Save Your Empty Milk Jugs & Turn Them Into A Unique Chandelier

Plastic milk jugs are made from recyclable materials, but in regions without adequate recycling facilities, they are typically sent to the landfill. So, why toss old milk jugs when you can reuse them for beautiful home decor instead? This eco-friendly DIY requires only a few materials and simple steps. Cut flowers out of your plastic milk jug, secure the flowers to embroidery rings, and attach the rings together with wire and ribbon to create a gorgeous hanging ornament, or upgrade it with fairy lights to turn it into a chandelier.

A video tutorial by the YouTube channel YOUMAGAZINETV demonstrates the easy way to repurpose old milk jugs into a unique decoration. Alternatively, you can transform the base of your milk jug into an embellished lantern with fairy lights inside. Whether you're looking for a crafty alternative to store-bought home decor or a fun activity to do with the kids, this DIY project will not disappoint. So, once you've polished off the last drops in your milk jug, set it aside and repurpose it into a charming, eco-conscious statement piece for your space. 

For this craft, you will need a set of embroidery hoops, which you can buy at craft stores or on Amazon. You will also need utility scissors, a hole punch, a pencil, crafting wire, string, ribbon, and white zip ties. First, cut the jug until you can unfold it into a large, flat surface. Draw and cut flowers out of the plastic, folding each flower up at the edges to give it dimension. Begin to assemble your chandelier by punching two holes side by side in the center of each flower cutout, looping a zip tie through the holes and securing the flowers to the outer edge of the largest embroidery ring. Repeat the process with your mid-sized ring. If you want to make a three-tier chandelier, add a small ring with small flowers. Use wire to connect each ring together, one ring inside of the other. Attach three ribbon strips to the largest ring and tie them together. The rings should cascade gracefully from largest to smallest when you hang it up.

To incorporate a lighting element, consider adding remote control fairy lights to your chandelier and hiding the battery pack on the inside. Another option is to repurpose your milk jug into a lantern, as demonstrated in this TikTok. Remove the top of the jug and decorate the base with printed decals, then place your fairy lights inside the jug to create a unique DIY lighting feature for your bedroom.