15 Things You Should Never Throw Out (Because They Can Be Repurposed in a Ton of Ways!)
Before you toss something in the trash, take a second look. You’d be surprised how many “junk” items can actually come in handy for your next project, quick fix, or clever storage solution. Repurposing doesn’t have to mean turning into a full-time crafter, but it’s a great way to get more life out of what you already have. Here are 15 everyday things worth keeping around to use again.
Glass Jars and Bottles
Empty sauce or jam jars make perfect little organizers for holding nails, buttons, or spices. Larger ones can be used as vases or homemade candle holders. Just give it a good soak in warm, soapy water to remove labels easily. Suddenly, what was once recycling becomes your new favorite storage container that’s simple, sturdy, and surprisingly stylish.
Old T-Shirts
That faded tee from 2003 might not make it into your closet rotation anymore, but it’s fantastic for cleaning. Cut it into rags for dusting, staining wood, or polishing silver. You can also cut an old T-shirt into grocery bags or pillows. Cotton works better than most store-bought cloths and washes up easily. Plus, it feels good to give an old favorite shirt a new purpose instead of sending it off to the landfill.
Tin Cans
Don’t toss those soup cans! Peel off the labels and you’ve got containers with a world of possibilities. Use them as pen holders, planters for herbs, or even to keep paintbrushes together in the garage. If you’re feeling creative, add a coat of spray paint to the outside for a rustic or modern look. A few small touches can turn plain cans into charming decor.
Wine Corks
Corks are lightweight, durable, and full of potential. Glue them together to make trivets, keychains, or bulletin boards. They’re also great for stabilizing wobbly furniture: just slice one into a shim and slide it under. Keep a small jar full in the kitchen or garage and you’ll be amazed at how often they come in handy for tiny fixes or little craft ideas.
Cardboard Boxes
Even cracked or outdated frames deserve a second chance. Paint or distress them for a vintage look, or use them to create a wall-mounted jewelry organizer by adding wire or mesh. Larger frames can become chalkboards or cork boards, or just good scrap wood. With a little creativity, that dusty frame in the closet can turn into something useful and surprisingly beautiful again.
Egg Cartons
Cardboard egg cartons are perfect for starting seeds, organizing small parts, or holding paint when you’re doing touch-ups. Plastic or Styrofoam ones can work too, but cardboard breaks down naturally in the compost, so it’s the greener choice. Give them a rinse, let them dry, and stack a few in the garage. You’ll be glad you did when planting season comes around.
Old Towels
Before tossing frayed towels, cut them into smaller sections to use as cleaning rags or for pet care. They’re great for drying the dog, wiping up spills, or keeping in the trunk for messy repair jobs. You can even sew two together to make a reusable mop pad! It’s the kind of item that saves you money and helps you stay clean.
Metal Lids and Bottle Caps
Metal lids from jars or bottle caps can become tiny organizers, magnets, or even decorative accents. Glue a few together for an industrial-style trivet or use them as candle holders for tealights. Crafters love using them for ornaments and wall art too. It’s amazing how these small, overlooked pieces can turn into creative, functional little details around the house.
Broken Dishes or Mugs
Even when they chip or crack, don’t toss them right away. Broken ceramics can be turned into mosaic art, garden edging, or unique stepping stones. If that’s not your style, use the shards as drainage at the bottom of potted plants. It’s an old gardening trick that gives new life to things you thought were ruined.
Shoe Boxes
Shoe boxes make some of the best organizers around. Stack them in closets to store and organize your scarves, cords, or seasonal decorations. They’re sturdy enough for heavier items and easy to label. You can even wrap them in decorative paper for a cleaner, more cohesive look. It’s a storage bin that you already own, and it fits perfectly under the bed or on a shelf.
Dryer Lint
This one sounds odd, but hear me out. Dryer lint makes an excellent fire starter for camping or backyard fire pits. Just pack some into an empty toilet paper roll and store it in a plastic bag. It lights quickly and burns long enough to get kindling going. It’s one of those small, practical hacks that makes use of something you’d normally never think twice about tossing.
Coffee Grounds
Used coffee grounds can do more than just sit in the trash. They’re great for composting, deodorizing the fridge, or scrubbing pots and pans. You can even mix them into soil to give plants a nice nitrogen boost. If you love your coffee in the morning, you’ll love finding little ways to work it into your cleaning and gardening routine.
Old Magazines or Calendars
Those glossy pages might be out of date, but they’re still full of beautiful images. Cut them out for crafts like collaging, wrapping small gifts, or making mood boards. Old calendars are great for framing too. Those large photos can easily become wall art. Sometimes a bit of creativity can turn last year’s clutter into next year’s home decor.
Plastic Bread Tags
Those tiny tags that hold your bread bags closed are actually surprisingly useful. You can use them to label cords and cables, mark plant names in the garden, or even use them as makeshift guitar picks. Keep a few in a drawer instead of tossing them because they’re one of those small things that solve annoying little problems you didn’t even know you had.
Old Picture Frames
Even cracked or outdated frames deserve a second chance. Paint or distress them for a vintage look, or use them to create a wall-mounted jewelry organizer by adding wire or mesh. Larger frames can become chalkboards or cork boards, or just good scrap wood. With a little creativity, that dusty frame in the closet can turn into something useful and surprisingly beautiful again.
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Repurposing is all about making small, sustainable choices that add up every day. Keeping a few of these everyday items out of the trash saves money, reduces waste, and sparks creativity. The next time you’re about to throw something away, pause and ask, “Could this serve a new purpose?” Chances are, it can. And that small shift in thinking is what makes an ordinary home feel a little bit smarter, and a lot more resourceful.
Bliss Donahue-Power
