Save Your Old Laundry Detergent Bottles To Create Fun Seasonal Decorations

If you just tossed your last pod in the washing machine, don't throw away your empty laundry detergent bottle. Those bulky containers for detergent pods are the perfect shape to make the most adorable Halloween decorations. With a little imagination, a marker, and a few tealights, you'll be able to transform the plastic into various spooky figures that glow. Tide's signature orange containers make great jack-o-lanterns, while the white plastic version could be a ghost or skeleton. With a green Gain detergent pod bottle, you might make a cackling witch, Frankenstein, or another monster. Or, you could make a snowman or the Grinch at Christmastime to personalize your seasonal décor.

The possibilities are endless with this spooky DIY that will light up your home on Halloween. While it's easy to create these decorations with a basic marker, paint and vinyl transfers are great alternatives to help you get a clean design. No matter what color your laundry detergent pod bottle is, spray painting the plastic will allow you to completely customize the look. Consider decorating the lid of the container as well, adding fun features to your seasonal characters.

This fun craft is super simple to complete and won't break the bank. At Target, a pack of 12 LED tealights is around $10. Battery-operated string lights are a great alternative, or you could even repurpose puck lights. Using craft supplies or lights you already have on hand is a simple way to make this project even more affordable.

Before you decorate your laundry pod container, remove the label. Try soaking the plastic in hot water and scraping the sticker off or using a product like Goo Gone. For the easiest version of this DIY, simply use a black permanent marker to draw a face on the front of the detergent bottle. Get creative making unique jack-o-lantern expressions or creating another fun character.  

Otherwise, cut out and smooth a custom vinyl transfer face onto the plastic. If you're more artistically inclined, try hand painting a design. With jack-o-lanterns specifically, cutting out the faces from the plastic creates an adorable DIY fall pumpkin decor. If you don't like the color of your detergent pod bottle, spray paint it before adding finer details.

@staceygarskarodriguez

Start saving those containers yall!! We used an orange Tide container to make the Pumpkin 🎃 a white Tide container to make a ghost 👻 and a green Gain container to make Frankenstein 🧟‍♂️ Still one of my favorite Halloween crafts!! #HalloweenCrafts #jackolantern #upcycling #halloweendiy

♬ original sound – staceygarskarodriguez

Besides the face of your Halloween character, adding decorations to the lid of the laundry detergent bottle really brings this décor to life. Simply painting the lid to match the container gives this DIY a more finished look. Alternatively, paint your jack-o-lantern's top green and glue faux leaves or curled, green pipe cleaners for the pumpkin stem. With a Frankenstein or witch decoration, paint the top black or place a hat over the lid. Finally, set the lights inside your container and replace the lid. Place the pumpkins or ghosts on a table or mantle, or use them to adorn your stairs. You could also try stacking the containers to create a fun display.