So many uses for a plastic wrap that probably you never knew before about. It’s hard to believe that plastic wrap is life-changing, but think for a second about what life would be like without it? Here are extra tips and tricks to make plastic wrap more useful in your house.
Plastic wrap can be a little tricky when you’re trying to place it over food. But even if you haven’t mastered covering plates and bowls with the clingy stuff, there’s still a place for it in your home. Use plastic wrap when you travel, around the house, and in your beauty routine. Check out these plastic wrap uses below.
1. Keep your bananas from over-ripening
Although bananas are a quick and tasty snack you’d want to keep around the house, these yellow fruits ripen a bit too fast for our liking. Keep your bananas fresh longer for that mid-day snack or that morning smoothie with this unbelievably simple hack.
How to do: Wrap the ends of your bananas in plastic wrap to slow down the ripening process. This trick has scientific backing for the more empirical individuals.
2. Keep jewelry from tangling
If you’ve ever lost a half-hour trying to untangle a fine gold chain, you need to try this plastic wrap hack. Cut out a piece of plastic wrap and lay your jewelry on top. Then cut the second piece of plastic to smooth over your necklaces and bracelets and voila!
3. Prevent ice-cream freezer burn
If by some odd chance you happen to have left-over ice cream, avoid ice cream freezer burn by placing a layer of plastic wrap over your ice cream and pushing it down so that it touches the surface of the ice cream before putting the lid back on. Frankly, we’re shocked that anyone holds on to ice cream long enough for freezer burn to form!
4. Keep the fridge’s shelves clean
The fridge is one place that is bound to get dirty. So, you should keep the shelves clean by covering them with plastic wrap. Remove and replace it whenever a spill occurs.
5. Use plastic wrap for neater painting
Getting paint over surfaces you never intended to paint is not interesting. It can even be costly if some expensive furniture is ruined by paint. Press’n Seal can work in a pinch to protect surfaces from paint. But for a really good edge, you’ll still need painter’s tape because paint can seep under plastic wrap.
6. Protect your phone
Don’t cancel your run because you see a few clouds in the sky. Cover your phone with plastic wrap to protect it. The touchscreen functionality will still work.
7. Lower your heating bill
To help cut heating costs, try using plastic shrink film on your windows. Just apply double-sided tape to the perimeter of the window, cut and apply a slightly oversized piece of plastic to the tape, and seal the deal by using heat from a hairdryer to the film.
8. Keep lettuce fresh
Keeping lettuce fresh with plastic wrap is similar to keeping flowers fresh with plastic wrap. Take your bowl of lettuce and cover it with a damp paper towel before covering the whole bowl in plastic wrap. It should keep for seven days or so.
9. Make any cup a to-go cup
Turn any cup into a travel cup with Press’n Seal wrap. Just insert a straw after you’ve covered the cup! This trick also reduces spillage during movement so it’s great for preventing spills in the car by the kids.
10. Keep paint from drying out
Don’t let your paint dry out in between painting sessions. Preserve paint by placing plastic wrap between the lid and the can between uses to keep it fresh. This reduces the rate of water evaporation hence preventing paint from drying. You can also wrap your paint tray tightly with wrap and pop it in the fridge to avoid having to wash off dry paint.
11. Poach a perfect egg
This plastic wrap hack could be the key to finally perfecting poached eggs. Start by covering a bowl in plastic wrap.
Tip: Spritz the wrap with cooking spray, so the egg doesn’t stick. Crack your egg into the lined bowl. Tie and knot the corners of the plastic to keep the egg in place. Then simmer your water and cook the eggs for six minutes.
Note: Be sure to use good quality plastic wrap that has a melting point between 250 to 290 Fahrenheit, so the plastic doesn’t melt during the poaching process.
10. Protect your clothes
Protect your clothes by placing plastic wrap under the caps of all your shampoos, conditioners, etc. For extra safety, wrap them all in plastic wrap and you won’t have to worry about accidents. You can also wrap your shoes in plastic wrap to keep your clothes clean.
12. Unclog your toilet
If the plunger fails, it might be time to try this technique for unclogging your toilet. Use plastic wrap to cover the toilet bowl and flush. Once the plastic swells, you should push down on creating enough pressure to unblock the pipeline.
13. Trap fruit flies
Pesky fruit flies are no match for cling wrap. Here’s what to do: grab a small cup and a few pieces of fruit. Then use plastic wrap to cover the top and poke a hole in the middle with a pen or pencil. The flies find their way inside the cup but have trouble escaping the plastic wrap, effectively trapping them.
14. Enhance ointment treatment
For pain in your knee or other sore spots, rub in some ointment and wrap the area with plastic wrap. The wrap will increase the heating effect of the ointment. Make sure to test on a small area first to make sure your skin does not burn.
15. Treat a hangnail
Get rid of a hangnail overnight while you sleep. Before going to bed, apply hand cream to the affected area, wrap the fingertip with plastic wrap and secure it in place with transparent tape. The plastic wrap will confine the moisture and soften the cuticle.
