Don’t Throw Away Plastic Bottles – Reuse Them for Smart Household Solutions

Why put a plastic bottle in the sink?

In our daily lives, we consume and throw away plenty of plastic bottles—whether from water, soft drinks, or dishwashing liquid. Instead of discarding them, you can keep some bottles and repurpose them to solve common problems around the house.

One clever trick is using a plastic bottle as a container for food scraps in your kitchen sink.

After meals, many people scrape leftover food directly into the sink. Although most sinks have a small filter basket, it usually fills up quickly. Once it’s full, water drains slowly, forcing you to empty the basket repeatedly while washing dishes. This can be annoying and time-consuming.

To make things easier, you can turn a simple plastic bottle into a practical scrap holder.

Step 1: Cut the Bottle

Take an empty plastic bottle and cut it in half using scissors or a sharp knife. You’ll be using the bottom half.

Step 2: Create Drainage Holes

Using pliers, hold a nail over a flame until it gets hot, then pierce 5–6 small holes in the base of the bottle. These will act as drainage holes so liquids can escape. For convenience, also poke two holes near the cut edge to thread a string through. If you don’t have a nail, a piece of heated wire works just as well.

Step 3: Add a Handle

Thread a piece of string through the two side holes and tie the ends together. This creates a simple handle for hanging.

Step 4: Hang It by the Sink

Stick a small adhesive hook near your sink and hang the bottle there. Now, whenever you rinse dishes, scrape leftovers into the bottle. Liquids will drain out through the holes while solid food remains inside. If you use a wide-mouth bottle, it will be even easier to dump food scraps and hold more waste.

When the bottle fills up, simply lift it out, empty the scraps into the trash, rinse the bottle, and hang it back for reuse.

Bonus Tip: Store Sponges and Scrubbers

After washing dishes, you can also place your sponge or steel scrubber into this DIY holder. The drainage holes allow water to drip out, keeping cleaning tools dry and preventing bacteria or mold from growing.

Another Hack: A Handle for Your Steel Wool Scrubber

Steel wool scrubbers are excellent for cleaning pots and pans, but they can be rough on your hands, scratching your skin or fingernails. A plastic bottle can solve this problem too.

1. Cut a bottle in half, but this time keep the top part with the cap.

2. Heat a nail and poke two small holes in the bottle cap.

3. Thread a piece of string through the scrubber, then pass the ends through the holes in the cap.

4. Insert the scrubber into the bottle top, pull the string tight, and screw the cap back on to secure it.

Now, you have a scrubber with a built-in handle. You can hold the bottle neck while scrubbing, keeping your hands safe from scratches. After use, hang it by the string so it can dry properly.

Why These Hacks Are Worth Trying

Not only do these bottle hacks make dishwashing easier, they also help you:

• Save money: Instead of buying extra sink accessories, you can repurpose what you already have.

• Reduce plastic waste: Every reused bottle is one less item ending up in the trash.

• Stay organized: Hanging scrap containers and sponges neatly keeps your sink area cleaner.

• Improve hygiene: Better drainage prevents unpleasant odors and reduces bacterial growth.

By reusing just a few plastic bottles creatively, you can simplify your daily chores, save resources, and even contribute to protecting the environment.