Duct or ‘gaffer’ tape is one of the most versatile items you can use around the house, it more or less holds the world together! Despite this ‘fact’ there are some uses of duct tape you might not be familiar with. Here are 12 of those:
- HOLD A HEMLINE:
Need a quick hem for a pair of trousers, but don’t have a needle and thread? Duct tape is here to save the day! Double the hem of your skirt or trousers inward to the preferred length and then apply the duct tape thoroughly over the edges. No one will notice, and later when you are ready to sew, just remove the hem. Other uses of duct tape include mending small tears or preventing the sweater’s brace from unwinding. Jolt the ends of the snag or tear around the inside of the cloth, and put duct tape in place until you can make lasting repairs.
- REPAIR A DAMAGED VEHICLE:
Duct tape can be valuable for tending to a variety of car inconveniences. Use it to keep a split from exacerbating on a windshield, to reattach a hanging side-view or rear-view mirror, to tape up a damaged taillight, or to prevent a trunk or hood lid closed until you get it fixed. Additionally, think about taping an extra auto or house key to the body of your vehicle or inside a wheel well. You’ll be thankful it’s there if on the off chance you lose your keys.
- BANISH BUGS:
Use duct tape to seal little openings or holes in your basement walls, around water funnels, or any place bugs can attack. To trap ants and other slithering creepy crawlies, spread a bit of duct tape with the gluey side up along the edges of the basement floor or in the middle of floor joists. Hanging loops or circles of tape from the basement’s roof can help in trapping flying pests.
- LOCK UP A LEAK:
If you have a little opening in a vessel, boat, kayak, or canoe, use duct tape to make an impervious patch that will get you going until further repairs can be made. Apply the duct tape below the casing, as the water weight will keep it in place. You can likewise utilize duct tape to seal openings in other outdoor gear, for example, torn umbrellas, canvas coverings and camping tents.
- LIFT OFF DIRT:
With the sticky side up, wrap the duct tape around an old paint roller until it becomes a massive lint roller. Use this dirt-catching device to remove hair, dust and pet hair from curtains, carpeting and upholstery. Need to clean your navy blue blazer? Simply make a duct tape loop around your hand and run it all over the garment while it pressing it a little on the fabric to get rid of the signs of your furry friends.
- CORRAL CORDS:
Use several coats of duct tape around long appliance cords or corral extension to create a wrap. For more creativity and organization, add colors to the cords, for instance green for phone accessories or blue for TV cables. For preventing wires from tangling into a mess, fold the tape strip in half while leaving their edges at full thickness. After wrapping the tape round the cords, join the two gluey ends together to seal shut.
- SAVE A SCREEN:
If your window screen happens to have a small hole or chink, temporarily cover the damage with the help of a duct tape until you find replacements. It is as easy as slit, stick, and press!
- REMOVE SLAG:
It may sound illogical, but if you are struggling to get rid of sticky, stubborn residue left behind by gluey and binding material, duct tape is perfect for you, especially on glasswork. Simply cut a piece of duct tape, place it over the messy area, scrape a few times and then gently peel it off. Although sometimes requiring a few applications, this method of cleaning comes in handy. Conclude your cleaning process by wiping the area with a window cleaner or alcohol.
- ASSISTS IN FIRST AID:
If you ever find yourself dealing with a serious splinter or laceration, cover the injury with duct tape before it becomes deeper and makes matters worse. In a situation with a deep cut, use the tape as a replacement for band-aid that will keep the edges of your skin together, preventing blood from gushing out. In this case, seek quick medical help, but you can use this method as an effective temporary first-aid. For a broken bone or a sprain, use a rigid stick and duct tape to temporarily immobilize the affected area.
- ACTS AS A ROPE:
Twine a lengthy piece of duct tape resembling a rope to temporarily use as a clothesline. For a stronger and longer lasting result, combine different lengths of tape rope to design a sturdier chain for heavy-lifting feats, like crafting a sling to move huge objects or for tying together items for storage and moving.
- PATCH UP PLASTIC:
Cracked storage bins or plastic trash cans? Duct tape the dents and cracks or other household items like planters, buckets, vacuum cleaner hoses, yard lights, or just about any item from your backyard, can benefit from this helpful method of duct taping.
- CREATE CRAFTS:
A number of big crafts projects involve the use of duct tape. Using different colored duct tapes, make numerous items, like customized textbook covers, doll house furniture, flashlight headlights for a cycle, shock-resistant mobile phone sheaths, unusual floral patterns, or weird and fun Halloween costumes.
