Having a secret stash can be useful for hiding valuables, cash, important documents, or any other items you want to keep out of sight. Making your own stash can is an easy DIY project that allows you to customize the size and features. Here are some tips on how to make your own secret stash can.
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What is a Secret Stash Can?
A secret stash can is a hidden storage container disguised as a regular household item. From the outside, it looks like an ordinary can, bottle, or household product. However, the inside has been hollowed out to create space for storing valuables out of sight.
Stash cans come in many forms including soda cans, cleaning supplies, food cans, hairspray, shaving cream, candles, and more. The benefit of a stash can is that it hides in plain sight. Most people would never suspect that your WD-40 or soup can is actually a secret safe.
Why Make a Secret Stash Can?
There are many reasons to make a DIY secret stash can:
- Hide valuables – Stash cash, jewelry, spare keys, and other small valuables out of sight from visitors.
- Emergency preparedness – Have a bug-out bag ready with cash, documents, medicine, etc.
- Fun projects – Make unique stash cans as gifts or just for fun.
- Privacy – Keep private documents or possessions hidden and secure.
Having a secret stash location gives you peace of mind that your valuables are hidden securely. Making your own allows you to save money and customize the size, appearance, and features.
How to Make a Stash Can
Making a secret stash can is a relatively simple project with just a few steps:
1. Gather Materials
You will need:
- Can/bottle/container for the exterior – this should be realistic looking such as a food can, cleaning product, hairspray, etc.
- Cylinder for the stash area – this will be inserted into the can to create the hollow interior. PVC pipes, aluminum cans, or plastic bottles work well.
- Adhesives – epoxy, hot glue, super glue
- Optional lid support – thin craft wood, plastic strips, metal
- Paint – matching spray paint to cover your handiwork
- Hardware – small hinges, clasp, handles
2. Prepare the Stash Container
Cut open the bottom of your can/bottle so you can insert the cylinder stash container inside. Use a utility knife to carefully cut out the bottom. Make sure the cylinder can fit inside the exterior container.
For the cylinder, you can use PVC pipe, a plastic bottle, aluminum cans, etc. Cut it down to size so it fits snugly in the exterior can. Make sure you leave enough room for the items you want to store inside.
3. Attach the Lid Support
The lid needs support so it doesn’t cave in when you open and close the stash can repeatedly. Glue thin craft wood, sturdy plastic strips, or small metal brackets around the circumference of the inside of the lid.
This support structure will help hold the weight of the lid. Be sure the lid still fits nicely over the container when closed.
4. Attach the Cylinder Inside
Use strong adhesives like epoxy or hot glue to securely adhere the cylinder stash container inside the bottom of the exterior can. Make sure it is centered and straight.
You may want to attach some support brackets on the inside as well, so the cylinder stays fixed in place. Allow time for glues and epoxy to fully set.
5. Add Hardware
At this point, your basic stash can is complete. You can now add hardware and other extras if desired:
- Hinges – attach small hinges so the lid opens smoothly.
- Clasp – a small clasp keeps the lid closed securely.
- Magnets – use magnets to hold the lid closed.
- Handles – attach a small handle to easily open the stash can.
Make sure any hardware you add looks like it belongs on the exterior container. For example, soup cans don’t normally have handles, so opt for hidden magnets instead.
6. Cover Your Tracks
Once constructed, your stash can probably looks a little suspicious. You’ll want to cover up signs that the container was altered:
- Fill seams – Use putty filler to cover any gaps and seams between the can and cylinder.
- Sand – Sand the container smooth so there are no visible seams or scratches.
- Spray paint – Use spray paint to match the color of the original container.
- Add any logos/text – Print out logos or warning text if needed to match the original container.
Take time making it look as realistic as possible so no one suspects it is actually hiding a secret stash inside.
Secret Stash Can Ideas
You can apply the basic construction technique to make stash cans disguising all sorts of household items. Some examples include:
Food Cans
Use real food cans or print your own labels. Tomato sauce, beans, soup, and vegetable cans work well.
Cleaning Supplies
Containers for wipes, sprays, and cleaning products are very inconspicuous. Try air freshener, WD-40, Lysol, etc.
Hair and Beauty Products
Hairspray, mouthwash, and shaving cream cans are great options. You can often find empties to reuse.
Household Items
Candles, plastic coffee cans, medicine bottles, and toothbrush holders also work well for stash cans.
Get creative with the exterior container and make sure to match any labels or logos. The more realistic it looks, the better your secret is hidden.
What to Store Inside Your Stash Can
Once your secret stash can is complete, what will you hide inside? Here are some possibilities:
- Cash – It’s smart to have emergency cash savings outside of the bank.
- Valuables – Small jewelry, gold, silver, watches, etc.
- Private documents – Passports, records, deeds, licenses, etc.
- Medications – Have a private stash of prescriptions or OTC meds.
- Survival supplies – Mini first aid kit, flashlight, lighter, tools.
- Tech – Flash drives, memory cards, external hard drives.
- Keys – Hide spare keys to vehicles, properties, safes.
Anything small enough to fit in your stash can is fair game. Just be sure not to overstuff it to the point that is stretches out the container or makes it obvious.
Where to Hide Your Stash Can
Now that you have your secret stash can ready, where do you hide it? Here are some clever hiding spots:
- With real items – Place it among real cans in the pantry, real cleaning supplies under the sink, etc.
- In furniture – Inside a hidden compartment in a desk, nightstand, chest, etc.
- In the car – Under seats, inside door panels, spare tire compartment.
- Backyard – Buried underground in a waterproof container.
- Inside walls – Near electrical outlets or air vents inside walls.
- Drop ceiling – Above ceiling panels in a basement or garage.
The key is to tuck it out of view in an inconspicuous spot where visitors won’t stumble across it. Get creative with your hiding place!
Troubleshooting Secret Stash Cans
During the construction and use of your secret stash can, you may run into a few issues. Here is some troubleshooting advice:
The lid doesn’t close all the way
Try thinning the lid support structure so it takes up less interior room. Adjust any hinges or hardware so the alignment allows the lid to close.
There are visible seams and scratches
Completely cover any markings with automotive putty, then sand and paint until smooth. Take your time making it look factory finished.
The bottle/can easily tips over
Add some support brackets on the inside to hold the cylinder bottle/can upright and centered in the container.
The cylinder stash bottle is loose inside
Use additional strong adhesives like epoxy and brackets to firmly secure the stash cylinder in place inside the outer can.
The lid support collapsed
Remove lid, reinforce support structure with additional wood/plastic, then reattach lid. Avoid overloading the lid.
Add extra weight inside the cylinder bottle to give it a full, heavy feel when shaken. Use realistic colors, logos, and materials.
Security Tips
To keep your secret stash can secure, follow these tips:
- Hide it well – Don’t put it in obvious spots.
- Blend it in – Make sure it looks like a normal household item.
- Keep the lid tight – Repair any loose hinges or clasps.
- Don’t overstuff – A stretched out container is noticeable.
- Weigh it down – Add weights so it feels full when shaken.
- Clean up scraps – Dispose of any prototype materials.
- Keep it discreet – Don’t boast or hint about your secret spot.
Using clever hiding spots and realistic looking containers prevents anyone from discovering your stash. Handle it nonchalantly like any other household item.
Conclusion
Building a secret stash can is an easy and fun DIY project for hiding valuables. Customize the size, appearance, and hiding spot to fit your needs discreetly. With realistic looking finishes and clever placement, nobody has to know your household items actually contain hidden storage safes.
Just follow the construction steps, make sure your stash can blends in, avoid sharing your hiding place, and your valuables can stay secretly stowed away from prying eyes.