DIY Upcycled Tin Can Trash Can

Firstly, if your tin can has a lid, don’t throw it away.

Straighten your fabric, it really doesn’t matter if it’s wrinkled, it will be fine after gluing it.

Measure your tin can height. Then mark it on your fabric leaving about 1 inch on both top and bottom.

Also, measure your tin can’s perimeter (around the can).

Cut your fabric

Apply your white glue with the brush to your tin can by sections.

Then start gluing your fabric and straightening it with your fingers or a scraper. Go by sections.

When you reach the other end, fold it and glue it.

Once the end is glued, apply some more glue on top of the fabric around all the fabric. Don’t worry it won’t be really visible but it will protect the fabric.

Once done, let it dry for a few hours and then apply glue to the inner edge of the tin can and fold the fabric inwards. Apply some glue on top here too.

For the bottom extra fabric, cut right at the edge of the tin can and apply some glue so it won’t fray.

While it all dries, you can plan your decoration.

Once dry, apply clear varnish or sealant. This helps keep the material clean and makes it last longer.

I used ribbon to decorate my trash can. I place it around the tin can, ensuring the fabric cover end stays in the back. Fonding the end, I glued it with hot glue in the front.

To hide the finish, I glued a couple of cute flowers made with yarn. You can use felt flowers, fabric flowers, or a bow. Imagination is the limit.

Finished the decoration with some cute buttons as the flower center.

Lastly, remember the lid I told you not to throw away. Well, you can now put it back but to the bottom of your can as a finish.

It will protect your tin can from rusting and the fabric from fraying. Most importantly will prevent the can from scratching any surface. Win-win!

Putting the lid back is tricky since now you can the fabric but it’s totally possible by being careful and with a little patience.