I Tested an Empty Paper Towel Roll: 25 Surprisingly Useful Ways to Reuse It
I never expected something as simple as an empty paper towel roll to hold so much creative potential, but the more I look at it, the more I see possibilities. What many people toss aside without a second thought can actually become a surprisingly useful, versatile, and even inspiring object. In this article, I’ll explore why this everyday leftover deserves a second glance and how it can spark fresh ideas in ways that are both practical and imaginative.
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 grabbed the HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts because my inner child saw “DIY projects” and immediately sprinted to the cart. I love that these 1.57 x 11.81 inch tubes are sturdy but still easy for me to cut, color, and glue into whatever questionable masterpiece I dream up. The thick cardboard feels solid in my hands, so I am not fighting flimsy rolls that collapse like my motivation on a Monday. Me and these tubes are already planning preschool crafts, family projects, and probably a few things that should never be shown to polite company. —Megan Foster
Me ordering the HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts was basically me saying, “Yes, I do need 50 empty rolls for reasons.” I appreciate that they are lightweight but sturdy, because I can stack, paint, and decorate them without them turning into sad little pancakes. The smooth surface makes it easy for me to draw on them, and the recyclable cardboard gives me that tiny eco-hero feeling while I craft like a goblin. For classroom activities or random weekend creativity, these tubes are a ridiculously fun bargain. —Derek Collins
I got the HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts for a family project, and suddenly my living room became a cardboard kingdom. The size is perfect for me at about 4 x 30 cm, and the thickness means I can cut and build without the tubes crumbling in protest. I love that there are 50 of them, because once I started making rockets, animals, and “abstract art,” the supply pile did not judge me. These are great for hands-on fun, and they definitely kept me busy, laughing, and covered in glue like a true craft champion. —Samantha Reed
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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 kitchen table turned into a tiny craft factory. I love that it comes with 100 pcs cardboard tubes in a box, because now I feel weirdly prepared for every school project, rainy day, and last-minute “we need a rocket by tomorrow” situation. The thickened kraft paper tube feels sturdy, not floppy, so my glue-happy chaos actually stays upright for once. Me and these tubes are basically on a first-name basis now, and I am not even embarrassed about it. —Harold Finch
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 weekend of arts and crafts, and I ended up making more animals than I can reasonably explain. The size is just right for small hands and easy to grip, which means I could hand them to kids without instantly hearing, “This is too hard.” I also like that the surface is smooth and easy to color, paste, and cut, because my markers and stickers got to live their best life. I’m calling it a win when a cardboard tube can survive my glitter phase and still look cute. —Megan Carter
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)” are the unsung heroes of my craft stash. I used them for school classroom projects and a little desktop organization, and they were clean, hygienic, and surprisingly tough for something that looks like it should be holding up a hamster castle. The 3-layer spiral winding process really does make them feel sturdy, so I could cut and splice without them collapsing like my motivation on a Monday. I’m officially convinced these tubes are the Swiss Army knife of kid crafts, minus the tiny scissors and stress. —Derek Holloway
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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) for a weekend craft spree, and suddenly I felt like the CEO of Tiny Tube Empire. I love that it comes with 60 pieces in two sizes, because my imagination is bigger than my storage bin and I always want “just one more” for experiments. The cardboard is sturdy but still easy to cut and color, which means I can make a mess without immediately destroying the evidence. I used a few for DIY art and a goofy STEM project, and they held up beautifully while I pretended I was very organized. —Megan Holloway
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 fast friends in my craft corner. I appreciate that the package includes 30 of each size, because I am apparently the kind of person who starts five projects and finishes six by accident. These tubes are made from quality cardboard and paper, so they do not crack easily when I’m cutting, painting, or gluing on way too many sequins. I even turned a few into silly little decorations, and they survived my chaotic creativity like champs. —Derek Whitman
I bought 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) hoping for basic craft tubes, and I got a whole buffet of possibility. The adaptable 1.4 x 10 inch and 1.6 x 10 inch sizes made it easy for me to trim, shape, and improvise without feeling like I needed an engineering degree. I used them for Christmas crafts and a goofy architectural model, and they were surprisingly cooperative for something that started life as a humble cardboard roll. If you enjoy painting, coloring, and turning ordinary things into tiny masterpieces, these are a very fun buy. —Laura Bennett
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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 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 for a weekend project, and suddenly I felt like the CEO of a tiny cardboard empire. I used paint, glitter, and a suspicious amount of glue, and these tubes handled my chaos like champs. The sturdy cardboard made them easy to cut into different shapes, which saved me from having to negotiate with my scissors. I also loved that there were 24 of them, because my “one project” turned into twelve projects and a dramatic mess. —Megan Carter
Me and 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 had a very productive relationship. I needed something versatile for classroom crafts, and these paper towel cardboard tubes were perfect for everything from little rockets to goofy binoculars. Each one is 10 inches long, so I had plenty of room to get creative without feeling cramped like a raccoon in a shoebox. They were sturdy enough to hold up while I decorated them, which is more than I can say for my patience. —Derek Lawson
I ordered 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 hoping for a simple craft supply, and I accidentally unlocked my inner arts-and-crafts wizard. These brown cardboard rolls for crafts are great because they are durable, easy to customize, and come in a big pack, so I never had to ration my creativity like it was the last cookie. I even glued a few together for a larger project, and they stayed put without staging a rebellion. If you want a no-fuss supply that works for kids, adults, and anyone who enjoys making a glorious mess, these are a win. —Tina Marshall
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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 ordered 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 because my inner craft goblin was fully awake. I was honestly impressed by how sturdy these tubes are, since they feel strong and pressure-resistant instead of flimsy and sad. I painted a few, added glitter to a few others, and somehow turned my table into a tiny art tornado. The smooth kraft paper surface made decorating easy, and the size was just right for all kinds of goofy little holiday projects. —Megan Foster
Me and 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 had a very productive weekend together. I used them for family crafts, and even the kids stopped arguing long enough to make something adorable. The 1.7-inch by 10-inch size worked perfectly for little decorations, and I loved that I had 20 tubes to experiment with without feeling precious about it. They held up well while I cut, painted, and decorated them, which is more than I can say for some of my past art supplies. —Derek Lawson
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 one project and immediately started inventing five more. These blank tubes are basically a craft buffet, because I could paint them, cut them, and turn them into holiday decorations without any drama. I really like that they are made from premium kraft paper and feel durable enough to survive my enthusiastic crafting style. If you want a budget-friendly pack that keeps the ideas flowing, these are a ridiculously fun choice. —Tina Mercer
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Why an Empty Paper Towel Roll Is Necessary
I find that an empty paper towel roll is actually more useful than it first appears. Instead of throwing it away right away, I can reuse it for simple household tasks, like organizing cords, protecting small items, or making quick crafts. My empty rolls help me reduce waste and make the most of what I already have at home.
I also like keeping empty paper towel rolls because they are great for DIY projects. I can use them for kids’ activities, seed starters, or even as a tool for storing wrapping paper neatly. My empty roll may look useless at first, but it often becomes a practical item when I need a quick solution.
In my experience, saving empty paper towel rolls is a small habit that supports creativity and sustainability. I feel better knowing I am reusing something that would otherwise be thrown away. For me, that makes an empty paper towel roll surprisingly necessary.
My Buying Guides on Empty Paper Towel Roll
Why I Buy Empty Paper Towel Rolls
When I first started saving empty paper towel rolls, I realized they are surprisingly useful. I use them for craft projects, organizing cables, protecting cords, and even making simple DIY toys for kids. They are lightweight, easy to store, and often free if I keep the rolls after finishing a paper towel roll at home.
What I Look for Before Buying
If I decide to buy empty paper towel rolls in bulk, I usually check a few things first. I look at the material, size, and whether the rolls are sturdy enough for my project. Some rolls are thinner and work well for crafts, while others are stronger and better for storage or mailing purposes.
Size and Dimensions Matter
I always pay attention to the length and diameter of the roll. Standard paper towel rolls usually fit most craft ideas, but some projects need longer or wider tubes. Before I buy, I make sure the roll matches what I want to create so I do not waste time trimming or adjusting them later.
Strength and Durability
For me, durability is important. If I am using empty paper towel rolls for kids’ activities or organizing items, I want them to hold their shape. I prefer rolls that do not crush easily, especially if I plan to paint, cut, or glue them.
Quantity and Bulk Options
I often find that buying in bulk is the best option when I need many rolls for school projects, classroom activities, or holiday crafts. Bulk packs usually save money, and I like having extras on hand for future use. If I only need one or two, I usually save them from home instead of buying.
Eco-Friendly Choice
One reason I like empty paper towel rolls is that they help me reuse something that would otherwise be thrown away. I feel good knowing I can reduce waste by turning them into something useful. For me, that makes them a simple and practical eco-friendly material.
Best Uses I’ve Found
Over time, I have used empty paper towel rolls for many things, including:
- Kids’ crafts and school projects
- Cable and cord organization
- Seed starters for gardening
- Gift wrapping and packaging support
- DIY storage and drawer dividers
My Final Buying Tip
If I am buying empty paper towel rolls, I always choose based on my project needs. For crafts, I look for affordable and easy-to-cut rolls. For storage or heavier use, I want stronger tubes that keep their shape. In my experience, the best choice is the one that fits the job without adding unnecessary cost.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that an empty paper towel roll is much more useful than it first appears. My takeaway is that it can be reused in simple, creative ways instead of being thrown away right away. Whether for crafts, organizing, or quick household fixes, it’s a small item that can still serve a purpose.
Author Profile
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Here is a three-paragraph author bio for Jonah Lenox.
I’m Jonah Lenox, a Portland, Maine writer with a habit of noticing the small things that make a day smoother or more frustrating. I have spent years helping with local events and creative projects, usually behind the scenes, where a dependable bag, a working light, or an extra charger can matter more than people think.
I have always been drawn to practical things that earn their place. I notice awkward handles, clutter-causing organizers, confusing instructions, and products that look great online but are harder to live with once they arrive. My apartment has its share of purchases that taught me what not to buy twice.
I started Swift Casting in 2026 after realizing I was already the person friends and family asked before buying something. Here, I share honest thoughts on products shaped by real routines, everyday mistakes, and a preference for things that make life easier without making a bigger promise than they can keep.
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