21 ways to reuse plastic jugs and bottles at home

When stripping old paint or varnish, how do you get rid of the stuff once it’s on your putty knife? Cut a semi-circular opening in the side of an empty gallon jug, then clean the loaded scraper on the flat edge of the hole. When you’re done, and you want to reuse some of the stripper, upend the jug and use the neck of the jug as a funnel to pour the stripper into another container.

To make it easy to stow and reuse plastic bags, make a dispenser from a discarded 2-litre soft drink bottle. Cut off the top and bottom with a razor knife. Trim any jagged edges so you don’t tear the bags when you pull them out, then screw the dispenser to a cabinet door or closet wall (or attach with hook-and-loop tape).

Make a nail holder from a plastic beverage bottle. Cut the top off an empty bottle, leaving a 10cm tall container. File off any sharp edges or cover them with tape. Cut two 4cm vertical slits 3cm apart in the centre of the side. Slide the end of your belt through the slots for a homemade nail pouch.

Store chisels, files, large drill bits, screwdrivers and other long tools so they’re both visible and close at hand. Simply cut off the top from a clear 2-litre plastic soft drink bottle, leaving a flap for hanging. Use smaller bottles for smaller tools.

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Source: Family Handyman