The first thing that comes to mind when you think of pool noodles is probably swimming. After all, these noodle-shaped sponges were designed to teach kids how to swim, although even adults can have some fun floating on them in swimming pools. However, there’s a lot more you can do with your average pool noodle.
Here are amazing tips for using your noodles at home, in the garage, around the yard. All of them have nothing to do with swimming.
Use a Pool Noodle as a Cable Organizer
We all know how frustrating it can be to deal with a bunch of entangled cables all the time. There’s nothing worse than having to find your way through 10 different cables when they’ve all merged into one large clump.
You can easily solve this issue with a couple of soft pool noodles. Cut the noodle along the side and slide the cables through it. This will prevent the cables from bending and getting tied up with one another. You will get a much cleaner space behind your desk and save yourself the struggle.
Hang Delicate Clothing
Hanging delicate clothing is always a challenge because, no matter what you do, it will end up wrinkled in a day or two. The plastic hangers often make creases in delicate fabrics so you might have to iron your clothes again after hanging them in the closet.
If you want to avoid the unnecessary wrinkles and strange dents in your clothing, use a pool noodle to create a soft cushion on your hangers. Simply cut the noodle along the side and place it over the bottom of the hanger. That way, your clothes will remain flat and ironed after days of hanging in the closet.
Store Tools
Is your garage filled with tools and cleaning supplies that you don’t know how to organize? A couple of pool noodles can easily fix this mess. All you have to do is glue a pool noodle to the wall and create a couple of slits along the surface.
You can store all sorts of items within the rounded side of the noodle, including brooms, mops, and any other tools. This is also a great way to keep your cleaning supplies organized so you don’t have to deal with a giant mess every time you enter the garage or the pantry.
Make Floating Cup Holders
Why spend time on fancy cup holders when you can make your own using some old pool noodles? In fact, you can even make floating cup holders so you can take any beverage with you while you’re in the pool.
Unleash your creativity and you can make almost anything float with a couple of pool noodles. Besides the classic floating cup holders, you can also tie a couple of noodle pieces together to create a floating tray for all your cans and bottles.
Prevent Wrist Pain While Typing
Are you spending a lot of time typing on your computer? You probably know how painful it is to spend hours at the desk, especially if you’re typing most of the time. This can lead to serious muscle strain and pain in the wrist area.
If you don’t have a real wrist rest, don’t worry. You can easily make one if you have an old pool noodle lying around somewhere in the garage. Simply split the noodle and place the flat side on the desk. The rounded side will provide enough support and comfort to prevent wrist pain while typing.
Protect Your Car
Worried that someone will scratch your car at the parking lot? Simply tie some pool noodles to the bumper (and the sides if you want extra protection) and your car will be scratch-proof in an instant.
All you have to do is tie together a couple of pool noodles, depending on the size of the bumper, and use a small rope to tie them to the trunk. There are several ways you can go about making these scratch-protectors, as long as you pay attention to the size of the vehicle.
DIY Dog Shower
Having trouble giving your dog a bath? You can use a pool noodle to make an innovative dog shower at absolutely no cost. Simply poke a couple of holes in the noodle and wrap it into a circle. Tape one end shut and use the other end to attack a water hose.
The water will flow through the holes in the noodle and make the perfect rounded shower for your furry friend. This will make bath time much easier for you and your pets since you won’t have to struggle with keeping them in the bath. If you decide to give it a try, make sure to test the shower outdoors.
Protect the Luggage Rack
Having a luggage rack on top of your vehicle can provide some extra storage space but at what cost? There’s always a certain amount of risk when placing items on the top of the car, especially if you’re transporting something bulky like ladders or tools.
A couple of pool noodles can help you add extra protection and prevent unwanted scratches on your vehicle. Adding two noodles to the luggage rack will create a cushioning effect and will ensure secure transportation of your items.
Organize Your Drawers
Pool noodles are the ultimate tool for keeping your household items organized. Are you tired of dealing with messy drawers and cluttered items? Set up a couple of pool noodles in there to keep things in place.
For example, you can cut up small pieces of the foam and place them behind cutlery organizers to keep them from sliding around as you open and close the drawer. There’s a variety of ways you can use pool noodles to sort your drawers and fix things in place.
Make a Head Rest
There’s nothing worse than having to go through a long car ride without a headrest to give you support. Luckily, pool noodles can help you avoid the neck strain and enjoy a more comfortable car ride at no cost whatsoever.
Simply fit a pool noodle around the seatbelt and wrap it up with a towel or a soft blanket. You will get a comfortable cushion that will keep your head in place as you nap away. If you have restless dogs, you can use a pool noodle to create a barrier between the front seats for extra security.
Make a Lawn Mower Handle Guard
If you’ve ever spent over an hour mowing a lawn, then you know how painful holding the handle can be. Pushing a mower for hours can create blisters on your palm, which comes with great discomfort.
One way to make this easier is to place a pool noodle over the handle to create a softer surface. This extra padding will make the handle more comfortable to grip, which will allow you to get the job done without any painful consequences.
Block Drafts in Your Home
Drafts can take a serious toll on your heating bill, especially if there’s a lot of space for air to flow through your doors. Pool noodles can help you stop the draft and prevent the cold air from circulating in the room.
Although it might not look like the prettiest solution, it’s a quick fix that will solve the problem instantly. Not only will this hack block the cold draft but it will also aid noise isolation and maintain a warm room temperature.
DIY Curtain Holders
Misplaced your curtain ties? Don’t worry, pool noodles will come to the rescue! If you’ve had it with loose curtains and you need a quick fix, pool noodles will solve this problem in a jiffy. This trick can also come in handy when traveling, whether you’re dealing with a camper or hotel room curtains.
To turn your pool noodles into curtain holders, all you have to do is cut them to any desired length and wrap them around the curtain. Plus, the noodles are soft so you don’t have to worry about damaging the fabric.
Keep Your Boots in Shape
There’s nothing worse than spending a lot of money on leather boots only to watch them folded on the floor at the end of your hallway. One way to keep your boots in good shape is to put pool noodles inside them to keep them standing upright.
That way, your boots won’t be looking all soggy and worn out next season. In fact, if you keep them in good shape, they are likely to last a couple of seasons longer. Besides, pool noodles are extremely cheap so there’s literally nothing to lose.
Create a Makeshift Squeegee and Mop
If you are looking for something convenient to clean your garage floor with, a pool noodle and a rake is all you need. Simply cut the noodle to the correct length and place it on the rake’s head. If the construction feels a bit wobbly, use zip ties for extra security.
This will make for a great squeegee alternative since the noodle can push water across any smooth surface. You won’t even have to spend money on an extra mop, and yet you will still get a decent cleaning tool to work with.
