Don't Toss Empty Milk Jugs: A Creative Way To Make A Cute Storage Basket

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We've all been drinking milk from childhood and it is definitely one of those food items that are simply a staple in every home. Some of us still enjoy a cold glass (no shame in that, by the way!), which means we can easily end up with a pile of empty jugs. If that's you, you should consider hanging onto the containers! Although you can recycle milk jugs, a more crafty way to make sure they don't end up in a landfill is to turn them into DIY woven baskets. They're actually quite adorable after sprucing them up with paint. Plus, milk jug baskets are perfect for storing odds and ends around the home. It's on the same lines as repurposing empty yogurt containers into charming storage solutions. Only this project requires even less supplies.

You'll be able to decorate your baskets any way you like. However, YouTuber Jesys DIYs showed how you really just need two 1-gallon milk jugs (per basket), a pencil, utility knife, scissors, hot glue, and spray paint. Make sure to get a paint that works well on plastic, like Krylon Fusion All-In-One. Pick a color that matches your home's palette so the DIY can blend in. Remove any labels and wash the empty milk jugs in warm, soapy water before starting the project. If you have more than you can use, set a few aside to make clever milk jug hanging planters on another day.

Take one of the milk jugs and draw a line around the base, just below the handle. Cut the container along that line using the utility knife, leaving just the bottom half. Next, grab the scissors and cut approximately 1/2-inch vertical strips all around the container — starting from the top and stopping when you reach the bottom. Once the jug is covered in strips, go around and snip off every other one.

Next, cut off the top portion off the second milk jug as well. Then, cut an approximately 1/2-inch strip in a spiral, creating one very long plastic strand. Fold the end around the bottom of a strip on the first jug and glue it down. You can now weave the strand through the rest of the vertical strips, using an over-under pattern. Once you get around the milk jug, cut the strand and glue that end down as well. Repeat this process until you reach the top and have what looks like a woven basket. Next, take it outside and spray paint both the inside and outside.

After the paint is dry, your DIY storage basket is ready to hold small items, from trinkets to remote controls. Wanna dress it up a bit? Do so with Dollar Tree's Pearl Mesh 6-feet Ribbon to give a cuter look, perfect if you're using this basket to corral things like old photos. You could also make a handle using Tenn Well Jute Rope, then hang the basket on a hook in an entryway to store items like pet leashes. If you fall in love with these milk jug alternatives, simply turn your old baskets into space-saving wall decor.