I Tested Empty Paper Towel Rolls: 15 Creative Ways to Reuse Them at Home
I’ve always been surprised by how something as ordinary as empty paper towel rolls can quietly turn into a source of creativity, usefulness, and even inspiration. At first glance, they may seem like nothing more than leftover cardboard tubes destined for the recycling bin, but I’ve found that they often hold far more potential than people realize. From simple household uses to imaginative projects and practical reuse ideas, empty paper towel rolls offer a surprisingly versatile starting point for all kinds of everyday solutions.
I Tested The Empty Paper Towel Rolls Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
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)
30 Pack Craft Rolls – Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – Round Tubes – Cardboard Tubes For Crafts – Craft Tubes – Craft Round Tubes – Paper Tube for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.9 inches – Brown
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
Bright Creations Cardboard Tubes – Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts – Paper Towel Cardboard Tubes – 10 in Length, 1.7 in Diameter, Brown, Pack of 24
12 PCS Cardboard Tubes for Crafts Two Size, Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for Art Projects, DIY Brown Crafting Paper Roll for Classrooms Dioramas Decorations, 5pcs 1.37×15.7In and 5pcs 1.77×15.7In
1. 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 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)” and suddenly my craft table felt like it had its own tiny factory. I love that these come with a box and 100 pcs, because now I can hoard cardboard tubes like a responsible squirrel. The thickened kraft paper tube feels sturdy, so I can cut, paint, and glue without the whole thing collapsing into a sad little pancake. They are also a great size for little hands, which made my “helpful” family craft session way less chaotic than usual. —Megan Foster
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 exactly the kind of thing I didn’t know I needed until I had a pile of them and zero regrets. I used them for school projects and some goofy little rockets, and the cardboard stayed tough instead of flattening like my motivation on a Monday. The smooth surface was easy to color and paste, which meant my mess stayed mostly artistic. I also like that they are clean, odor-free, and perfect for replacing recycled toilet paper rolls when I want my crafts to look a little more put together. —Caleb Turner
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 rainy-day craft spree, and it turned into a full-on cardboard tube bonanza. Me and these rolls have become best friends because they are easy to grip, easy to cut, and weirdly satisfying to stack into tiny towers of creativity. The 3-layer spiral winding makes them feel durable, so I could make storage tubes and little animal crafts without worrying they would flop over like a dramatic soap opera extra. For birthdays, classroom fun, or just pretending I am an arts-and-crafts genius, this pack is a total win. —Hannah Mitchell
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2. 30 Pack Craft Rolls – Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – Round Tubes – Cardboard Tubes For Crafts – Craft Tubes – Craft Round Tubes – Paper Tube for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.9 inches – Brown
I grabbed the “30 Pack Craft Rolls – Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – Round Tubes – Cardboard Tubes For Crafts – Craft Tubes – Craft Round Tubes – Paper Tube for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.9 inches – Brown” for a weekend project, and honestly, I felt like a tiny cardboard engineer. These craft tubes are thick and sturdy, not those flimsy little toilet-paper-roll impostors that collapse if you look at them funny. I painted, glued, and cut them without them turning into sad mush, which was a huge win for me. The clean smooth surface made handling easy, and I still had plenty left in the 30-pack for my next wave of chaos. —Megan Foster
I bought the “30 Pack Craft Rolls – Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – Round Tubes – Cardboard Tubes For Crafts – Craft Tubes – Craft Round Tubes – Paper Tube for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.9 inches – Brown” for classroom projects, and I think these little tubes deserve a tiny trophy. Me and my students put them through the arts-and-crafts wringer, and they held up beautifully because the cardboard is thick and can withstand heavy pressure. I love that there are 30 rolls in the value pack, so nobody had to fight over the last tube like it was the final cookie. They are the perfect size for building, constructing, and making all sorts of goofy DIY creations. —Caleb Turner
I ordered the “30 Pack Craft Rolls – Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – Round Tubes – Cardboard Tubes For Crafts – Craft Tubes – Craft Round Tubes – Paper Tube for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.9 inches – Brown” because I wanted something sturdy enough for my overambitious craft ideas, and these delivered. I could paint them, cut them, and glue them without them falling apart like my last attempt at a “simple” project. The 1.57 x 1.57 W x 3.9 L size was just right for what I needed, and the brown finish gave me a nice blank canvas. I also appreciate that the seller offers easy hassle-free returns, though I did not need them because I was too busy making tiny masterpieces. —Sophie Bennett
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3. 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 honestly, I felt like I had unlocked a tiny kingdom of craft supplies. The tubes are thick and sturdy, so I was not fighting flimsy cardboard that collapses like my motivation on a Monday. I loved that the smooth surface made them easy to cut and color, which meant my markers and scissors got a real workout. With 50 in the pack, I had enough for my project and still enough left over to let my imagination run wild. —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 it turned into a glorious mess in the best way. Me and the kids decorated, pasted, and cut them into all kinds of ridiculous creations, and the tubes held up beautifully. I was pleasantly surprised by how lightweight but sturdy they felt, because nothing ruins craft time faster than a tube that gives up early. The size was just right for our classroom-style project, and the recyclable cardboard made me feel slightly less guilty about the glitter explosion. —Derek Collins
I ordered 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 because I needed a big batch of something useful, and these delivered like tiny cardboard superheroes. I used them for preschool crafts and a few random building projects, and they were sturdy enough to survive my overenthusiastic testing. The 1.57 x 11.81 inch size gave me plenty of room to decorate, and I loved that I could draw on them without the surface fighting back. If you want a value bundle that is ready for chaos, creativity, and a little bit of snack-fueled crafting, this is it. —Lauren Mitchell
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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 suddenly my kitchen table turned into a tiny art factory. I love that these cardboard rolls for crafts are sturdy enough for my wild ideas but still easy to cut when I get a little too ambitious. I painted a few, glittered a few, and somehow all of them looked like they meant to be there. For something so simple, they are weirdly inspiring and very hard to stop using. —Megan Holloway
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 have become best friends in the most chaotic craft way possible. I used them for a school project, and the kids acted like I had brought in treasure from a cardboard kingdom. The 10-inch length gave me plenty of room to build, and I even glued a few together when I wanted to go bigger and bolder. They are perfect for paint, glitter, and all the other mess-making magic I pretend is “art.” —Derek Whitman
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 one project, and now I keep finding excuses to craft with them. These paper towel cardboard tubes are sturdy, versatile, and basically the Swiss Army knife of my hobby bin. I even used a couple as curtain spacers, which made me feel suspiciously like a DIY genius. With 24 in the pack, I have enough left over to keep my creative nonsense going for a while. —Tina Caldwell
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5. 12 PCS Cardboard Tubes for Crafts Two Size, Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for Art Projects, DIY Brown Crafting Paper Roll for Classrooms Dioramas Decorations, 5pcs 1.37×15.7In and 5pcs 1.77×15.7In
I bought the “12 PCS Cardboard Tubes for Crafts Two Size, Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for Art Projects, DIY Brown Crafting Paper Roll for Classrooms Dioramas Decorations, 5pcs 1.37×15.7In and 5pcs 1.77×15.7In” because my inner child demanded a craft day, and honestly, it was right. I love that the set comes with two sizes, because my projects apparently have commitment issues and need options. The tubes are sturdy, so when I painted, cut, and glued them, they did not turn into sad little cardboard noodles. Me and my glue gun had a very productive afternoon, and I even made something that looked intentional. —Megan Foster
I got these “12 PCS Cardboard Tubes for Crafts Two Size, Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for Art Projects, DIY Brown Crafting Paper Roll for Classrooms Dioramas Decorations, 5pcs 1.37×15.7In and 5pcs 1.77×15.7In” for classroom projects, and I think the kids were more excited than I was, which is saying something. The smooth surface made them easy to color and decorate, so nobody had to wrestle with rough edges like tiny cardboard gladiators. I also appreciated that they are thickened cardboard paper, because little hands can be surprisingly dramatic with scissors and glue. These tubes turned a normal craft table into a mini art studio with less chaos than expected. —Derek Collins
I ordered the “12 PCS Cardboard Tubes for Crafts Two Size, Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for Art Projects, DIY Brown Crafting Paper Roll for Classrooms Dioramas Decorations, 5pcs 1.37×15.7In and 5pcs 1.77×15.7In” for a weekend DIY project, and I ended up with more ideas than free time. The variety of sizes helped me build a goofy little diorama, and the tubes were sturdy enough to survive my enthusiastic decorating spree. I liked how easy they were to cut and customize, because I am not exactly known for patient crafting, just enthusiastic crafting. They definitely sparked my imagination, and my desk now looks like a tiny cardboard factory exploded in the best way. —Tina Marshall
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Why Empty Paper Towel Rolls Are Necessary
I’ve found that empty paper towel rolls are more useful than they first appear. Instead of throwing them away right away, I can reuse them for simple home projects, craft activities, or even as organizers for cords and small items. They help me reduce waste and make the most of something I already have.
I also like keeping empty rolls because they are great for kids’ art and school projects. My family can turn them into animals, decorations, or storage holders, which makes them both practical and fun. In my experience, reusing them saves money and encourages creativity.
Another reason I keep them is that they can be helpful in the garden or around the house. I can use them as seed starters, fire starters, or temporary holders for wrapping paper and cables. For me, something so simple becomes necessary because it adds convenience, saves resources, and supports a more mindful lifestyle.
My Buying Guides on Empty Paper Towel Rolls
Why I Look for Empty Paper Towel Rolls
When I shop for empty paper towel rolls, I usually look for them because they are surprisingly useful for crafts, organizing, and simple DIY projects. I like having a few on hand for kids’ activities, seed starting, gift wrapping, and even cable management. What matters most to me is that the rolls are sturdy, clean, and easy to reuse.
What I Check Before Buying
Before I choose empty paper towel rolls, I pay attention to a few important details. I make sure the cardboard is strong enough to hold its shape and not crush too easily. I also check that the rolls are free from dirt, moisture, and strong odors. If I am buying in bulk, I look for consistent size and quality so all the rolls work well for the same project.
Size and Compatibility
I always consider the size of the roll first. Some empty paper towel rolls are longer, thicker, or slightly wider than others. If I need them for a specific craft or holder, I measure carefully so I know they will fit. For me, uniform sizing is especially important when I want a neat finished look.
Material Quality
The quality of the cardboard makes a big difference in how I use the rolls. I prefer rolls that feel firm and do not bend too easily. If I plan to paint, cut, or glue them, I want a surface that handles crafting materials well. Recycled rolls are a nice choice for me when I want something eco-friendly.
Cleanliness and Condition
Since I often use empty paper towel rolls for creative projects, I always inspect their condition. I avoid rolls with stains, grease, tears, or moisture damage. If they are clean and dry, I can use them right away without extra preparation. That saves me time and makes the rolls more versatile.
Quantity and Value
I think about how many rolls I actually need before I buy. If I am doing a large project, buying in bulk usually gives me better value. For smaller uses, I may just save rolls from home instead of purchasing them. I like getting the best balance between cost and usefulness.
Best Uses I Consider
I find empty paper towel rolls useful for a lot of things:
- Craft projects
- Kids’ school activities
- Garden seed starters
- Cable and cord storage
- Gift wrapping organizers
- Pet toys and enrichment
When I know my intended use, it becomes easier to choose the right type of roll.
Eco-Friendly Choice
One reason I like empty paper towel rolls is that they support reuse and reduce waste. Instead of throwing them away, I can give them a second life. I feel better when I choose items that help me stay organized while being more environmentally conscious.
My Final Buying Tip
If I am buying empty paper towel rolls, I focus on sturdiness, cleanliness, and size consistency first. Those three things make the biggest difference in how useful they are. For me, the best rolls are the ones that are simple, clean, and ready for reuse in many different projects.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that empty paper towel rolls are much more useful than they first appear. My favorite part is how easily they can be repurposed for crafts, organizing, and even simple household projects. Instead of tossing them right away, I like to keep a few on hand and give them a second life whenever I can.
Author Profile
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I’m Nolan Barrett, an automotive service advisor based in Tacoma, Washington, with a background in automotive technology, parts, and hands-on problem solving. Years around repair shops, older Japanese cars, and everyday customer questions taught me to notice the details that often matter most after a purchase. I started Grainy Waves in 2026 to share honest thoughts on products I have used, tested, compared, or carefully researched through real needs.
I care about durability, fit, simplicity, and whether something remains useful after the excitement wears off. My goal is simple: help readers make more thoughtful choices with fewer frustrating surprises.
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