If you have a household like mine, you probably go through plenty of plastic one gallon milk and water jugs each week. Before you put them out with the recycling, there are plenty of ways you can use them around the house. Here are some of our favorites.
Flickr photo by Liz Henry
Igloo
Unusual, but interesting! If you're looking for something to do with your children, you can make play structures. Depending on how permanent you want the structure to last, you can either hot glue the bottles together or even bolt them together. (Check out a finished igloo over at Craft.) It's a fun project for children and adults, and the finished project is mobile enough for the kids to enjoy.
Planters
You can make planters out of milk jugs. Just cut the tapered end off. What you are left with is a nice little pail for starting seeds in. Another interesting garden use for milk jugs? Protective cloches for small plants. Simply cut away the bottom, then place the jug over the plant.
Kids Masks
With a little craftiness, you can make fun costume masks with your children that can be as elaborate (or as simple) as you like. The blog Filth Wizardry has instructions for some more fancy ones, including Batman and the Stormtroopers from Star Wars.
Funnel
It's one of those tools that we mean to have, but never buy. In a pinch, the top of a gallon milk or water jug can work as a funnel. All you have to do is cut off the bottom. To see one in action, take a look at the blog Saving By Making.
Weight
No, we're not talking about fitness (though you could use milk jugs, filled with sand and duck taped to the tenth degree, as a makeshift weight). If you need to put a tarp over something, whether its your wood pile or some patio furniture, you can use milk jugs filled with water to weight it down.
No matter what you use them for, you can always recycle the re-purposed milk jugs after the fact. What are your favorite uses for milk jugs?
For more great uses for everyday items, check out our previous installments of "5 Uses For..." in our slideshow below!
