Fun Fact: Interesting Uses for Duct Tape

Temporarily hem your pants: You've found a terrific pair of jeans, but the length isn't right. You expect a little shrinkage anyway, so why spend time hemming? Besides, thick denim jeans are difficult to sew through. Fake the hem with duct tape. The new hem will last through a few washes too.

Remove lint on clothing: You're all set to go out for the night and suddenly you notice pet hairs on your outfit. Grab the duct tape and in no time, you'll be ready to go. 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. Don't wipe, since that may affect the nap.

Make a bandage: You've gotten a bad scrape. Here's how to protect it until you get a proper bandage. Fold tissue paper or paper towel to cover the wound and cover this with duct tape. It may not be attractive, but it works in a jam.

Catch pesky flies: 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.

Replace a shower curtain grommet: How many times have you yanked the shower curtain aside only to rip through one of the delicate eyelets? Grab the duct tape to make a simple repair. Once the curtain is dry, cut a rectangular piece and fold it from front to back over the torn hole. Slit the tape with a mat knife, razor blade, or scissors, and push the shower curtain ring back in place.

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.

Cover a book: Use duct tape in an interesting color to create a durable book cover for a school textbook or a paperback that you carry to the beach. Make a pattern for the cover on a sheet of newspaper; fit the pattern to your book, then cover the pattern, one row at a time, with duct tape, overlapping the rows. The resulting removable cover will be waterproof and sturdy.

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.Wrap holiday presents: Here's a novel way to wrap a special gift. Don't bother with the paper. Go straight for the tape. Press duct tape directly on the gift box. Make designs or cover in stripes and then add decorative touches by cutting shapes, letters, and motifs from tape to attach to the "wrapped" surface.

“Extraordinary Uses For Ordinary Things” from The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.