DIY Mini Water Pump From Trash (Deo Bottle & Syringe)

Turn everyday household trash into a functional, mini water pump. In this project, an empty deodorant bottle, discarded syringe/IV pipe components, and a compact DC motor are combined to build a working centrifugal pump. It is an easy, budget-friendly build designed for recycling contests, school science exhibits, and simple DIY irrigation or aquarium projects.

Materials:

1. Empty plastic deodorant bottle (with Plastic cap)
2. Plastic syringe (or IV tube set)
3. Small DC motor (e.g., 3V–12V toy motor)
4. Battery / DC power source
5. Super glue / Hot melt glue / Epoxy adhesive
6. Flexible plastic pipe/tubing

Tools:

1. Hacksaw blade
2. Scissors / Utility knife

1. Take the transparent cap from the deodorant bottle.
2. Use a hacksaw blade to cut the top portion of the cap to a depth of roughly 1 to 1.5 cm. This shallow piece will serve as the main impellor housing/pump chamber.
3. Using the blade or a utility cutter, cut a small rectangular notch or slot into the rim of this circular cut-out. This slot will hold the nozzle for the water outlet.
4. Remove any rough plastic burrs around the edges to ensure a smooth, clean surface.

1. Use a pointed metal tool, drill bit, or heated tip to make a hole directly through the center of the cut plastic cap. Ensure the hole is just wide enough for the motor shaft to pass through freely without friction.
2. Check the front of your DC motor to ensure the raised collar around the shaft fits snugly against the cap's base.
3. Slide the motor shaft through the hole from the outside so the motor sits flush against the bottom of the plastic casing.
4. Secure the motor firmly to the cap using instant adhesive (super glue), ensuring no glue seeps directly into the rotating shaft.

1. Cut the top dispenser portion off the deodorant can using a hacksaw blade to open up the cylindrical body.
2. Slice down the length of the can with sturdy scissors, flatten it out, and trim a neat square piece from the sheet.
3. Use a pencil to mark the exact center, then draw crosshairs and guide lines extending toward the edges to lay out the impeller blades.
4. With scissors, cut along the marked guide lines inward toward the center, stopping short of the middle to free up four distinct fan arms.
5. Carefully twist and bend each blade upward at roughly a 90-degree angle to create the curved fins for the water pump impeller.

1. Pierce a small center hole into the middle of the folded impeller using a compass point or thin pin so it can mount directly onto the motor shaft.
2. Test-fit the shaped impeller inside the pump housing by placing its center hole over the protruding motor shaft.
3. Spin it gently by hand to make sure the blades rotate freely without touching or scraping against the inner walls of the plastic chamber; trim the blade tips slightly with scissors if needed.
4. Once properly aligned and centered, apply a small drop of super glue or strong adhesive right at the center connection between the motor shaft and the impeller fan.
5. Let the glue set completely, taking care not to let any glue run down the shaft into the motor casing.

1. Take the plastic chamber (drip chamber) from the IV set or syringe body and use a utility knife or craft blade to cut off a small tapered section to serve as the outlet pipe.
2. Position this cut plastic nozzle into the side slot made earlier on the rim of the pump chamber.
3. Angle the nozzle tangentially along the casing wall so water propelled outward by the spinning impeller flows smoothly straight into the exit pipe.

1. Place the pump housing face-down onto a flat, thin plastic sheet (such as clear acrylic or scrap plastic packaging).
2. Trace the outer circular diameter of the cap onto the sheet using a pencil.
3. Cut along the traced circle with scissors to create the front cover lid.
4. Make a central water inlet hole in the middle of this round plastic disc using a pointed tool or scissors.
5. Align the circular plate over the pump chamber opening to confirm it completely covers the rim while leaving the inlet hole directly above the impeller center.

1. Fix the IV nozzle securely into the side slot of green pump chamber
2. Seal all the joining edges thoroughly using super glue, ensuring the entire chamber is airtight and watertight around the rim and the outlet joint.
3. Submerge the pump assembly into a container of water so water enters through the central inlet hole.
4. your upcycled DIY mini water pump is now fully operational and ready to pump water through the tube.

1. Connect the motor leads to a 9V battery (or a DC power source) to start the pump.
2. Ensure the pump chamber remains submerged in the water container so it continuously draws water through the central inlet.
3. Watch the impeller rapidly spin and push water upward through the clear IV tubing.
4. Aim the outlet tube toward an empty container or glass to test the jet pressure and flow rate—the pump produces a strong, continuous stream of water powered entirely by upcycled materials.