Pool noodles are cheap, lightweight, and usually end up forgotten in the garage once summer is over. But I’ve found they’re actually pretty useful to keep around, especially when you need a quick fix for one of those small, annoying problems around the house.

Protect Your Car Doors in a Tight Garage

If your garage is a tight squeeze, attach a section of pool noodle to the wall where your car door normally hits. The soft foam creates a bumper between the door and the wall, helping prevent those frustrating little dings and scratches.

Keep Boots Standing Upright

Tall boots tend to fold over when they sit in the closet, which can eventually leave creases in the material. Cut a pool noodle into sections and slide one inside each boot to help it keep its shape between wears.

Stop Clothes From Creasing on Hangers

Pants folded over a thin hanger can develop an annoying line right across the middle. Cut a slit lengthwise through a section of pool noodle, slip it over the hanger bar, and you’ve got a wider, cushioned surface for hanging pants.

Make a Wrist Rest for Your Desk

If the edge of your desk is uncomfortable against your wrists while you’re typing, a pool noodle can provide some inexpensive cushioning. Cut a piece to the length you need, slice it lengthwise, and fit it over the desk edge for a quick padded rest.

Protect Things on Your Roof Rack

Lumber, ladders, kayaks, and other bulky items can rub against roof-rack bars during transportation. Sections of pool noodle slipped over the bars can provide an inexpensive layer of padding between the rack and whatever you’re carrying.

Keep Extension Cords Organized

Instead of fighting with tangled extension cords every time you need one, use a small piece of pool noodle to help keep the coil together. Cut a slit in the foam so the cord can tuck inside, giving you an easy DIY alternative to buying another cord organizer.

Protect Sharp or Awkward Garage Tools

Rakes, shovels, saws, and other tools can have edges or handles that seem to find you whenever you’re walking through a crowded garage. Cut and fit pieces of pool noodle over problem areas for temporary cushioning while the tools are stored.

Cushion Furniture During a Move

Before buying a pile of specialty corner protectors, see if an old pool noodle can do the job. Cut it into shorter sections and slit the pieces lengthwise to fit around furniture edges and corners that could otherwise get scratched or damaged during a move.

Protect Young Plants

A section of pool noodle can provide a soft buffer around a young tree trunk, plant stake, or other spot in the garden that needs temporary protection. Just make sure the foam isn’t wrapped tightly against a growing plant or left in place long enough to trap moisture or restrict growth.

Make a Doorstop

A short piece of pool noodle can become an incredibly simple doorstop or door protector. Cut a small section, add a slit along one side, and slide it over the edge of a door to keep it from closing completely—especially handy when you’re carrying groceries, moving things between rooms, or need a door to stay slightly open.