before freezing. The lids make it super easy to separate the patties when you’re ready to cook them!
• Plastic lids work great as makeshift sink stoppers in the kitchen sink or bathtub.

• Use various lids to corral glitter, beads, etc. while doing craft projects.
• Put a plastic lid under your hot glue gun to catch drips.
• Use large plastic lids as food dishes for small pets.
• Use large plastic lids under indoor flower pots to catch water and soil runoff. Brightly colored lids would look especially cute!

• Place plastic lids between delicate glassware in the dishwasher. The lids create a barrier between glasses so they don’t slam against one another and crack.
• Use a lightweight plastic lid as an indoor frisbee.
• Use small plastic lids as coasters. If you’re having a party, leave a stack of lids and a sharpie next to drink station. Guests can write their name on the lid and use it as a coaster so they don’t forget which drink is theirs. You could also let kids decorate lids to use as coasters everyday! That way kids will remember which cup is theirs and won’t end up using 5 or 6 different cups throughout the day.
• Use lids to cut circles out of dough or clay. You could also use them to trace circles for craft projects.

• Place plastic lids under the legs of furniture that needs to be moved. The lids allow even heavy pieces of furniture to slide easily across carpet or hardwood floors. Plus, the lids keep hardwood floors from getting scratched.
• Cut a slit in the middle of a plastic lid and slide it over the top of a garbage bag to keep the bag securely shut.
• Collect plastic soda lids to use as homemade checkers or as BINGO markers.
• Use puffy paint to draw fun shapes onto plastic lids. Once the puffy paint dries you can dip the lids into acrylic paint to use as stamps.

• Use a thin plastic lid to store earrings at home or while traveling. Use a safety pin to poke holes in a plastic lid. Slide earrings through the hole and secure with an earring backing on the other side.
• Use sturdy plastic lids as makeshift trivets for hot pans.
• Fold a lightweight plastic lid in half to use as a funnel for things that won’t fit through a regular funnel.
• Use a small plastic lid as a soap tray in the kitchen or bathroom.

• Keep a plastic lid by the sink to hold jewelry when cooking or doing dishes.
• Keep a few different sizes of plastic lids on top of your microwave to use as screens over food that may splatter when heated.
• Use a plastic lid as a spoon rest when cooking.
• Use an X-ACTO knife to cut shapes out of the middle of a lid and use as a stencil for painting or drawing. You could also use them to make fun shapes on top of coffee or hot chocolate with cocoa powder or powdered sugar.

• Cut a slit in small plastic lids and slide them over popsicle sticks to catch drips.
• Plastic lids make great paint palettes! You can use lots of different lids to keep colors separate and then just throw them away when you finish your project.
• Use a plastic lid to prevent paint from dripping onto your hands or the floor when painting walls. Cut a large slit in a plastic lid and slip the paintbrush through the hole. The paint will drip onto the lid instead of your floors!
• Set shaving cream bottles on a plastic lid in the shower to avoid rust stains on shower shelves.

• You can use plastic lids as a small white board. Try gluing a couple of magnets on the back of a lid to use as a whiteboard on your refrigerator. Or use a thumb tack to put one by the front door to leave messages for family members.
• Let kids use plastic lids as a painting canvas. If they happen to mess up one of their masterpieces they can easily wipe the paint off before it dries.
• Use various plastic lids to corral rubber bands, paper clips, push pins, etc. on your desk. You could even spray paint them to match your office decor!
• When you open a new can of coffee take the lid from the old can and put it on the bottom of the new can. The lid will protect your counter from getting scratched by the metal bottom of the coffee can.

• Put grapes, cherry tomatoes or other small fruits and veggies between two plastic lids. Carefully slide a sharp knife between the lids to quickly slice the fruits or veggies.
• Use a plastic lid to catch batter spray when using a hand or stand mixer. For a hand mixer, use a sharp knife to cut two small x’s in the top of a plastic lid. Slide the beaters through the x’s before attaching them to the mixer. For a stand mixer you’ll need a large plastic lid. Use a knife or sharp scissors to cut a slit in one side of the lid. Slide the lid around the spot where the paddle attaches to the mixer.
• Use a Pringle lid (or something similarly sized) to cover glasses and soda cans when dining outdoors. The lids will keep bugs out.
• Put a small lid under your pepper mill on the counter to catch excess pepper. This trick also works for things that tend to drip in the refrigerator! Think honey, maple syrup, soy sauce bottles etc.

What is your favorite use for plastic lids?