Top 10 Unique Uses For Blue Painter's Tape

Top 10 Uses For Painters Tape:

Here are the top ten reasons to always have a roll of blue painter's tape on hand at the house:

1. A chip clip.
You can throw out all those broken & lopsided chip clips now. Painter's tape makes a handy-dandy "chip clip" that costs next to nothing! In fact, it's disposable and easily replenishable. So there. You no longer need to pay for those frivolous chip clips you see hanging on the end aisles anymore. Just tear off a strip of blue painter's tape and you're golden!

Between you & me... I actually think it provides a tighter seal than chip clips anyways.

2. Better than a sticky note.
It sticks stronger and lasts longer than your typical sticky notes. Which means painter's tape is great when working outdoors where it might be windy. The "stickiness" of painter's tape lasts much longer than sticky notes, too. So you can continue to move your "note" from one location to another -- without it losing its grip!

You might want to consider buying wider-width painter's tape if you plan to take a lot of notes!

3. Keep small things within reach on a ladder.
If you'll be hammering nails or screwing screws or changing drill bits from atop a ladder, keep them all within reach by loosely placing a long strip of painter's tape across the "ladder shelf". (You know, that part of a wooden ladder you're not supposed to step on.) Place the items you're planning to use underneath the tape, then give a gentle tap to secure them in place while you work. Then, just add or remove items as you complete your project. It's like having an extra set of hands to hold things for you!

A reason why wooden A-frame laders are better than telescoping aluminum ladders. (...it's funny, but not)

4. Need a helping hand?
Have you ever wished that you had a couple of extra fingers to help hold something in place whenever you're working on a project? Just use painter's tape! It will hold most light- to medium-weight items in place for you. (And it doesn't whine & complain either.)

On a related note... Here's an example of some locking hand tools... they're great when you're working with tools and you need a helping hand.

5. Take notes for a DIY project.
Say your working on a do-it-yourself project at home -- like putting together a bookshelf -- and you need to mark the places to make your "cuts", or try to remember which types of screws go where, or simply keep track of the instructions while you're putting it together... Painter's tape will mark everything for you! And when you're done with that part, just remove the tape and throw that piece away. Works in lieu of sticky notes (commonly referred to as Post-It Notes) throughout your day, as well.

Have some SERIOUS note-taking to do?... consider MyYahoo's FREE Notepad. I use it daily to access all my notes from any computer!

6. Align your framed photos & artwork.
Ever wish you could "see" what your wall would look like if you arranged your picture frames one way versus another way? Just use strips of blue painter's tape -- that match the dimensions of your frames -- and practice with different layouts on the wall that way! You'll be able to see exactly what your photo groupings will look like.

More great ways to arrange pictures ...on your walls and other fun places!

7. Keep foods fresher.
Just put a small piece of blue painter's tape inside a ziplog baggie with your food, and... KIDDING! To keep foods fresher, you simply slap a strip of painter's tape onto the package after you've folded down the end flap, and foods like cereal, flour, chocolate chips, cheese, bagged lettuce -- anything you'd like to keep the air out of -- will stay fresher longer.

Nothing beats a foodsaver though.

8. Keep people (and pets!) from walking through patio doors.
You think I'm kidding??? It happens more often than you realize. People and pets who are on a mad rush to get from one place to the next often forget the logistics of opening and closing glass doors and patio screens!

Check out this "Proceed With Caution" sign, and the funny comments that go along with it.

9. Personalize your stuff.
Think: labelmaker. Is your kid going off to camp? Do your children have toys, school supplies, jackets, etc that always get mixed up... who's is whose? Need to organize the sleeping bags, tents & other camping gear? Do you wish to return home from the next scrapbooking event with your own stuff? You might want to consider sticking your name... your child's name... or any other pertinent information on a piece of blue painter's tape and labeling it!

My Theory: If you can't personalize it with Scrabble tiles, then personalize it with blue painter's tape!

10. Simplify your life with dogs.
In the process of trying to find ways to use items other than for their intended purposes, somehow I even managed to compile a list of uses for blue painter's tape when you have dogs.

Check out this article I wrote about it.

And just to one-up "the guy who fell off the ladder" video:

Bonus Tip #11

This one is from Partypalooza's Free Children's Party Tips:

A handy party accessory is blue painter's tape! This tape really comes in handy for many things because it safely peels away from most surfaces. Use blue tape:

• to hang party decorations
  
• to mark a start and/or finish line on the floor
  
• to create a game board on a floor
  
• to tape down a Twister game mat
  
• to label drink cups
  
• to mark off limits areas of the house and more!

Honorable Mentions

Here are a handful of other uses for blue painter's tape:

• Mark trees or other landmarks temporarily -- during a picnic, family reunion, hike in the woods, etc.

• As a bandage for a blister ...in an emergency, of course.

• To make a straight, clean line when you're caulking or glueing, create a line with painter's tape before you start. After gluing or caulking, wipe off the excess and remove the tape. You will have a nice clean line.

• Price individual items for sale in a yard sale or garage sale.

• Label cords and wires -- like those coming from your computer, your stereo, or your entertainment center.

• Mark the spot on the floor you have to stand behind when shooting darts in your garage.

• Label the contents of your rubbermaid storage containers. If & when you remove the tape later, you won't have the sticky residue!

• Use in place of any other tape. It works just as great!
  

A Fashion DON'T...

Here's one use for painter's tape that's creative, but not highly recommended:

This was our friend Tad, and his wife Carrie as they rushed to find a quick-fix for some torn pants on a day at the races. Thanks for the laughs guys!