I like to re-use bottles from things I buy and often buy bottles specifically because they can be re-used rather than thrown away. Though, those bottles are often not designed to be re-used and are therefore not the easiest to clean.

For some reason bottle brushes are always disappearing from our kitchen. After one too many times needing one and not having it as well as not having time or inclination to run to the store for a new one, I decided to see if I cold just make one.

This is how I have been making them since. They do rust if you don't let the dry properly but being as they are made from small piece of kitchen sponge and a wire coat hanger in about five minutes, I don't mind just making a new one.

Step 1: Materials and Tools

You will need

A kitchen sponge
A wire hanger, the complete loop kind. The ones with cardboard bottoms don't work as well

Scissors
A screwdriver or maybe just a large nail
Pliers. I used my Leatherman tool for this one

Step 2: Cut Your Sponge

This is about as simple as it gets.

Just cut a piece of sponge that is small enough to squeeze through the top of whatever bottle you are washing.

If it's too big you can cut it down later.

Step 3: Pull the Hanger Into a Long Loop

Remove the paper from your hanger if it has any.

With the hanging hook at one end simply pull the hanger into a long loop. The hanging hook will be the handle end and provide a handy way to hang your brush for drying and out of the way storage.

Step 4: Twist in the Sponge

Place the cut sponge in the end of the loop opposite the hanging hook.

Put your screwdriver or nail or whatever through the loop with it.

Now simply hold the wire with your pliers and turn the screwdriver to twist and tighten the loop. Make sure you turn it in the same direction the hanging hook end is wound in or you'll untwist the that end as you wind in the sponge.

just tighten it until the sponge is securely held in place.

You may also want to use the pliers to "crimp" or bend the end loop a little tighter.

That's it! Instant bottle brush with things you have in your house or apartment.