Turn An Old Lid Into A Kitchen Accessory That'll Protect Your Countertops

Countertops are a precious commodity in kitchens, so protecting them against germs, grime, and any kind of surface damage is important to keep them in tip-top shape for all of your food prep and serving needs. If you do find your countertop damaged, repairing or replacing it can cost anywhere from a couple hundred dollars up to around a thousand dollars. Heat damage from setting hot objects directly on the surface of countertops can cause cracks, warping, scorching, and discoloration. Even if your counter is made from the most heat-resistant and durable kitchen countertop materials, it's a better bet to utilize pot holders before placing any high-heat object directly on top of it. No pot holders on hand? No worries! You can DIY your own countertop-protecting kitchen accessory with a few coils of heat-resistant rope, a hot glue gun, and an old plastic lid.

Whether you have a square or round lid that's been orphaned from a long-lost plastic food storage container or want to recycle a lid from your favorite oatmeal or coffee canister, either can be turned into upcycled plastic lid home decor that is functional and decorative. In addition to your old and spare lids, make sure you find a thick, heat-resistant rope to ensure the rope doesn't melt when it makes contact with high heat. Look for fiberglass, sisal, polyester, or Kevlar rope since they can withstand heat and high temperatures. This DIY works best with round lids, but square lids can also be used.

Start by clearing any food remnants or debris from your plastic lid. Once cleaned and dried, flip the lid over so the lip is on top. Use a hot glue gun to apply glue along the inner lip of the lid. Before the glue dries, take a length of your chosen heat-resistant rope and place it on top of the hot glue, making sure it is nicely secured to the plastic lid. Keep adding more glue as you continue wrapping the rope along the lid to ensure the rope adheres properly to the plastic. If the hot cookware touches the plastic, the plastic can melt and ruin both your counter and cookware, so it's very important to make sure the rope thoroughly covers the plastic lid. Continue wrapping the rope around the lid until you reach the middle. Cut the excess rope, leaving a length short enough to fit and cover the small center gap. Tuck and glue it into the space to fill it. 

To use your new pot holder, simply rest it atop your countertop and place any piping hot pan or pot directly on top of it instead of on top of your counter. You can make a bunch of pot holders in various shapes and sizes, depending on what plastic lids you have readily available for repurposing. As this craft is quick and easy to do, you might find yourself with an abundance of pot holders. To avoid adding to countertop clutter, store your pot holders in a kitchen drawer or place them in an easily accessible basket.