Milk Jug Emergency Light

Make an Ambient Lamp Out of a Milk Jug 

This portable lamp is just a gallon milk jug filled with water, with a headlamp pointing into it. It's a clever repurposing trick that creates a great soft light perfect for reading, writing or illuminating indoors or out.

A headlamp is usually a square light with a band that goes around the head. The lamp itself is then positioned on the forehead. The strap is adjustable and the light is fairly bright. You can find a headlamp at a discount department store, or a store that sells tools, or you can order one online. A single lamp - and a gallon of water - is all you need to make one camping light.

Fill a gallon jug of water and make sure the lid is screwed on tight. If the cap only snaps on, wrap a piece of tape around it to secure. Since the band on the headlamp will easily adjust, slide it over the jug of water, and adjust it to fit. Rather than position the light so that it points out from the jug, turn it the other way. When the light shines into the jug of water it makes a much brighter light, and the light shines all around the jug.

Go ahead and wear the headlamp when it first gets dark. Later, it's no trouble to remove it from your head, and strap it around the gallon jug of water. Then, you'll have light for the whole room. Make a couple for your living room, the bedroom and the kids room.