Don't Toss Empty Spray Bottles When There Are 13 Smart Ways To Reuse Them

We use them daily for cleaning solutions, scent products, gardening sprays, and lots more. Still, once our spray bottles are empty, we usually don't give a second thought to tossing them out without seeing their potential. These handy containers are more versatile than we give them credit for. Instead of adding to the plastic waste in landfills, repurpose your spray bottles for practical and creative uses around the home. From all-natural homemade cleaners to auto care and even aromatherapy, empty spray bottles can easily go from things that belong in the recycling bin to helping make your everyday life more eco-friendly and budget-conscious.

Finding inventive ways to repurpose what we already have is important for sustainability and reducing clutter in our homes. It can also help us feel better about what we use in our homes. Think about how many times you've needed a spray bottle for something simple — a quick mist for your tropical plant, a spritz of aromatherapy in your shower, or an upcycled vase. When repurposing an empty spray bottle, you're also opening the door to a world of DIY possibilities, like creating your own shower cleaner or linen spray from scratch. Not only is this a more affordable option than store-bought products, but it also lets you customize the scents and strengths of your concoctions. So, the next time you finish a bottle, give it a second life. And if your spray bottle gets an inevitable clog, there's a simple hack that'll fix it.

Houseplants, especially tropical ones, thrive on humidity. That's where holding onto your used spray bottles comes in handy. You want to make sure the old contents are completely rinsed out before using the spray bottle on your plant. Once you've done that, fill the empty spray bottle with water to mist the leaves. A little spritz keeps your plants alive and looking vibrant, whether they're statement-making houseplants that make a huge impact or tiny succulents that bring happiness to your space.

Instead of using pricey shower cleaners to keep gross limescale from accumulating on your shower walls and door, keep them looking clean with a DIY shower cleaner that uses no vinegar and smells just like essential oil. You can customize the scent to be as strong as you want while also giving you time back in your cleaning routine. Spray it on after you shower for a blast of freshness and a cleaner space.

Say goodbye to store-bought air fresheners filled with chemicals by making your own homemade room spray. Add drops of your favorite essential oil spray and mix it with half pure witch hazel and half distilled water. Before spritzing it around the room, let it sit overnight. You have the option of dropping in dried flowers to make your homemade spray look pretty and fancy when it sits out by itself. There are plenty of other homemade linen spray mixes that will make your laundry smell incredible, too.

When you have a textured spray bottle, it can come in handy for adding patterns and texture to your DIY decorative art. You can create unique layers, gradients, and splatter effects by painting the exterior of the spray bottle and turning it across the canvas. Or, use the sprayer to mist water onto wet paint to make it drip down like rain or to create an abstract silhouette.

When you're ready to shower, have a spray bottle nearby with homemade aromatherapy to help wash your cares away. Spritz some on the shower wall or stream of water for a blast of fragrance. Use distilled water, a small amount of Everclear, and a few drops of your favorite scent. We've added ingredients like unscented witch hazel and a few drops of eucalyptus and lavender essential oils that have a relaxing effect.

Some spray bottles have cool patterns that make repurposing an empty one a brilliant addition to your decor. With some snips from a pair of scissors and a splash of paint, your plastic spray bottle turns into a useful vase. If you don't like its plasticy feel even after you've added paint, you can add air-dry clay around it for a harder construction and bonus texture.

Whether you have a repurposed continuous spray bottle or a regular plastic mister, you can eliminate almost all the wrinkles from your shirt, trousers, or skirt with a simple DIY wrinkle releaser that replaces the need for a steamer. This smart hack uses ingredients you likely already own and regular water. Mist the wrinkled garment and then flatten the wrinkles with your hands, pressing down and straightening the fabric. While this won't get it as wrinkle-free as a hot iron, it fixes the problem when you're in a pinch.

If you're into beadwork and use paper to create your designs, then you know how precise it needs to be. With a repurposed spray bottle, you can mist some regular water over your beadwork to soften the paper, making it easier to pull the paper away from your design without messing it up. Use a fine mist spray bottle and a pair of tweezers and watch how painlessly the paper comes off.

Making your own hand sanitizer is pretty simple and can be a great alternative to store-bought options. Plus, you get to repurpose an empty spray bottle and customize it any way you want. With this DIY, you can control the ingredients that go into your sanitizer to ensure you have the best ratio for your and your family's skin. In general, it's recommended to use two parts rubbing alcohol and one part aloe vera alongside whichever essential oils you prefer.

When you love herbs and flowers more than anything, use them to make a DIY multipurpose cleaner to safely clean your home without chemicals. We're talking fresh rosemary, lavender, roses, marigolds, and parsley, but you can include anything that tickles your fancy. Bonus points if you already have them growing in your garden. Add the herbs and flowers to a mixture of distilled white vinegar in your repurposed spray bottle.

You can quickly and easily keep your car smelling fresh, no matter how old it is. You can mix a few different ingredients into your repurposed spray bottle, along with vodka or rubbing alcohol, including a few drops of essential oils (like eucalyptus or peppermint) or fabric softener. Spray the mixture on your cloth seats and floors, and then let the scent consume you.

An empty spray bottle can be a simple and effective way to make cleaning easier when it's refilled with a potent DIY stain-removing mixture. Just make sure to make the right solution for the type of item you're trying to clean. For example, dish soap and hydrogen peroxide are great for removing stains on clothes, while white vinegar, dish soap, and baking soda are ingredients best used on carpets. Slap a pretty label onto your spray bottle to add some oomph.

Every now and then, your wood cutting board needs a deeper clean than just soap and water can handle. For those moments, use an empty spray bottle and DIY a homemade, natural solution. Using things you probably already have in your pantry, like combining apple cider vinegar or white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, spritz your cutting board to help prevent bacteria from raw meat, fruits, and vegetables from cross-contaminating everything else.