Creative uses for empty cat litter buckets, anyone?

Question

Does anyone have any ideas of things to do with empty cat litter plastic buckets? I did take a foam square and covered the bucket and foam with fabric to make a quick porch ottoman. Hate to just throw them out on recycling days, they are quite sturdy. Tyvm

Mary Kust · Answer

We use them for everything at our house. . Spray paint them in colors (or chalkboard paint) place kids Lego's, toy blocks, and other small items that collect on the floor of their room. Label each with the name (or photo) of what's inside so the child will know what is in what bucket. Helps teach them to pick up toys when done.
 My husband uses them to store charcoal in as well as one to soak the smoking wood in. I have even taken the lid off, painted (with spray paint for plastics) and used as flower pots on deck. Make sure you drill small drain holes so plant doesn't get root rot from too much water.
We also use them to store cat food and wild bird seed, when bought in bulk, this helps keeps the mice out of the garage & food. Pack camping items in, even used to pack wet swim suits when returning from pool party or beach. 
If you live up North, place your salt in one and keep on front and back porch so it's handy when needed . There are so-o-o many things that I can think of using them for I could go on for a while, but need to go pack grandson's school supplies in a couple so we can take him and supplies home (a thousand mile trip) tomorrow. 
Hope I have given you a few ideas you can do with your buckets.

DF · Answer

We use them to store items in the garage like tools, fishing nets, snorkel gear, also have on in our large cooler on the boat for food! Keeps the food cold but dry. Use another one for our dry box... towels, dry shirts, papers that maybe needed.

Debbie Miller · Answer

They're great for Hydroponic tomatoes, peppers, etc.

Tina Husted · Answer

My husband cut a hole about the size of a penny in the top so that I can feed my skeins of yarn through the hole, hooks and project go into it for storage. While I crochet, my yarn will be protected and kept clean and the project will be safe when I am not working on it.

Jeanine · Answer

Container garden...drill holes in bottom for drainage, fill with soil and put your starter plant in each one..tomatoes, beans,  onions....or spray paint container and use as hanging planter for ivy etc

Lisa Doyle · Answer

Bird seed storage - keeps dry and no critters!

Patty Bousquet Parsons Caswell · Answer

I have used them to keep salt for the driveway at each end (mine goes all the way around the house), I have used them as planters - inside and out, kept cat food,in them, they are great for storing bags of sugar and flour to keep out critters.

Theresa Last · Answer

We store pet food and extra 50ft electric extension cords. My hub stores extra tools rarely used.

Terrimb · Answer

I use them for storage in the garage, cleaned up, can hold small toys. I use them to hold craft supplies. You can get inexpensive contact paper and cover to make them look pretty if you wish. If you make your own laundry soap this works great.Can work as all purpose garage or mop bucket. I also use for the driveway salt for winter. Haven's bought them in a while so I miss having them to use.

Lyndamae wilson · Answer

you can paint them or cover with fabric or decopodge...with a foam covered seat for an extra seat and storage for toys or unsightly items that are useful in your garden

Susan G · Answer

I use them to store holiday decorations! They protect fragile items well & are easily stacked.

Lise · Answer

Organic recycling bin in the kitchen. I cut the bottom part of the lid, it keeps the bag in place and I used another lit and added a loop on top so I can use my little finger to open it and dispose of the food when I am cooking. I always keep a second bucket the same size under the first one with a bag ready, so when it is full I just tie the bag and put the bucket besides the door and I still have a bin ready to use. Works really well.

Jennie Herrick · Answer

This isn't real 'crafty' but my husband and I use ours for planting vegetables in a container garden. Tomatoes, bell peppers (really any peppers), and herbs all do really well in these containers. We put about 4 to 6 empty water bottles in the bottom of the empty container before filling with dirt (you use less soul and it helps with drainage). You can always get some Krylon spray paint and stencils or whatever and decorate the containers if you don't want them to look like litter buckets. Oh, and if you leave the handles on them, you can move them around easily.

Ann · Answer

I use mine to keep stuff for my chainsaw in, very handy with handle and lid when in the bush, also have one for fencing items

B · Answer

What about

B · Answer

What about storing bags of fertilizer or grass seed once the bag begins to rip. You can also use it in the back yard when your doing your gardening and all you clippings can be put in it while you are trimming rose bushes. Just remove the Stickers or just paint it with flowers.

Tena Abbey · Answer

My neighbor uses all of these, and 5 gal buckets, and old bins for gardening! YOu just need to drill holes in the bottom for drainage.

Sandi F.B. · Answer

Thanks to everyone for your replies .  I had already been using as general storage but was looking for something unusual and maybe crafty.  I had already taken one and made a ottoman for the porch with foam cushion on top and glued inexpensive remnant material to the bucket. All answers very much appreciated :-)

David Ogden · Answer

I use it for a bait bucket

Alice Mikel · Answer

This is a little out there but when moved I used for small items or glassware. They were easier for me to handle instead of heavy boxes. And I store all sorts of things

DORLIS · Answer

I don't have any of these as I will not use clay litter. I use Blue buffalo made from walnut hulls, no odor unless you don't clean the boxes every day, no dust and not as heavy. That said, I raided the recycling dumpsters for a few. They are handy for potting soil, orchid potting materials and cactus soil that I mix myself. The mice cannot/do not get into them and scatter the contents all over the garage like they do with plastic bags and I can stack them if I like. You can also grow vegetables in them if your soil is not good .Nothing fancy, but good use of items to keep them out of the landfill.

Judy Holtgrewe Bailey · Answer

I cut a hole in the lid to hold a seasonal yard stake. Fill the bottom with gravel or other weighty material. Attached seasonal material to cover entire bucket. Make appropriate seasonal covers for each yard stake.

Susan Weaver · Answer

I created a litter changing 'station' with mine. I stacked up 2 columns, 2 or 3 buckets high to serve as a shelf for bags, cleaner, etc. Then I stacked up 2 columns 2 buckets high as a table to set the box on to change out the litter. Then I have one bucket to set the current bucket on. It gets everything at a level that is easier on my back. I've also used them to get things off the ground in my garage so they won't get wet.

Tammy Lyn Hanssen · Answer

I scoop my litter into plastic grocery bags everyday and tie them up and use the bucket like a diaper pail. The lid seals great so there's no odor then take it out once a week. When I have a new empty litter bucket I throw the old one to the curb. I also use them for dry cat food. My cats can smell through any bag including the heavy plastic and they chew them to get to their food every time. I think they can read the labels LOL

Heidi Geores · Answer

You could turn sideways, glue together and make storage cubbies....all depends on how square they are. Just keep adding a layer each time you get more. Then you can spray paint to match whatever room you are putting them in. I think it would work really well in a garage to store small tools yet keep them totally accessible. You could hinge the lids if they are important to you and make labels for the tops. But I think leaving them off would be fine too.

Carri Reed · Answer

It may sound a little nutty but they make great shower seats.

Tess Borgra · Answer

If you know anyone who bikes, I've seen people make panniers out of these. They should be water proof and people use colored duct tape to decorate them.

Pam · Answer

Great for storing bird food, dog food and cat food. Also, makes a great mop bucket.

DJ · Answer

I decorated mine with wrapping paper for the occasion(Christmas, Birthday etc.) and store my wrapping paper in them. My Sister in Law decorated hers and uses it for her umbrella stand.

Heidi Geores · Answer

Love the mud room idea! I don't have cats, but I have a friend that does, so I may have to go get some of her containers and try that myself!

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