Here's an interesting question from reader Julia! She has a collection of milk bottles and wants to put them to good use. She says:
How do you top a milk bottle?
I want to use milk bottles to store beverages in the fridge. They’re glass, the opening is large enough for reasonably easy washing, and they don’t take up too much space. The bottles are also easy to obtain; this one is from a local dairy whose products are stocked at many grocery stores here, and the bottle deposit is a mere dollar.
I’m only lacking a re-usable lid. I’m looking into silicone or rubber corks, but thus far have only found them available with a large minimum order.
Does anyone else know of a solution, and a source?
Cheers,
Julia











I'm not sure that they will have exactly what you are looking for, but can I recommend American Science and Surplus? The prices are fairly cheap (or VERY cheap), but you may get nailed on the shipping, as you only need a small amount.
Hope it helps!
http://www.sciplus.com/index.cfm
view hmr's profile
Although this is not a graceful solution, I usually put a small square of cling wrap over the top of glass bottles and hold it there with a rubber band. You would have to replace the cling wrap each time you filled the bottle but it's better than nothing.
view caw261's profile
We're doing this at home already for water and juice. We've just been thoroughly washing the plastic lids that come with the milk when purchased and then reuse them. Seems to work just fine for us.
Do your bottles come with lids when you buy them?
view jojippitydrum's profile
wait - what kind of lids do they come with? why are they not reusable/washable? i haven't bought milk in this kind of bottle before, so i've never seen the type of lid they use...
view akostalas's profile
This site has all kinds of milk bottles and accessories:
http://www.localamishfarms.com/glass_milk_bottles_for_sale.htm
view greyrussian's profile
i would use glad press and seal, at least temporarily until you find a better solution.
view athena's profile
My first thought was to go to a science supply store and find some rubber stoppers that they use for test tubes and bottles.
view Sisero's profile
I do this glass bottle thing, too. I use Strauss milk bottles which come with reusable lids. But if I've lost one or picked up a vintage bottle, then I just squish/mold on a bit of tinfoil which is slightly larger than the opening. This a) seals the top pretty well, b) is fairly easy to put on and take off and c) is usually reusable. Its not so pretty, but it works!
view Dana V's profile
hmmm, might be off course here, but shootin' anyway! What about drain stoppers? you know the rubber ones that you can buy that have a metal ring on top? Hope you find a good idea, because I LOVE your idea of using glass. I've got quiet the plastic phobia of late! Have a great rest of your week!
view funhon29's profile
What about a wine bottle stopper? I'm not sure how big the opening of the milk bottle is, but that might work.
view erin79's profile
If there is a "brewers supply" store where you live, they will have food-safe rubber stoppers, and corks as well, in lots of sizes. Most big cities, and many small towns have such a shop. If not, I'd do an internet search for the same sort of supplier, they usually don't require huge quantities...
view fjorlief's profile
I'm not sure I understand why you need to use theese bottles to store liquids - where are you getting liquids that don't already come in packets/bottles???
view Violetsrose's profile
Thanks for the link, Greyrussian.
view quercus's profile
Greyrussian's link has the plastic caps but if you're still inclined to make your own, what about making them by cutting a cardboard circle to fit the opening then glue it to the center of a thicker square shaped piece of paper that you wrap around the bottle top, secure with string, ribbon or twisty tie.
view RJD's profile
Make sure you also check out the repost of this question at re-nest.
http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/good-questions/good-question-how-to-top-milk-bottles-061746
view faith's profile
Don't you think your local dairy will miss having those bottles in their circulation? I know the deposit is only a dollar, but it might cost the dairy a bit more than that to replace the bottles that you are keeping. I think the dairy is to be recommended and supported for making such a green effort as to provide reusable bottles for their product.. the least you could do is return the bottles to the dairy so that they can reuse them!
view m!'s profile
Violetsrose - I store homemade almond milk and juices in the glass jars. My beverages don't come in packets, unless the rind of a watermelon or skin of an almond is a 'packet' :)
funhon29 - cool idea about the drain stoppers! Don't know if I could find ones that fit, but the metal ring would be handy.
m! - good point about the circulation question. I've contacted the dairy and will report any findings.
view Juliakay's profile
Hi m! ! I'm sure that the cost of one bottle is less than 1$. The only problem for the dairy is that he has to report and command other bottles to be made. Nothing more.
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security systems
view EddieSmith's profile