Uses for Milk Cartons

Milk cartons, the cardboard type, do not have to end up in the trash dump just because they are empty. There are several things that can be done with an empty milk carton. They can be used for candle molds, as a fish holding tank, as an air conditioner for pets, as a garbage sorter, as a weight or as a toe guard. Milk cartons can also be used for bird feeders, as a paint can, as a seed starter, as a cooler, as a vegetable collar, as a block or as a dustpan.

To turn an empty milk carton into a candle mold, begin by washing the milk carton real well. Carefully cut the top of the milk carton off so that it creates a rectangle. Spray the inside of the milk carton with cooking spray then place a taper candle in the middle of the milk carton. Anchor the tapered candle with melted wax. Now add ice cubes to the milk carton so that they are all around the tapered candle and pour hot wax over all of the ice cubes. Allow the wax to cool then peel the milk carton off of the newly formed candle. The new candle will be delicate and lacy looking.

To create a fish holding tank with a milk carton fill a half gallon milk carton with water from the aquarium. Now add the fish and clean the aquarium.

An air conditioner for pets can be made out of any size milk carton. Wash the milk carton real good then fill with water. Place in the freezer and allow the water in the milk carton to freeze solid. Now it is ready to be placed in the pet's kennel or hutch or where ever the pet is.

An empty milk carton that has been thoroughly cleaned can be the perfect place to put wet garbage in the kitchen. Find a spot close to the kitchen sink where you can easily add the wet garbage to the milk carton. When full, simply throw it away and replace with the next empty milk carton.

Ever need a weight to keep something from blowing away? If so, take an empty, clean milk carton and fill it with sand. You can attach a string to the milk carton and to the item needed weighted down or just sit the milk carton on the item if possible.

A toe guard that can be used when camping to keep you from stumping your toes on the tent pegs or stakes can be made out of a milk carton. Cut the top off the milk carton, clean it real well to keep bugs from invading the camping area, then place the cut off top over the tent pegs or stakes.

A bird feeder can be made out of a milk carton by combining suet that has been melted with birdseed. Pour the melted suet and birdseed mixture into a clean milk carton then make a loop with the end of a string and place it in the top of the mixture. Let the suet and birdseed mixture harden then tear away the old milk carton and use the string to hang the bird feeder in a tree.

If you need a paint can you can cut a milk carton in half and use the bottom of it. Clean it real good then pour your paint in it. When you are finished with your painting project, through the "paint can" away. Very easy clean up.

Do you need to start some seeds but do not want to spend money on the fancy items that are sold at garden centers? If so, think about using small milk cartons. Cut the top off of the milk carton, poke holes in the bottom of the milk carton, fill the milk carton up with potting soil then sow the seeds as directed by the manufacturer.

A cooler can be made using a milk carton by cutting the top off of a large milk carton then placing what you want to keep cold into the milk carton. Fill the milk carton with water then allow it to freeze solid. After it is froze peel the carton off of the ice and the beverage can be poured using a towel to hold the icy beverage.

A milk carton can also be used as a vegetable collar by cutting both ends off of the milk carton. Then place the milk carton over the vegetable in the garden and press into the ground. This will help keep the cutworms and grubs off the vegetable plants.

Do you need to make a block to decorate? Cut the spout end off of a very clean milk carton. Now cut slits down each corner, making four flaps. Next fold the flaps you just made and tape them. The next step is to decorate the block you just made.

One last thing that a milk carton can be turned into is a dust pan. All you have to do is cut off the bottom of the milk carton and the front of the milk carton. Now cut the sides at an angle so it is easy to sweep the dust and dirt into the dust pan easily.