Keep Your Old Cake Pan And Trash Can To Turn Them Into A Toilet Plunger Holder

Leaving your toilet plunger out in the open is a major style mistake. You want the handy tool close in case of clogs, as you need to ask fast to unclog a toilet. But no one wants to see it. And that plunger could be full of nasty bacteria and dirty water. The solution? A DIY toilet plunger holder made from a small trash can and a cake pan, shared by TikTok creator Sarah Teresinski. And you can use an old pan and bin you already have.

The trash can is the container for the plunger, and the cake pan creates a cover that hides the cup of the plunger. (And while there is a big difference between plungers, this works for any type.) To make it work, you need a round cake pan that's approximately the same size as the opening of the trash can — the edges of the cake pan should sit on the edges of the trash can. If this isn't possible, choose a tapered trash can that's slightly larger than the pan. That way, the cake pan slides inside the bin without going to the bottom.

The only tool you need is a drill equipped with a hole saw to adapt the cake pan. Spray paint is optional, but painting both pieces the same color creates an intentional look. To dress up the plunger caddy, you'll need additional embellishments and glue to secure them. Keep in mind that the decorations you add could get splashed with water from the plunger, so choose materials that hold up well in wet conditions. For example, decoupaging paper designs on the container isn't ideal because the repeated moisture exposure could ruin it, but sealed wooden beads could make an attractive border design.

Start by drilling a hole in the center of the cake pan to accommodate the plunger handle. Attach a hole saw to your drill to cut an even circle — a bi-metal or carbide-tipped hole saw works on metal. Hole saws come in various sizes, so choose one that's slightly larger than the plunger handle. Mark the center of the pan as a guide. Cut the hole and smooth the edges with a small sanding bit or tool. You could also get a similar effect with a plastic planter saucer that fits on the trash can.

@redeux_style

Bathroom Upcycle that includes a trashcan & a cake pan! #upcycle #HomeDecor #bathroom #bathroomdiy #diy #upcycling #upcycled #repurpose #reuse

♬ original sound – Sarah Teresinski

Next up is spray painting the pan and trash can. While the original creator went for a matte black finish, you can switch it up to a light neutral for a brighter feel. Or, choose a color from your bathroom decor scheme to tie it together. You can also paint the handle of the plunger the same color to help it disappear. Or, add a decorative finial piece on the handle to give it a decor feel.

You can be done at this point. Put the plunger in the trash can and slide the cake pan over it with the handle going through the hole. Keeping the plunger holder simple gives it a sleek, upscale look. However, you can also add extra details, like large wooden beads on the bottom as legs to elevate your plunger caddy. Glue a knob on each side of the pan to use as handles, so you can easily lift the pan off when you need to access the plunger. You can also glue on trim or paint additional details on the trash can.