28 New Uses for Things You Were Going to Throw Away

To think you almost got rid of all those super-useful paper towel tubes, egg cartons, and tissue boxes.

Courtesy of 2 Little Super Heroes

Plastic Bags

Instead of getting your paint tray covered in, well, paint, use a plastic bag to line it and pour the paint on top. Unlike the liners at the hardware store, this plastic-bag trick is totally free.

Courtesy of One Good Thing By Jillee

Baby Food Jar

After you're done feeding your little guy, wash the food out and use it for your at-home spa — seriously. Wedge a sponge into the jar, the pour in nail polish remover, and stick your finger in to take off your polish.

Get the tutorial at One Good Thing By Jillee »

Courtesy of Cupcakes and Cashmere

Ketchup Bottle

The best way to make sure all your pancakes are the same size and completely round? Use a dispenser that elevates your batter-pouring skills to pro-level.

Courtesy of The Clever Carrot

Egg Carton

Who needs a fancy cupcake holder when you have an empty egg carton? There are pockets for 12 treats and a lid to protect the frosting on top.

Courtesy of Soho Sonnet

Cereal Boxes

Keep mail and unread magazines tidy by upcyling a cereal box. Here, a magnet is attached to the back of two patterned boxes so they can hang on the side of the fridge.

Get the tutorial at Soho Sonnet »

Courtesy of House for Five

Toilet Paper Roll

Nothing is more frustrating then going to your closet to get the wrapping paper and finding an unrolled, crinkled mess. Cut a toilet paper roll in half lengthwise to secure your paper in place.

Tissue Box

Just because you're out of tissues, doesn't mean this box needs to go — use it to dispense other household items, like plastic grocery bags.

Courtesy of Lavender Hill Studio

Broken China

The gorgeous pattern on your favorite platter can get a second life as a mosaic tabletop. Here, blue-and-white patterns pop against the dark wood on this side table.

Cheese Shaker

It's so sad when the Parmesan is all gone. But this nifty idea might perk you up: Fill it with plant fertilizer for a super simple way to feed your garden.

Coffee-Mate Lids

We're pretty sure you're going to flip your lid over this hack: It turns out Coffee-Mate toppers fit super snugly on top of mason jars, resulting in tighter, safer storage.

Courtesy of Sew Many Ways

Chocolate Box

Apparently those compartments that keep our beloved caramels separate from those yucky strawberry candies (just us?) are also handy for sewers. Here, thread and pins stay separate so no one accidentally gets poked.

LARA ROBBY/STUDIO D

Water Bottle

This is hands-down the easiest way to separate the yolk from the egg white: Just squeeze the water bottle, hold it over the yolk, then release your grip and the yellow middle will get sucked right up.

Courtesy of Too Much Time on My Hands

Yesterday's Newspaper

Once you're done reading the cartoons (err, we mean the news) use that black-and-white paper to line an empty box. Tie stings on the top and voila, you've got a DIY gift bag for your next birthday party.

Courtesy of Crunchy Betty

Brown Paper Bags

The occasional dribble of wax off of your candle is inevitable. But a handy way to get it out of your carpet is to put a grocery bag on top of the spot, then coax it out by slowly gliding an iron on top — which will transfer it from the carpet to the paper.

Get the tutorial at Crunchy Betty »

Courtesy of Happy Hooligans

K-Cups

The next time you buy an entire bundle of parsley only to use four leaves, try this trick: Empty a used K-cup, then cut up your herbs, add some water, and free the mixture until the next time your recipe calls for that flavor.

Courtesy of Garden Gate

Milk Jugs

The bottom of a milk jug is a nifty container for each of your favorite herbs in your garden. Even better? When the weather gets colder put the top half back on the jug to create a greenhouse effect and protect your plants.

Get the tutorial at Garden Gate »

A Sock Without a Match

Bubble wrap and packing paper are overrated — use a sock without a mate to wrap up your breakables, like vases and candle stick holders instead.

Courtesy of Sugar and Charm

Tea Tins

These adorable containers can get a second life as the holder for a citronella candle — so even if you're using it to ward off nasty bugs, at least it looks good doing so.

Get the tutorial at Sugar and Charm »

Courtesy of Hardly Housewives

Broken Terracotta Pots

This is one of those why-didn't-I-think-of-that ideas. Since these pots are meant to withstand the conditions of your garden, they're ideal for herb labels.

Courtesy of Seattle Sundries

Tic Tac Boxes

If you've ever rented out a house for vacation for a week, you know how annoying it is to have to stock a kitchen for only seven days. Instead, use these portable boxes to make a travel-size spice rack from home.

Get the tutorial at Seattle Sundries »

Courtesy of Reddit

A Cardboard Tube

Sometimes you need a more flexible crevice tool when vacuuming — one that can bend and fold. Use a toilet paper roll if it's easy to reach or a paper towel roll if it's further away.

Courtesy of The Wonder Forest

A T-Shirt With a Hole

So your favorite shirt got a tear in it — bummer. The good news is you can repurpose that beauty into a rug for your home. Even better? This is a no-sew DIY.

Get the tutorial at The Wonder Forest »

Courtesy of The Kim Six Fix

Cat Liter Box

Surprisingly, one of the least pretty containers in your home can be the most adorable with a little creativity. Here the yarn is cute, but the red anchor is downright adorable.

Courtesy of Instructables

Pantyhose

If you've ever lost the back of an earring, this hack is going to change your life. The vacuum will suck up the tiny item you lost, but the pantyhose prevents it from going into your bag.

Courtesy of The Curtis Casa

Wine Bottle

Here's a modern take on a bird feeder: The clear glass lets the seeds show through, while gravity pulls 'em down and out as the birds peck away.

Wrapping Paper Tube

Prevent your fabric from creasing in your sewing storage area by wrapping the pieces around empty wrapping paper tubs — they're the perfect length and will make sorting through your fabric easier, too.

Courtesy of The Kim Six Fix

Wine Corks

How many times has your husband jumped in the pool (or even worse, the lake) with his keys in his pocket? Attach a cork to the end so they'll float and he won't have to make a new set.

Courtesy of De Tout Et De Rien

Disinfectant Wipe Containers

If you're an avid knitter, you know how frustrating it is when your yarn gets tangled — but these plastic bottles (complete with a little nook to hook the end of your thread through) will solve your problems for good.

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12 IKEA Hacks That Take Cabinets Out of the Kitchen

From: Good Housekeeping US


By Lauren Smith