Transform A Dollar Tree Trash Can Into A Laundry Room Staple

The saying holds true: One man's trash is another's treasure, and this genius DIY is a perfect example. With a few cheap supplies and a creative eye, you can transform a lackluster waste basket from Dollar Tree into a gorgeous laundry room essential. 

Though there are many Dollar Tree products out there to keep your laundry room organized, there's something so rewarding about making your own creations instead of buying things off the shelf. This easy project by Crafting With Maria shows the easy method of designing a stylish laundry hamper. All you need is a single trash can and pillow case from Dollar Tree, wooden paint stirring sticks from Home Depot, and a few basic crafting tools. She demonstrates every step of the process in a YouTube video, which includes covering the outside of the basket with wooden sticks and painting them with antiquing wax to give it a charming vintage finish. 

Not only is this project beginner-friendly, but it is also endlessly customizable. There are tons of clever ways to upgrade your DIY laundry basket to suit your home decor theme and personal style. 

If you've been looking for a low-cost solution to finally get rid of the ugly pile of clothes on your chair, this Dollar Tree hack is exactly what your life has been missing. Let's dive in and get started. 

For this craft, you will need a wire waste basket from Dollar Tree, which retails for $1.25 on the store's website. You will also need a hot glue gun, staple gun or E6000 adhesive, pillow case, and a few sets of 12-inch paint stirrer sticks. The set in the video is sold at Home Depot, according to the YouTuber, but you can also find similar sets on Amazon like this package of 100 premium-grade wooden sticks. You will only need 35 sticks to cover the waste basket, but you can use the leftovers to make a few more.

Begin to cover the outside of the basket, attaching each wooden stir stick with hot glue. Use the hot glue sparingly at the top and bottom edge of each stir stick so that the liquid does not seep through the perforations in the basket. For extra reinforcement, the YouTuber also uses a staple gun to attach each stick to the basket. If you do not have a staple gun, the YouTuber says you may use E6000 glue instead. As you cover the basket, line up the bottom edges of each stir stick to avoid uneven spacing. Cover up all of the exposed wire by layering more stir sticks in between the gaps. Finally, grab your pillowcase; you can use one that you already own as long as it is in good condition, or purchase a satin pillowcase from Dollar Tree for $1.25. Turn the pillowcase inside out to line the interior of your DIY laundry hamper and fold the edges down along the outside of the basket to create a border. 

Once you have the basic structure, there are many ways to upgrade and embellish your laundry basket to make it your own. For example, you can coat the wooden exterior with a stain of your choosing, such as the antique wax shown in the video. There are many types out there and FolkArt is a top-rated brand of antiquing wax you can find on Amazon. This will make the wood appear richer and more authentic, giving your laundry basket a stylish farmhouse vibe. 

Another option is to paint the wood a different shade to match your home's color scheme. When it comes to painting any type of wood, it's important to apply primer first to give your paint a smooth finish, prevent chipping, and enhance the color of the paint. Because this wood is in brand-new condition, latex primer should do the trick.

Another way to upgrade your laundry hamper is by swapping out the pillow case for another material such as burlap, canvas, or mesh. Canvas is a durable yet lightweight material often used for laundry bags as it does not catch on clothing. Mesh is breathable and less likely to trap odors of smelly socks. Burlap is the most eco-friendly choice as it is made of woven plant material and is biodegradable, while also being durable and stylish. 

Make your basket more portable by attaching two handles on the inside. Use sturdy pieces of rope for the handles and attach them with your E6000 glue, staple gun, or heavy-duty tape. 

If you have extra wooden sticks left over, you can use them to create a lid for your hamper. Use hot glue to attach the pieces together side by side and use a pair of precision shears to cut a circular lid that is slightly wider than the basket's opening.