Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Vintage Flour Bin Turned Laundry Detergent Bin



Remember all the goodies I bought at the Springfield Vintage Junk Market Extravaganza?


Specifically this vintage galvanized flour bin?


When I bought it I had no idea what I would do with it.  I just knew it "spoke to me'' and I'd figure out its use later.  (I have a habit of that and 98% of the time I end up finding a good use for whatever it is.)

Once I got it home I realized it would make a perfect container for holding my homemade laundry detergent (recipe can be found here).  The lid had a snug enough fit that you had to pry your fingernail under it to lift it up and get it open.  I knew that would be aggravating and decided I'd keep my eye out for something I could add as a handle.  I figured months and months would go by like usually is the case for me.

BUT....just a few days later as the kids and I were coming home from getting groceries I spotted a garage sale at what appeared to be an elderly person's home.  I probably gave the kids whiplash I braked so fast and zipped in there, because those are the best sales to stop at!  I have had the best luck at those type of homes.  These older people just don't see their old junk as treasures like I do.

Anyhow, there was hardware galore and among a couple of other things, I bought a tin can full of "stuff" not really knowing what was in there.  I figured if nothing else, the can was worth at least $1.50.


As I was sorting through everything I came across the perfect "handle."


I rifled through some more and came up with two washers and two nuts to fit it.  I eyeballed how the handle would be positioned on the lid, marked it with a pencil, and drilled two holes.

I envisioned the fit to be like this.  Easy peasy.


But in reality it was like this.


Which allowed the handle to droop crookedly like this.


So, I dabbed a little E6000 adhesive on the washer and glued it to the lid, then glued the nut to the washer and voila!


Doesn't it look like it was always meant to be that way?  I love it!



Now it joins my little metal basket that holds the dryer sheets.


This was sort of an unexpected project because I didn't think I'd find something so perfect so soon, but it was a quick one with results that I love.


                                              


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10 comments:

  1. AWESOME!! Yes, looks like it belongs there!!!

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  2. What a lucky find! Yes the handle looks like it was supposed to be there. Very cool!

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  3. This is just awesome! It takes a good eye to fit treasures together like this!!!

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  4. That handle looks like it was made for that box. Great finds!

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  5. What an awesome find!
    Love it! The handle adds just
    the right touch!

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  6. You found some neat items. Love the bin and the handle you made! Great job!

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  7. Very clever you are:) I love this! Just dropping in to invite you to share this at Freedom Fridays. Now I am off to check out your homemade laundry detergent!
    PS I am now following you.

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  8. Both your finds are awesome. Let's hear it for serendipity!

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  9. I am just loving this:) I love using old things to store everyday items so I enjoy them so much more. Thank you for sharing this cool idea at Freedom Fridays. Hope you week is super terrific!

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