Barb and Butch's Big Adventure: Medicine Bottle Ideas

Monday, April 24

Machine tools. I like to sew, and my sewing machine comes along on almost every extended RV trip we take. One medicine bottle neatly holds my machine bobbins. Another bottle contains machine needles, and yet another holds fabric pins. Larger bottles could corral different pressure feet and spools of thread, as well.
Sewing kit. Here’s a tutorial that shows you how to make a bottle cap pin cushion (you won’t need a sewing machine for this). I followed the video directions to make a pin cushion for the cap of a medicine bottle. Inside the bottle, I store sewing needles and a thimble. A small spool of thread also fits inside. Now everything is in one convenient place when I need to replace a button.
Buttons. Speaking of buttons, I keep a few white and black “shirt buttons” inside a bottle—just in case.

Laundry coins. I keep quarters inside one of my medicine bottles. At least two dollars’ worth of coins will fit. I tuck the bottle into my clothes bag and the money is ready to use at the campground laundry.
Shopping cart. If you shop at Aldi’s you’re probably familiar with their shopping cart policy. In order to get a cart, you’ll need a quarter. By keeping quarters inside a bottle in our car, I always have a coin ready for a cart.
Snacks. When we receive change from fast food eateries, I slip the coins into a medicine bottle instead of dropping them in the car console or into the hidden depths of my purse. The bottle keeps the coins gathered together and we use the money for future snacks and treats.
Parking meters. Our stash of coins in the bottles also comes in handy if we need coins for parking meters.

Rings. I don’t always take my rings with us when we travel. If, however, we plan to be gone for an extended period of time, I’ll pack my rings inside a medicine bottle until I choose to wear them.
Earrings. I also take along a few favorite pairs of earrings in a separate bottle. This keeps earrings paired and together in one place.

Hair care. Medicine bottles easily contain shampoo and conditioner for short RV trips. (Ditto for hand lotion.) I put a different color rubber band around the outside of each bottle for quick and easy identification. You could also use a permanent marker to label each bottle.
Polish remover. I fill a larger bottle with cotton balls. Then I add fingernail polish remover to the bottle. Medicine bottles seal tightly so I have ready access to polish remover when we’re on the road. To use, simply insert your finger into the bottle and twist.
Hair pins, clips. Store your hair clips, rubber bands, and pins inside a medicine bottle.

Campfire. Coat cotton balls with Vaseline for quick fire starters. Store the fire starters inside a bottle and keep the bottle with the s’mores equipment or other campfire items.
Matches. Medicine bottles work great for storing stick matches.
First aid. Follow these directions to turn a medicine bottle into a first aid kit that will fit inside a pocket.

Hobbies, crafts, and more

Craft supplies. If you take crafting supplies along as you RV, medicine bottles can help hold small items for you. Think beads, sequins, glitter, and more.
Seed keeper. I store garden seeds inside medicine bottles. Use a permanent marker to label the bottles.
Batteries. Keep high humidity away from batteries by storing them inside medicine bottles.
Earbuds. I’m no longer losing my earbuds! Why? Because they “live” inside a medicine bottle when I’m not using them! Now they’re much easier to locate.
Baking. Medicine bottles can store cake decorating tips and nozzles.
Tool items. Keep track of small nuts, bolts, and screws by storing them inside medicine bottles.
Knit, crochet, etc. Forget buying that ball winder. Instead, wind yarn around a medicine bottle. It will create the yarn ball with the central gap you need. Here are directions.

Inspired? I hope so.