10 Resourceful Uses for Milk Jugs
Updated: Dec. 01, 2023
Once you're done with that gallon of milk, don't throw the jug out! See brilliant uses for old milk jugs.
Watering Jug
When my trusty old metal watering can rusted through, I decided to reuse and recycle instead of buying a new one. I rinsed out a milk jug and drilled a few holes in the cap. It’s a good size, lighter weight and easy to carry. — Matt Boley
Extension Cord Holder
Keep your long extension cords tangle-free and easily accessible. Cut the top off a plastic milk jug, leaving the handle on for carrying. Cut a hole in the side at the bottom for the receptacle end of the cord, and coil the other end of the cord inside the jug for carrying and storage. — Cathy Livesay
Pet Food Scoop
I’ve read many hints that advise the reader to cut off the tops of plastic milk jugs and use them for funnels. I’ve found that if you replace the cap after cutting the top off, you can use the milk jug for a scoop, too. It’s perfect for handling potting soil, fertilizer or pet food. The no-scratch plastic also makes the milk jug scoop ideal for bailing water out of your boat. — Ray Dean
Simple Skinny Funnel
If you’re in need an easy-to-make disposable funnel, we have the perfect solution for you.
Simply cut off the handle from a gallon water (or milk) jug, and use this to serve as a disposable funnel. This funnel will help you to drain anything from your leftover wood glue to the old oil in your leaf blower. This handle funnel will help you get to hard-to-reach places and small bottle openings. When you use this funnel to drain old oil, it directs the oil to the drain pan without spilling a drop. It’s also smart to use this disposable funnel for messy projects because you can just throw it away once you are done.
Protect Sprouting Plants
If you cut a hole in the top of an empty gallon jug (like a classic plastic milk jug), you can create an effective enclosure that will protect planted seeds and new shoots from birds and rodents. For busy gardens, get a marker and write the name of the plant on the jug so you know what’s growing beneath without needing to check your seed packets: Remember to eventually take the jugs off as shoots develop to avoid mold.
Milk Jug Furniture Movers
When you have to move heavy furniture on carpeting, don’t just drag it around. That’s hard on your carpet and you might damage the furniture legs. Make the job easier with these homemade moving pads. Cut the bottoms off four plastic water or milk jugs with a utility knife and rest each furniture leg on its own slider. The rounded, slippery bottoms make them perfect for furniture moving. Yes, you can buy fancier versions of these things, but these work just as well, and best of all, they’re free!
Furniture Stripping Helper
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.
Tangle-Free Twine Storage
Can’t find your twine to bundle that pile of recyclables? Try reader Norm Hoch’s slick twine dispenser solution. Cut the bottom 4-in. off of a 1/2-gallon plastic milk or orange juice jug and load the container with a fresh spool of twine that unwinds from the middle. Then thread the twine through the jug opening and tape the jug back together. Cut an “X” in the cap with a utility knife to keep the twine from falling back into the jug.
Build a Bird Feeder
A water or milk jug winter bird feeder is easy to make and inexpensive. Rinse out the jug, cut open the sides, cut or drill holes for a thin dowel or chopstick perch, add the birdseed and hang it in a tree. You could decorate the plastic jug DIY bird feeder so it doesn’t look like you’ve hung your recycling in your yard.
Hang Your Plants
Those plastic milk jugs can be cut and used as planters. Try hanging them from a fence with wire coat hangers.
Originally Published: April 21, 2022
