12 Clever Ways to Reuse Egg Cartons

A half-dozen-sized egg carton makes an adorable sewing kit that is prefect for stowing in your travel bag or emergency kit. Method: Either using a half-dozen-sized carton or cutting off a few sections from a standard dozen carton, place buttons, needle and thread, measuring tape and thimble inside the egg compartments. Repurpose a small piece of a kitchen sponge into a pin cushion by tucking it into the bottom of the nest and poking needles into it.

Whether you need to safely store Christmas tree ornaments or some other fragile holiday decor, egg cartons make for efficient and well-cushioned storage. Method: Simply arrange small ornaments into the egg carton. Repurpose paper towels or junk mail into packing material to keep delicate ornaments snugly in place.

You could spend $50 on Amazon for a laptop stand, but why? An 18-pack egg carton fits comfortably on your lap, and it allows for ample ventilation to keep your laptop from overheating. The egg carton nests also give your laptop's power pack and cord a place of their own! Method: Cut and remove the lid of an egg carton before resting your laptop (nests up) on the remaining compartment.

Whether you're bringing jewelry along on a road trip or stowing valuables during a move, an egg carton allows for easy and secure transportation of our most treasured trinkets. Method: Organize rings, necklaces, broaches, chains and pins inside the nests of an egg carton.

Clearly, egg cartons are an amazing tool for keeping odds and ends tidy. Deploying an old egg carton in the door compartment of a fridge will keep condiments secure and organized. Method: Cut and remove the lid from an egg carton before placing squeeze bottles into the nests, cap down.

Do you have a big backyard, but surprisingly few visits from bird friends? Fashioning bird feeders from egg cartons is a quick and eco-friendly way to attract flocks of birds and bird song into your daily life. Instructions: Cut and remove the lid from a standard dozen carton. Poke a hole in each of the four corners. Cut two pieces of string about 10-12 inches in length and thread the string through the holes diagonally, so that the string criss-crosses (this intersection will serve as your "hook"). Tie end knots directly over the corner holes and secure with hot glue or craft glue. Add the bird seed before hanging outdoors.

Whether for camping gear, emergency kits or your backyard pit, being able to ignite a fire quickly and with a minimal amount of fuss is ideal. These DIY fire starters only take an egg carton, candle wax and lint from your dryer! Instructions: Add dryer lint into the nests of an egg carton before pouring wax on top. Once the wax has dried, cut the nests into individual pods. For melted wax, heat candles in a double boiler, or simply use the melted wax from a candle jar that has been burning for a couple of hours.

Egg carton nests are the perfect size to start seedlings for an herb or vegetable garden. Plus, egg cartons are made from paper pulp, which means you can plant the nests directly into the ground. Instructions: Cut and remove the lid from an egg carton. While it's not necessary, you can give your herbs extra organic material by placing spent egg shells into the nests before filling them with potting soil. Plant seeds into the soil-filled nests. Keep the soil wet until the seeds sprout. Transfer the seedlings into a larger garden once the stalks reach several inches in height.

Most people prefer an after-market stand for their expensive tablets, but an egg carton will do in a pinch! Instructions: Use either a half-dozen egg carton, or halve a standard dozen carton. Cut and remove the lid. Trace an inverted L-shape along the length of one side — it's basically a slot for the tablet to fit into. Cut and remove.

Well suited to tidying bits and pieces, egg cartons are perfect for taming your desk and nightstand drawers. Method: Cut and remove the lid of an egg carton. You can even customize the carton to fit the drawer space by adding additional modules that have been cut from other egg cartons. Snug the drawer organizer into place and organize your belongings.