10 creative uses for duct tape

Most people have a roll of duct tape sitting in their garage or a kitchen drawer. It can be an invaluable tool for quick fixes, moving and labeling.

But there are hundreds of other uses for the ultrasticky, cloth-lined tape.

Here are 10 creative ones.

Repair a windshield. This isn’t a permanent fix, but sticking duct tape to the inside of a broken windshield can keep the shattered glass in place long enough to drive the vehicle to an auto repair shop — as long as the tape and damage doesn’t compromise your ability to see.

Fashion tool. Stiffen your collars or cuffs with a folded up piece of duct tape tucked inside. Or use the tape to hem pants that are too long. Fold the existing hem under to the desired length and secure on the inside with duct tape.

Heal a wart. Opinions vary as to whether this works, but some people swear by it. Cut a piece of duct tape the same size as the wart, stick the tape directly to the wart and leave it in place for five to seven days. Remove the tape, and let the area air out overnight. Repeat until the wart disappears.

Childproofing. Use duct tape as a cheap, easy electrical outlet cover. Stick a small section over each outlet to keep little fingers out. The tape is sticky enough that a toddler shouldn’t be able to remove it.

Open a jar. Stick one end of a section of duct tape to the top and side of a hard-to-open lid. Pull the loose hanging bit to the right, and the lid will open.

First aid. Use duct tape instead of athletic tape or an elastic bandage to wrap a weak or injured ankle or wrist.

Pest control. Hang a few foot-long strips of duct tape to catch pesky flies and mosquitoes mid-air. Then roll up the tape and toss it in the trash for chemical-free pest control. Duct tape also can be laid out on the ground to catch mice, crickets or even snakes.

Workout aid . Hold a large roll of duct tape out to your side until you no longer are able to. The roll will feel surprisingly heavy after a few minutes. Then repeat with the other arm.

Home decor. Gather free carpet samples from vendors or home improvement shops, then duct tape the undersides together to make an inexpensive, funky area rug.

Fix a water bottle. A strip of duct tape can permanently seal a cracked water bottle or pierced hydration bladder. Just be sure to dry the surface before taping your patch. You also can wrap plastic water bottles with duct tape before using them to prevent cracking and leaking.