Reuse Old Wine Corks

If you are someone who loves wine and accumulates a lot of wine corks or simply loves to DIY, consider saving your wine corks! Wine corks can be saved and used for decorating, organizing, and many more household projects!

Steps

Crafting with Corks

  1. Make place card holders. With a utility knife, cut a small sliver of the wine cork on the long side to create a flat, smooth surface to allow the cork to lie flat on a table without rolling around. On the opposite side, cut a slit all the way across the cork. Finally, insert your place card in the slit.<re>http://www.projectwedding.com/ideas/4/how-to-make-a-cork-placecard-holder</ref>
    • For an added touch, paint the cork with your favorite color!
  2. Create a trivet. Find an old picture frame (or buy an inexpensive one) and take out the glass. Arrange your corks in any design you desire inside the frame. Once you’re happy with your design, glue the corks in place to the backing board of the frame. Allow the glue to fully dry before placing serving dishes on it.[1]
  3. Organize your jewelry. Hot glue the circular flat end of your wine corks to a wooden board, allowing for a few inches of space between corks. Once the glue has dried, you can now hang bracelets, necklaces, and bangles, and other jewelry on the corks. Corks can also be glued with the long side to the board so that earring posts can be pushed directly into the corks.
    • Paint or cover the wooden board in fabric that matches your decor![2]

Decorating with Corks

  1. Construct a wreath. Purchase a foam wreath in any diameter you’d like (this can be purchased at a craft store). Stick toothpicks into the corks so that about half of the toothpick is still sticking out. Then, push the toothpicks into the foam wreath in any arrangement you’d like. Using toothpicks to attach the corks allows you to rearrange as many times as it takes to perfect your wreath![3]
    • Add buttons, ribbons, and/or flowers for a personal touch!
  2. Cover a table top. If you have a table or dresser that could use sprucing up, upcycle your old wine corks into a unique table top surface! Arrange corks in an interesting pattern on the table top; once satisfied, glue the corks in place.
    • To make it last, secure a piece of glass over your new table top. Most home improvement stores can cut glass to customized dimensions.
  3. Make planters. Using a sharp knife, core out the center of a cork, stopping about three quarters down the length of the cork. Add potting soil to the hole you’ve created and insert a small plant. Succulents work well and will likely last the longest since they’re relatively easy to maintain. Glue a magnet to the back and stick your cute planter on your refrigerator to add some fresh greenery to your kitchen![4]

Using Corks Around The House

  1. Mix corks in with your mulch. If you struggle to remember to water your plants and add ground cork to your mulch. Chop the corks into small pieces and then use a blender to grind those pieces even further before adding them to your mulch. The corks will retain moisture longer than traditional mulch and help maintain your plant’s health between waterings.[5]
  2. Use as a fire starter. Fill a mason jar with real corks (not the plastic kid), pour in rubbing alcohol until the corks are fully submerged, and seal the jar tightly. When you need to start a fire, remove a cork or two and place them under the wood to be kindled before lighting.[6]
    • Be cautious when lighting a fire and never leave a fire unattended.
  3. Clean your knives. Use a wine cork to buff an abrasive cleaner (or a mixture of salt and vinegar) onto your dirty knife; rinse the knife and dry well to keep it clean and well-maintained. Be very cautious when cleaning your knives![7]
  4. Make a cat toy. Wine corks are perfect to use for cat toys since they are light enough for your cat to bat around. Use small scissors to create a hole on the circular, flat end of a wine cork about 1 inch deep. Squirt a small amount of glue into the hole and insert a feather or pipe cleaner into the hole. Allow the glue to dry before giving this fun new toy to your cat![8]

Related Articles

Things You’ll Need

  • Corks (natural and/or plastic)
  • Shark utility knife
  • Hot glue gun
  • Hot glue sticks

Tips

  • Keep a decorative jar in your kitchen to keep your old wine corks. Having it out in plain sight will help you remember to keep the corks.
  • If you don’t drink a lot of wine, corks can be bought online or at craft stores.

Warnings

  • Use extreme care and caution when cutting the corks with a knife.

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ https://www.homestoriesatoz.com/crafts/diy-wine-cork-trivet.html
  2. ↑ http://www.greenvale.com/blog/2013/05/upcycling-empty-wine-bottles-used-corks/
  3. ↑ http://www.craftymorning.com/wine-cork-christmas-wreath-craft/
  4. ↑ https://www.upcyclethat.com/cork-planters/3086/
  5. ↑ http://syvnews.com/lifestyles/columns/the_garden_of_eva/recycled-wine-corks-in-your-garden/article_00c5e67f-8592-55d4-8768-c40d3342deb4.html
  6. ↑ http://www.survivopedia.com/diy-fire-starter-ideas/
  7. ↑ https://pickabow.com/hunting-knife-maintenace-tips/
  8. ↑ http://sweettmakesthree.com/make-your-own-cat-toys/
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