9 Extraordinary Uses for Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap is a great material for packing, but it has a lot of other, very practical uses. When you get a box with bubble wrap in it, resist the urge to pop it all for stress relief! Instead, stash it away to use in one of the following genius ways.

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Insulate Windows

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Those tiny bubbles of air in bubble wrap have insulating properties. Put this ability to good use by lining drafty windows with bubble wrap in the winter to keep the room warmer.

Related: 16 Simple Tricks to Stay Seriously Warm This Winter

Protect Plants

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Protect your newly planted seeds and tender plants from frost during the colder seasons by covering them with bubble wrap. The air pockets will heat up under the sun’s rays during the day, acting like a mini greenhouse to keep the plant and soil warm.

Related: 14 Wise Ways to Weatherproof Your Garden

Pad Your Knees

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Planting, weeding, and other yard work can require a lot of kneeling, which can be uncomfortable or even painful. Fold a large piece of bubble wrap into a rectangle, and use it as a kneeling pad. The cushioning will save wear and tear on your joints and your pants as well.

Related: 9 Clever Landscaping Hacks for Your Best-Ever Yard

Keep Your Toilet from Sweating

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Is your toilet tank sweating with condensation? Condensation forms when the outside of the tank is cold while room conditions are warm and humid. You can correct that temperature difference by insulating the inside of the tank with bubble wrap. First, empty the tank and wipe it clean and dry. Then, affix the bubble wrap to the inside walls of the tank with silicone sealant.

Keep Your Car Windshield Clear

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Stash a piece of bubble wrap, just slightly larger than your windshield, in the trunk of your car. If you’re parking your car outside for the night and the weather’s turning foul, lay the bubble wrap across the windshield, and secure it with the wipers before heading to bed. This plastic barrier will help keep frost from forming and collect any snow that falls. In the morning, simply peel it back to reveal a clear windshield in seconds.

Related: 13 Hacks Every Car Owner Should Know

Cushion Produce

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Some fruits and vegetables, such as pears and peaches, are particularly prone to bruising. Line your crisper drawer with bubble wrap to cushion your produce. Avoiding bumps and bruises will help your fruits and vegetables stay fresh longer.

Related: 21 Brilliant Hacks for Everyday Home Repairs

Insulate a Grocery Bag

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Keep your cold things cold, even if you don’t have an insulated shopping bag. Just line the inside of a reusable grocery bag with bubble wrap, and it will keep ice cream and other frozen or refrigerated items cold longer.

Make a DIY Padded Hanger

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If you want to hang a sweater or some other delicate item but don’t own any padded hangers, you can quickly DIY one by covering a hanger with bubble wrap and taping it securely in place.

Related: 14 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Clean in Your Washing Machine

Keep Things in Shape

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Some shoes, handbags, hats, and other items lose their shape when you put them in seasonal storage. Stuff them with bubble wrap before stowing them away, and they’ll emerge neat and ready for use when you bring them out next year.

Related: The 21 Sneakiest Storage Spots We’ve Ever Seen

Pop to It

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Pin this slideshow now, so you don’t forget later on the handy ways you can use this packaging material!

 
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Jennifer Noonan

Contributing Writer

A confessed DIY junkie, Jennifer Noonan writes about home improvement, gardening, and all things do-it-yourself. The recipient of degrees in International Relations and Library & Information Science from Syracuse University, Noonan has worked in media and related fields for over 15 years, including her time at MTV Networks, where she served as Manager of Digital Programming at Nickelodeon. Today, Noonan lives in Delaware with her husband and daughters, where she is ardently teaching the next generation how to use power tools.