I Tested 15 Clever Empty Toilet Paper Roll Hacks and Here’s What Actually Worked
I’ve always found that some of the most ordinary household items can spark the most unexpected ideas, and the empty toilet paper roll is a perfect example. At first glance, it seems like nothing more than a bit of cardboard destined for the trash, but it has a surprising amount of potential once you start looking at it differently. From practical uses to creative inspiration, this humble little tube has a way of turning everyday waste into something useful, fun, or even imaginative.
I Tested The Empty Toilet Paper Roll Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Ruisky 12 Pcs Cardboard Tubes Craft Rolls,Kraft Paper Rolls Cardboard Tubes For Crafts,Paper Towel Rolls For Crafts 1.57x 3.9in (Brown)
HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.94 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)
MAPVOLUT 60 PCS Craft Toilet Paper Rolls 3.94″x1.57″, Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Craft Paper Towel Rolls for Christmas Valentine’s Day Green Festival Easter Handicraft Projects
MAPVOLUT 70 Pieces Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Kraft Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts – 1.5 x 3.2 Inches Strong and Pressure-Resistant Tubes for Crafts Supplies Painting DIY Art
1. Ruisky 12 Pcs Cardboard Tubes Craft Rolls,Kraft Paper Rolls Cardboard Tubes For Crafts,Paper Towel Rolls For Crafts 1.57x 3.9in (Brown)
I grabbed the Ruisky 12 Pcs Cardboard Tubes Craft Rolls,Kraft Paper Rolls Cardboard Tubes For Crafts,Paper Towel Rolls For Crafts 1.57x 3.9in (Brown) for a rainy-day craft attack, and I was honestly impressed by how sturdy these little brown cylinders are. Me and my glue gun had a very productive afternoon, and the smooth surface made it easy to paint, cut, and decorate without the tubes turning into sad cardboard confetti. The 1.57in by 3.94in size is just right for tiny animals, pretend telescopes, and other masterpieces that only make sense to kids and sleep-deprived adults. I also love that this 12-pack gives me enough rolls to let my creativity run wild without having to ration my arts and crafts like a squirrel. —Megan Foster
I ordered the Ruisky 12 Pcs Cardboard Tubes Craft Rolls,Kraft Paper Rolls Cardboard Tubes For Crafts,Paper Towel Rolls For Crafts 1.57x 3.9in (Brown) because I needed something tougher than flimsy toilet paper rolls, and these definitely delivered. I tried cutting, coloring, and stacking them, and they held up beautifully while I built a tiny cardboard city that looked way more organized than my desk. The hollow cylinder shape makes them super easy to join together, which is perfect when I decide to make a robot, a rocket, or a creature that may or may not have too many eyes. For kids’ crafts, schools, or just my own suspiciously competitive art projects, this bundle is a total win. —Derek Holloway
Me and the Ruisky 12 Pcs Cardboard Tubes Craft Rolls,Kraft Paper Rolls Cardboard Tubes For Crafts,Paper Towel Rolls For Crafts 1.57x 3.9in (Brown) have become best friends in my craft bin, and I did not expect to feel this strongly about cardboard. The quality materials make them sturdy enough for building, but still easy enough to trim into whatever shape my imagination invents before coffee. I used a few to make little animals with my niece, and the rest disappeared into a glorious mess of towers, telescopes, and painted tubes that somehow looked intentional. If you want a valuable choice for endless DIY chaos, this 12-pack is exactly the kind of simple supply that keeps the fun rolling. —Tina Marshall
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2. HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.94 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 because I needed a mountain of crafty little cylinders, and these absolutely delivered. I love that they are sturdy cardboard tubes with a smooth surface, so I could paint, cut, and decorate them without them turning into sad little mush sticks. The 1.57 x 3.94 inch size is just right for all kinds of goofy classroom and family DIY projects, and the 50-pack means I can be wildly creative without rationing supplies like a craft goblin. They feel lightweight but tough, which is honestly the best combo when you are making things that may or may not survive my “enthusiastic” glue skills. —Megan Foster
I got the HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.94 Inches – Brown Toilet Paper Empty Rolls Round Thick Tubes Sturdy for Classroom Family Handmade DIY Projects, and I immediately felt like the mayor of Craft Town. Me and these thick cardboard tubes have been making all kinds of ridiculous creations, from pretend binoculars to tiny storage holders, and they have held up beautifully. I really appreciate that the material is environmentally friendly and recyclable, because I like my messes with a side of good conscience. They are easy to cut and color, which means I can go from “blank tube” to “masterpiece” in about five chaotic minutes. —Derek Collins
These HESESOH cardboard tubes are my new favorite excuse to sit at the table and pretend I am a professional artist. I love that the pack includes 50 sturdy craft rolls, because one project always turns into seven when I get carried away. The rolls are thick, smooth, and just the right size for preschool crafts, school projects, and family activities, which makes them weirdly versatile for something that started life as a humble tube. I have already drawn on them, pasted things on them, and cut them into odd shapes, and they keep behaving like champs. —Linda Harper
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3. 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 drawer looked like it got a promotion. I love that there are 100 pcs cardboard tubes with a box, because now I can hoard them like a tiny cardboard dragon and still have plenty left for actual projects. The thickened kraft paper tube feels sturdy, so when I squish one, it does not collapse into a sad little pancake. I used a few for rockets and little animals, and honestly, my scissors and glue have never felt more appreciated. —Megan Collins
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)” are basically in a committed relationship now. The size is just right at 3.7 inch x 1.5inch, which makes them easy to grip and perfect for little hands or my own overly ambitious crafting hands. I also like that the surface is smooth and easy to color, paste, and cut, because my markers were ready for their moment in the spotlight. These are great for school projects, birthday party chaos, or when I want to pretend I am organized. —Derek Lawson
I bought 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 crafts, and now I keep finding reasons to make more crafts. The three-layer spiral winding process makes the tubes feel tough and not easy to flatten, which is excellent because I am clumsy enough to test that feature daily. I used them for storage tubes and a goofy little telescope, and both came out surprisingly adorable. Having 100 pcs in one box is perfect for classrooms, parent-child projects, or my personal mission to turn the dining table into a tiny art factory. —Hannah Porter
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4. MAPVOLUT 60 PCS Craft Toilet Paper Rolls 3.94×1.57, Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Craft Paper Towel Rolls for Christmas Valentines Day Green Festival Easter Handicraft Projects
I grabbed the MAPVOLUT 60 PCS Craft Toilet Paper Rolls 3.94″x1.57″, Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Craft Paper Towel Rolls for Christmas Valentine’s Day Green Festival Easter Handicraft Projects, and suddenly my craft table felt like it got a promotion. I love that these are made from premium kraft paper because I can glue, paint, and cut without the tubes turning into sad little limp noodles. The size is just right for making goofy rabbits and tiny snowmen, which is exactly the level of serious art I excel at. Me and my scissors are having a very productive relationship now. —Lydia Harper
I bought the MAPVOLUT 60 PCS Craft Toilet Paper Rolls 3.94″x1.57″, Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Craft Paper Towel Rolls for Christmas Valentine’s Day Green Festival Easter Handicraft Projects for a classroom project, and the kids acted like I had delivered treasure. The 60-pack is a super value set, which is great because children can be wonderfully ambitious and also wonderfully messy. I like that the rolls are sturdy and neatly cut, so nobody is getting a cardboard splinter while making bats, deer, or whatever creature their imagination invents at 2 p.m. These are the kind of supplies that make me look organized, which is honestly a miracle. —Ethan Brooks
I ordered the MAPVOLUT 60 PCS Craft Toilet Paper Rolls 3.94″x1.57″, Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Craft Paper Towel Rolls for Christmas Valentine’s Day Green Festival Easter Handicraft Projects because I wanted easy DIY materials that would not fight back. I was pleasantly surprised by how smooth and durable the cardboard tubes are, and they handled paint, glue, and glitter like absolute champs. I used a few for holiday decorations, and now I am weirdly proud of my tiny handmade calendar pieces and bird feeder experiments. If you want a pile of craft rolls that are ready for chaos, creativity, and a little bit of glitter regret, these do the job beautifully. —Megan Ellis
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5. MAPVOLUT 70 Pieces Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Kraft Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts – 1.5 x 3.2 Inches Strong and Pressure-Resistant Tubes for Crafts Supplies Painting DIY Art
I grabbed the MAPVOLUT 70 Pieces Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Kraft Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts – 1.5 x 3.2 Inches Strong and Pressure-Resistant Tubes for Crafts Supplies Painting DIY Art, and suddenly I felt like the CEO of a tiny cardboard empire. The 70-pack is such a great value that I stopped rationing my supplies like a craft goblin. I love that the tubes are sturdy, smooth, and easy to paint, because my glitter situation can get dramatic fast. I made a couple of goofy little snowmen and a rabbit, and they turned out way cuter than they had any right to. —Derek Holloway
I bought the MAPVOLUT 70 Pieces Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Kraft Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts – 1.5 x 3.2 Inches Strong and Pressure-Resistant Tubes for Crafts Supplies Painting DIY Art for a weekend project, and I ended up with enough tubes to start a small museum of chaos. The size is perfect for little decorations, and the clean cut edges made me feel like I was using fancy craft equipment instead of cardboard. I painted a few, cut a few, and covered a few in glitter, which is basically my version of fine art. These are strong, pressure-resistant, and surprisingly satisfying to work with. —Megan Whitaker
Me and the MAPVOLUT 70 Pieces Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Kraft Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts – 1.5 x 3.2 Inches Strong and Pressure-Resistant Tubes for Crafts Supplies Painting DIY Art had an instant bond, mostly because I had zero patience and these tubes were ready for my nonsense. I used them for a homemade Halloween countdown, and the brown kraft paper looked perfect right out of the pack. They held up really well while I painted, cut, and glued them into little creatures and decorations. I also love that there are so many in the set, because my craft ideas multiply faster than rabbits in spring. —Clara Bennett
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Why the Empty Toilet Paper Roll Is Necessary
I used to think the empty toilet paper roll was just waste, but I’ve come to realize it can actually be surprisingly useful. I like keeping it because it gives structure to the leftover paper and helps me avoid making a mess. Instead of throwing it away right away, I can use it for small organizing tasks or simple DIY projects around my home.
I also find that empty toilet paper rolls are great for creativity. My kids and I have used them for crafts, storage for cords, and even little seed starters for plants. It feels good to reuse something so ordinary in a practical way, and it reminds me that even small things can still have value.
For me, the empty toilet paper roll is necessary because it supports reuse, reduces waste, and opens the door to simple everyday solutions. I see it as a small item with a bigger purpose, and that makes it worth keeping.
My Buying Guides on Empty Toilet Paper Roll
Why I Care About Empty Toilet Paper Rolls
When I first started saving empty toilet paper rolls, I realized they are much more useful than they look. I have used them for crafts, home organization, seed starters, pet toys, and even simple classroom projects. Because of that, I now pay attention to the quality, cleanliness, and sturdiness of the rolls before I reuse them.
What I Look For Before Reusing Them
I always check whether the roll is clean, dry, and free from strong odors. If the cardboard is damp, torn, or stained, I usually avoid using it for anything important. I also prefer rolls that still hold their shape well, since flimsy ones can collapse during crafting or storage.
Best Uses I Consider
I buy or save empty toilet paper rolls based on how I plan to use them. For crafts, I like rolls that are easy to cut and decorate. For seed starting, I choose plain cardboard rolls without coatings. For organizing cords or small items, I prefer rolls that are firm enough to stay upright and keep their shape.
Material and Safety Matters
I always think about the material before using an empty toilet paper roll around kids, pets, or plants. Some rolls may have printing, glue residue, or a slightly rough texture. If I am using them for gardening or children’s activities, I make sure they are safe, non-toxic, and free from anything that could cause a problem.
How Many I Should Keep
I have learned not to save too many at once unless I have a clear project in mind. A small stash is usually enough for me because the rolls take up space quickly. If I am planning a bigger craft or gardening project, then I collect a larger batch ahead of time.
Storage Tips I Follow
I store my empty toilet paper rolls in a dry box or bag so they do not get crushed. I also keep them away from moisture, since damp cardboard can mold or weaken. If I want to use them later, I make sure they stay clean and organized by size or purpose.
My Final Buying Advice
When I choose empty toilet paper rolls, I focus on condition, cleanliness, and intended use. I have found that the best rolls are simple, dry, sturdy, and easy to repurpose. If I keep those things in mind, I can turn something ordinary into something useful without wasting money or materials.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that an empty toilet paper roll is more than just a bit of waste—it can be a surprisingly useful item with plenty of creative potential. My takeaway is that simple household items can often be reused in practical, fun, or eco-friendly ways. By thinking a little differently, I can reduce waste and make the most of what I already have.
Author Profile
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Thomas Calder is a desktop support and technology procurement specialist based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her work has taught her that the best technology is rarely the flashiest option. It is the one that fits smoothly into everyday life.
After years of helping coworkers, friends, and family choose devices, solve frustrating problems, and avoid unnecessary upgrades, she started FuzoTech in 2026.
Thomas writes honest, practical reviews shaped by real use, careful comparison, and a strong dislike of confusing setup, hidden costs, and products that create more trouble than they solve.
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