12 Genius Ways to Use Rubber Bands in the Kitchen

Photo: Taste of Home

1. Create a slip-free cutting board

Cut those veggies without slipping and sliding. Stretch a rubber band over each end of your cutting board, and you’ll have a secure work space to chop up a great meal.

Are you making these mistakes with your knives?

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2. Secure the trash bag

Keep your trash bag from slipping down into the can or opening and spilling out. Pull the top of the bag over the can and secure it with a large rubber band on the outside. Less mess, less fuss.

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3. Ensure fresh, juicy apples

To keep lunchbox apples fresh and juicy, chop up the apple as usual. Then put the pieces back together and secure them with a rubber band. This trick retains moisture and limits the slices’ exposure to air. Less browning, more eating. Dunk them with our favorite fruit dip recipes.

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4. Use as a jar assist

A rubber band can provide grip when needed to open a stubborn jar. Wrap a thick rubber band around the lid of the jar, grip and turn. (Psst: Think you can guess the salsa that won our taste test?)

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5. Prevent spoon slippage

It’s irritating—and messy—when spoons fall into the bowl or pot. To keep spoons standing tall, secure a rubber band on the spoon’s handle where it hits the rim of the pot or bowl. This will stop it from sliding into your yummy homemade sauce or cake batter.

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6. Label a jar

A large rubber band around a jar makes a great label that can be removed with ease once the jar is empty and ready to be washed and reused.

Do you make any of these canning mistakes?

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7. Get more mileage out of your hand soaps

Stop the kids from squirting out too much liquid soap. Wrap a rubber band around the neck of the soap dispenser to limit the amount they can pump out. This saves both mess and money.

Know the right way to wash your hands?

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8. Plug a leaky faucet

To provide a temporary fix when a leak springs, secure a rubber band around the source of the leak. This nifty trick will keep drips at bay until a more permanent solution can be found.

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9. Keep track of bottle or carton contents

Slip a band around a household cleaner bottle or carton of juice to indicate the level of the liquid. Move the marker down as you use the product, and you’ll have an accurate and easy way to see how much is left and when you will need to buy more.

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10. Personalize wine glasses

A pack of colored rubber bands comes in handy at party time. Wrap different colored bands around the stem of each glass so that each guest can easily identify their wine.

When the party’s over, here’s how to get your glasses crystal-clean.

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11. Baby-proof cabinets

There’s no need for expensive cabinet and drawer locks when baby starts exploring. A rubber band wrapped between the handles of a cupboard or drawer can keep them shut tight and away from prying little fingers.

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12. Create a rubber band ball

Keep your stretchy rubber rings in one place by making them into a ball. Add bands to make it grow and you’ll always have a handy rubber band whenever needed.