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A Good Housekeeping report lists seven ways to give old mugs another use around the home, including as organizers, planters, small vases and bird feeders. The ideas are practical suggestions, not tested product recommendations; the report does not provide detailed safety instructions for making candles or outdoor feeders.
Good Housekeeping has outlined seven ways to repurpose old mugs, suggesting they can serve as desk and bathroom organizers, candle vessels, small vases, gift-basket containers, planters and bird feeders. The ideas offer households alternatives to discarding mugs that are no longer used for drinks, though the report does not give safety testing or detailed instructions for every project.
Several suggestions require little alteration: a mug can hold pens, pencils, paintbrushes, markers or other craft supplies, or keep bathroom items such as toothbrushes, floss, cotton balls and cotton swabs together. Used as a small vase, it can display a modest arrangement without blocking sightlines across a table, the report says.
For plant use, the report proposes filling mugs with herbs, microgreens, seedlings or cuttings. Designer Janette Ewen suggests grouping mismatched mugs in a shallow wooden box or vintage crate to make an indoor herb display. Good Housekeeping also suggests assembling a cozy gift basket around a mug, with items such as cocoa, tea, a strainer, snacks or a mug cozy.
The two projects requiring more preparation are a DIY candle and a bird feeder. The article describes using wax in a mug for a candle and filling a mug with birdseed, secured sideways or hung by its handle in a sheltered spot. It does not supply full step-by-step directions, material specifications or safety testing for either project.
Practical Uses for Unused Mugs
The suggestions give readers options for keeping sentimental or surplus mugs in use rather than storing them unused or throwing them away. Most of the proposed uses rely on a mug’s existing shape and do not require specialized tools: it can corral small objects, hold a short flower arrangement or provide a container for a plant.
The list also helps distinguish easy reuse from projects that call for extra care. Turning a mug into a desk holder is straightforward, while making a candle or placing a feeder outdoors involves heat, materials or placement decisions. The article presents these as creative ideas, not as verified instructions or a guarantee that every mug is suitable for every purpose.
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From Kitchenware to Home Storage
The report begins from a familiar household problem: mug collections can grow over time, and some pieces carry memories of trips or people. Its focus is upcycling at home, not a new product, formal environmental study or change in waste policy. The seven ideas span indoor storage, decor, gardening, gifting and feeding birds.
Good Housekeeping attributes some suggestions to designer Janette Ewen. Ewen recommends the grouped-mug herb display and comments on wax options for candle-making. The source also names lifestyle journalist Wendy Rose Gould as the report’s author. The provided material does not include a publication date or independent testing results.
“I love the microwavable option.”
— Designer Janette Ewen, as quoted by Good Housekeeping
Project Safety and Mug Suitability
The source does not specify which mug materials or shapes are suitable for candle-making, how to manage hot wax, or what precautions to take when burning a candle. Readers should not treat the article’s brief description as a complete set of instructions; the report provides no testing details or safety guidance for the project.
It is also unclear whether every mug proposed as a planter has drainage holes or what plants are best suited to a container without them. For the bird feeder, the report does not explain how to attach a mug securely, how to clean it, or how to protect seed from weather. No evidence is provided that all the ideas have been evaluated for durability or outdoor use.
Choosing a Mug for Each Use
The report lays out ideas rather than announcing a follow-up or scheduled event. Readers can start with low-preparation uses such as holding desk supplies, organizing bathroom essentials or arranging flowers, then decide whether a mug’s condition and shape suit a plant or outdoor feeder.
Anyone considering a candle or bird feeder will need more detailed, project-specific instructions than the source provides. The report does not identify a next publication date, further testing or additional guidance.
Key Questions
What are the seven suggested uses for old mugs?
Good Housekeeping suggests using them to store writing and craft supplies, pour a candle, display flowers, build a gift basket, grow plants, feed birds and organize bathroom essentials.
Can an old mug be used as a planter?
The report suggests mugs for herbs, microgreens, seedlings and cuttings, including grouping several in a shallow box. It does not specify which plants need drainage or offer planting instructions.
What can go in a mug used as a bathroom organizer?
The article lists toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, cotton balls, cotton rounds and cotton swabs as possible items to store in a mug.
Does the report provide full instructions for making a mug candle?
No. It mentions wax products and quotes designer Janette Ewen’s preference for a microwavable option, but it does not give complete candle-making steps or detailed safety guidance.
How does the suggested bird feeder work?
The report says to fill a mug with birdseed and secure it sideways to a sturdy surface or hang it by its handle in a sheltered spot. It does not explain attachment methods or cleaning requirements.
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