14 CHEAP & EASY POOL NOODLE Hacks
Welcome and enjoy your journey through 14 amazing ways to use pool noodles to make your life easier and a tad bit more functional. Pool noodles are everywhere, literally everywhere: at general stores, dollar stores, big box stores, you may even find them on the side of the road. But did you know they can be used in a variety of ways to save you money and time. In this article, I will share some of the best pool noodle hacks that you can use in your day to day life.
The hacks I will be sharing include moving and storage hacks, home decor hacks, safety and convenience hacks, gardening and outdoor hacks, a vehicle sun shade fix, and even a DIY topiary project. These hacks are simple, practical, and easy to implement. So, let’s dive in and discover how you can use pool noodles to make your life easier and more functional.
Key Takeaways
- Pool noodles can be used in a variety of ways to make your life easier and more functional.
- These hacks include moving and storage, home decor, safety and convenience, gardening and outdoor, a vehicle sun shade fix, and a DIY topiary project.
- These hacks are simple, practical, and easy to implement.
Home Decor Hacks
Basket and Gift Bag Filler (Genius)
Instead of using shredded paper as a filler for your gift baskets or bags, try using pool noodles. Just cut them into small pieces and place them at the bottom of the container. This will save you money and reduce the mess.
Initial and Word Decorations
Pool noodles can also be used to create personalized decorations for your home. Cut them into small pieces and glue them together to form letters or words. Cover them with moss or flowers to create a beautiful and unique decoration.
Centerpieces and Vase Filler
Instead of using expensive floral foam, use pool noodles as a base for your floral arrangements. Cut the noodles to fit the size of your vase or container and place them at the bottom. This will save you money and make it easier to arrange your flowers.
Dough Bowl Filler
If you have a dough bowl that you like to use as a centerpiece, try using pool noodles as a filler. Cut them into small pieces and place them at the bottom of the bowl. This will save you money on decorative filler and give your dough bowl a new look. Spray paint does wonders to dull the bright colors if you don’t want people to know you’ve gone noodley.
Candle Height Adjustment
If you have candles of different sizes but want them to look uniform in height, use pool noodles to adjust their height. Cut the noodles to the desired length and glue them to the bottom of the shorter candles. This will save you money on buying new candles and make your display look more polished.
DIY Topiary Project
One of my favorite pool noodle hacks is creating a topiary for a fraction of the cost of store-bought ones. Pottery Barn sells a four-foot tall topiary for about $350, but with just one pool noodle and a few other supplies, you can make your own for much less.
To start, cut a pool noodle in half and then cut each half into three pieces, giving you six pieces total. Then, grab a broom handle from the dollar store and a medium to large size planter. Measure off the height of the planter on your broomstick and start duct taping the pool noodle pieces to the broom handle, starting at the top and working your way down.
Once all the pool noodle pieces are securely attached, cover the entire structure with faux greenery of your choice. You can use artificial boxwood, ivy, or any other greenery that suits your taste.
Finally, place the broom handle in the planter and fill it with rocks or sand to keep it steady. Voila! You now have a beautiful and unique topiary that is sure to impress your guests.
Safety and Convenience Hacks
Door and Bucket Handle Cushioning
One of the most common uses of pool noodles is to prevent doors from slamming shut or accidentally locking. To use this hack, simply cut a pool noodle to the length of your door and slide it onto the edge. This will prevent the door from slamming shut and potentially causing injury. Another great use for pool noodles is to cushion the handle of a bucket. Simply cut a small section of pool noodle and slip it onto the handle of the bucket to prevent pinching and discomfort.
Swing Set Chain Protection
For parents with small children who love to play on swing sets, pool noodles can be a lifesaver. If your swing set chains do not come with hand protectors, simply cut a pool noodle to the length of the chain and slip it over the chain. This will prevent your child’s hands from getting pinched and make playtime safer and more enjoyable.
Gardening and Outdoor Hacks
Knee Guard for Gardening
When gardening or pulling weeds, it can be uncomfortable to kneel on hard surfaces for extended periods. To alleviate this issue, I use half a pool noodle as a knee guard. Simply cut the pool noodle in half and place it on the ground, then kneel on top of it. This hack not only provides extra cushioning for your knees but also helps prevent dirt and grass stains on your clothes.
Planter Filler for Weight Reduction
Large planters can be heavy and difficult to move around, especially when filled with soil. To make moving them easier and save on soil costs, I use pool noodles as fillers in the bottom of the planter. First, cut the pool noodles into small pieces and place them at the bottom of the planter. Then, add soil on top of the pool noodles and plant your flowers or plants as usual. This hack not only reduces the weight of the planter but also helps with drainage.
Stabilized Tiered Flower Towers
Creating a tiered flower tower can be a beautiful addition to any garden, but it can also be challenging to keep the pots stable and prevent them from toppling over. To solve this problem, I use pool noodles as stabilizers. Start by selecting three different-sized planters and cutting the pool noodles to the same height as the planters. Next, hot glue the pool noodles to the bottom of each planter. Then, insert a dowel rod into the bottom of the largest planter and stack the other planters on top, making sure to align the dowel rods. Finally, fill each planter with soil and plant your flowers or plants. The pool noodles will help keep the planters stable and prevent them from leaning or tipping over. Alternatively, you can use a solar light instead of a planter to top off your flower tower.
Moving and Storage Hacks
Picture Frame and Furniture Protection
As someone who has moved quite a bit, I know how important it is to protect your valuables during the move. One hack that I have found to be incredibly helpful is to use pool noodles to protect picture frames, tables, and chairs. Simply cut a slit down the pool noodle and slide it over your picture frames, tables, or put it around the edges of your chairs to prevent them from being bumped up in the moving truck or hitting the wall in storage. This hack can also be used when shipping items to ensure they arrive safely. By using pool noodles instead of packing peanuts, you can save yourself about $20. I have found that cutting up two pool noodles fills up a large box, making this hack both cost-effective and practical.
Alternative to Packing Peanuts
If you’re not moving but still want to use pool noodles to save money, consider using them as an alternative to packing peanuts. By cutting up two or three pool noodles, you can use them just like packing peanuts to fill up the bottom of a basket or gift bag. This hack not only saves you money on packing materials, but it’s also less messy than using shredded paper.
Another creative way to use pool noodles is to fill up dilapidated bean bag chairs, ottomans, or outdoor pillows. By using just four pool noodles, you can give new life to your old furniture and save yourself about $14.
Vehicle Sun Shade Fix
One of the most frustrating things about using a sun shade in your car is when it falls down while you’re driving. Fortunately, I have a quick and easy fix for this problem using just half of a pool noodle and some duct tape.
To start, measure the height of your front windshield and cut the pool noodle to the appropriate length. Then, simply duct tape the pool noodle to the side of your sun shade. This may not be the prettiest solution, but it works like a charm and will keep your car much cooler on hot days.
I’ve even used this hack with a cheap dollar store sun shade in my cousin’s Jeep, and it stays up without the help of the visor. Give it a try and enjoy a cooler, more comfortable ride.