This is one of my Upcycle/Repurpose posts – But I’m really proud of them and wanted to show them off! I hope you will indulge me because you might need some pretty yet cheap organization at some point and this is so easy and cheap! You can also recycle metals or items containing metal that you don’t need anymore. In fact, you can even get paid for most metals at a scrap metal removal Sydney. Mr. Picky Eater does not like those fancy coffee places like Starbucks that everyone stops at several time a day. A fellow blogger’s husband calls it Tenbucks instead of Starbucks and the hubs says he is correct. I do not know because I do not drink coffee and just never have been inside one. He likes coffee from a coffee maker which means we buy a lot of Folger’s Coffee! He prefers 1/2 Caf but sometimes he will settle for Medium Roast. When we buy it at Sam’s (Costco like store) it comes in much bigger containers.
This is so easy – all you need are these things:
Newspaper
1 Can of Spray Paint usable on plastic – I used Krylon – if you don’t like the Plastics paint colors then just spray with Primer for Plastics, let dry 24 hours and spray paint with your choice of colors.
Chalkboard labels if you want them but you can use anything you want.
Put the coffee containers in the dishwasher or clean them thoroughly and allow to dry completely. If you are looking for new and sustainable coffee brands to buy, give a taste to this coffee that supports animal rescue.
Stuff the cans with newspaper. They will remain red on the inside and since it is food safe, you may want to keep it that way.
Turn them bottom side up on a table with more newspapers on them and spray paint them lightly in two coats.
***Very important step: You must let them cure somewhere for 4-5 days, if you don’t that paint will probably come right off! ******
After you let them cure take the newspaper out – leaving the newspaper inside takes all traces of the coffee smell out – and if you want labels like mine, go to Amazon – you will find them! Put them on and you are ready to go.
Mother Kalamity, is older and canisters are very heavy. She uses these for flour, sugar and even her little dog’s food. They are good for rice, pasta, ribbons, crafts or just about anything you can think of!
I’m going to keep my Spifter and my candy dipping tools in the really tall one. So? What do you think??
I think I really like! Great idea 🙂
Thank you!!
Great idea painting these. I started saving the Great Value creamer containers that have screw on lids from Walmart. I had a problem with spiders in my pantry and these help keep them out of the food. Now I will try painting them so they’re not so boring.
This is awesome — I always wonder what to do with these big canisters (I like the Black Silk) because you just can’t toss them! Lovely.
Thanks Laurie – The color matches my Kitchen aide mixer the hubs bought for me – but you could do them in any color!
I did a set just last night, out o f chalkboard paint. i love them
I’m so glad you love them! I bet that chalkboard paint looks fabulous !
I think I never heard of a spifter. What on earth is it?
It’s a little sifter to put powdered sugar on cupcakes and doughnuts so you have better control of it. It has a really long handle so it’s hard to gently store it so the sifter part doesn’t get damaged but this will do it!
I love how you painted them! We drink Folgers, too and I love the cans with the lids, but the red is a little obnoxious. This would be fun to do to give those baked goodies at Christmastime, too.
Thanks!
Beth
Extra great idea Beth! – I will begin saving now and paint them in blue and silver (those would be my Christmas colors) That way if they bring them back – I can always keep them instead of refilling as I suspect they would want. 🙂
Have you checked out the Folger’s website where they have templates you can print out to use to decorate the coffee cans with for Christmas goodies? They are for the smaller cans though. Took me awhile to find it though. You have to go to where they spell out what they do for recycling and click on that.
yes I have and my grandson and I have used them! They are great, aren’t they?
The lids on these aren’t very tight. Any idea how to make them fit tighter for storing??
I buy my coffee at Sam’s and this is a great idea for recycling the containers.
Lillian
Thank you Lillian – I love getting the coffee at Sam’s because it’s so much cheaper per serving!
My but you are clever! 🙂
Thanks Karen!
Really great idea. I got some chalk labels at Hobby Lobby that I am going to put on jars for Christmas presents. I really like this and I need to get organized. Maybe this will help.
Where do you by Krylon paint? I have seen on Pinterest that they have a glow-in-the-dark kind, but I can’t find it anywhere.
And, I did notice you quoted The Hubs. 🙂
I couldn’t help it! Mr. Picky Eater calls it that all the time now!!
I saw it yesterday at our Michael’s here in Norman – but I believe I have seen it at our Wal Mart too – not sure about the glow in the dark at Wal Mart but at Michael’s. Krylon also has some really snazzy glitter spray paint as well! Thank you for the compliments!
Thx.
For the glow in the dark paint try Ace hardware that is here I found it . Yoj mhht ask kf they can orded it for you.
Good luck
Thank you so much! We have one close by!
I think I’m going to start saving my coffee cans for myself (as opposed to letting Daniel use them for nails and stuff) so I can make some craft stuffs containers!
they will be great! You can make them match the decor of your room or you can make label things that are like dinosaurs so that after you paint them you can decoupage those on!
That’s a great idea!!
Hi Kelli, this is the second time I am trying to leave a comment on your blog: I hope it works
Kelli, you know, I would love these, they are pretty, I love the color you choose (very pretty) and the chalkboard stickers too! 🙂 I would store my craft tools in these!
Thank you Ingrid! You can make your own. If you don’t drink coffee – then you can talk to friends or family who work at a big office where they do drink coffee. They often have them! 🙂
Very clever upcycle using materials most of us have lying around!! Please consider
partying with us at 5:00 on Thursday evenings at the new Blog Strut Peacock Style Link Party to share your creative projects and ideas. Come on over!! http://wp.me/P2Vf55-1K
Thank you for dropping by and I will check it out!
What a cute idea! I love Krylon – it can work wonders. Visiting from the All Things Pretty hop!
Thank you for dropping by and please come back anytime!
So cute!! I can see why these were an instant sensation. You creative woman!
xoxoxo!
Pinning this! What a great upcycle! And love the color choice! Nice job! Thanks for sharing at All Things Pretty!
Thanks Kathy! I won $500 from Krylon for that little project and they have been pinned, shared and clipped over 20,000 times – I never though some paint and coffee cans (plastic ones) would ever be so embraced by everyone! Hometalk even asked me to be the curator of a plastic container board on their site. It’s still shocking to me!
No instructions or tips on removing the lables?
I’m so sorry but the coffee cans I used did not have labels — it was “baked into” the plastic itself. I would suggest using those little plastic razor blades you can get from Amazon or using finger nail polish remover. I wish you luck!
Awesome post! I would love for you to share and link up at my weekly TGIF Link Party if you haven’t already this week. Your favorite posts, most popular, recent or new! The party is open every Thursday night and closes Wednesday’s at midnight. Followed by (Not SO) Wordless Wednesday! http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/.
I would be honored if you join us and follow to stay connected Have a wonderful week!
Hugs, Cathy
Why thank you Cathy – I will come over and check it out!
What a fantastic way to reuse coffee canisters!
Thank you for linking to Raising Imperfection.
Please come back Friday to see if you were featured. 🙂
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(¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
Raising-Reagan.com
Thank you Lanaya for the opportunity to share!
Another neat idea! I love how you reuse items one would never think of!
Thanks again for linking up this week at the Link Up!
Thx for the awesome idea, Kelli! You’re my feature for today. http://homemademodern.blogspot.com/2014/02/craft-of-week-upcycled-folgers-coffee.html
Wow – thank you Val! I appreciate the feature!
I did a set of these for my chicken supplements and treats – I love the idea for the pantry also. And the chalkboard labels are brilliant as is the newspaper to keep the insides clean AND remove the coffee smell. Great post!
Lisa
Fresh Eggs Daily
Thank you! I’m so glad you liked it – and thanks as well for dropping by and please come again!
OMG! These are wonderful! I have often wondered what I could do with all my empty foldgers containers
Thanks for dropping by Laura – I’m glad you like them!
These are great! My hubby and I drink gallons of coffee and have MANY of these. After these have been painted and have cured for 4 or 5 days, can you wash them?
Mom washes them in warm soapy water – she does not have a dishwasher in her little apt. so I don’t know if you could use one or not. I would assume if you used a scrubby on it, the paint may scratch off but otherwise they wash up just fine!
I love this idea. I work in an office and it seems that we have a wedding shower, house warming shower, or baby show once a month and this would be a great personalized house warming/wedding shower gift for a friend or co-worker.
Thanks for dropping by DJ! Please come again – I think you have a great idea as a shower gift. The smaller coffee canisters are great for rice and beans too!
This is just amazing. I have so many formula cans lying around, i don’t know what to do. This gives me an idea now! Thanks 🙂
Thank you for dropping by Wajiha! My daughter does as well – I have a way to use those Boogie Wipes and Diaper Wipes as well – It’s on Hometalk – do you know that website? Just click on the Hometalk icon to your right and it will take you right there – then look for my project on Hiney and Boogie wipes
Great idea! I would use it for packaging gifts or even craft supplies as a gift.. what great fun! maybe even put a few extra labels inside to inspire the new crafter 🙂
That sounds like a great idea Kim! Thanks for dropping by and please come again!
What a genius idea! This would never cross my mind in a million years. In fact, we move into a new place this week and the previous owner left some huge coffee canisters like these – you know they ended up in the trash:(
Darn! That’s too bad – but now when you see them you’ll know what you can do! Thanks for dropping by – I am enjoying the link up!
Congrats on being a Featured Poster on the Home Matters Linky Party! What a great reuse of coffee cans. Super cute and so much lighter than regular canisters. Thanks for sharing this awesome idea. 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Thanks for dropping by and please come by again!
What a great idea-I’m SO uncrafty but I think I can manage this!! Cool way to reuse & keep all that plastic out of the landfills!
Thank you for dropping by Christy! If you go over to my Hometalk page you will see many plastic repurpose projects – trying to keep it all out of the landfill! 🙂 Please come back again!
Great idea, I will give it a try. But how do you get the entire label (and glue) off of the plastic? Mine always seem to keep the sticky residue.
I didn’t take it off! But, there are those on Hometalk who said they used fingernail polish remover to take the labels off and then Goo Gone – you can get that at Walmart. I have never taken them off though – just ran them through the dishwasher, primed and painted and I have never had them peel – the Folger’s ones seem to be fused on anyway.
I’m going to make a set of these and have everything I need to do it. I started painting them and noticed that the folgers symbol still shows. I was just wondering if you somehow covered it up or left it?
Hi Elizabeth – I left it because they wouldn’t come off. I did use primer for plastics on it and then put on 1 coat of paint and the label does not show in the least. Did you use primer as well? Maybe your color is lighter than mine was? If so, let it dry and then put on another! Thanks for dropping by and please let me know how it goes!
The labels covered fine I meant the symbol on the back of the can where the handle is?
On the back of mine is an imbeded “Folgers” icon and there isn’t anything I could do to get rid of it – it’s just on there. I guess I never have them turned around that way so I forgot they were there. I can’t think of a way to get rid of it – sorry.
I know this is an old comment, but to fill in the embedded icon you could either put a piece of thin tape over it before priming, or fill it with wall spackle and let it dry before priming. I use spackle on many things to fill in small areas/places and it works great.
This is a super neat idea and I’m glad I haven’t parted with many of my folgers cans now. I had some vague idea of using them to hold some of my materials, and this project is perfect!
You have me wishing we drank coffee lol
We would have a lot more of these if I did – but only my husband! Thanks for dropping by and please come back!
I pinned this project months ago, and I think I finally have enough Folgers coffee containers to make myself a sweet set of canisters! I do have a question, though– Using spray paint on the outside of the containers is completely food-safe, right? The smell or chemicals won’t leak into the food? I plan on using them for flour, sugar, and baking supplies.. and just wanted to double check! 😀
Hi Lauren – thanks for coming by and asking this great question! Stuff those insides with newspaper – it will help absorb any leftover coffee smell after running through dishwasher – and then set them upside down. Yes, the insides are food safe. Be sure to use either Primer for plastics and then whatever color you want or use Krylons paint for plastics. Then you MUST let them cure for 7 days – sitting just like that: upside down and full of newspapers………then you’ll be just fine! Mom has had hers full of flour, sugar, coffee, and loose leaf tea since I made them in July 2013 and they have not chipped, broken, or made her sick – and at 77 she would be considered to have compromised health. Good luck and let me know how it goes!!
Your instructions say to let them cure. What does that mean? I’d love to try this, but I don’t know how to cure them or what that means. Thank you!
Hi Chelsea – “Curing” just means to Let It Sit. Just don’t bother it for about a week and it will be “cured” or the paint will have adhered to the can………….that’s all. So don’t put it somewhere you will have to move it……Is that clear? If not – let me know and I’ll do my best to explain further! Thanks for dropping by – Kelli!
Thanks so much! 🙂
You are welcome!
LOVE this idea. I want to make some for craft supplies for my 4th grade classroom at school, as well as for the preschool and children’s classrooms at church. Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome! Lots of Teachers have been making them – I’m so happy you dropped by!
What is the color of Krylon you used?
It is called Blue Ocean Mist – or Blue Sea Mist. Rustoleum now has the same color so if you can’t get Krylon, look for the other! Good luck!
Can you please link where to buy this color, I’ve looked everywhere online and I can’t find this specific color. My kitchenaid mixer is this color and I would love to have them match.
I have the exact same Kitchenaid mixer! And yes, the colors match perfectly. Here is the link — it doesn’t look the same color in the photo but I promise, with the dark original colors of most coffee tubs, it will come out the same color! It’s called Blue Ocean Breeze by Krylon. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Krylon-Colormaster-Ocean-Breeze/17211038?wmlspartner=wmtlabs&adid=22222222222016742084&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=10362732541&wl4=pla-4578916210538004&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&+wl10=Walmart&wl12=17211038_10001039262&wl14=blue%20ocean%20breeze%20krylon%20paint&veh=sem&msclkid=7f86f27b319016aac6759259f2b242f0
Did you remove the labels before painting, if so how did you remove them.
No – mine were “fused” or “baked” on so I just primed and painted over them!
Thank you
you are very welcome!
Wonderful containers. Did you take off the coffee label or paint over it?
Hi Barbara – the label was fused into the coffee container on mine so I just painted over them – there’s no way I could have peeled it off but most people say that if you need to take the label off nail polish remover works great!
What a fabulous idea. I can hardly wait to collect enough of these cans (my hubby drinks Folgers) and start thinking of ways to use them. They could also be used in the bathroom for cotton-balls, nail clippers, files, etc. I know they will help me be more organized.
Terrific idea. Will definitely give this a try. Could be used in several different rooms.
Kelly this is genius.
Thank you so much Valerie!!
I love this idea. My husband and I are retired and travel a lot in our travel trailer. These are light weight and will not break so they are perfect in the RV kitchen for canisters! Thank you so much for sharing.
I’m glad you like it – I’ve heard of those who travel in trailers keeping their toilet paper in there if they have to use public facilities – it keeps the paper dry. Thanks so much for dropping by and please do come back again!
what kind of paint would u use to paint a plastic coffee tub with?
It’s called Krylon Paint for Plastics. It adheres very well to plastic of any kind!
I got some spray paint inside my Folger’s can cause I forgot to stuff them with newspapers. Will it be still food safe, if not what n how can I remove the paint to make it food safe
Hi Christina – You can generally take the paint off with fingernail polish remover – then let it air dry for several days. Otherwise, if it doesn’t take the paint off, I would not recommend putting food in there…………I would just get another coffee canister and then keep lots of newspapers stuffed in so it doesn’t get in! Thanks for commenting and please come back anytime. Kelli
It is also a good idea to sand the plastic down with fine grain sand paper. Do this before primer and wipe down with rubbing alcohol after to clean up any dust and oils.
Thanks for the tip LeighAnne!
I always have these coffee canisters around I never through them away. I always say I can use them for something else. I never thought to paint them and make them look nicer. Thank you this is a great idea and I am going to try it.
I just love these since I use a lot of coffee and this brand…I sprayed them green and don’t remember if I let them cure for 4-5 days! I get very excited when I want to start a new project!!! I use one for coffee grounds so I can use the grounds in the garden around the plants. UNFORTUNATELY some of the paint is coming off…Just wondering if you can repaint them? I got the same labels in Michael’s cheap..Don’t have a lot of counter top to use them as canisters..This time I will prime them better so I can sell them at a yard sale… Any plastic primer will do? Thanks a lot.
I used Krylon Plastic Primer and I really like it so I would recommend that one but I’m sure they are all good and yes, you can repaint anytime you want! Thanks for dropping by!
After painting, letting cure for 4-5 days, and taking out the newspaper, can you wash them again before putting food in them?
Sure! Use warm water and mild soap
Thanks for the idea. I used contact paper to cover coffee and creamer label and put holes in bottom and then planter house plants in them.