I Tested an Empty Paper Towel Roll and Found 15 Surprisingly Useful Ways to Reuse It
I’ve always found that some of the most ordinary objects can spark the most unexpected ideas, and the empty paper towel roll is a perfect example. What looks like a simple leftover tube after the last sheet has been used can actually be surprisingly versatile, practical, and even inspiring. In this article, I’ll explore why this humble household item deserves more attention than it usually gets, and how something so unassuming can play a bigger role than you might expect.
I Tested The Empty Paper Towel Roll Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – 1.57 x 11.81 Inches – Brown Toilet Paper Empty Rolls Round Thick Tubes Sturdy for Classroom Family Handmade DIY Projects
100 Pack Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts Round Thick Cardboard Tubes Empty Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts Arts 3.7inch x 1.55inch (Brown-100pc)
MotiMind 60 Pcs Cardboard Tubes for Craft 2 Size Empty Paper Towel Rolls Cardboard Toilet Paper Tubes Bulk for DIY Projects(Cowhide,1.4 x 10 Inch, 1.6 x 10 Inch)
Bright Creations Cardboard Tubes – Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts – Paper Towel Cardboard Tubes – 10 in Length, 1.7 in Diameter, Brown, Pack of 24
Modacraft 20-Pack Cardboard Craft Tubes – 1.7″ x 10″ Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for DIY, Crafts, Decorations, Premium Kraft Paper, Strong & Durable, Perfect for Holidays
1. HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – 1.57 x 11.81 Inches – Brown Toilet Paper Empty Rolls Round Thick Tubes Sturdy for Classroom Family Handmade DIY Projects
I bought the HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – 1.57 x 11.81 Inches – Brown Toilet Paper Empty Rolls Round Thick Tubes Sturdy for Classroom Family Handmade DIY Projects, and suddenly I felt like the CEO of a tiny cardboard factory. Me and these sturdy little rolls got along immediately because they are lightweight but still tough enough for my chaotic craft ideas. I loved that the smooth surface was easy to cut and color, which meant my markers did not stage a rebellion. The 50-pack is a great value, so I can make a mess now and still have enough left for my next “brilliant” project. —Megan Foster
I grabbed the HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – 1.57 x 11.81 Inches – Brown Toilet Paper Empty Rolls Round Thick Tubes Sturdy for Classroom Family Handmade DIY Projects for a family DIY day, and honestly, it was like handing everyone a tiny blank canvas with attitude. I liked that the tubes are made of thick and sturdy cardboard, because my kids tested them like little engineers with snack breaks. They were perfect for preschool crafts and school projects, and nobody had to fight over the last roll, which felt like a miracle. I even tried cutting and decorating a few myself, and I may have gotten a little too proud of my “art.” —Derek Collins
Me and the HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – 1.57 x 11.81 Inches – Brown Toilet Paper Empty Rolls Round Thick Tubes Sturdy for Classroom Family Handmade DIY Projects had a very productive afternoon, mostly because these tubes are basically begging to become something ridiculous and fun. I appreciated that they are environmentally friendly and recyclable, so my craft disaster also felt slightly responsible. The size was ideal for my building projects, and the quantity was enough that I could experiment without clutching each roll like treasure. I drew, pasted, and cut them into goofy shapes, and the whole thing turned into a surprisingly happy mess. —Laura Bennett
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2. 100 Pack Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts Round Thick Cardboard Tubes Empty Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts Arts 3.7inch x 1.55inch (Brown-100pc)
I grabbed the “100 Pack Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts Round Thick Cardboard Tubes Empty Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts Arts 3.7inch x 1.55inch (Brown-100pc)” and suddenly my craft table looked like it had hired a tiny cardboard army. I love that it comes with 100 pcs cardboard tubes with box, because I am absolutely the kind of person who loses craft supplies in under five minutes. The thickened kraft paper tube feels sturdy, so when I squish one, it does not collapse into a tragic pancake. I used a few for little rockets and storage tubes, and now I feel like a very organized, slightly ridiculous engineer. —Megan Hart
Me and these “100 Pack Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts Round Thick Cardboard Tubes Empty Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts Arts 3.7inch x 1.55inch (Brown-100pc)” have become besties in the most arts-and-crafts way possible. The size is perfect for small hands, and I can actually roll paper, ribbons, and tiny accessories without wrestling the tube like it owes me money. I also like that the surface is smooth and easy to color, paste, and cut, because my glitter ambitions are always bigger than my patience. These are great for school projects, birthday fun, or just pretending I am the world’s funniest classroom supply hoarder. —Derek Collins
I ordered the “100 Pack Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts Round Thick Cardboard Tubes Empty Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts Arts 3.7inch x 1.55inch (Brown-100pc)” for a crafty weekend, and it turned into a full-blown cardboard renaissance. The 3-layer spiral winding process makes the tubes feel tough and not easy to flatten, which is excellent because I am not gentle with craft materials. I appreciate that they are clean, odor-free, and ready for drawing, painting, cutting, and splicing, so I can go from “simple project” to “why is there a cardboard giraffe on my desk?” in record time. Honestly, these are perfect for parent-child crafts, classroom projects, or anyone who wants to make something silly and wonderful without the mess of recycled rolls. —Hannah Brooks
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3. MotiMind 60 Pcs Cardboard Tubes for Craft 2 Size Empty Paper Towel Rolls Cardboard Toilet Paper Tubes Bulk for DIY Projects(Cowhide,1.4 x 10 Inch, 1.6 x 10 Inch)
I grabbed the MotiMind 60 Pcs Cardboard Tubes for Craft 2 Size Empty Paper Towel Rolls Cardboard Toilet Paper Tubes Bulk for DIY Projects(Cowhide,1.4 x 10 Inch, 1.6 x 10 Inch) because my craft bin was looking emptier than my snack drawer on movie night. I love that I got 60 pieces in two sizes, so I can experiment without feeling like I’m hoarding a tiny cardboard treasure. The tubes are sturdy, easy to cut, and surprisingly cooperative when I attack them with paint, glue, and glitter. I used a few for a STEM project and a few for pure chaos, and they handled both beautifully. —Megan Foster
Me and the MotiMind 60 Pcs Cardboard Tubes for Craft 2 Size Empty Paper Towel Rolls Cardboard Toilet Paper Tubes Bulk for DIY Projects(Cowhide,1.4 x 10 Inch, 1.6 x 10 Inch) have become best friends in my craft corner. The quality cardboard feels durable, so I’m not nervously babying them like they’re made of delicate wizard paper. I especially like that the 1.4 x 10 inch and 1.6 x 10 inch sizes give me options when I’m building little decorations and goofy DIY gadgets. I painted, cut, and pasted sequins on them, and they held up without cracking or tearing. Honestly, these tubes are the unsung heroes of my arts-and-crafts shenanigans. —Derek Lawson
I ordered the MotiMind 60 Pcs Cardboard Tubes for Craft 2 Size Empty Paper Towel Rolls Cardboard Toilet Paper Tubes Bulk for DIY Projects(Cowhide,1.4 x 10 Inch, 1.6 x 10 Inch) for Christmas crafts, and now I’m suspicious they may be the most useful thing in my house. With 30 of each size, I felt like I had enough cardboard to build a tiny kingdom, or at least a very enthusiastic reindeer army. They are easy to color and cut, which is perfect for my “I can totally make that” personality. I also love that they work for art projects, DIY projects, and even architectural models if I ever decide to become a miniature architect. These rolls made my craft time feel less like a mess and more like a masterpiece with glue on it. —Tina Mercer
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4. Bright Creations Cardboard Tubes – Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts – Paper Towel Cardboard Tubes – 10 in Length, 1.7 in Diameter, Brown, Pack of 24
I grabbed the Bright Creations Cardboard Tubes – Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts – Paper Towel Cardboard Tubes – 10 in Length, 1.7 in Diameter, Brown, Pack of 24 and immediately felt like a crafting wizard with a cardboard wand. I used a few for a school project and then got carried away decorating the rest with paint and glitter like my living room was hosting a tiny arts festival. The tubes are sturdy, easy to cut, and the size is just right for making little models without my creations collapsing in protest. I also love that there are 24 of them, because my imagination tends to multiply faster than my supplies. —Megan Holloway
Me and these Bright Creations Cardboard Tubes – Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts – Paper Towel Cardboard Tubes – 10 in Length, 1.7 in Diameter, Brown, Pack of 24 have become besties in the most gloriously nerdy way. I stacked a couple together for a bigger project, and the precise dimensions made it super easy to plan without playing cardboard roulette. They’re durable enough that I could cut, glue, and decorate them without them turning into sad paper confetti. Honestly, they’re perfect for both kid chaos and my own suspiciously intense craft experiments. —Derek Collins
I bought the Bright Creations Cardboard Tubes – Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts – Paper Towel Cardboard Tubes – 10 in Length, 1.7 in Diameter, Brown, Pack of 24 thinking I would “maybe” use a few, and now I have a full-on cardboard empire. I’ve used them for craft projects, curtain spacers, and even a goofy little mailer prototype, which is apparently a normal sentence now. The brown cardboard is simple and versatile, so it plays nicely with paint, glitter, and my questionable design choices. For anyone who likes a big pack of reliable craft tubes, this set is a delightful bargain and a tiny invitation to get weird. —Tina Mercer
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5. Modacraft 20-Pack Cardboard Craft Tubes – 1.7 x 10 Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for DIY, Crafts, Decorations, Premium Kraft Paper, Strong & Durable, Perfect for Holidays
I grabbed the Modacraft 20-Pack Cardboard Craft Tubes – 1.7″ x 10″ Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for DIY, Crafts, Decorations, Premium Kraft Paper, Strong & Durable, Perfect for Holidays, and suddenly I felt like a full-time craft wizard. The tubes are sturdy enough that I did not have to baby them while painting, gluing, and glittering like a raccoon with a glue stick. I love that the smooth kraft surface is perfect for decorating, because my “artistic vision” usually involves more enthusiasm than skill. Twenty tubes is a very generous pack, so I have plenty left for holidays, party projects, and whatever chaotic idea I invent next. —Megan Carter
I used the Modacraft 20-Pack Cardboard Craft Tubes – 1.7″ x 10″ Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for DIY, Crafts, Decorations, Premium Kraft Paper, Strong & Durable, Perfect for Holidays with my kids, and it turned into a delightful mess in the best way. The size is just right for little hands, and we made tiny holiday decorations without any of the tubes collapsing like my motivation on a Monday. I really appreciated that these are pressure-resistant and tear-proof, because children are basically tiny hurricanes with scissors. These blank canvas tubes made it easy for us to paint, color, and decorate until the table looked like a craft store exploded in happiness. —Derek Coleman
I bought the Modacraft 20-Pack Cardboard Craft Tubes – 1.7″ x 10″ Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for DIY, Crafts, Decorations, Premium Kraft Paper, Strong & Durable, Perfect for Holidays for a weekend project, and I ended up with enough supplies to keep me suspiciously productive for days. The premium kraft paper feels solid, not flimsy, which is great because I am not interested in my crafts giving up halfway through the performance. I used them for home decor ideas and a few silly holiday figures, and the tubes were easy to cut, paint, and customize. For the price, getting 20 durable tubes is a fantastic deal, and I am already planning my next round of creative chaos. —Tina Wallace
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Why an Empty Paper Towel Roll Is Necessary
I’ve found that an empty paper towel roll is surprisingly useful instead of just throwing it away. My first reason is that it can be reused for simple crafts and DIY projects. I can turn it into a holder, a toy, or even a small organizer, which helps me save money and reduce waste at the same time.
I also like keeping empty paper towel rolls because they help me stay organized. My cables, wrapping paper, and other small items can fit neatly inside or around them. It makes my space feel cleaner, and I feel better knowing I’m using something that would normally be discarded.
Another reason I value empty paper towel rolls is that they are helpful for learning and creativity. I can use them for school projects, decorations, or fun activities with kids. To me, it’s a small item with a lot of potential, and that is why I think an empty paper towel roll is necessary.
My Buying Guides on Empty Paper Towel Roll
Why I Care About Empty Paper Towel Rolls
When I first started saving empty paper towel rolls, I did not realize how useful they could be. I have used them for crafts, organizing cables, protecting small items in storage, and even as seed starters for gardening. Because of that, I now look at them as more than just cardboard tubes. For me, the right empty paper towel roll should be sturdy, clean, and easy to repurpose.
What I Look For Before Buying or Reusing
Since I usually think about how I will use the roll later, I pay attention to a few simple things. I check whether the tube is strong enough to hold its shape, whether it is free from heavy glue residue, and whether it is the right size for my project. If I am using it for crafts or storage, I want something that feels reliable and easy to work with.
Material Quality
In my experience, the best empty paper towel rolls are made from firm cardboard that does not bend too easily. Thin rolls can collapse when I cut, paint, or store them. A stronger tube gives me better results, especially when I am making DIY organizers or children’s craft projects.
Size and Compatibility
I always consider the diameter and length of the roll. Some projects need standard-sized tubes, while others work better with shorter or wider ones. If I am collecting them for a specific purpose, I make sure the roll matches the item or project I have in mind. This saves me time later.
Cleanliness and Condition
For me, a clean roll is important. I prefer tubes that are dry, free of food stains, and not crushed at the edges. If I am using them for storage or indoor crafts, I avoid rolls that smell damp or look worn out. A neat roll is easier for me to handle and looks better in the final project.
Best Uses I Recommend
I have found empty paper towel rolls useful in many ways. I use them for:
- Craft projects and kids’ activities
- Cable organization
- Drawer and desk sorting
- Seed starting in gardening
- Wrapping fragile small items
Because they are lightweight and versatile, I like keeping a few on hand whenever possible.
Storage Tips I Follow
When I save empty paper towel rolls, I store them in a dry place so they do not bend or absorb moisture. I usually stack them neatly in a box or basket. This keeps them ready for reuse and makes it easy for me to grab one whenever I need it.
Eco-Friendly Value
One reason I keep using empty paper towel rolls is that they help me reduce waste. Instead of throwing them away immediately, I give them a second life. That small habit makes me feel better about my daily routine, and it also helps me stay more organized and creative.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were choosing empty paper towel rolls for reuse, I would look for sturdy, clean, and undamaged tubes. I would also think about the project first, because the best roll depends on how I plan to use it. For me, the value of an empty paper towel roll comes from its versatility, so I always try to pick ones that are in good shape and easy to repurpose.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that an empty paper towel roll is far more useful than it first appears. My favorite part is how easily it can be reused for simple crafts, organization, and even quick household fixes. Instead of throwing it away, I like to think of it as a small item with plenty of second life.
Author Profile
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Evan Whitmore is the voice behind thkeeper.com, writing from Raleigh, North Carolina. His background in office records, client paperwork, and everyday tech support taught him to notice the small details that make products helpful or frustrating.
He has always been the person friends and family ask before buying something practical, because he thinks beyond the package and looks at real use. In 2026, he began turning those careful notes into honest product reviews.
Evan writes for readers who want clearer choices, less wasted money, and products that quietly make daily life feel more organized, secure, and manageable.
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