Oatmeal canisters are sturdy little containers with tight-fitting lids, and they’re really worth saving and reusing in many creative and practical ways. It’s a shame to throw away anything that can be used, and placing items in a recycling bin that can be used in the home is money thrown away. Consider the following ways to use empty oatmeal containers, and turn ordinary containers that once held oatmeal into extraordinary storage containers.
Convenient Yarn Holder
Empty oatmeal containers are just the right size to hold a single skein of yarn. A hole can be punched in the top, and the yarn can be fed through the hole. This will help protect the yarn and keep it from becoming tangled.
Home Baked Gifts
Everyone loves to receive loaves of home baked banana bread, zucchini bread, cookies, and other tasty treats, and an empty oatmeal container is the perfect solution. It won’t have to be returned, and it will keep the contents fresh. Best of all, the canisters can be decorated with wrapping paper, construction paper, stickers, craft foam, and many other crafting accessories.
Dried Bread Crumbs
The heals of bread shouldn’t be wasted. They make fantastic bread crumbs, and instead of throwing them away, allow them to dry on a paper towel. Grind them in a blender, toss them with spices of your choice, and store them in empty oatmeal containers. You can make Italian bread crumbs, garlic bread crumbs, onion and chive bread crumbs, and any other varieties you prefer. They’re ideal when tossed with butter and sprinkled on casseroles, macaroni and cheese, and other delicious baked dishes.
Two-Roll Toilet Paper Holder
Large empty oatmeal canisters are just the right size to hold two rolls of toilet paper. Decorate the containers to match your bathroom wallpaper, color, and décor, and keep extra rolls of paper covered and within reach. With a little wallpaper, paint, ribbon, faux gems, beads, or small shells you can make a toilet paper holder that looks expensive, and no one will ever guess it was made with a simple cardboard container.
Canning Supplies
Canning lids and rings can take up an entire kitchen drawer, but with empty oatmeal canisters you can organize dozens of rings and lids. This is a great way to organize canning supplies and keep them from wasting much needed drawer space. You’ll never again wonder where they are, and they’ll remain free from rust and corrosion when stored in a dry location.
Cookies by Mail
Those looking for the perfect container for mailing cookies can use empty oatmeal containers. They’re exceptionally sturdy, and unlike shoe boxes they’re less likely to become crushed in the mail. Place a layer of freshly popped popcorn in the bottom of the container, stack the cookies, and surround them with additional popcorn. The popcorn will cushion the cookies against bumps and jolts, and hopefully they’ll arrive to their destination unbroken.
