New uses for those old coffee cans you've got hanging around the house
Coffee cans are great storage containers. They have a tightfitting lid, come in different sizes, are portable, and some even have a wide-grip handle. Their durability makes them a smarter choice than glass jars for many storage solutions.
How have you reused them? Here are a few ideas.
In the kitchen: Organize your pantry. Store kitchen supplies such as cookie cutters, drink pouches, cookies, sugar, rice, etc. Use one on the kitchen counter for food scraps that you want to compost. The lid keeps odors to a minimum. Or pour your used cooking oil or grease into the can. Under the kitchen sink, you can use one to store pet treats, steel wool pads, sponges, scrub brushes or plastic grocery bags.
Garage and outdoors: Use to store garden gloves, small tools, car-wash supplies, pet food or birdseed. Or use one to help scoop grass seed or ice melt. They can hold small outdoor toys such as squirt toys, jump ropes, small bottles of bubbles or sidewalk chalk.
One reader, Mary from Texas, shares: "A neighbor has a bunch of small shrubs and trees. He cuts the bottom out of the plastic coffee container, slits them open down the side and wraps them around the bases of the trees/shrubs. That way he doesn't damage them with the weed eater."
Closet organizer: Store scarves, hats and mitten sets, small ice scrapers or a sewing kit.
In the bathroom: Store travel size or samples of shampoo, toothpaste or bars of soap. Or to hold hair accessories, cosmetics, small tub toys, a roll of toilet paper or washcloths.
In the car: Pack travel activities for kids, snacks or emergency supplies. Another reader, Laurie from Florida, shares: "We use them in our trucks. One carries two pairs of study work gloves. We use a large can to carry a load of kitty litter (useful in snow and when there is a greasy mess). Another can carries a homemade first aid kit. Another large can carries a coil of rope. The cans have all come in handy to carry water when overheated, to dig dirt with when the truck was stuck or to gather the suddenly found berry patch."
Laundry organizing: Use coffee canisters to store odd socks, detergent samples, homemade powdered laundry soap, clothespins or stain sticks.
For parties: There always seems to be a smoker in a group. If you don't have ashtrays, you can fill a coffee can with kitty litter and let your guest(s) use that to dispose of cigarette butts.
On a more pleasant note, kids can make coffee-can ice cream. Get the directions at http://crafts.kaboose.com/ice-cream-in-a-can-or-kick-the-can.html.
Arts-and-crafts supplies: Can use coffee cans to hold markers, crayons, fabric scraps, pom poms, foam shapes, pipe cleaners, etc. Or cut a small hole in the lid and insert a rubber grommet or duct tape the opening (so yarn doesn't get caught) and use as a yarn holder. It's big enough to hold your crochet hooks and a printed pattern, too.
Gift giving: Decorate and use as gift containers. Visit folgers.com/holiday/canister/index.aspx for printable canister design templates to decorate canisters. Simply print, cut and adhere.
Donate: Ask schools if they can use any. They can make a cute holiday container to hold Halloween treats or Valentine's Day cards, or for crafts or supplies.
• Sara Noel founded frugalvillage.com, to offer practical, money-saving strategies for everyday living. Send tips or questions, to Sara Noel, c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016, or sara@frugalvillage.com.