Over the years, we all seem to collect a lot of prescription bottles. It’s really such a shame to throw them out, so I am sharing some ideas to repurpose them.

These bottles fit perfectly inside your car’s glove compartment or door cubby, and they’re great for storing change or small amounts of cash for garage parking, toll fare, or even the laundromat, should you need to use one. Use them for an emergency first-aid kit for your pocketbook or car. You can keep things like band-aids, Q-tips, alcohol swabs, antibiotic cream, etc.

Prescription bottles work great for small cords and ear buds. And they’re easier to find in your purse too! If you like to floss on the run, you can keep some of the small flossers in the prescription bottles as well. Put some M & M type candies in them in case you need a sugar pick me up during the day. That way you won’t be tempted to eat the whole bag!!!

Sometimes I buy pain relief, vitamins, etc., in those big bottles from Costco, so I like to fill up a couple of empty prescription bottles with these things to keep in a couple of locations. I also keep one in my toiletry bag I take on trips.

Prescription bottles are just the right size and shape for a sewing needle, a small spool or two, a few straight pins, and a few plain buttons. Have one in the car, purse, or office drawer. If a button comes loose or a hem unravels, the kit is handy and the pins are tucked safely inside where no one can get pricked when not in use.

Need a mini ice pack? Just fill up the Rx bottle with water and freeze. Put condiments into the bottles for lunches when you need them to accompany your meal and then toss away.

If you wear perfume and don’t want to bring the whole bottle with you in your purse but like to freshen up at midday, try this: Soak a cotton ball or two with your favorite cologne or perfume, place them inside a small bottle and close with the cap. By midday the cotton ball will still be wet and can be dabbed to the areas you sprayed with perfume.

When I’m traveling, the last thing I want to do is haul a big bottle of stuff I will only use a little of. So I just put a little in the bottle. And I can also get all the product out because I can stick my whole finger in there and scrape it all out!

You can keep small pieces of jewelry inside of a prescription bottle as well. Great for home or travel. Keep your bobby pins/sheitel pins/yarmulke clips in the bottles; they keep them organized as well.

Secrets of Clear Nailpolish:

· Did you know that clear nail polish is handy for more than runs in your pantyhose? A tiny bit of clear nail polish can touch up small dents and scratches on hardwood floors and can help prevent further damage to the area.

· Keep ribbons (or even shoelaces) from fraying by painting the ends with clear nail polish.

· In lieu of licking envelopes, use a few swipes of some clear nail polish. It’s a lot better than tasting the nasty “mint” flavoring.

· Scratch the paint on your car? Brush a coat of clear nail polish over the scratch to prevent it from rusting until you are able to get it repaired.

· Reset loose stones in inexpensive costume jewelry with a coat or two of clear nail polish. This also gives the jewels a little extra sparkle.

Toothpaste Tips:

· If you don’t have caulk on hand, use a bit of white toothpaste.

· Use a spot of toothpaste to remove stains from carpet. Just brush it in the carpet, rinse and the stain will come right out.

· Remove hairspray residue from your hair straightener or curling iron with a tad of toothpaste and a soft cloth. Since toothpaste is abrasive, you may not want to use this on ceramic models.

· Toothpaste can soothe pain from minor burns (that don’t involve an open wound). It has been said to temporarily relieve the pain and actually prevents the wound from opening.

· Use toothpaste to remove scratches from leather. Just dab some toothpaste on the scratch, wipe it off with a soft cloth, then wipe the area with a damp cloth. Be sure not to use whitening toothpaste, as it might bleach the leather.

· Get rid of the nasty onion smell on your hands by “washing” them with toothpaste.

Hope you enjoyed… if you have tips to share, please send them in…

Gail Hochman has been a Bergen County resident for over 30 years and has been blessed with many grandchildren.

By Gail Hochman