Back when our growing kids were constantly threatening to eat us out of house and home, I focused most of my efforts on the “reuse” aspect of “reduce, reuse, and recycle” when it came to disposable food containers. Lucky for me, that skill has served me well over time!
I’ve discovered all sorts of ways to repurpose different types of containers. As I’ve reflected on the containers I’ve found most useful, I thought, “Why not write a post about them?” So I did!
Below, you’ll find a list of my top 9 containers to repurpose around the house, along with suggestions for ways to use them. (You may also find my tips on removing stickers helpful if you prefer to remove labels from containers before reusing them!)
Look for the video at the end of this post to see step-by-step instructions in action!
9 Versatile Containers You Can Reuse Around the House
1. Parmesan Cheese Shakers
While the container itself is useful enough, it’s the lid on the Parmesan cheese container that earns it a place on this list! An old Parmesan cheese shaker is perfect for storing anything you might want to distribute by shaking or sprinkling, such as cornstarch, powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, baking soda, etc.
The other side of the lid usually has a larger opening that can also come in handy. You can use it to dispense kids’ snacks—or your own snacks, for that matter. (Did you know that the lid from a Parmesan cheese shaker can fit onto a regular mouth mason jar? It’s true!)
2. Baby Wipes Boxes
Baby wipes boxes are an extremely versatile container to have on hand, and I use one to store my reusable fabric softener sheets. The box keeps them nice and tidy and the lid helps seal in the scent so they don’t need to be refreshed quite as often.
The one drawback I’ve found with these containers is that their labels can be downright impossible to remove. So if the label bothers you, I’d recommend covering it up with some scrapbook paper or washi tape rather than trying to remove it.
3. Large Yogurt Containers
Whether they were originally filled with yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, or something else, plastic tubs are great for repurposing! I use them to freeze a variety of veggies and fruits, but my favorite way to use them is to gift homemade ice cream to friends and family. I usually take the time to remove the ink print from the outside of the container first to make it look a bit nicer.
To remove the ink, just pour some rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover onto a cotton ball and wipe the printed areas. You may need to use a few cotton balls to get all the ink off, but pretty soon you’ll have a clean container! Wash it with soapy water and it’ll be ready to use.
4. Ice Cream Pails
I find it virtually impossible to throw these versatile plastic buckets away! They’re handy for corralling collections of items like seasonal cookie cutters and small toys. You can also fill them with soapy water when tackling cleaning jobs around the house.
But I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention that these buckets have proven highly useful as vomit receptacles. When my kids were much younger and much more vomit-prone, I would bring one along on every car ride and I kept one under my kids’ beds for those unpredictable late-night episodes. These pails saved me a lot of unfortunate cleanup during those years!
5. Gum/Mint Containers
There are so many great uses for gum and mint containers. Gum containers are a bit bigger, so they’re great for storing craft supplies, snacks, or even loose change.
Smaller mint containers are handy for corralling paper clips, emergency sewing supplies, or notoriously easy-to-lose hair accessories like bobby pins! The possibilities are practically endless.
6. Tin Cans
No decent list of repurposed containers could exclude the good old tin can! You can use them as pencil holders, small vases for flowers, watering cans for your houseplants, or you can make one of those old-school “telephones” by threading a length of string or yarn through the bottom of two cans.
More Ideas You'll Love
If you intend for your can to be out on a desk or table somewhere, you can upcycle a can by dressing up the outside with paint, fabric, washi tape, or scrapbook paper.
7. Plastic Milk Jugs
Plastic milk jugs always come in handy as a watering can in a pinch, but my favorite way to repurpose them is as a giant ice pack. Just fill a milk jug with water until it is nearly full, but not quite. (The extra space will accommodate the expansion of the water as it freezes.)
Screw the cap on and throw the milk jug in the freezer until it’s frozen solid. The milk jug “ice pack” is great for camping, picnics, and more! I often use one for trips to Costco, since the closest Costco to us is 30 minutes away. So I bring a cooler and my milk jug “ice pack” to keep the cold/frozen foods cold until we get back home.
8. Stackable Tackle Box Jars
I love finding new uses for ordinary things you can find in any grocery store. :-) I found these stackable tackle box jars in the camping and fishing aisle quite by accident, and I just love them! They are great for storing small amounts of things in your purse or car, like ointment, pills, or lotion.
9. Juice Bottles
Empty juice bottles are my container of choice for storing my homemade liquid laundry detergent. They’re the perfect size, and it’s nice to be able to reuse such a big container instead of just throwing it out. You can learn how to make my homemade liquid laundry detergent here.
Click here to see these tips in action!
More Repurposing Tips & Tricks
What’s your favorite way to reuse containers?
NEW! Can you guess the 5-letter word related to today’s post?
More Ideas You'll Love
I love reusing altoids containers (the regular and the mini). I put my knitting stitch markers in the regular size. I make my own homemade lip gloss and put it in the mini. Perfect.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My face toner bottle does not have a lid with a little syuirter hole, so too much come sout. I saved a face cream jar with a pump top. I put my toner in the jar. Now, I can pump out as much as i need.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jillee! I’ve been reading your posts for quite a while now and really enjoying them! I have been R & R & R ever since we lived in Idaho back in 1978. I’ve found so many containers to reuse. How about this one…You know the rectangle container that Nesquik comes in? It’s exactly the right size for 8 hot dogs. I drilled holes in another one and it’s perfect to store mushrooms in the fridge. Any small container that will make it thru the dishwasher, I’ve drilled tiny holes in and it’s great for more fragile veggies. I’ve been reusing some containers ( like the baby wipes one) that I got when our daughter was little 41 years ago! Keep up the good work and the best to you and yours. Lee
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Brilliant! Thanks Lee!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.These are great ideas, I love reusing, when applicable. Love the grated shaker top idea…..Going to use it with a glass container. I take cute small jars, clean and reuse for spices, and other items…..I do not like plastic, regardless,I prefer glass, or metal for most storage. I reuse a milk jug for a travel vomit container. I cut off the top, an area big enough to use, and keep the handle…..very useful….and also I keep my coffee grinds in this, and put in garden when full….
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great tips Jillee. I re-use yogurt containers by filling them with water and freezing them, then adding as many or as few as needed for various sized coolers. An added bonus is that you can fill the containers with drinking water so you’ll also have water on hand!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I save the plastic lids off the small ice cream containers….I keep one on my nightstand to cover the glass of water I keep on my nightstand (I love my cats, but prefer not to share my drinking water!). I use the lids as drink coasters (perfect for outdoors!) and use when I want a handful or two of nuts or snack to munch on..but it really doesn’t rate dirting up a bowl. The small lids fit nicely in the top rack of the dishwasher…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use the larger plastic coffee containers to hold salt for icy sidewalks. One brand even has indentations on the side to make the “cans” easier to hold and shake out the salt or dip into with a smaller scoop and disperse the salt that way.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes, great idea
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My grandmother always had plants growing in large tin cans….she would cover them in in foil to make them prettier but I think there are many more options now to jazz them up….easy to nail holes in the bottom for drainage.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great ideas. We use the Parmesan containers for stuff like baking soda and salt. They are very easy to measure with the flip top lids. I actually have reused a mint container like you’ve shown for one of your face powder hacks and also the tic tack container for Bobby pins. I also if they are in good condition will save my Altoid tins. They are great for organizing straight pins, paper clips etc. My uses them sometimes for birthdays and the holidays if she’s giving a little money for part of a gift.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Milk jugs are great for starting seeds in the spring. Cut the top 1/3 partly off so you can either cover the seeds for more humidity or heat, or open for more sun and air. I have a friend, in Michigan, that puts hers outside in April!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use pill bottles to keep loose change. I have 1 or Canadian change and 1 for US coins. I also re-use cat litter containers to keep dry cat food; as a wash bucket; leftover topsoil etc…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Save the zippered bags your new comforters come in. Perfect for storage for blankets/ change of season clothing, the uses are endless. The bags are strong, clear (to see what’s inside) and the handles make them easy to carry!!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I agree, they are so useful. All sorts of things come in a variety of sizes of zippered plastic bags. I sort my quilting fabric and projects in them…they stay clean and dust free. As a bonus most of them have a pocket on the front where the label or product info was inserted. Often they are blank on the backside so I can turn it around and write what project is in the bag. Or I insert the quilt pattern in the pocket so it’s easy to identify.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I purchased the 8-pack of creamer from Costco. (These plastic containers hold about 11 ounces of creamer.). The plastic label cuts off easily, so you can decorate it or leave it blank. The top has a flip top, or you can just unscrew it. I think it’s a great size for powdered items, snacks, or even non-food items.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.