Savvy Secrets of Duct Tape

Last week we offered you some Savvy Secrets for WD-40 and quoted G. Weilacher as saying “One only needs two tools in life: WD-40 to make things go, and duct tape to make them stop.”   We promised then to bring you some Savvy Secrets for duct tape so today we are making good on that promise.

Duct tape, when doubled over onto itself can pull a 2000 lb. car out of a ditch, and has the distinct benefit of not requiring any other tools to cut it – you just rip it with your bare hands.

1. Remove lint on clothing – You’re all set to go out for the night and suddenly you notice pet hairs on your outfit. Wrap your hand with a length of duct tape, sticky side out. Then roll the sticky tape against your clothing in a rocking motion until every last hair has been picked up

2. Keep a secret car key – You’ll never get locked out of your car again if you affix an extra key to the undercarriage with duct tape.

3. Catch pesky flies – You’ve just checked into a rustic cabin on the lake and you’re ready to start your vacation. Everything would be perfect if only the flying insects were not part of the deal. Grab your roll of duct tape and roll off a few foot-long strips. Hang them from the rafters as flypaper. Soon you’ll be rid of the bugs and you can roll up the tape to toss it in the trash.

4. Repair a vacuum hose – Has your vacuum hose cracked and developed a leak? It doesn’t spell the end of your vacuum. Repair the broken hose with duct tape. Your vacuum will last until the motor gives out.

5. Hang Christmas lights – Festive holiday lights are fun in season, but a real chore when it’s time for them to come down. Use duct tape to hang your lights and the removal job will be much easier. Tear duct tape into thin strips. At intervals, wrap strips around the wire and then tape the strand to the gutter or wherever you hang your lights.

6. Tape a broken window – Before removing broken window glass, crisscross the broken pane with duct tape to hold it all together. This will ensure a shard doesn’t fall out and cut you.

7. Repair a trash can – Plastic trash cans often split or crack along the sides. But don’t toss out the can with the trash. Repair the tear with duct tape. It’s strong enough to withstand the abuses a trash can takes, and easy to manipulate on the curved or ridged surface of your can. Put tape over the crack both outside and inside the can.

8. Protect your gas grill hose – For some reason, mice and squirrels love to chew on rubber, and one of their favorite snacks is often the rubber hose that connects the propane tank to your gas grill. Protect the hose by wrapping it in duct tape.

9. Blister care
- Cover the blistered area with a bit of cotton gauze, and tape over the cotton. Make sure that the duct tape fully covers the cotton and doesn’t touch the blister at all.

10. Reuse vacuum cleaner bags -
Cut bottom of old bag and dump out the dirt. Use duct tape to seal the bottom and reuse the bag!

We are quite certain that you, our very clever chums, no doubt have other great uses for duct tape.  We would love to hear what they are so we can all benefit from learning them.  After all, learning from each other is what makes our experience richer and our lives that much more abundant:)

P.S. Today happens to be the birthday of Jackie’s dear husband, Dennis Page.  Here’s to many happy returns of the day Dennis:)