Are you drowning in a sea of mismatched plastic lids, more lids than containers? You’re not alone! It seems like those pesky lids multiply mysteriously, leaving many of us wondering what to do with them. If you have too many plastic lids, get ready to discover 40 practical and creative ways to reuse them, reducing waste and adding convenience to your life.
40 Practical Ways to Repurpose Plastic Lids
From the kitchen to the craft room, plastic lids can be surprisingly useful. Here’s how to give them a new life:
- Yarn Tamer: Cut an “X” in the center of a plastic lid and thread yarn through it to prevent tangling while knitting or crocheting. As you pull, the kinks come undone.
- Toddler Toys: Save lids of various sizes and colors (ensuring they are too big to be a choking hazard) for toddler toys. They’re great for teaching colors, counting, building blocks, and imaginative play. For even more ideas, check out Powerful Mothering for 30 ways to use lids with kids.
- Sun Catchers: Create sun catchers by letting kids color clear plastic lids with markers. Punch a hole, add string, and hang them on windows using Command hooks.
- Non-Stick Scraper: Use a sturdy plastic lid to scrape dried-on food from non-stick skillets without damaging the surface.
- Yogurt Container Cover: Pringles lids (or similarly sized lids) are perfect for covering small yogurt containers when you don’t finish the whole thing, keeping your snacks fresh.
- Ice Scraper: In a pinch, use the edge of a sturdy plastic lid to scrape ice off your car windows.
- Hamburger Patty Separators: When making homemade hamburger patties, put a plastic lid between each patty before freezing. The lids make it easy to separate the patties when you’re ready to cook.
- Makeshift Sink Stopper: Plastic lids work great as makeshift sink stoppers in the kitchen sink or bathtub, preventing water from draining.
- Craft Supply Corral: Use various lids to corral glitter, beads, and other small items while doing craft projects, keeping your workspace organized.
- Hot Glue Gun Drip Catcher: Put a plastic lid under your hot glue gun to catch drips and protect your work surface.
- Pet Food Dishes: Use large plastic lids as food dishes for small pets.
- Plant Pot Saucers: Use large plastic lids under indoor flower pots to catch water and soil runoff. Brightly colored lids would look especially cute!
- Dishwasher Glassware Protector: Place plastic lids between delicate glassware in the dishwasher to create a barrier and prevent them from cracking.
- Indoor Frisbee: Use a lightweight plastic lid as an indoor frisbee for some lighthearted fun.
- Coasters: Use small plastic lids as coasters. At parties, let guests write their names on the lids. Kids can decorate lids for everyday use, too!
- Dough/Clay Cutters: Use lids to cut circles out of dough or clay. You could also use them to trace circles for craft projects.
- Furniture Sliders: Place plastic lids under the legs of furniture to easily slide heavy pieces across carpet or hardwood floors, preventing scratches.
- Garbage Bag Closure: Cut a slit in the middle of a plastic lid and slide it over the top of a garbage bag to keep it securely shut.
- Checkers/Bingo Markers: Collect plastic soda lids to use as homemade checkers or as BINGO markers.
- Puffy Paint Stamps: Use puffy paint to draw fun shapes onto plastic lids. Once dry, dip the lids into acrylic paint to use as stamps.
- Earring Storage: Use a thin plastic lid to store earrings at home or while traveling. Use a safety pin to poke holes, slide earrings through, and secure them with backings.
- Trivets: Use sturdy plastic lids as makeshift trivets for hot pans.
- Funnel: Fold a lightweight plastic lid in half to use as a funnel for liquids or small solids.
- Soap Dish: Use a small plastic lid as a soap tray in the kitchen or bathroom.
- Jewelry Holder: Keep a plastic lid by the sink to hold jewelry when cooking or doing dishes, preventing loss or damage.
- Microwave Splatter Screen: Keep a few different sizes of plastic lids on top of your microwave to use as screens over food that may splatter when heated.
- Spoon Rest: Use a plastic lid as a spoon rest when cooking.
- Stencils: Use an X-ACTO knife to cut shapes out of the middle of a lid and use it as a stencil for painting, drawing, or decorating coffee.
- Popsicle Drip Catcher: Cut a slit in small plastic lids and slide them over popsicle sticks to catch drips.
- Paint Palette: Plastic lids make great paint palettes! You can use lots of different lids to keep colors separate and then just throw them away when you finish your project.
- Paint Drip Guard: Use a plastic lid to prevent paint from dripping onto your hands or the floor when painting walls. Cut a large slit and slip the paintbrush through the hole.
- Shaving Cream Rust Protector: Set shaving cream bottles on a plastic lid in the shower to avoid rust stains on shower shelves.
- Mini Whiteboard: You can use plastic lids as a small whiteboard. Glue magnets on the back to use it on your refrigerator, or use a thumbtack to hang it by the door.
- Painting Canvas: Let kids use plastic lids as a painting canvas. They can easily wipe the paint off if they make a mistake.
- Desk Organizer: Use various plastic lids to corral rubber bands, paper clips, push pins, etc. on your desk. You could even spray paint them to match your office decor!
- Coffee Can Protector: When you open a new can of coffee, take the lid from the old can and put it on the bottom of the new can to protect your counter.
- Fruit and Veggie Slicer: Put grapes, cherry tomatoes or other small fruits and veggies between two plastic lids and carefully slice between the lids to quickly slice them.
- Mixer Splash Guard: Use a plastic lid to catch batter spray when using a hand or stand mixer.
- Outdoor Drink Cover: Use a Pringle lid (or something similarly sized) to cover glasses and soda cans when dining outdoors to keep bugs out.
- Pepper Mill Drip Catcher: Put a small lid under your pepper mill on the counter to catch excess pepper. This also works for things that tend to drip in the refrigerator!
Reusing Plastic Lids: A Small Act with a Big Impact
By finding creative uses for plastic lids, you can reduce waste and live more sustainably. These simple solutions not only declutter your home but also contribute to a more eco-conscious lifestyle. So, next time you’re about to toss a lid, think twice – it might just be the perfect tool for one of these clever hacks!
