Frugal Village

Plastic ice-cream containers are one of many items that seem too good to throw away. But they’re bulky, so you want them to serve a purpose. Luckily, there are tons of practical ways to put them to use. They’re a good excuse for buying yummy ice cream, too.

FREEZER STORAGE: Fill them three-quarters full with water and freeze to have ice for parties or your cooler. Because it’s a larger block of ice, it takes longer to melt and saves you from having to buy bagged ice. Use them to store soup, sauce, stew or a bulk batch of fruits or vegetables. They’re great to use as a container for rising your dough, and you can freeze bread and cookie dough in them, too. Simply roll your dough into the desired shape, freeze your baked goods on cookie sheets and transfer to the ice-cream bucket.

PANTRY STORAGE: Store flour, sugar, rice, cereal, cornmeal, dry beans, holiday candies, cookies, pancake/biscuit mix or pasta. The containers can be stacked neatly on your pantry shelves. Or use it as a mixing bowl or to defrost meat.

KITCHEN COMPOST: Keep them on the counter or under your sink to hold kitchen scraps that you want to compost. The lid keeps odors to a minimum.

TRAVEL CONTAINER: If you’re heading to a picnic or cookout, use them for your potluck dishes, such as salads, chips, popcorn or cookies. The handle makes them easy to carry, and no worries if you accidentally leave them behind.

GARAGE: Use a few to store car-wash supplies such as car wax, chamois and sponges. They can hold pet food, birdseed, small tools and snow salt, too.

CRAFT SUPPLIES: You can fill them with supplies such as crayons, markers, paints, brushes, scissors, chenille stems, craft foam, fabric scraps, yarn, sewing supplies, etc.

WINTER GEAR: They’re a simple storage solution for winter hats, baseball caps, gloves, scarves and mittens.

CLEANING SUPPLIES: Store them under the sink and use them to hold scrub brushes, sponges, scrub pads, clothespins, rags and plastic grocery bags. Use them as mop buckets or to hold homemade laundry soap, too.

BANK: It makes a great change jar or bank.

TOYS: Organize small toys such as Matchbox cars, game pieces, blocks, action figures and Legos. They’re great to take to the beach for sandcastles or food storage; and useful as a snowball holder or for a backyard sandbox. Use them to hold sidewalk chalk, baseballs and jump ropes. They work as makeshift drums, too.

GARDEN: Use them to start seeds or hold your small garden supplies such as garden markers, seed packets and garden gloves.

SOCK BIN: It’s a cheap organizer for socks. Each person can have his or her own container. It makes laundry day easier.

BATHROOM ORGANIZER: Organize washcloths, tub toys, soaps, cosmetics, hair accessories, free samples, toothbrushes, etc.

GIFT CONTAINER: You can cover the outside with decorative adhesive paper, line the inside with tissue paper and fill as if you would a gift basket.

DONATE: Ask local schools or childcare centers whether they would like some for their classrooms.

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