12 ways to use rubber bands

**Ceashels** · 05-20-2010, 08:05 AM

A dozen ways to stretch out a rubber band you might not have guessed on Shine

Make a broom last. When the bristles on a broom get tired and start to splay out, wrap a couple rubber bands close to the base to keep them tight (and cleaning more effectively).

Baby-proof cabinets. Bind knobs with rubber bands to keep them firmly shut.

Remote control pad. Wrapping the base with a band keeps your remote from sliding off the coffee table—and prevents your furniture from scratching.

I won't copy the entire list here.

Can you add any?

**Nada.Leona** · 05-20-2010, 08:49 AM

Keep your cheese from drying out -- wrap it in a plastic bag or plastic wrap and wrap a rubber band around the end of it.

The ever-popular trick: use it to keep the battery cover on the remote.

Make a reminder bracelet -- get a thicker rubber band, write your message on it (maybe something motivational or a reminder to take your medications) and wear it on your wrist.

The thicker ones on lobster claws and broccoli can be cut in half to make two thinner bands.

Use to keep cords, pens, christmas lights, etc. together in a neat package.

I read about a young girl in junior high who used to wrap her diary in several rubber bands in a very elaborate way. That way, she knew when her brothers had broken into her diary -- they couldn`t mimic her method of wrapping the journal in the exact order it was supposed to go.

Wear your jeans a little longer while pregnant. Loop the band through the button hole and then loop the other end of the band through itself. Then loop it around the button.

I`m sure I could think of more.

**Rhayne** · 05-20-2010, 08:52 AM

My grandmother always used two rubberbands (or a long one) to keep decks of cards together if the box got lost or torn.

**daughter of pearl** · 05-20-2010, 11:36 AM

The thick ones , from broccoli or asparagus can be stretched to sit around the lid of a jar, and provide traction for hard-to-open lids.

Make a rope of a few of them by looping them through each other and use them to tie back climbing plants.

The thick ones can be cut into little squares and crazy glues to the heels of shoes to create traction (works really well on high heels!)

Cut the think ones into strips and attach the back of throw rugs to keep them from slipping.

That's it!

**Libby** · 05-20-2010, 11:41 AM

The soap pump trick and the apple trick are great ideas!

I'm used to seeing elastic bands in two ways: a whole lot of them made into a ball or toy and secondly as a money clip

(the third doesn't really count as it's more of a weapon

)

ETA: used to hold bags of goodies closed - chip, crackers, candy etc...roll the excess packaging around the remainder of the bag and loop elastic over it to keep it rolled up tightly, closed and fresh.

**Darlene** · 05-20-2010, 11:50 AM

I've done the extend the jeans trick when not pregnant, lol.

I use them to secure stretched out reusable plastic bowl covers onto containers...need to think of more.

**frugalfranny** · 05-20-2010, 03:10 PM

Some great ideas here.......will use them.

I use them for the cords, the bags of things, to hold things in a manila folder, to hold all the bits and pieces in my un-organized address book!

Liked the idea of the band around the jar........I have a horrible time opening some of the wide mouth jars.

Hope people keep posting...........good thread!

**mauimagic** · 05-21-2010, 12:46 AM

Love these ideas - mahalo!!

I have always wanted to make one of those huge rubber band balls for some stocking stuffers - think that this will be the year!

**frugalfranny** · 05-21-2010, 12:58 AM

Our dollar store here has bags of them with some great sizes in them, if you use the 'monster ones' and the big ones can be expensive to buy.

I needed to roll up some carpet and lino. to store, also use them for the lightweight garden fencing, and used some of the monster ones.........they were great. The quality isn't office depot but the price was better!

**spot** · 05-21-2010, 06:14 AM

The best source of rubber bands in England is the postman. Every hundred yards or so along the streets you can pick one up, bright red and fresh that morning and in perfect condition having only been used once. They keep envelopes together for a section of street and the postmen seem not to want to take them back to the depot for re-use. I'm not sure where I'd buy such high-quality bands in a shop, the usual ones on sale are far flimsier and a dirgy brown.

**frugalfranny** · 05-21-2010, 11:37 PM

My best source was my dad..........he saved the bands off his papers and I would collect them when I went home. Darn...no more and I have used most of them up.

I use them for any sort of bag that is open.........cookies, chips, even my spaghetti..........those 'bag clips' that you can buy make the bag bigger and doesn't fit in the cupboard as nicely.

**mamamia** · 05-22-2010, 12:50 AM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

My best source was my dad..........he saved the bands off his papers and I would collect them when I went home. Darn...no more and I have used most of them up.

I use them for any sort of bag that is open.........cookies, chips, even my spaghetti..........those 'bag clips' that you can buy make the bag bigger and doesn't fit in the cupboard as nicely.

This is exactly what I was going to say. I just roll up the open ends, and put a rubber band around the bag. I'll also use them when I open up things like my mozzerella cheese. Instead of re-wrapping in foil or plastic, I'm just careful the way I open it. Then I fold the pkge., and again wrap in a rubber band. (i lost my diamond ring in the mozzerella doing this

good thing we eat it all the time and i found it next day)!

Great topic!
Theresa