Happiness Hacks Using the Lowly Rubber Band — Hacks #10

The lowly ubiquitous rubber band (also known as an elastic band, gum band, or lacky band) was invented and patented in England by Stephen Perry in 1845.

Further developments evolved in 1923 from the efforts of William H. Spencer in the United States. Its use has since expanded well beyond offices and elementary schools.

Most of us adore this humble creation, embracing its simple genius in countless ways. As children, we discovered its penultimate purpose — shooting spitballs in class when the teacher’s back was turned to the room. (Kudos to the kids who never so misbehaved).

Its use has been adopted for myriad office, school, home, and kitchen applications. These clever hacks, however, may be unfamiliar to you.

✅ Create a slip-free kitchen counter when chopping veggies or other food on a cutting board. Stretch a rubber band over each end of the board to secure a workspace.

✅ Cut an apple into slices, allowing it to return to its original shape. Reassemble the pieces and bind them with one or a few rubber bands.

This retains moisture and limits its exposure to air…less brown, more appeal. How cool is this for your kid’s (or your) lunch box, the next picnic, or a road trip?

✅ To prevent a spoon from slipping down into your pot on the stove or sticky baking bowl, wrap a rubber band around the top of the spoon handle and prop it against the side of the saucepan or bowl.

I’ve only recently learned this, but wish I’d known of it long ago!

✅ For those who make preserves, salsas, pickles, or homemade goodies and store them in standard jars, how easy is this for labeling? A wide-sized rubber band can be attached and removed far more easily than paper labels.

This would work for identifying foods in those mystery containers in your freezer as well.

✅ To prevent a trash liner from slipping into the can or garbage spilling out, pull the bag over the top of the container. Secure with a large rubber band around the outside.

✅ To limit wasted liquid soap, wrap a band tightly around the neck of the dispenser to reduce the amount released.

Frustrated with unneeded excess suds (an intentional design by the manufacturers), I have utilized this, needing two small, regular-sized rubber bands. A wider band works also.

✅ For a temporary leaky faucet fix, attach a rubber band around the source of the leak. A nifty trick, this will keep drips at bay until a more permanent solution is found (i.e., aid from your DIY-talented partner or on-call plumber).

✅ To open an impossibly tight lid on a plastic or glass jar, wrap a thick rubber band around it as a grip to open it more easily. Recalling my aging mother struggling with arthritic hands to open jar covers, I now understand personally. Our hand strength diminishes with age.

✅ To assist in removing a stripped screw, layer the screw with a rubber band to have a better grip over it. This, too, I wish I’d have been familiar with during my active DIY home improvement phase!

✅ To secure cabinets and drawers when the wee gremlins begin exploring, use rubber bands instead of purchasing costlier locks. A rubber band wrapped between the handles of a cupboard or drawer keeps it shut tight and unopenable by a prying child’s fingers.

✅ To prevent clothes from sliding off hangers, wrap a rubber band or two at each end of the hanger. It’s effective for plastic, wooden, or wire hangers. (Shared in a previous article, but one I have found particularly useful).

Your time is valuable. I’m honored you chose to spend some of it here. Victoria😎🙏

© Victoria Kjos. All Rights Reserved. 2024.