Life Hackery

The five-gallon bottle is an essential item for offices as long as it contains one of the world’s most precious resources – water. Once the water has been consumed, the bottle is often thrown in the trash bin. If people only knew the many things that you can do with such a container, they would probably collect empty five-gallon water bottles and store them at home.

Notice the properties of the bottle. It is hollow and made of hard plastic that are good characteristics for making other items. If you have a vivid imagination and a set of carpentry tools, you can turn the bottle into a decorative container, a Halloween prop and even a musical instrument. Just think outside the box and you’ll see why the bottle is a popular material for DIY projects. Here are some unusual things that you can do with a five-gallon water bottle:

1. Percussion Instrument – Strike an empty five-gallon water bottle with an open palm. You will hear it emit loud distinct sounds. Nothing peculiar right? Now, add some rhythm to your strikes, then play the bottle along with your favorite songs. The beats will surprisingly blend with the tune of the songs. You can even use five-gallon bottles during live performances if you get tired of striking their bongos and box drums. (More tips on how to make a musical drum kit)

2. Hamster Home – Cut the top portion of the bottle then drill a fairly large hole on the side. Arrange tiny equipment like a hamster wheel, pine shavings, a tiny water bottle and a small plastic container for feeding within the five-gallon bottle. You will get a durable hamster home for practically no cost.

3. Halloween Mask – Create a large opening on the top portion of the water bottle. Make sure that your head can fit inside. Drill two holes with the size of your eyes, so you can see through the mask. Bore a hole on each side of the container. Those holes should be aligned to your ears. With some paint and art materials, you can transform the bottle into an alien mask, Buckethead’s mask, or anything captured by your imagination.

4. Juggling Equipment – Tired of juggling balls and bowling pins? Try juggling five-gallon water bottles. The sheer girth of the container increases the stunt’s difficulty. To add some flair to your performance, place colored balls or colored paper inside the bottles. Your audience will surely be amazed with what you can do. (Tips on how to juggle)

5. Homemade Barbell – If you are tired of shelling out money for pricey gym membership, you can turn to your five-gallon water bottle for defined pecs and biceps. Get two empty bottles and half-fill them with sand. Affix the bottles on each side of a metal rod. Now, try lifting the homemade barbell. Add more sand to the bottles if you want more weight.

6. Barber’s Pole – Paint blue, white and red bands on an empty five-gallon water bottle then attach it to a long metal rod. Stick the rod on the ground and you will have an instant barber’s pole.

7. Plastic Bucket – You can morph the water bottle into a bucket if you have a good set of carpentry equipment. Cut the top portion of the bottle, then drill a hole on each side. Fit the ends of a curved metal rod in each hole. With the handle attached, you can now use your makeshift bucket to carry water from place of your house to another.

8. Flower Pot – Drill a tiny hole near the bottom of the bottle. Now, cut its top portion to create an opening. Apply brown paint to the surface of the bottle so it resembles the traditional flower pots found in your garden. When the paint dries, put some soil inside the container. Plant an elegant shrub in your flower pot and display it in a visible corner of your home or garden.

9. Lamp – Attach the water bottle at the end of a lamppost and it will act as a filter for the post’s bulb. You can also turn the bottle into a lampshade. Cut the bottom layer of the bottle then attach it to a string or metal rod. Affix the string or rod to your ceiling, then install a light bulb inside the bottle. Turn on the bulb and see how a simple item can create something so elegant.

10. Luminaria – Create an opening on the water bottle’s top portion. Stick colored paper on the bottle’s inside surface. You now have the option to place a candle inside or install a light bulb. Repeat the same process for several more bottles, then arrange them in your garden strategically. Once nightfall arrives, you will be amazed at how these simple devices can make your garden look like a medieval courtyard.

11. Multipurpose Container – Cut the top portion of the bottle and paint cool patterns on its outside surface. When the paint dries, you can use the bottle to carry various home equipment. You can even use it as a container for school supplies and books.

12. Dirt Collector for Ceiling Cleaners – Lengthy brooms are used to clean dirt and cobwebs from your ceiling. The problem is, the dirt removed usually hurtles down to your floor, making the cleaning operation a two-step process. Make things easier by attaching a five-gallon bottle at the end of the broom. When you clean your ceiling, the dirt will fall inside inside the bottle. Throw the bottle’s contents when its nearly full, then resume cleaning.

13. Recycled Plastic – Since a water bottle is made of thick layers of plastic, you can donate your empty water bottles to a plastic manufacturer. The manufacturer, in turn, will process the bottles to create other plastic materials. Chances are, you may meet your water bottles again in the near future, though they might resemble plastic jugs, handheld nebulizers or even a video game console.

14. Feeding Bowl for Pets – Cut the top and middle portions of a water bottle, leaving only two inches of the bottom portion. Fill the container with dog food or cat food, then place it on the ground come feeding time. Watch your pets enjoy a hearty meal from your makeshift bowl.

15. Unique Game of Catch – Cut the bottom layer of two water bottles to create an opening. Grab a baseball or tennis ball, call a buddy and proceed to the yard. Catch the ball using the water bottle. To add more excitement, record points for every catch. The loser will treat the winner to a few cheeseburgers.

16. Plate Cover – Need a cover to keep your dishes warm? Do you want to keep flies away from your favorite meals? You can use the empty water bottle as a plate cover. Just cut the top segment of the bottle and use it to cover your plates. Keep the lid of the bottle closed so heat won’t escape.

17. Water Bottle – Refill it with purified water and set it on your water dispenser. This function is far from unique but some people purchase water bottles, even if they own water purifiers.

Just like a Swiss Army knife, the five-gallon water bottle has tons of alternative uses. You can practically reuse the bottle for many of your home activities. Soon, you may start buying drinking water, not for nourishment, but merely for the container.