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Last Updated: January 30, 2024
You’ve probably heard this joke before: Something isn’t moving and it should? Use lubricant. Something is moving and it shouldn’t? Use duct tape.
While this “advice” isn’t applicable to all situations, it does speak to the power of duct tape. Since its invention in the 1940s, duct tape has been a staple in homes and workspaces alike. It’s been used by repairmen, the military, and even by astronauts.
But we’re not repairing space shuttles or helicopters. Rather, we fight the battle of the homefront: household repairs and quick fixes that only duct tape can solve. In this durable and sticky article, we will go over some of the most common uses of duct tape, including some you may have never heard of before.
There’s no doubt that you’re familiar with duct tape’s ability to repair things. However, when it comes to garden hoses and other objects that come into contact with water, duct tape shines. Duct tape’s powerful rubber adhesive and plastic cloth backing are more than capable of standing up to high-moisture situations, ensuring that holes stay patched and leaks are prevented.
Got an irresistible pair of pants, but the legs are too long? Duct tape is great for making a quick hem. Adjust your pants legs to your desired length and set them in place with a couple of strips of duct tape. Then when you get the time, take your pants to the tailor and get a proper hemming.
This may seem strange, but many people stand by this. Simply place a strip of duct tape over the wart and let it stay there for a few days. Then remove it, clean the wart, and apply another strip of duct tape. The duct tape essentially starves the wart of oxygen and within a month, most common warts will disappear. In fact, according to JAMA Pediatrics, duct tape is a significantly more effective wart-remover than standard cryotherapy.
Getting bugged by bugs? Use duct tape as temporary fly paper. Portion off 1 to 2-foot strips of duct tape and hang them from your ceiling. If you’re outside, you can hang them from the tree branches. Duct tape’s robust rubber adhesive ensures that things stick and don’t unstick.
We love our pets almost as much as our pets’ hairs love sticking to our clothes. Before you go out into the world peppered with little hairs, grab a strip of duct tape and remove the lint from your clothes. Duct tape is also much sticker than your standard lint roller, so it can grab those persistent, hard-to-get hairs.
Splinters can be a real pain in the finger, but not if you have duct tape on hand. Place a piece of duct tape over the splinter and pull it out. Depending on the size and depth of the splinter, you’ll either want to yank it out quickly, or slowly, carefully pull it out.
Dry cold is quite unpleasant, but wet cold is dangerous, as it exponentially increases your chances of getting hypothermia. If you’re going on a chilly hike, protect your toes by thoroughly wrapping your shoes and socks in layers of duct tape. You especially want to seal off the top of your shoes or boots to prevent water and ice from seeping in.
The last thing your floors need are a bunch of scrapes and scuffs. Show your floors some love by putting pieces of duct tape on the bottom of your chair legs, table legs, and all the other legs of your furniture. You’ll be so impressed by how well the plastic cloth backing protects your surfaces, you’ll be floored.
Messy edges are the bane of carpenters around the world. If clean lines and edges are the name of your game, consider putting duct tape on the areas you need to cut. The tape will hold the particles and fibers in place, so you won’t be splitting wood or splitting hairs.
You know what’s crazy? Despite listing 10 different applications for duct tape, we’ve barely scratched the surface of what this stuff can do. People like the Duct Tape Guys and Red Green have practically dedicated their careers toward using duct tape in any and every possible situation. It seems the only limits are your budget and your imagination.
While you’re here, don’t forget to take a look at our selection of duct tapes, available in a variety of widths and colors. All of our duct tape products come with free shipping, so you can start discovering new and exciting uses for duct tape today!
If you’re interested in using tape for more aesthetic purposes, be sure to check out our article covering creative ways to use tape.
