Most Americans take at least one prescription medication regularly, which means those little orange bottles start piling up fast. You probably toss them in the recycling bin or throw them away, but these small plastic containers have some seriously useful properties. They’re waterproof, childproof, and practically indestructible. Before you chuck that next empty bottle, consider that it could solve dozens of everyday problems around your house. From organizing your junk drawer to protecting your valuables, prescription bottles are way more useful than you think.
Keep your spare change organized and ready
Ever dig through your car’s cup holder looking for quarters for the parking meter? Those prescription bottles are perfect for storing coins by denomination. U.S. quarters fit perfectly in a standard prescription bottle, making them ideal for keeping in your car’s glove compartment or console. You can label different bottles for quarters, dimes, and nickels, so you always have exact change when you need it. The childproof cap means coins won’t spill all over your car when you hit a bump.
These bottles work great for laundromat trips too. Fill a bottle with quarters before you go, and you won’t have to worry about loose change falling out of your pockets. The tinted plastic also makes it less obvious that you’re carrying cash around. If you need emergency money, you can roll up bills and stuff them inside a prescription bottle, then hide it somewhere in your house. This discreet storage method keeps cash safe from casual snooping and makes a great backup fund for emergencies.
Create a hide-a-key that actually works
Fake rocks that hide keys fool absolutely nobody, but a prescription bottle buried in your landscaping? That’s actually clever. Your house key fits easily inside a standard pill bottle, and the waterproof seal keeps it from rusting. Simply dig a small hole near your front door, drop in the bottle with your spare key, and cover it with mulch or dirt. The orange color blends in surprisingly well with soil and dead leaves.
Want to get fancy? Hot glue a small rock to the lid of the bottle before burying it. This makes it easier to spot when you need it, while still looking natural enough that strangers won’t notice. The childproof cap means the bottle won’t accidentally open underground, and the threaded lid creates a tight seal against moisture. This method beats those obvious fake rocks sold at hardware stores, and it’s completely free. Just remember where you buried it, or mark the spot with a plant or garden decoration you’ll recognize.
Store bobby pins and hair ties in one place
Bobby pins seem to multiply and scatter everywhere except where you need them. These tiny hair accessories are the perfect size for prescription bottles, which can hold dozens at once. Keep one bottle on your bathroom counter, another in your purse, and maybe one in your gym bag. The see-through plastic lets you check your supply at a glance, and the secure cap prevents spills. No more finding random bobby pins stuck to your socks in the dryer.
Hair ties also work great in these bottles, especially the small elastics that disappear constantly. You can separate different colors or sizes into different bottles if you’re really organized. The bottles protect hair accessories from getting stretched out or tangled with other items in your bag. Since prescription bottles come in various sizes, you can match the bottle size to what you’re storing. Barrettes, clips, and other small hair accessories stay neat and accessible. Your car, bathroom, and purse will thank you for finally corralling all those loose pieces.
Pack travel toiletries that meet TSA requirements
Airport security requires liquids in containers of 3.4 ounces or less, and standard prescription bottles fall right under that limit. Fill them with shampoo, conditioner, lotion, or even peanut butter for your trip. The waterproof seal means no leaks in your carry-on bag, unlike those flimsy travel bottles that always seem to open at the worst moment. The sturdy plastic won’t crack under pressure either, so your liquids stay contained even when your bag gets tossed around.
These bottles work especially well for thick liquids and creams that don’t pour easily from regular travel containers. The wide mouth makes filling them simple, and you can use a small spatula or spoon to get product out. Since they’re free, you won’t feel bad if TSA makes you toss one. You can also use them for pills and vitamins while traveling, which is literally what they were designed for. Label the bottles with a permanent marker so you remember what’s inside. They stack nicely in your toiletry bag and take up less space than bulky travel containers.
Organize your LEGO collection by color or piece
Stepping on a LEGO brick in bare feet ranks among life’s worst pains. Prescription bottles offer the perfect solution for storing these tiny building blocks. Sort LEGOs by color, putting all the red bricks in one bottle, blue in another, and so on. Or organize by piece type, keeping all the flat pieces together and wheels in their own container. The clear plastic makes finding the right piece easy, and kids can actually open the childproof caps once they learn the trick.
This storage method works great for other small toys too. Action figure weapons and accessories disappear constantly, but storing them in labeled bottles keeps everything together. Barbie shoes, which seem designed to hurt when stepped on, stay contained in their own bottle. You can even use larger prescription bottles for Play-Doh storage, which actually keeps it from drying out better than the original containers. The standardized sizes mean bottles stack neatly on shelves, and kids can grab exactly what they need without dumping out entire bins of mixed toys.
Build a compact survival kit for your backpack
Nobody plans to get lost on a hike, but phones die and trails get confusing. A prescription bottle survival kit fits easily in any backpack or jacket pocket and could genuinely help in an emergency. Pack a small button compass, waterproof matches, a needle and thread, a few Band-Aids, and a razor blade or small knife blade. Wrap the outside of the bottle with duct tape, which serves double duty as both cordage and repair material.
The waterproof seal keeps matches dry even if you fall in a stream or get caught in rain. You can also add water purification tablets, a small fishing hook and line, or a whistle for signaling. The childproof cap means the contents won’t spill out when you’re scrambling over rocks. Some people wrap paracord around the bottle instead of duct tape, giving them strong cordage that can support weight. This tiny kit weighs almost nothing and takes up minimal space, but provides real peace of mind when you’re outdoors. Keep one in your car’s emergency kit too.
Protect your jewelry while traveling
Tangled necklaces and lost earrings ruin vacation packing. Prescription bottles keep jewelry organized and protected in your luggage. Drop each pair of earrings in its own bottle, or use one bottle for all your rings. Necklaces stay tangle-free when coiled inside these containers, and the secure cap means nothing falls out even when your suitcase gets thrown around. The hard plastic protects delicate jewelry from getting crushed by heavier items.
For extra protection, add a cotton ball or small piece of cloth to cushion valuable pieces. The tinted plastic also provides some privacy, so expensive jewelry isn’t obviously visible to anyone handling your luggage. You can use different sized bottles for different types of jewelry, keeping everything sorted and easy to find. This method works better than those fabric jewelry rolls that still let necklaces tangle together. When you get to your destination, the bottles sit neatly on the hotel dresser, keeping your jewelry accessible but contained. No more losing an earring back in the bathroom sink or leaving a ring behind when you check out.
Make a clever chip bag clip that works
Those chip clips always vanish when you need them, but you probably have prescription bottles sitting around. This hack looks weird but works surprisingly well at keeping snacks fresh. Fold the top of your chip bag down a few inches, then fold it vertically in thirds to make a narrow strip. Place this folded section over the opening of the bottle, then press the cap down over it, sandwiching the bag between the bottle and cap.
Twist the cap closed to lock it in place, creating an airtight seal that keeps chips crunchy. This method works for any bag of snacks, from tortilla chips to pretzels to cookies. The childproof cap creates a tighter seal than most chip clips, actually keeping air out better. Sure, it looks a bit odd having a prescription bottle attached to your chip bag, but who cares when your snacks stay fresh? The bottles are free and reusable, unlike those chip clips that break after a few uses. You can keep several bottles in your pantry dedicated to this purpose.
Store garden seeds properly for next season
Seed packets get torn, wet, and mixed up when stored in drawers or boxes. Prescription bottles solve all these problems at once. The waterproof seal keeps seeds dry, which is critical for maintaining their ability to germinate next season. You can sort seeds by type, putting tomato seeds in one bottle, cucumber in another, and herbs in a third. The clear plastic lets you see what’s inside without opening the bottle and exposing seeds to moisture.
Label each bottle with the seed variety and the year using a permanent marker or label maker. Some gardeners add a small packet of silica gel (those little packets that come in shoe boxes) to absorb any moisture. The childproof caps mean kids and pets can’t accidentally spill your seed collection. These bottles stack neatly in a cool, dark place, which is exactly where seeds should be stored. You can even use different colored bottles for different plant families if you collect bottles from various pharmacies. This organization method makes spring planting much easier when you can quickly find exactly the seeds you need.
Create organized storage for workshop supplies
Small screws, nuts, bolts, and washers always get mixed together in workshop drawers, making projects frustrating. Prescription bottles let you sort hardware by size and type, so you can grab exactly what you need. The clear plastic makes identifying contents easy, and the secure caps mean nothing spills when you pull a bottle off the shelf. You can even hot glue the lids to a board mounted on your workshop wall, then screw the bottles into the attached lids for easy access.
This method works for any small workshop items including drill bits, Allen wrenches, electrical connectors, or fishing tackle. The bottles protect metal items from rust since they seal out moisture. For crafters, these containers organize beads, sequins, buttons, needles, and thread. Sewing pins stay sharp and contained instead of escaping into carpet. You can also store small electronic components like resistors, capacitors, and LEDs in separate labeled bottles. The standardized sizes mean bottles stack efficiently, maximizing your storage space. This free organization system beats spending money on those expensive parts organizers sold at hardware stores.
Those empty prescription bottles cluttering your bathroom cabinet deserve better than the trash can. These versatile containers solve everyday problems from tangled jewelry to lost bobby pins to stale chips. The waterproof, childproof design that protects medications works just as well protecting your spare keys, emergency supplies, and craft materials. Next time you finish a prescription, clean out that bottle and put it to work around your house. You’ll wonder why you ever threw them away in the first place.
