Multiple Uses for Rubber Bands and Rubber Gloves
As we have learned, the best small items to keep around your home – and usually in your bug-out bag – are those which serve multiple purposes. Duct tape, baking soda and vinegar are three that come to mind quickly, but there are plenty of others.
Today I want to take a look at some of the uses you can get out of two inexpensive items made of rubber: rubber bands and rubber gloves. Make sure you have plenty of both handy because you can use them in all sorts of ways.
Let’s start with uses for rubber bands:
• Bind rolled up maps that include area roads and terrain.
• Make a handle grip. Wrap several wide rubber bands around the end of a walking stick to make it more comfortable to carry and use.
• Widen your candle bottoms. If they are wobbling in their base from melting, rubber bands will widen them at the bottom.
• Cushion your remote control. A rubber band near the top and bottom of a remote will save it during falls and keep it from scratching a table.
• Exercise your fingers. While watching TV, wrap a rubber band around your fingers and repeatedly separate them. The tension will strengthen your fingers.
• Safeguard your cabinets. If children or grandchildren are constantly trying to open your cabinets and drawers, “lock” those areas with rubber bands.
• Shorten electrical cords. Long electrical cords can be bunched together and secured with rubber bands. It beats tripping over long cords.
• And my favorite – put a ball in the pocket of a baseball glove and wrap a thick rubber band around the glove when not in use.
Next let’s look at rubber gloves:
• Hair removal. Pet hair loves to remain on furniture after a cat or dog jumps off. Just rub your gloved hand on the furniture and the hair will stick to it.
• Jar lid removal. Some jar and bottle lids are extremely tight after purchase. Use a gloved hand to open those tops without sacrificing any skin.
• Insulate your hands. On cold days – especially when involved with snow removal – wear rubber gloves underneath your winter gloves for insulation.
• Window blinds duster. Spray blinds on both slides with a cleaner, then open the blinds and use your thumb and index finger to wipe away dust on each slat.
• Traction producer. Cut the palms out of rubber gloves and place them under items that might otherwise slip and slide on a table, such as vases.
• Cleaning. Whether it’s cleaning a grill or bathing a pet, rubber gloves will protect your hands from harsh elements.
• Eating messy foods. You might not want to do this when company is over, but wearing gloves while eating ribs and fried chicken can save plenty of napkins.
• Page turning. If you’re speed reading a novel or grading a bunch of papers, gloves can make page turning a lot easier and quicker.
I use rubber bands all the time for different uses but I can’t find large ones to wrap around large bundles of mail and small boxes. Any Ideas??
Got a tall can of spray deodorant that slips down when you try to spray? Wrap a wide rubber band or some small ones near the top of can. It won`t slip now when you push the button on top of can. One hand operation.
This may sound hokey to you; but, I use a rubber band wrap around my wallet. The reason is two fold. One it keeps my wallet from moving around in my pants pocket and it keeps it from being pick pocketed. Second I will always have a rubber band close at hand should I have a special need for it.
Of course there are a thousand and one uses for a rubber band; your imagination is the limit.
When rubber deteriorates it gets sticky and hard to get off of some things. I would only use rubber band and old rubber gloves temporarily or replace them every so often
Rubberbands makes a good repair for holes in the pants pocket. Just pull the pocket out and rap the rubber band above the hole. It will last for sometime, even through many washing.