Almost every household ends up with a drawer full of old pill bottles. Before you throw them away or turn them into crafts, it helps to know what you have. This guide covers the types of pill bottles, how to clean them safely, how to sort them, and how to decide which ones to keep.
The Main Types of Old Pill Bottles
Amber Prescription Bottles
The classic orange-amber bottle from the pharmacy is the most common type. The amber color protects contents from light. These bottles usually have child-resistant caps and hold 30 to 120 pills. They are sturdy and great for crafts and storage.
White and Clear Bottles
Over-the-counter medicines often come in white or clear bottles. White bottles block light, while clear ones let you see the contents. Both types are easy to paint, label, and repurpose.
Large Supplement Bottles
Vitamin and supplement bottles are bigger, with wide mouths. They work well for storing beads, buttons, screws, and other small items. Their wide openings make them easy to fill and clean.
Small Sample and Travel Bottles
Tiny bottles from samples or travel kits are perfect for miniature crafts. Their small size makes them ideal for beads, glitter, seeds, and other tiny supplies.
Blister Packs and Tubes
Some medicines come in tubes or blister packs rather than bottles. Tubes can be reused for small items, while empty blister packs are usually best recycled according to local rules.
How To Clean Old Pill Bottles Safely
Step 1: Empty and Check
Make sure the bottle is completely empty. Check for leftover pills, cotton balls, or silica gel packets and remove them. Never mix leftover medicines together.
Step 2: Remove Labels
Peel off the label. If it leaves residue, rub it with a paste of baking soda and cooking oil, wait ten minutes, and wash it off. For stubborn labels, soak the bottle in warm soapy water for an hour first.
Step 3: Wash Thoroughly
Wash the bottle and cap separately in hot, soapy water. Use a bottle brush for narrow openings. Rinse well and let the bottle air-dry completely with the cap off.
Step 4: Deodorize If Needed
If a bottle still smells like medicine, fill it with a mixture of water and white vinegar or baking soda, let it sit overnight, then rinse and dry. Repeat if the smell persists.
Safety Rules for Old Pill Bottles
Keep Craft Bottles Separate From Medicine
Once a bottle is used for crafts, never put medicine back in it. Remove all labels and markings so no one mistakes it for a medicine container. Store craft bottles away from your medicine cabinet.
Watch Out for Look-Alike Bottles
Decorated bottles that look like medicine containers can confuse children, guests, or older adults. If a bottle still looks like it could hold pills, label it clearly as a craft supply or choose a different container.
Never Reuse Bottles That Held Hazardous Substances
Do not reuse bottles that held toxic, corrosive, or controlled substances. When in doubt, recycle the bottle instead of repurposing it.
Child Safety
Keep small bottles and caps away from young children, as they can be choking hazards. Supervise kids during any craft project that uses pill bottles.
How To Sort Your Old Pill Bottles
Sort by Size
Group bottles into small, medium, and large. Small bottles suit beads and glitter, medium bottles suit craft kits and spices, and large bottles suit bulk storage.
Sort by Color
Separate amber bottles from clear and white ones. Clear bottles are best for display crafts where you want to see the contents. Amber and white bottles are best for painting and decorating.
Sort by Cap Type
Child-resistant caps are handy for storage you want to keep closed. Screw caps are easiest for everyday use. Flip-top caps work well for shakers and dispensers.
Set Aside Damaged Bottles
Toss or recycle bottles with cracks, warped caps, or lingering chemical smells. Only keep bottles that are clean, intact, and odor-free.
What To Keep and What To Let Go
Keep These
Keep clean, undamaged bottles in sizes you will actually use. A dozen mixed bottles is plenty for most crafters. Keep a few wide-mouth bottles for storage and a few small ones for mini projects.
Let Go of These
Recycle extras you will never use, bottles with stuck-on residue you cannot remove, and any bottle that still smells strongly of medicine after washing.
Storage Ideas for Your Sorted Bottles
Store sorted bottles in a clear bin or a drawer organizer so you can see what you have. Label the bin by size or color. Keep caps with their bottles so pairs do not get separated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can old pill bottles be recycled?
Many pill bottles are made of #5 plastic (polypropylene), which some recycling programs accept. Check your local recycling rules, since programs vary.
How do I remove a pharmacy label completely?
Soak the bottle in warm soapy water, peel the label, then rub residue with baking soda and oil paste. A plastic scraper helps with stubborn spots.
Is it safe to store food in old pill bottles?
It is best not to store food in pill bottles, even after washing. Use them for crafts and non-food storage instead.
How many pill bottles should I keep?
Keep only what you will use in the next few months. Ten to fifteen bottles in mixed sizes cover most craft and storage needs.
Can I donate old pill bottles?
Some charities and veterinary clinics collect clean pill bottles for reuse. Check with local organizations before dropping them off.
Start Sorting Today
Take ten minutes to empty, clean, and sort your old pill bottles. You will free up drawer space, build a useful craft supply stash, and keep plastic out of the trash. Explore more pill bottle projects on Hommiest when you are ready to craft.