16 Clever Uses for Rubber Bands

Whether you call it a binder, elastic, lackey band, laggy band, lacka band or gumband, all we can say is blessed be the rubber band.

We have Stephen Perry to thank for the ubiquitous rubber latex loops – in 1845, Perry patented the use of India rubber for use as springs in bands, belts, et cetera, and also the design for elastic bands by slicing sizes of vulcanized India rubber tube. Perry invented the rubber band to hold papers and envelopes together, but its uses have multiplied into untold applications.

Which is good, because most of us have rubber bands coming out of our ears. They sneak their way into our homes via bundles of mail and the newspaper, bunches of produce and cut flowers. And then they seem to multiply, like rabbits, in the junk drawer.

So what to use them for? They're not as sleek a hack as binder clips, and they don't have the same repair integrity as duct tape, but they are the perfect in-a-pinch solution to many problems: Think: Providing the simplest means for an easy fix that might otherwise deem an item unusable.

Aside from that, they are genius for storage and organizing, they can be a wonderfully irreverent craft material, and they're just a good all-around little helper. There are as many ways to use a rubber band as your mind will conceive, but here are 18 right off the bat.

1. Prevent a Sliced Apple from Browning

2. Make a Makeshift Tripod

3. Turn Regular Jeans into Maternity Pants

4. Wrap Around a Hose to Seal Small Leaks

5. Create a Gripper to Conquer Stuck Lids

6. Keep Books Closed in Your Bag

7. Tame the Wily Measuring Tape

8. Craft a Statement Necklace

9. Keep Ribbons from Unspooling

10. Tie-Dye Easter Eggs

11. Keep Bags and Packages Sealed

12. Portion Control Pump Products (Especially Good for Kids who Can't Get Enough)

13. Hang Fliers Without Tape or Adhesives

14. Make a Rubber Band Ball (That Can Double as an Eraser)

15. Force a Long-Exposure on a Vintage Camera

16. Keep Track of Treasures