60+ Clever Ways to Reuse Everyday Items

Looking for creative and eco-friendly ways to reuse household items? Repurposing everyday objects not only helps reduce waste but also brings numerous benefits, including saving money and reducing your environmental footprint.

From turning fabric scraps into quilts to upcycling old t-shirts into cleaning cloths or glass bottles into unique home decor, there are endless possibilities to give these items a second life.

Embracing these sustainable practices not only minimizes waste but also adds a personal touch to your home, all while promoting a more sustainable lifestyle.

Ready to get creative and make a positive impact on both your wallet and the planet? Here are over 60 quick tips for ways to reuse common household items!

Kitchen

1. Reuse Glass Jar and Bottles – Repurpose glass jars to store pantry staples, leftovers, or DIY sauces. They’re durable, reusable, and reduce plastic waste. Upcycle glass bottles into home decor or for storage as well.
2. Turn Stale Bread into Croutons – Instead of tossing stale bread, cut it into cubes, season, and bake for homemade croutons or breadcrumbs.
3. Bread Bag Clips for Organization – Use plastic bread bag clips to label cords, organize rubber bands, or reseal open food packages.
4. Coffee Grounds for Gardening – Use coffee grounds as a natural fertilizer for plants, enriching the soil with essential nutrients while reducing kitchen waste.
5. Repurpose Plastic Bottles in Creative Ways – Give plastic bottles a second life by turning them into storage containers, DIY planters, organizers, and more. There are endless ways to upcycle plastic bottles instead of sending them to the landfill.
6. Reuse Cooking Water – Instead of pouring it down the drain, use vegetable steaming water to hydrate houseplants and enrich the soil. Pasta water can be used to thicken sauces, cook rice, or add nutrients to soups and stews.
7. Upcycle Butter Wrappers – Use leftover butter wrappers to grease baking pans, preventing waste while prepping for baking.
8. Reuse Citrus Peels – Infuse vinegar with citrus peels for a natural, chemical-free cleaner that leaves your home smelling fresh. Here are some ideas for DIY natural all-purpose cleaners. You can also use citrus peels to make a zero-waste garland.

Bathroom

9. Refillable Soap Dispensers – Reduce plastic waste by refilling empty soap dispensers with bulk liquid soap instead of buying new single-use bottles.
10. Empty Pill Bottles for Travel Storage – Store small items like hairpins, jewelry, or vitamins in empty pill bottles for travel-friendly organization.
11. Reusable Fabric Scraps – Upcycle fabric scraps or old towels into washable facial rounds or makeup remover pads to cut down on disposable cotton waste.
12. Shower Curtain Liner as a Drop Cloth – Use an old shower curtain liner as a protective drop cloth for painting projects or DIY crafts.
13. Old Toothbrushes for Scrubbing – Give old toothbrushes a second life by using them to clean grout, faucets, and hard-to-reach spaces instead of tossing them out.

Home Organization

14. DIY Magazine Holders – Turn cereal boxes into stylish magazine holders for an easy and sustainable way to organize reading materials.
15. Shoebox Storage Solutions – Repurpose shoeboxes to store photos, stationery, or household essentials, keeping items tidy and reducing clutter.
16. Creative Cork Board – Craft a DIY cork board using wine corks to create a unique and eco-friendly space for notes, reminders, or artwork.
17. Plastic Container Reuse – Give takeout containers a second life by using them to store leftovers, organize craft supplies, or pack lunches.
18. Egg Carton Organization – Repurpose egg cartons as seed starters for your garden or use them to sort small household items.

Gardening

18. Paper Towel/Toilet Paper Roll Seed Starters – Use empty paper towel or toilet paper rolls to start seedlings for your garden. Cut them to size, fill them with soil, and plant your seeds. Place the entire roll into the ground when ready.
19. DIY Compost Bin – Build a compost bin using repurposed materials like wooden pallets or plastic containers to reduce food waste and create nutrient-rich compost for your garden.
20. Creative Planters – Repurpose old buckets or cans as planters to grow flowers, vegetables, or herbs, giving them a new life while adding a rustic touch to your garden. Here’s a list of household items that can be repurposed as planter pots.
21. Eggshell Nutrient Boost – Crush eggshells and scatter them in your garden to provide calcium to the soil and help deter pests naturally.
22. Newspaper Mulch – Use old newspapers as an organic mulch to block weeds, retain soil moisture, and improve garden health without chemicals.

Crafts and DIY

23. Fabric Scraps Creations – Transform fabric scraps into beautiful and functional items like quilts, shopping bags, or decorative baskets for a sustainable and creative way to repurpose materials.
24. T-Shirt Upcycling – Give old t-shirts a second life by turning them into cleaning cloths, tote bags, or pet toys, reducing textile waste and adding new use to worn clothing. Check out this list of awesome ways to repurpose different types of clothing.
25. Glass Bottle Decor – Repurpose empty glass bottles into stylish vases, candle holders, or unique centerpieces, adding charm to your home décor while reducing glass waste.
26. Newspaper Crafting – Use old newspapers for creative and sustainable projects like gift wrapping, shelf lining, or crafting papier-mâché creations. Here are more zero-waste gift wrapping ideas.
27. Cardboard Box Organization – Reuse cardboard boxes for storage, shipping, or crafting, creating eco-friendly solutions to keep your space organized and clutter-free.

Clothing and Accessories

28. Repair Instead of Replace – Extend the life of your clothing by mending tears, replacing missing buttons, or patching worn areas. Learning basic sewing skills can help you reduce textile waste and save money on new clothes.
29. Pass Down Clothing – Give gently used clothing a second life by passing it along to family, friends, or donation centers. Many organizations also accept quality secondhand clothing to support those in need or promote circular fashion.
30. Upcycle Into Tote Bags – Transform old jeans, T-shirts, or fabric remnants into sturdy, reusable tote bags for grocery shopping or everyday use. This reduces plastic waste while giving worn-out materials a new purpose.
31. Repurpose Scarves in Creative Ways – Upcycle old scarves as stylish table runners, wall hangings, headbands, or even DIY gift wrap. Lightweight fabrics can also be sewn into pillow covers or reusable produce bags.
32. Save Buttons for Future Use – Keep a jar of buttons from old clothing for future sewing projects or creative crafts. They can be used to repair other garments, embellish DIY projects, or even as decorative accents on home decor.

Related post: 22 Easy DIY Clothing Upcycles You’ll Want to Try

Technology and Electronics

33. Donate or Recycle Old Electronics – Keep electronic waste out of landfills by donating working devices to charities, schools, or recycling programs. Many retailers and manufacturers offer take-back programs for safe disposal and refurbishment.
34. Turn Old CDs and DVDs into DIY Projects – Instead of throwing away scratched or outdated CDs and DVDs, repurpose the discs into coasters, mosaic art, wind chimes, or even reflective bird deterrents for your garden.
35. Repurpose Old Smartphones and Tablets – Give outdated devices a second life by turning them into dedicated e-readers, digital photo frames, security cameras, or music players instead of discarding them.
36. Tidy Up Cables and Cords – Keep cords organized using twist ties, bread bag clips, or labeled storage boxes to prevent tangles and make it easier to find what you need.
37. Switch to Rechargeable Batteries – Invest in rechargeable batteries and a charger to cut down on disposable battery waste. Not only does this help the environment, but it also saves money in the long run.

Travel and On-the-Go

38. Repurpose Travel Maps and Brochures – Instead of tossing paper maps and travel brochures, turn them into scrapbooking materials, DIY wall art, or wrapping paper for gifts.
39. Reuse Hotel Toiletries – Bring home unused hotel toiletries and use them for future trips, donate them to shelters, or repurpose the bottles for DIY travel-sized products.
40. Transform Ticket Stubs into Keepsakes – Save concert, museum, or transit tickets and frame them, create a travel journal, or turn them into bookmarks as a fun way to remember your trip.
41. Upcycle Souvenir T-Shirts – Turn old souvenir t-shirts into tote bags, pillow covers, or even a memory quilt instead of letting them sit unused in a drawer.
42. Refill and Reuse Travel-Sized Bottles – Instead of buying new travel-size toiletries, wash and refill small bottles with your favorite products to reduce plastic waste.
43. Repurpose Foreign Coins and Bills – Use leftover currency for DIY jewelry, keychains, or save them for a future trip instead of letting them collect dust.
44. Turn Postcards into Home Decor – Frame postcards or turn them into a travel-themed collage to bring a personal touch to your home decor.
45. Convert Travel Guidebooks into Decor – Old travel guidebooks can be stacked as decorative accents, repurposed into travel journals, or donated to libraries and thrift stores.

Kids and Education

46. Repurpose Materials for Art Projects – Give new life to paper scraps, cardboard, fabric remnants, and other household materials by using them for crafts, school projects, or DIY home décor. This reduces waste while fostering creativity.
47. DIY Toys and Games – Turn everyday items into homemade toys, puzzles, and board games to keep kids entertained while minimizing plastic toy waste. Try making dolls from old socks or a DIY marble run from cardboard tubes.
48. Make Your Own Playdough – Skip store-bought versions with excess packaging and create homemade playdough using simple ingredients like flour, salt, and water. Add natural dyes from fruits or vegetables for a fun, non-toxic twist.
49. Transform Cardboard into Creative Play – Reuse cardboard boxes to craft playhouses, forts, or DIY building blocks for kids. Not only does this keep packaging waste out of landfills, but it also encourages imaginative, hands-on play.

Pet Care

50. Upcycled Pet Toys – Give old items a second life by making DIY pet toys from worn-out socks, fabric scraps, or cardboard tubes. Braided fabric strips can become tug toys, while crumpled paper inside a sock makes a fun cat toy.
51. Cozy, Repurposed Pet Bedding – Instead of buying new, use old blankets, towels, or sweaters to create soft, comfortable pet beds. Simply fold or sew them into a cushioned mat to keep pets warm while reducing textile waste.
52. DIY Grooming Essentials – Reduce pet product waste by making grooming tools at home. A repurposed brush, an upcycled scratching post, or even homemade pet shampoo from natural ingredients can help minimize unnecessary plastic waste.
53. Sustainable Cage Liners – Line pet cages, litter boxes, or bedding areas with old newspapers for an easy, absorbent, and eco-friendly alternative to disposable liners. It’s a simple swap that reduces waste while keeping cleanup hassle-free.

Community and Sharing

54. Tool Libraries & Sharing Programs – Instead of buying tools you’ll only use occasionally, borrow from tool libraries or community sharing programs. This reduces resource consumption while making home projects more affordable and accessible.
55. Community Gardening for Sustainability – Get involved in community gardening initiatives to share land, tools, and knowledge while growing fresh, local produce. This promotes urban agriculture, reduces food miles, and strengthens community bonds.
56. Freecycle & Secondhand Networks – Join Freecycle groups or online swap networks to give away unwanted items and find what you need for free. This helps keep usable goods out of landfills while supporting a culture of reuse.
57. Book Swaps & Little Free Libraries – Share books through book exchange programs, Little Free Libraries, or community book swaps. It’s a simple, sustainable way to promote reading while minimizing paper waste and clutter.

Work and Office

58. Eco-Friendly Printing Practices – Set printers to double-sided printing by default to cut paper consumption in half. Use scrap paper for notes or drafts before recycling.
59. Smart Office Supply Use – Reuse envelopes, file folders, and refillable ink cartridges to minimize office waste. Opt for recycled paper products whenever possible.
60. Go Digital for Less Paper Waste – Take notes, organize tasks, and store documents digitally to cut down on paper usage while keeping your workspace clutter-free.
61. Sustainable Office Furnishings – Choose refurbished or upcycled office furniture instead of buying new. This extends the life of existing materials and reduces demand for new production.

By implementing these creative reuse strategies into your everyday life, you can contribute to a greener and more sustainable world while also saving money and reducing waste. Let’s embrace the power of reuse and make a positive impact on the environment together!

For more ideas on how to reuse common items, check out these posts:

• 30 Simple Ways to Repurpose Plastic Bottles
• 33 DIY Repurposed Clothing Ideas
• 16 Practical Ways to Reuse Glass Jars

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