If you have pool noodles lying around the house, chances are you’ve heard of neat little hacks that can transform those cylindrical foam tubes into fix-it wonders. A pair of scissors or a serrated knife and hot glue are all you need to make magical use of the leisure tools. We’ve collated some incredible ways pool noodles can be used for more than just fun floaties.
To the Teacher's Rescue
Teachers in the house who had no idea they could bring pool noodles into the classroom, this hack is for you! If you are looking for affordable teaching aids that are safe, easy to access and use and have color aesthetics for your aesthetics-loving students, these are it.
You will only need a touch of creativity, and there is no place you can't go from there, from counting to color and shapes. A good teaching aid example is to use them for teaching basic math as pictured since the students can visualize fractions on the pool noodle props.
Make a DIY Playing Cards Holder
If you have difficulty holding a hand of cards, a pool noodle can help. Get one foam and cut a small half-lengthwise section of it. Preferably get a piece of its end section. You now have a circle that is the size of a donut.
Then, slice a two-inch slot on one side, which will be the top. Insert the cards into the section, and you have a DIY holder! People who often play card games know the dilemma of holding the items with one hand—you use your other hand to arrange them. This is especially true when the cards are made of plastic-coated paper.
Making a Batting Tee From Pool Noodles
Homemade entertainments are a good and cost-effective way to keep children active at home. A batting tee made from a pool noodle can be an exciting experience for your kids. Try wrapping a pool noodle around a pole, then use this to set a whiffle ball. No extra work should be done on the pool needle as it is the perfect size for the job.
Homemade entertainments are a good and cost-effective way to keep children active at home. A batting tee made from a pool noodle can be an exciting experience for your kids. Try wrapping a pool noodle around a pole, then use this to set a whiffle ball. No extra work should be done on the pool needle as it is the perfect size for the job.
Car Bumper Easy Fix
You might be a careful driver, but sometimes you cannot stop your car from getting some bumps and scrapes, or can you? Pool noodles can come in handy, offering your vehicle a buffer against light bumps. All you need to do is, cut up some noodles to your desired bumper size and join them together using glue. Then attach them to your car using a piece of rope or zipties.
This hack not only works to protect your car, but it can also cover up the areas where the damage is already done while also preventing it from getting worse.
Prevent Kids From Falling off the Bed
Pool noodles are a lifesaver when it comes to preventing your little ones from rolling off the bed. Of course, as parents, you can't stay awake to watch over them throughout the night as you need to get some sleep too. Falling off the bed might be inevitable, especially for kids who are just getting used to the bed.
This thoughtful parent found a way to prevent this tragic incident with the use of a pool noodle. You can get yours from a nearby store and use duct tape to hold it against your kid's bed.
Keep the Warmth Inside
In winter, a chilly draft travels through our homes and makes us shiver. Well, the voids under the doors and windows are the real culprits. Room heaters can help beat the cold weather, but they often drive electricity bills through the roof. Yet, fret not! We have an easy remedy for this problem.
Simply attach pool noodles beneath the doors of your house to keep the warm air inside. We just need to cut its length in half and carefully fix it below, and the job is done! Did you know this incredible hack can also minimize noise traveling between rooms?
Turn the Noodle Into a Water Sprinkler
One of the fun ways to keep cool during the summer months is to play on your lawn with the water sprinkler on. Of course, that is if you don't have a pool at home. Yet, what to do if you also don't have the garden equipment?
There is no need to go to a store and spend a lot of money on a brand-new water sprinkler; buy a pool noodle for around $1 instead. You can quickly turn the foam into a water sprayer. Poke several holes into the pool noodle, and insert a garden hose—the DIY gadget will keep you cool, especially when gardening outside while it's scorching.
Creating Cup and Can Holder Floats
Summertime is when kids and adults enjoy diving into the pools, and sometimes staying in the water for most of the day becomes a welcome necessity to beat the heat. Let’s not forget about staying hydrated, too, but who would want to leave the water long enough to get hold of a drink.
Pool noodles can quickly resolve the issue of enjoying beverages without leaving the comforts of the water. You can transform the cylindrical foam tubes with a few measured cuts into floating cup holders. Gather a few foam tubes together to form a base on which the cooler can rest and float. Voila! You get to sip on cold drinks while inside the pool.
Make a Whole Pool Raft
If you love pool noodles because one came through for you when you couldn't swim and needed to stay afloat, this is good news. Make a whole pool raft using a bunch of pool noodles for yourself or your little one. How can one do it? As fast and easy as ABC!
You only need a rope or zip ties to tie the pieces together. The number of noodles you'll use will depend on the size you are aiming for but don't forget to attach two pieces on top that will hold your substitute flag, as pictured below.
Easy Access Pet Shower
Anyone with pets would understand this; it can be quite difficult to give your pets the much-needed bath, as they are always playful and wont stand still, leave alone getting into the bathtub. A pool noodle can help solve the problem, though as long as you have some bit of time in your hands.
Grab a pool noodle and poke holes on one side and wrap it in a circle big enough for your four-legged friend to fit through. Ensure that a hose pipe can fit through one end and completely seal off the other end. When you run water through the pipe, it should shoot out the holes like a sprinkler, making pet showers enjoyable and easy.
An Effective Pipe Protector
Do you want to save costs? A pool noodle is versatile enough to serve as insulation for your pipes as it is not different from the residential/industrial foam type. Over time, it has been a functional substitute for insulation. Thus, if you want to pass your pipelines outside, you want them to withstand all climates. Pool noodles prevent your lines from cracking or freezing due to cold air.
This trick is quite simple, just slice your noodles according to the length you need and push them onto your pipes. You'll need a knife, pocket knife, or even scissors to cut the noodle open and easily run it around the pipes.
Creating Different Water Games
We all had relief when pool noodles hit the scene. It provided a way to enjoy the fun side of water without having to invest in a bulky flotation device. Not only are pool noodles for floating, but they also enable you to create water games that the entire family can enjoy. This picture is a perfect example of a water fun game known as Spike Ball.
All you need is to get a few pieces of pool noodles and tie them to form the base of your chosen net. The idea is to enable you to have fun with water balls. Do you also know that you can use pool noodles to create several other water games? You have fun with your pool without breaking the bank.
A DIY Cleaning Tool
Pool noodles are versatile enough to be used anywhere in the house. So, the next time you need to tidy up your garage or shop floor, don't rush to the store to get a mop. Instead, create one! You just have to slit the pool noodle from the center and fix it on the steel rake's head with a few cable ties. Now, you're all set to keep the dirt and dust at bay!
On a smooth surface, we can handily utilize this makeshift squeegee to clean the floor in vertical motions. Then, when the foam gets messy, it's easy to dispose of and replace.
Keep Your Boots in Perfect Shape
There's probably nothing more irksome than investing a hefty amount into fine leather boots and having them appear shabby in no time. Yet, it's not surprising how this ensues, given we stash these overshoes in a cabinet and leave them to sag and wear away.
A cost-effective trick to avoid this can be stuffing a short-sized pool noodle into each boot. This would enable the leather or other similar material of the footwear to stay upright and retain its shape for a long time. Keeping our favorite boots in this manner will prevent them from wrinkling or losing their sheen.
Better Cushioning for the Ladder
Having a ladder slip and lose its footing while someone is perched on it can result in serious injuries. To avoid this, try cushioning the legs of the ladder on pool noodles. Apart from giving it a stronger grip on the ground, it will prevent scratchings on the gutter or siding.
Also, strapping shorter pieces of pool noodles around each rung can give your feet a firmer stance. Just tie them around the outside edges of the rung, leaving enough room for each foot. Doing so will give your feet some extra cushioning and allow you to move up a down the ladder more freely.
Create Your Headband Organizer
Do you need an inexpensive way to display your headbands? Well, this hack is for you. Keep your kid's headband organized and easy to retrieve for everyday use. Searching for a misplaced headband can be an overwhelming task. This method helps maintain the shape of your headbands and keep them neat. You would be thrilled by the number of headbands this holder can take.
This person created their personalized organizer with the help of pool noodles. If you are looking for a way to organize such items, get pool noodles and desired fabric. Next, stitch the fabric and run a ribbon through the holes of the pool noodle to enable hanging it on the wall.
A Clever Storage Hack
Every house has a garage that doubles up as a storage space. The room is usually filled with various cleaning supplies that need some smart hacks to keep everything neat and organized. What better tool than a pool noodle could magically clean up the mess?
Cut up the foam tube along one side and pin or stick it up on a board or a wall with the bulge on the outside. Make slits along the rounded side to fit all the cleaning tools like the brooms, pool cues, mops, and other supplies. You can now keep everything upright, allowing them to dry out faster to prevent odor. This hack can be used to organize your pantry as well.
A Soft Pad for the Crib
Most cribs are designed to give our babies maximum comfort. However, some of them come with hard interior surfaces that are mostly a source of discomfort for the little ones. This is because as a baby rolls around while sleeping, it is prone to bumping its head against these sides of the crib.
So, to prevent the impact from being a painful one, try padding the inner parts of the crib with pool noodles and duct tape. This will cushion the effect of the bump and give the little ones more sleeping hours per night.
A Useful Tool in the Garden
Noodles are useful in the pool, but did you know they can also be helpful in the garden? If you think the only purpose of the buoyant foam is only for water activities, think again. Aside from many other surprising uses, pool noodles can keep seedlings protected.
Newly sprouted plants are most susceptible to harm because their stem and roots are not yet strong. Placing foam inside the pots will keep them secure and, at the same time, can help the seedlings be adequately hydrated—the floating device absorbs water. On top of that, cutting the noodle up into small pieces can work as fillers in your planters instead of expensive potting rocks!
For Your Trampoline’s Spring Covers
Though they are a great way to have fun and exercise, trampolines also have their downside. They've got these heavy-duty springs attaching them to the base, which may also hurt those entertaining themselves. We are talking pinched fingers or worse injuries, so folks must watch their steps as they dismount.
However, one is not always aware of the danger as people get carried away by the fun, and that's where pool noodles come in. These are easy and affordable protective wraps for each spring when fitted over the top.
Rest Your Wrist to Prevent Pain
Some jobs require endless hours of being seated at the Computer and typing away with your wrist on the desk. Long hours in that position can weigh heavily on the wrist, and it needs rest and adequate support. This is when a pool noodle can do wonders in preventing pain.
Take one foam tube and cut it to match the length of the keyboard. Then, cut out one side of it and lay the section flat with the rounded bulge facing upwards so it acts as a perfect cushion for both your wrists while typing. This timely hack will prevent the hassle of seeking pain relief solutions later.
Ideal for Packing Delicate Items
Packing delicate items for long trips can be worrisome. There's the likelihood that they'll get damaged along the way if packed together with other items. Therefore, to ensure the safety of delicate items like glassware, wrap them in pieces of pool noodles for maximum protection.
After that, fasten the bundle with tape or any other compatible adhesive that won't spoil the product. You can now pack your bags and be on your way. Done correctly, this will address concerns over the safety of your precious items.
For Easier and More Enjoyable Quilting
Having one's things well organized not only helps make things easily accessible when one needs them, but it's also helpful in having a space that's easier to work in. For the quilters reading this, pool noodles are just what you need to keep your supplies in order and good shape.
You can have your pins arranged on the foam so they don't hurt anyone and wrap your fabric around the noodles, which helps keep your place tidy. We're sure that with this hack, you will enjoy the quilting process even more and do it faster than ever before.
Floating Small Candle Holders
Another way you can put pool noodles into good use is as holders for your votive or tea light candles. When you are in the mood and want to switch things up while taking a bath or night swimming, pool noodles can be such good floating holders.
Cut one pool noodle into small-sized pieces, and you will have multiple floating holders for those real wicked or battery-powered votives. But, of course, once you've tried this, you won't have any more baths or night swims without floating votives because it'd be a penny-plain attempt.
A Handy Cords and Cables Organizer
The more electronic devices at home, the more cords and cables to handle and the headache of them getting tangled. Even though the wires usually remain hidden behind the desks, they make the place look shabby and unkempt. This is where using pool noodles seems like a great idea.
Here is a clever trick to organize all the cables and cords. Take one, cut them up into the required sections, and make a slit lengthwise. Then, scoop the wires, feed them through the open tubes, and secure them. You don’t have to worry about them getting tangled up or gnawed by your boisterous pets. Also, your home will look much neater.
Prevent Clothes From Creasing
Preparing clothes to wear doesn’t end with ironing them neatly; you also have to make sure they don’t crease while storing them. When hanging them inside your almirahs, there is a high chance the sharp edges of the hangars leave odd creases and dents in your clothing, especially the delicate ones.
A brilliant trick to ensure your attires come out of the wardrobe as good as they went in is to use what’s readily available at home. Take a pool noodle and cut out a short section over the bottom of the hangar as a cushion for the clothing; this will prevent it from creasing, and your clothes will be ready to wear.
Bait That Makes Fish Hard to Get Away
Not every fish is easy to keep at the tip of one’s fishing rod after a catch. You may think you have the creature you went out for, but if its consistency is anything like that of a catfish, good luck getting it out of the water. This is where a pool needle comes in handy.
Cut your foam into a small pieces, placing your bait in between the hollow part of the noodle before lowering your rod into the water. Your fish will now be trapped inside your foam, making it hard for it to get away, which is a win for you.
Luggage Rack Layer of Protection
We think we can all agree, luggage racks come in handy when we want to transport huge loads. Still, there's always a risk of accidentally damaging the roof of the car. All that can be avoided by using some pool noodles. Cut up some noodles of your preferred size and color and fasten them on the car's luggage rack.
The noodles provide a cushion between the luggage rack and the item being transported, ensuring that the luggage doesn't accidentally touch the roof of your car. Even so, ensure that the extra height brought on by the noodles wont interfere with the safety of the transportation.
Ditch Costly Curtain Ties
Curtains can at times be an annoying thing to manage, especially on a windy day. Yet, instead of splurging on fancy ties to keep fluttering curtains in place, get a box of pool noodles and consider crafting your curtain tie. All one needs to do is snip the noodle to the preferred size, neatly wrap the window sheets, and voila!
This inexpensive trick is quite effective when we're touring because the makeshift holder is lightweight and thus easy to carry. Plus, there is hardly any chance of ruining the curtain fabrics as pool noodles are soft and made of foam material.
Keeping Everything in Place
If you're a sucker for neat spaces, then this hack is for you. You can use pool noodles to keep your drawers organized regardless of the drawer size. Cut up some noodles and fix them behind your sliverware tray, to keep it from rolling all the way back when you close the drawer, creating a mess.
If the noodles perfectly fit in your drawer, you can leave them like that, but if they don't, cut up one side vertically so that they lay flat. You can use the noodles anywhere you want, in the kitchen, desks, or junk drawers to keep your space neat.
DIY Comfortable HeadRest
Long car rides can be a bit hectic and uncomfortable, especially when you don't have a headrest. That is where pool noodles come in. Fit a pool noodle around a seat belt then wrap a soft towel or a small blanket for an extra layer of comfort. With that, you can comfortably take a nap while in transit.
If you're traveling with your pet, the noodles can come in handy, to keep the pet in the back seat. Fasten the noodle between the two front seats and voila! You have a barrier that keeps your four-legged friend from jumping in the front seat and distracting the driver.
The Key to Effortless Lawn Mowing
Mowing the yard is indeed an arduous task using a push mower. The most painful part is holding the vibrating handle for a long time, which gets your hands and arms sore in no time. Yet, this laborious chore can be made easier with only a layer of padding.
Cutting a pool noodle as per the width of the equipment's handle and slipping it around will undoubtedly help in easing the grip. This lowers the severe vibrations of the machine, thereby making it more comfortable to use for a longer period. Now, pruning the lawn is never aggravating arthritis in your hands!
Phone and Tablet Pool Noodle Stand
We know those IKEA phone and tablet stands only cost a few dollars, but these challenging economic times call for us to save as much as we can. So why not hop onto this phone and tablet stand DIY hack using pool noodles, then? Yeah, you heard that right.
With only a few cuts into a pool noodle foam, you will have your makeshift phone holder that is just the right fit for your device. There won't be any more hustle trying to balance your phone upright so you can get things done around the house.
Make Your Own Tufted Headboard
This hack is for you if you want a headboard but do not have a budget for it. Of course, you still need to spend money, but only a few dollars. Still, if you have pool noodles lying somewhere in your home, you probably wouldn’t need to go to a store at all.
Aside from about ten pieces of the foam, the main materials required are a blanket and a piece of plywood. With these inexpensive items, you can build a tufted headboard. Your design will depend on the blanket you choose, so pick one that would blend well with your bedroom’s aesthetic.
An Affordable Driveway Marker Option
Anyone that lives in an area that experiences snowfalls during winter will tell you just how hard it is for one to identify their driveway during this season. Some people use flags as boundary markers, but those aren't as affordable as pool noodles.
Due to their bright colors, these noodles will be easy to spot from afar as markers of an area. Plus, they don't require much digging like flags so what's there not to like about them? Save yourself the money next time around and thank us later.
Paintbrush Holder That Maintains a Clean Working Space
Things could quickly get messy when one is down and busy creating art. They don’t have to, though, especially not when you have a pool noodle.
This foam is the perfect holder that will keep all your brushes in place while you concentrate on your yet to be masterpiece. To avoid a messy work surface, have the tips of your brushes right above a container with some water so that it catches the excess dripping paint. Once you’re done with your work, wash your brushes and place them on your noodle so they can dry out in correct shape.
A Convenient Flashlight Holder
Ever needed to work on something that needed more light than the one available wherever you are? So you grab a flashlight, but then you realize they’re not enough hands to work on the project and hold your light close at the same time. Grab a pool noodle; we’re about to share a tip that will make things easier for you.
Cut a small piece of foam and have it hold your light. You could even pierce a small hole on this foam that you will insert a string into and then hook onto a place above you so that your light is suspended.
Beautiful Holiday Decoration Ideas
Holiday decorations can become quite expensive, especially during big celebrations. To save on these extra costs, try making some home decor for yourself.
You can make a beautiful wreath from pool noodles and use them to give your home a facelift. First, shape them in the form of a circle so that they can serve as the perfect base for the wreath. Other decorations can later be attached to the wreath for extra beauty. Once you've perfected this art, there'll be no limit to the number of decorations you can come up with.
Truck Protector Against Garage Roof
Pool noodles are not just for creating fun. They can solve quite a several problems around the house. These pieces of foam come in handy to prevent the truck of your vehicle from hitting the garage roof. This method will save your car from scratch or dent.
If you frequently hit your garage roof or want to prevent this from occurring, this is a simple solution that doesn't cost much. A pool noodle cut into the desired length and taped to your garage roof will solve it all. You can now open your truck without fear of ruining it.