If it gets messy or broken, toss it in the recycle bin and make a new one. Smaller bottles, cut the same way, are great for separating and holding nails, screws, and other small pieces. You can even label the outside with a permanent marker for quick access. Simply cut off the top and bottom of the bottle and discard them in the recycle bin. Slit the remaining circle of plastic so it will lie flat. Mark off the template with a permanent marker and cut it out to use over and over again. Rinse the bottle thoroughly and dry well. Use an ice pick or awl to punch holes in the lid. Fill the bottle with water, tighten the cap and sprinkle away. Wash out the bottle thoroughly; use a pin or very small nail to punch several holes in the bottom. Fill the bottle with water and set it next to the plant. The water will slowly seep into the soil and root system. This is particularly helpful for tender plants if you are going to be away for a day or so. Small bottles prepared the same way can be used to water potted plants. Create snowmen from white bottles and monsters from colorful bottles by adding felt or foam decorations. Detergent bottle lids make perfect bells or can be strung together in a chain.
Beach shovel: Cut the bottom off a handled container (keep the top on) and use it to shovel sand at the beach.Toy car: Turn a bottle horizontally on its side with the handle facing up. Hot glue plastic wheels that you’ve recycled from another toy that may have bit the dust. Or, use four tops from other containers as wheels.Ball catcher: Use this method for two or more bottles for a fun game of catch. Turn a detergent bottle upside down (keep the cap on). Use a sharp utility knife to cut off the bottom of the jug up to the handle (keep the handle intact). Put electrical or duct tape over the sharp edge. For a challenging game of catch, grab a friend, a small ball, and start the fun!
Draw three or four large squares on the bottle about an inch up from the bottom and top and cut them out with a sharp utility knife while leaving vertical strips in place that are about 2-inches wide. Glue twigs or dowels onto the bottom of the bottle for perches. Fill the bottom of the bottle with bird seed, hang the bottle from its cap by hot-gluing twine around it, and looping it at the top. Or simply tie twine around the handle and hang it from a tree.
Face planters: Cut the bottom of a bottle off, turn it upside down with the cap still on, fill it with dirt and a plant, and poke drainage holes in the cap. (Paint a face on the bottle with the handle as the nose and eyes on each side.) Dish planters: Cut off the tops of detergent bottles for dish or “bucket” planters. Then cut intricately shaped rims to create elegant planters. Use an awl or drill to create drainage holes in the bottom of the bottle. Hanging outdoor planters: Cut handles off the bottle at an angle. Drill or use an awl to punch holes on the side near the top of your creation to create a hanging planter. Make a couple of drainage holes at the bottom of the planter. For a plant hanger idea, thread wire or chains through the top hole for hanging. Finally, fill the planter with dirt and plants. Make sure you create drainage holes on the bottom.
The second way is to draw the outline of a magazine holder on a bottle (you will cut off the handle) and use a utility knife to cut out the shape. You should have three sides, a bottom, and an open side to slide in magazines. Glue a few of these together for a sturdier “magazine” holder. You can also use books. You’ll need a detergent bottle with a handle. Use a marker to draw the shape of your dustpan on the bottle, incorporating the handle. At the bottom of the handle, draw out the shape of a shovel and cut it with a sharp utility knife. For a smaller desktop organization tool, use the caps from several laundry containers to create a caddy. Hot glue them together side-by-side, or hot glue the bottoms onto a tray with the open ends of the caps facing up to hold odds and ends like paper clips, flash drives, and pens and pencils. Decorate the rims of the caps with ribbon or another type of trim for a finished organizer. For boho-style indoor fixtures, cut out circles that you can attach with wire or chains to a lampshade frame (the concept is like a beaded curtain). Just remember to use plastic with heatless LED bulbs.
