The Clever Way You Could Be Using An Old Laundry Detergent Bottle In The Bathroom

Do you have an old laundry detergent bottle lying around? Usually, into the trash it goes — but not so fast. As it turns out, there are some pretty nifty ways to use an empty detergent container. Rather than tossing it, you could instead upcycle it and use it as a toilet brush holder. While it may seem bizarre to use for such a purpose, it will likely fit like a glove and is a great way to save money if you were thinking of investing in a new toilet brush holder, as you won't have to shell out on a new product. 

What's more, it's also better for the planet, as you will prevent unnecessary plastic from going to landfills, where it can pollute the surrounding environment. This makes it an excellent opportunity to repurpose an old or unwanted item around your home. If you're worried about how it will look, don't worry; it's fully customizable for decorations so that it won't appear too out of place in your bathroom. All you'll need is a large old laundry detergent bottle, some scissors or a sharp knife, a marker pen, sandpaper, primer paint, and some acrylic spray paint.

Start by rinsing out your laundry detergent bottle so it's nice and clean, and then allow it to dry. Next, use a permanent marker to draw where you're going to slice your bottle, which should be halfway around the width and length opposite the handle, before going up halfway through the neck of the bottle. It should create what almost looks like a diagonally curved "V" shape on one half of it. Just ensure it's large enough for your brush to fit inside. Once you have your area marked down, slice it out with your knife or scissors, and take your time while working with a sharp object. If you're having trouble with the neck of the bottle, you can always use a handheld saw.

While you can leave it as it is, you may want to make it look more presentable by adding some color. Grab some acrylic paint and primer for plastic, available online or at a home goods store. Then, set yourself up outside or in a space with plenty of airflow. You'll want to use sandpaper to sand down the plastic before priming it. Follow up with acrylic paint once it's dry. If you want more flair, there are plenty of other ways to customize your holder.

Although a plain painted look gets the job done, you may want to add your own twist. For example, you have the option to add some decor pieces such as fake flowerheads or buttons. There are plenty of options, so you can make this brush holder your own, and you could even use some painter's tape with two different colors of paint to create a striped look. However, there are some downsides to keep in mind. One caveat is that as it's made out of plastic, it could be quite flimsy to handle. 

To counteract this, you could glue or strap a weight to the bottom of the holder to ensure it stays in place and doesn't fall over, making it a better place to store your toilet brush. Now, it will get the job done properly, and you should be able to use it as you would with any other holder, making it a genius way to repurpose an empty laundry detergent bottle. Another point to remember is that this hack may not work with a smaller laundry bottle, as it may not be wide enough. For this reason, it's best to check the brush fits before you commence the project.