Do you have a collection of empty pill bottles piling up in a drawer, unsure of what to do with them? Throwing them away seems wasteful, but keeping them indefinitely just adds to the clutter.
The good news is that these small, sturdy containers can be repurposed in countless creative and practical ways! Instead of contributing to plastic waste, you can transform them into handy storage solutions, travel essentials, and even fun DIY projects. Here are ten clever ways to give your old pill bottles a second life.
1. Hide-a-Key
Need a discreet place to stash a spare key? Place the key inside a pill bottle, glue a small rock or some bark to the top, and bury it partially in a flower bed or near your porch. Just remember where you put it! This method is great for keeping your key safe from prying eyes while ensuring it’s always accessible in case you get locked out.
Bonus Tip: Add some dried leaves or small twigs inside the bottle to help it blend even better with the surroundings.
2. Candle Holder
Small pill bottles make great DIY candle holders. Simply clean out the bottle, trim a candle to fit inside, and light it for a cozy ambiance. For added safety, use LED tealight candles instead of real flames. You can also decorate the outside of the bottle with paint or fabric to match your home decor.
Bonus Tip: For a scented experience, place a few drops of essential oil inside before adding the candle.
3. Makeup Organizer
Tired of loose bobby pins, lip balms, or tiny makeup accessories getting lost in your bag? Use a pill bottle to keep them all in one place. You can even decorate the bottle with paint or washi tape for a stylish touch. It’s a great way to keep your vanity clutter-free and make finding your essentials easier.
Bonus Tip: Use multiple pill bottles for different makeup items and label them for quick access.
4. Love Prescription
Create a fun and romantic gift by filling an empty pill bottle with little notes of love or affirmations. Label it as a “Love Prescription” and give it to your partner for a cute and sentimental surprise. This is a great way to remind your loved one how much they mean to you every day.
Bonus Tip: Include small candies or chocolates inside to make it extra sweet!
5. Jewelry Holder
Keep small jewelry items like earrings, rings, or beads safe by storing them in an old pill bottle. This is a great way to prevent losing tiny treasures, especially while traveling. The airtight seal helps keep moisture out, preventing tarnish.
Bonus Tip: Line the inside with a soft cotton pad or a piece of velvet to prevent scratches on delicate jewellery.
6. Piping Tip Organizer
If you love baking, you know how easy it is to misplace piping tips. Store them in a pill bottle to keep them organized and easy to find when decorating cakes and cookies. The small size of the bottles makes it easy to carry them with you to baking events or classes.
Bonus Tip: Label the lid with the size or shape of the piping tip for easy identification.
7. Fire Starter
Pill bottles make excellent waterproof fire starters. Fill them with cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly or small pieces of dryer lint. Keep one in your camping gear for an easy way to get a fire going in damp conditions. This method ensures you always have a dry fire starter available.
Bonus Tip: Store matches inside the bottle along with the fire starter material for a complete fire-starting kit.
8. Travel-Sized Shampoo
Instead of lugging around full-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner, transfer small amounts into cleaned-out pill bottles. They’re compact, leak-proof, and perfect for travel. These also work great for lotions, sunscreens, and other toiletries.
Bonus Tip: Use different colored caps or labels to distinguish between shampoo, conditioner, and other products.
9. Cotton Swab Container
A pill bottle is the perfect size for storing cotton swabs. This keeps them clean and easy to access, whether in your bathroom or while traveling. The compact design makes it ideal for throwing into a purse or suitcase.
Bonus Tip: Keep a small mirror on the inside of the lid for quick touch-ups on the go.
10. Rainbow Crayons
Have broken crayons lying around? Melt them down and pour the liquid into a pill bottle cap to create multi-colored, chunky crayons. These are perfect for kids who love to color with vibrant shades. Once they harden, you’ll have a fun and unique art supply ready to go.
Bonus Tip: Add glitter or a drop of essential oil for extra sparkle and a pleasant scent.
Final Thoughts
Before reusing pill bottles, make sure to wash them thoroughly and remove any labels. With a little creativity, these small containers can be transformed into practical and fun household items. So next time you finish a prescription, think twice before tossing the bottle—it might just have a second life waiting for it!
Meet Mike O’Connor, (a DIY enthusiast), living in Cincinnati, a city ranked as the noisiest in the USA.
As a work from home dad, I have a first hand experience of how noise can truly affect your well being.
Soundproofing isn’t something that should be taken as a hobby, it should be a skill that every homeowner should be equipped with.
Most of the work documented on this blog comes from purely first hand experience, and the products recommended work as indicated.