Strange but Surprisingly Practical Use of Scotch Tape
We all know the merits of duct tape when wrapping gifts, connecting misplaced pieces of paper, and mending torn book pages. But it turns out that we can sleep over some of the lesser-known but equally useful uses for this duct tape. Here are some creative ways to use it, beyond the basics.
To clean the keyboard. If you don’t have a can of compressed air handy, a piece of duct tape can quickly remove crumbs and dust almost as effectively, especially when they’re stuck in the annoyingly thin gap between your laptop’s keyboard and screen.
To pick up broken glass. When you’re done sweeping up large pieces of broken glass or a jar, small ones may be left behind, just waiting to get stuck in your heel the next time you walk around the room barefoot. So wrap a wad of paper towel with tape (sticky side out) and use it to pick up the remaining tiny pieces.
For repairing frayed shoelaces. If the end of your lace is too bent to slip through the lace hole, make it narrow and neat again with a piece of tape – it should last until the laces are changed.
To make your own lint roller. Yes, real nap rollers exist . But sometimes, even as adults, we don’t have it on hand when we need it. Tape in: Wrap it generously (sticky side out) around the handle of your comb or empty toilet paper roll. Voila: the best do-it-yourself lint remover.
Arrange flowers carefully. Throw the ribbon strips on top of each other in a criss-cross pattern to create an even grid across the top of the vase. Place the flowers in the empty squares between the pieces of ribbon to make sure they are correctly positioned and stand up straight and nice.
For fixing the edges of polyethylene film. Use duct tape to secure the edge of the plastic wrap between uses (and help you find it when it inevitably swallows the box). Or, attach a piece to the end of the roll and fold it in half to make a tab (or two) to make it easier to pull.
To prevent damage caused by your cat’s claws. No amount of duct tape can prevent all cat-related wear and tear, but it can help minimize claw damage to your furniture. Apply double-sided tape to the areas you would like your cat to avoid and chances are they will.
To make your own fly paper. Wrap an empty toilet paper or paper towel roll in ribbon and hang it from the ceiling (or near the most dangerous place in the house) to catch flies.
Check product ripeness. Okay, you don’t actually test for ripeness with tape. But if you’re wondering if the fruit is ready to eat, cut out a small triangle, peek inside, and if not, use tape to seal the triangle in place without disturbing the ripening process.
To attach spare batteries for later. If you need some preparation ahead of time, use tape to secure a spare battery to a wall clock, Minecraft kids game, lamp, or other small device when the old battery needs to be replaced.
To surprise little kids. If you need to impress a small child in no time, grab a balloon, a piece of duct tape, and a pushpin. Place the ribbon in the middle of the balloon, push the button through the ribbon, and watch their eyes light up when it (hopefully) doesn’t burst. Keep a lollipop in your pocket in case this happens.
To create the perfect cat eye. For makeup lovers who may not be experienced enough to create a freehand cat-eye, use two small pieces of tape to make a triangular shape near the outer corner of the eye. Fill in the empty space between the pieces of tape with eyeliner. Don’t forget to remove the tape before leaving the house.
To prevent label smearing. Prevent dark print or wet marker smudging on everything from seed and recipe labels to return address labels and folders by covering with a thin coat of, you guessed it… beans. Just joking. Ribbon. Protect them with tape.