Take a look inside your junk drawer, and there’s probably a collection of rubber bands hiding in there. They tend to end up next to old batteries, loose screws, takeout packets, and all those little things you’re not quite sure why you kept.
Most people don’t actually buy rubber bands. They just show up over time.
Because they’re so basic, it’s easy to forget how handy they can be. A rubber band can bundle cords, keep a bag closed, add grip to a slippery lid, or help with a quick fix around the house.
They cost almost nothing, take up hardly any space, and can come in handy when you least expect it.
Here are some of the ways I’ve found those forgotten rubber bands useful around the house, on the road, and outdoors.
Bundling Small Items
Sometimes you just need a quick way to keep a bunch of little things together. Use a rubber band to bundle pens, pencils, utensils, small tools, screws, nails, or craft supplies. It keeps everything together so you don’t have to dig through a drawer looking for that one missing piece. It’s also handy for keeping picnic utensils together or grouping similar items in a toolbox.
Keeping Cords Tidy
Few things are more annoying than reaching into a drawer or bag and finding every cord tangled together. Wrap a rubber band around phone chargers, extension cords, headphones, or other cables before putting them away. It takes a few seconds and keeps them from turning into a mess. This is especially useful for cords you carry in a purse, backpack, or travel bag.
Related: How to Hide Those Annoying, Ugly Cords Without Tearing Up the Walls
Sealing Open Bags
Don’t have a chip clip nearby? Grab a rubber band. Twist the top of an open snack bag, bread bag, produce bag, or other food package and wrap a rubber band around it. It takes almost no effort and keeps the opening closed. It’s also a handy trick for bags of rice, flour, sugar, or other dry pantry staples.
Improving Grip on Tools
Some tools and household items are harder to grip than they should be, especially when your hands are wet or the handle is smooth. Wrap a rubber band around a flashlight, tool handle, or jar lid to give your hand something extra to grab onto. A few loops can make a surprisingly big difference. This trick can also help with stubborn jar lids that refuse to budge.
Emergency Hair Tie
You probably wouldn’t choose a rubber band over a regular hair tie, but it can save you when you’re in a pinch. If you’re cooking, cleaning, gardening, or working outside and need your hair out of your face, a rubber band can get the job done. It may not be the most comfortable option for long periods, but it works when you don’t have anything else nearby.
Related: The Most Clever (and Slightly Ridiculous) Uses for Hairspray You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner
Temporary Repairs
A rubber band can be a surprisingly useful temporary fix. Use one to hold a loose glasses arm in place, replace a broken zipper pull, keep a loose drawer knob from moving around, or hold two small pieces together until you can make a proper repair. It’s obviously not a permanent fix for something that needs to be repaired, but it can keep a minor problem from becoming a bigger hassle while you find the right solution.
Shoe Fixes
A broken shoelace can leave you stuck at a pretty inconvenient time. If you don’t have a replacement lace, connect a few rubber bands and use them as a temporary substitute. It won’t look great, but it can keep your shoe wearable long enough to get home or find a replacement. This is one of those tricks that’s worth remembering before you actually need it.
Marking or Identifying Items
Have several water bottles, cords, tools, or similar items that look exactly alike? Use different-colored rubber bands to tell them apart. You can put one around a particular charging cable, a water bottle, a tool handle, or anything else you need to identify quickly. It gives you a simple color code without writing on the item or putting a permanent label on it.
Controlling Soap Pumps
If your family tends to go through liquid soap or lotion faster than expected, a rubber band can help. Wrap one around the neck of the pump so the pump can’t be pushed all the way down. Each press will dispense less soap or lotion. This can be especially useful with kids who seem to think one pump means half the bottle.
Related: 10 Common Household Items That Can Ruin Your Plumbing
Holding a Door Closed Quietly
Need to keep a door from latching shut? Loop a rubber band around both doorknobs so that it sits over the latch. The rubber band keeps the latch pulled back, allowing the door to close without making the usual clicking sound. It can be handy when you’re moving things in and out of a room or simply trying to keep a door from making noise.
Makeshift Non-Slip Hanger
Slippery shirts and tank tops have a habit of sliding right off smooth hangers. Wrap a few rubber bands around each end of a hanger. The extra grip helps keep clothing in place instead of leaving you with a pile of shirts on the closet floor. It’s a quick fix if you don’t have non-slip hangers and don’t want to replace all your existing ones.
Firestarter in a Pinch
Rubber bands are made from materials that can burn quickly, so they can be used as an emergency fire-starting aid when appropriate. If you’re outdoors and trying to get dry tinder started, a rubber band can provide a quick-burning material. Use this only in a safe, controlled fire setup and follow local fire rules.
Related: DIY Fire Starter
Creating Tension or Holding Things in Place
Because rubber bands stretch, they can be useful for jobs that require a little tension. They can hold a small wrap in place, keep lightweight materials together, or help secure pieces during a simple DIY project. You can also combine several rubber bands if you need more length. Just keep in mind that rubber bands can snap, so they aren’t a substitute for proper hardware when something needs to support weight.
Protecting Surfaces
A rubber band can also act as a quick buffer between a metal object and a surface you don’t want scratched. Wrap one around the handle or edge of a tool before putting it into a drawer or storage bin with more delicate items. You can also use rubber bands around small metal objects when you want to keep them from rubbing against one another. It’s a small trick, but it can prevent those annoying little scratches.
Quick Slingshot for Survival Situations
A sturdy Y-shaped stick and a few rubber bands can be used to make a basic slingshot. This is more of an outdoor survival trick than something you’re likely to need around the house. Still, it shows just how versatile rubber bands can be when you need a simple way to create tension. If you ever make one, use caution and treat it like any other projectile device. Don’t aim it at people, animals, windows, or anything that could be damaged.
Temporary Trail Marker
A brightly colored rubber band can serve as a temporary marker outdoors. Wrap one around a branch or another safe marker so you can recognize a location later. This can be useful if you need to find your way back to a specific spot. Just take it with you when you leave. There’s no reason to leave rubber bands scattered around trails or natural areas.
Organizing Silverware or Utensils for Travel
Packing forks, spoons, knives, or cooking utensils can get messy when everything is loose inside a bag. Bundle them together with a rubber band before putting them into your picnic basket, camping gear, lunch bag, or travel container. It keeps everything together and makes it easier to grab the whole set when you need it. For such a small item, a rubber band can solve a surprising number of little problems. That’s probably why they keep finding their way back into the junk drawer.
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