10 Clever Ways to Reuse Empty Toilet-Paper Rolls

Instead of throwing them away, clean, dry cardboard toilet-paper tubes can be useful for simple household projects.

1. Cable organizer — Roll up charging cables and place each one inside a labeled tube.
2. Wrapping-paper organizer — Cut a slit down the tube and use it to keep rolled wrapping paper from unrolling.
3. Drawer dividers — Arrange several tubes upright in a drawer to separate small items such as hair ties, cords and craft supplies.
4. Pen and pencil holder — Glue several tubes together and stand them upright in a small box.
5. Small-item organizer — Use tubes to separate screws, craft supplies or other lightweight items inside a storage box.
6. Seed-starting pots — Cut several slits at one end, fold the flaps inward, and fill with potting mix. They can be planted outdoors once the cardboard is thoroughly softened, provided the cardboard is plain and untreated.
7. Gift packaging — Flatten a tube and fold the ends inward to make a tiny box for small gifts.
8. Fire-starter material — A plain cardboard tube can be used as part of a fireplace or campfire fire starter with appropriate dry tinder. Never use it near an unattended or improperly contained fire.
9. Paintbrush organizer — Cut tubes to different lengths and use them to keep brushes separated while they dry.
10. Kids’ crafts — Turn tubes into simple animals, characters, binoculars, or other craft projects.

🧼 One important hygiene tip

Toilet-paper tubes are not sterile. For projects involving food, toothbrushes, cosmetics, or anything that goes directly against broken skin, use a clean purpose-made container instead.

Best quick hack: For the simplest everyday use, turn a few tubes into cord organizers and label them. It costs nothing and makes a messy drawer much easier to manage.