I love finding new and interesting uses for the everyday items I have around the house. It makes me feel like my house is just brimming with possibilities! Plus, it just makes good financial sense to be able to do more with what I already have, instead of going out and buying something new to get the job done.
Today’s post is a perfect example of a common household item that is more than meets the eye. I’ll be sharing 10 surprisingly useful things you can do with a humble rubber band. And if you’re looking for even more use for common household items, check out some of the links below! :-)
Related: 17 Surprisingly Clever Uses For Mayonnaise
Related: 10 Practical And Creative Ways To Use Paper Plates
Related: 10 Surprising Things You Can Do With A Packet Of Kool-Aid
10 Uses For Rubber Bands
1. Open Jars
Use a thick rubber band to help open a jar with a stubborn lid. Just place it around the perimeter of the lid and twist! The rubber band will increase the friction between your hand and the lid, making it much easier to remove.
2. Keep Apples Fresh
Apple slices are a classic lunchbox snack, and a rubber band can help you keep them fresh! Slice up your apple, then “reassemble” the fruit. Wrap a rubber band around it to keep the slices in place, and you’ll be able to enjoy perfectly fresh apple slices later on.
3. Protect Books
Many people carry a book with them in their bag or purse that they can pull out when they have a few minutes to kill during the day. I usually just pull up the Kindle app on my smartphone, but plenty of people prefer physical books for their reading material.
If you keep a book with you in your bag or purse, you can use a rubber band to help you protect it! Wrap a large rubber band or two around the outside of your book before putting it in your bag. The rubber band will keep the book closed, which will help prevent the pages from getting bent or crushed while it’s in your bag.
4. Identify Drinks
We ask each other a lot of questions when we’re working at the studio, but one of the most frequently asked questions isn’t even work-related. Diet Coke is the beverage choice around the studio, so our constant refrain is, “Wait, whose Diet Coke is this?”
But we recently discovered that small, colored rubber bands can provide an easy solution to all the confusion. Now we each just thread a colored rubber band through the tab of our can. We each use a different color, so all it takes is a quick glance to determine whose can is whose.
5. Keep Ribbons Spooled
If you’re having trouble keeping ribbon on the spool where it belongs, grab a rubber band. Wrap the rubber band around the ribbon to secure the end, which will keep everything in place. No more unraveling ribbon or tangled messes!
6. Stop Slipping
Using a cutting board that has a tendency to slip and slide around is dangerous! If the board moves while you’re cutting something, you could easily cut yourself. But there’s a simple remedy to a slippery cutting board: rubber bands.
Grab two large rubber bands and wrap one around either end of your cutting board. The rubber bands will add friction to the bottom of your board so it won’t slip around on you. It’s an easy fix, and it could save you from an unfortunate knife accident!
More Ideas You'll Love
7. Keep Doors Open
Loop a rubber band around a doorknob so that it forms an “X” shape across the latch. The band will keep the latch pressed in and keep the door open for you. This handy little trick is useful in a number of scenarios, like if you’re making several trips in and out of the house, or if you’re trying avoid disturbing a sleeping baby.
8. Remove Stripped Screws
Trying to remove a stripped screw can be a huge headache. Before you go to the hardware store for special screw-removing equipment, try using a rubber band first!
Place a rubber band flat over the screw head, then press your screwdriver into the screw head. Many times, the rubber band will give your screwdriver enough extra grip that you can remove the screw without resorting to more drastic measures.
9. Improve Hangers
When I buy hangers, I generally just get the plastic ones. They’re cheap, and they generally get the job done just fine! However, there are a few types of clothes that just won’t stay put on your average plastic hanger. But rather than splurge on fancy non-slip hangers, you can use rubber bands to “upgrade” your plastic hangers!
Just wrap one or two small rubber band around both ends of your hanger. The rubber bands will “catch” your clothes and make it less likely that they’ll slip off. I have several hangers that I’ve “upgraded” using this method, and they work just as well as other non-slip hangers!
10. Save Spoons
To keep a spoon or ladle from sliding down into a pot, wrap a rubber band around the end of the handle. The rubber band will provide enough grip to keep the spoon from sliding all the way down.
Do you have any tips or tricks for using rubber bands?
Using a rubber band to keep a spoon from sliding into a pot is one way, or, you could just get a spoon with a hook on it so you can hang the spoon on the side of the pot. My grandmother had a spoon like that. I still have it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.For me, rubber bands are essential for securing plastic fruit cartons. When dropped, they tend to pop open and berries fly everywhere.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I put a towel under my cutting board to keep it from sliding. Rubber bands are scarce in my home.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I always bake mine. get medium sized pumpkin, cut in half, clean out the inside. Put foil on a cookie sheet, put pumpkin cut side down bake 350° til fork pierces the skin easily. cool scrape out the “meat” ready to use or freeze. I usually run through a colander of some kind to make it smooth. so easy and better than canned.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.See more in como fazer salgadinhos para vender
I clean out the pumpkin after its baked, much easier then. I put a bit of water in my roasting pan place my pumpkin halves in cut side down, put the cover on and bake at 350 until fork tender. Pie pumpkins take 3/4 to 1 hour. Clean out the seeds when cool. Then I cut the pumpkin in wedges and just pull off the peel if it will come or run under the peel with your paring knife. Quick and slick.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.These are all great uses for rubber bands. I use them for securing lightweight dishes in my dishwasher. I secure a rubber band to the side of the rack (whichever side/s you want), and when I’m ready to run the dishwasher I just stretch the rubber band over the dish to one of the prongs(?) inside the shelf. I usually use two top (one each end) and two bottom. If I don’t have a rubber band that’s long enough I put enough together, end to end, to reach into the interior of the shelf. It has saved me the aggravation of opening up the dishwasher to see a bowl turned upside down and full of water.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I recently discovered your blog & enjoy it. TY. I keep a few rubber bands around my wrist so if I find things that go together, ie. Uno cards, I can connect & hold to put away. Also I keep a couple wrapped around my wallet so it doesn’t “slip” out of my back pocket. They r easily accessible in drawer for closing cereals, snacks even pancake boxes. So handy.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great ideas. Thank you.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THESE GREAT IDEAS
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love these! I also use them constantly to reclose frozen foods or pancake mmix packages, etc. Keeps everything airtight!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Good stuff! I will use some of these tips.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love the ideas
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I knew all but the spoon one. That’s genius. Thank you for sharing.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What brilliant ideas. Some I already use but some are new to me. Great!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use a rubber band around a glass in the summer, it makes it easier to hold when the glass is “sweating” and it is slippery.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I watched a video that showed you could attach your phone to your dash using a rubber band. Here in California it’s the law that we can only put our phone in the lower left portion of our windshield or somewhere on the dash.
You just slip a rubber band through one of your air vents and pull the other end through with something like an open paper clip. Then you put your phone between the vent and rubber band. I tried it and it works like a charm. No need to buy those phone holders that fall off when you hit your brakes.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use rubber bands for sorting and filing! All bills banded together. Same for the donations, mag. renewals, misc. and etc. After paying bills, etc., all credit card statements are banded together with utilities, medical, bank statements and etc., handled in like fashion. Makes it easier at tax time and when trying to locate something later on! A rubber band will save the day when used on a weekly pill box when accidently dropped!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use rubber bands to keep my plastic lunch containers together during transport into work. I don’t trust the seal on the containers!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love the fredag Apple one!!! (And the spoon one too!)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I read somewhere on the web about cutting pantyhose (the legs) in narrow rubber band strips. They are stretchy but do not break. I have used them to help keep sewing fabric bound together while it waits for my next project. Never have to worry about it breaking. Didn’t just throw pantyhose away, found a great use for them.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That spoon one is genius. I wish I’d thought of that. Just note that heat kills rubber bands so it may not last too long on there. You should store rubber bands in the fridge to prolong their life. I also use them on my balls of yarn when I’m not using them. That way they don’t tangle when I pilfer through the box looking for a color.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Instead of a chip clip, I fold over the open bag and secure it closed with a rubber band vertically around the bag. Works great for almost anything that comes in a bag: chips, candy bars, pasta.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use a piece of plastic wrap and a rubber band to make a lid for bowls (or anything else needing a lid.) I also use them to close bags, boxes, etc.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you, I’ve used several of these tips but I recall bringing that book ( now my Kindle) With 2 elastics one holding it closed and the other going down and holding that last page read so it was easy to tp find. I did that often such as in lines for the DMV.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.These are some great tips. Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.So great finding new handy tips! I’m an absolute fan of handy hints & always find new ones here! They make life easier!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love the ideas! So glad you share these things.
My own ‘tip’ for using rubber bands involves securing pot lids (I use corningware). I twist the rubber band (large size) so that there are 3 loops: the center goes around the lid handle, the other two loops secure the lid to the small handles of the corningware. Also, to help insure the glass lid doesn’t get jostled too much when travelling, loop another rubber band around opposite corners of the squarish lid, with the ends on the underside. This will help cushion the glass against the corningware.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.oh my gosh creating non slip hangers is such a great idea!! I’m absolutely going to try that today. Thanks for all the fun advice posts
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This may also be a useful tip if you have wallets, glass cases for your glasses or iphones and you put them in your pockets and they are made from fabric. Wrap a few rubber bands around them and they won’t slip out of your pockets. When you put them around same in your purse they won’t slip from your hands and you have a better grip on them.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Lots of good things here!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I also use rubber bands when freezing things – a partially finished ziplock of nuts, or breaded chicken. Just squeeze out the extra air and fold the bag over so the label shows, the rubber band keeps it neat and more easily retrieved! I have also become a label tyrant – NOTHING goes in the freezer without a label with the contents and date anymore especially those containers which you are sure you will remember what’s in there!!! hah!
Found all ideals interesting. Few I will try.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for all the tips! I managed my Moms money after she went into the nursing home. I kept all the receipts for the bills in pocketed folders. I put rubber bands around each stack of bills electric bill, taxes, insurance….etc. I labeled each stack with a post it identifying what it was for. Another way I used a rubber band was on a wooden spoon holder. Quite often the spoons would not stay in the holder so I used a rubber band to keep the spoons in place. Worked like a charm!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love your ideas they are so useful. They save a lot of time and money just using the things that you already have at home. Look forward to the next instalment
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Absolutely love your tips.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Very interesting! I love the ideas… Thanks.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I will use ALL of these tips at some point – really great and aggravation-saving. Thank you. And, I note that you have authored a book! Hope to read that.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use a rubber band around snack bags. If you don’t have a snack clip, they work just fine. Keeps those chips and pretzels fresher. Also works for cookies etc.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Here’s one more use for rubber bands. I have a long sleeve Lacy knit top whose arms are too long for me but I like the looseness of the top. I decided to put a thin rubber band on the sleeve near my wrist and then push the sleeve up to make it a 3/4 sleeve top. Fo the other sleeve as well. Of course be sure the rubber band you choose isn’t too tight for your arm. This saved me trying to some how see it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Once you have opened a can of paint and stirred it, remove the stir paddle. Then place a rubber band across the top and loop it under the bottom of the can. When painting, wipe your brush across the rubber band instead of the side of the can. This will prevent the paint from getting into the grooves of the can. When done painting, wipe the rubber band with a paper towel to get any paint that has not dripped off it, then, carefully remove the rubber band from the can. Now you have clean grooves in the top of the can which will make a clean, tight fit for the lid.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.A different take on this same concept is to wrap the large rubber band around the handle pushing the band close to the can opening. Lay the handle down and now you can wipe your brush across the band. Same purpose, different set-up. Definitely love where you were going with this…………………………
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m always on the lookout for other uses for household items!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Until we got our bathroom remodeled, we had to use the biggest one we could find to hold the drain lever in place with our tub to keep the water in while bathing. It was like this when we bought our house. The remodeled bathroom took care of this problem. One of those quirky things about our house.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I buy coffee ground and the coffee shop gives me my coffee in a paper bag with metal clasps. When I get home and use the coffee I measure by spoon out of the bag, close the bag and roll the top down so hopefully air tight. Instead of using the metal clamps I put rubber band around the bag length wise. Works great. Suz
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for the helpful hints
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great! Had not really thought much about rubber bands … but I will now!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.