Old pill bottles (medicine containers) are small, durable, waterproof, and usually made from strong plastic, which makes them useful for many household purposes after they are properly cleaned. Before reusing them:
- Remove or cover the prescription label to protect your privacy.
- Wash the bottle thoroughly with warm soapy water and let it dry completely.
- Avoid using old pill bottles for food storage unless they are specifically designed for it.
- Keep reused bottles away from children if they still have child-resistant features that could confuse them.
Here are 12 detailed ways to reuse old pill bottles at home:
1. Travel-Sized Toiletry Containers
Old pill bottles are excellent for carrying small amounts of personal-care items while traveling.
Use them for:
- Cotton swabs
- Hair ties
- Bobby pins
- Small amounts of shampoo or lotion (only if the plastic is suitable and clean)
- Toothpaste tablets
- Small soap pieces
Benefits:
- They prevent small items from getting lost in luggage.
- Their screw-top lids keep contents secure.
- They take very little space in a travel bag.
Tip: Label each bottle with a marker so you know what is inside.
2. Emergency Sewing Kit
Turn a pill bottle into a tiny sewing kit for quick clothing repairs.
Fill it with:
- Needles
- Thread wrapped around a small piece of cardboard
- Buttons
- Safety pins
- Small scissors (if they fit safely)
Why it works:
The bottle protects sharp objects and keeps everything organized.
Great places to keep it:
- Car glove compartment
- Office drawer
- Travel bag
- Emergency kit
3. Mini First-Aid Supply Container
A clean pill bottle can hold small emergency items.
Possible contents:
- Bandages
- Alcohol wipes
- Gauze pieces
- Small adhesive strips
- Medical tape rolled tightly
Advantage:
It keeps supplies dry and protected compared with loose items in a bag.
Important: Do not store actual medicines in old prescription bottles unless the medication label and instructions are correct.
4. Organize Small Hardware Items
Pill bottles are perfect for storing tiny household items that are easy to lose.
Store:
- Screws
- Nails
- Washers
- Bolts
- Wall hooks
- Small batteries
- Craft beads
Organization idea:
Write the contents on the lid so you can quickly find what you need.
5. Make a Small Craft Supply Organizer
If you enjoy DIY projects, pill bottles can organize tiny craft materials.
Use them for:
- Buttons
- Sequins
- Glitter
- Beads
- Embroidery thread
- Small stickers
You can decorate the outside with paint, stickers, or fabric to make them attractive.
6. Create a Waterproof Match Container
A pill bottle can protect matches during outdoor activities.
How to use:
- Place dry matches inside.
- Add a small strip of sandpaper under the lid or attach it outside.
- Close tightly.
Useful for:
- Camping
- Hiking
- Emergency kits
Make sure children cannot access it.
7. Store Coins and Loose Change
Instead of leaving coins around the house, use pill bottles as small coin banks.
Good locations:
- Near the washing machine for found change
- In a car console
- On a desk
You can keep separate bottles for:
- Different currencies
- Parking coins
- Emergency cash
8. DIY Mini Plant Propagation Container
Some pill bottles can be reused as small containers for growing plant cuttings.
Method:
- Clean the bottle.
- Fill it with water.
- Place a small plant cutting inside.
- Keep it near sunlight.
Good plants for propagation:
- Pothos
- Mint
- Some herbs
Avoid using bottles that previously contained medications with special handling warnings.
9. Make a Homemade Key Holder or Keychain Container
A small pill bottle can hold emergency items attached to your keys.
Store:
- Spare cash
- A tiny note with emergency information
- Small safety pins
- A spare key (if it fits)
Some people attach a small loop or keyring through the lid.
10. Create a Car Emergency Container
Keep a few pill bottles in your vehicle for useful supplies.
Possible items:
- Spare change
- Tire valve caps
- Mini flashlight batteries
- Emergency contact note
- Small cleaning wipes
- Safety pins
Their compact size makes them easy to store in glove compartments.
11. Use as a Paint or Glue Holder for Crafts
For children’s crafts or DIY projects, pill bottles can hold small amounts of materials.
Examples:
- Paint for small projects
- Glue
- Beads during a craft session
- Mixing small amounts of colors
Tip: Use only clean bottles and avoid storing anything that could be mistaken for medicine.
12. Create a “Tiny Survival Kit”
Combine several small emergency items into one bottle.
A mini survival kit might contain:
- Small flashlight battery
- Whistle
- Matches (stored safely)
- String or fishing line
- Safety pins
- Small blade-free tools
- Emergency contact information
Keep it in:
- A backpack
- Camping gear
- A car emergency kit
Bonus Creative Ideas
Use pill bottles as:
- Earbud cases — keeps wires from tangling.
- Travel jewelry holders — protects rings and earrings.
- Seed storage containers — keeps garden seeds dry.
- Desk organizers — holds paper clips, staples, and push pins.
- DIY magnets — attach magnets to the back and store small metal items on a fridge or board.
When You Should Not Reuse Pill Bottles
Avoid reusing them for:
- Food or drinks
- Baby items
- Anything that could be confused with medicine
- Chemicals that may react with plastic
- Storage of prescription drugs without proper labeling
With a little creativity, old pill bottles can become useful organizers, travel helpers, and emergency containers instead of waste.