For small items I use the zip lock bags and toss, Often I save containers that food or cleaning supplies come in and use those. I do hate to waste, but don't really have the place to rinse off outside.

I pitch everything. Replacing plumbing is
totally out of the question.

I'll buy the plastic freezer conatiners (the cheap white sqaure ones). I'll generally use them 2 or 3 times, then out they go. I clean them out with damp paper towels.

Once I use a container...it's in the trash.......I use cleaned empty yogurt containers (the large ones of course), large cottage cheese containers, big butter containers, big ice cream containers..........or if I need bigger ones, I do buy the cheapest from Lowes........but I always pitch them. Haven't tried the baggies..yet.

I use recycled butter tubs, as well as zip lock bags. The butter tubs I wipe out very thoroughly while the grout or thinset is still slightly damp. Most of the residue will come off with a vigorous rubbing with a paper towel once it is dry. Then, that tub is for that color grout as long as I can use it. They can usually make it 5-6 groutings (sometimes more) before they crack. I also 'scrounge' butter tubs from the neighbors - course,they are relatives, so they indulge my penchant for odd stuff)!

Pat

I can't believe I don't buy anything in containers. Serious ! Let's start a "Send TMG old containers " charity ! LOL

I do a little bit of both. If I use a bucket for something large, and I can clean it with the hose, I will. Usually try to use recycled whenever I can but will buy containers when in a pinch. They don't last long and I am WAY concerned about grout down the pipes so I don't put anything near them. I do use those conntainers for my glass, tiles and globs though. They are very convenient cause you can see what's inside and they stack well I have been known to use a clean tin can too and no I don't cut my hand cause I have a special cutter to open them that leave the sides smooth.

My all around container dejour is the gallon milk jug. You all saw that I use one on it's side to cut into - to catch flying sharps. And I always have plenty to cut in half for grout then I pitch it afterward. My whole family are milkaholics so I can count on several in the recycling at any given moment.

I use an old tupperware bowl for most of my grout mixing. I use it over and over and have never had old grout colors seep into my new color. I have a bucket for larger projects. I do all my grouting outside so no worry on damaging plumbing.

If you don't have anything, put up a want ad on freecycle. Tell them you need 'larger' tubs like the 3lb butter tubs or other larger dairy tubs. You'd be surprised what people save for no apparent reason. I got a bazillion mini butter tubs this way putting up an ad for stuff like yogurt cups/butter tubs and the like. The lady had a huge trash bag full for me.

Eat ice cream? Breyers (or other brands with a removable lid and not a hinged box) are good, too. They are already waterproof, and a decent size (assuming you don't need to do a huge project)

What else...oh, how about old tupperware? Another thing you might find on freecycle. People always have old tupperware with no lids.

I use cottage cheese or yogurt containers too.I do have one big bowl I have used many times. I sometimes rinse but I have a bucket I set in my sink and use water sparingly. Then take it outside and do a big clean up.

I guess I missed the milk carton on it's side to catch shards. What a great idea!! Trying to picture it. I just happen to have an empty one on my counter.

Chris

I use butter containers. I let the grout drt in it then pop it out next time ( I just bend the plastic some and it pops out. Get a few uses out of it. The only color I have separate tub for is black

Maria

Ok, am I gonna be the ONLY one to admit that, yes, we HAVE had to replace the trap in the kitchen, once? BUT, it was shortly after we moved in, and DH and I BOTH had been washing grout buckets out in the kitchen, when we laid the tile in the dining room and kitchen. Took us a few hours to figure out why the dishwasher was backing up...?...ah ha!...a trap full of grout would do it! And did! Learned that lesson...on to the next...

AH.......... Resting for a few between grinding my shabby table top in prep for grout. Hard on my back to keep leaning over it.

I wanted to be sure no one put grout down the sink. When I said I put my bucket in the sink I do so to catch the water I rinse with. I only rinse my hands in it and take it outside to dump the water.Then I clean the rest of the stuff outside. Makes for pretty snow in the winter.

Ronnie sorry to hear about your plug ups. My hubby would not be happy with me. He HATES plumbing.

Chris

I reuse a beach sand pail usually tho for a fast job i might use a butter tub...we always keep a few on hand for disposable bowls. p

THANK YOU Nicethyme.I was going to ask again if the answer did not appear. I have been washing out a milk jug. I will cut and dry it. This is GREAT. I worry so much about the animals getting into the little bits that do fly no matter how careful I am. I still have the mirror to do that goes with the table I just did. Was working on it tonight. I am going to get that milk jug in service right away.

Thanks Again and Lovely coffee pot!! Chris

The main thing I like to use are the leftover containers you can get from the $ store. They come 4 to a pack, and are the perfect size for most projects.

I have reused grout containers, but they get washed out outside. Also I use the same color grout in them over and over. Like there is one for black, one for white, etc.

As Linlee said though, plumbing and grout don't mix.

wow, cool...I happen to have both a milk jug and a 3 lb butter tub, right in the kitchen....
they were going to be tossed and now, as soon as I post this, I'm going to rescue them..lol
I saved dozens of milk jugs this summer and filled them with water, then set them along the edge of the raised garden beds, for sun warmed water for tomatoes.
actually, they're still there but too ugly to save any for now.
I'll begin again next season.

I use varying sizes of bottles because we usually have water, Gatorade, juice and milk. Cut the tops off and recycle. Wipe out and recycle when I'm finished unless I have a lot left over.

I only grout outside and just turn the hose on what ever I have my grout in.reuse over and over again.