Duct tape for DIY is a shift from the normal home improvement and home makeover articles we publish here on DIY Projects. Granted, it’s a useful article from which you’ll get lots of duct tape usage ideas, but it’s mainly a post to make you smile while you’re getting those pressing DIY and home improvement jobs done. As a DIYer I have to confess I use duct tape a lot around the house - especially when we were actively doing our home makeover work. Now we’re getting into the ‘almost completed’ phase, we don’t need duct tape as much. Having said that, there are tons of other uses outside the home for which duct tape may be the best ever repair kit. Have you used duct tape in the following ways before?

Duct tape for DIY (and other jobs)

source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/robenaltracing/2299871237/

Through the years I’ve heard of all kinds of bizarre uses for duct tape. I’ve always taken for granted the fact that I could comfortably use it for anything I needed to fix, without worrying about if it was going to work or not - because it always does! It’s always been weather proof, water proof and sticks to most surfaces. Nowadays it comes in many colours, which means that it’s been used for even more bizarre purposes, like making dresses and evening wear.

Duct tape has always been the first thing I grabbed, when I didn’t know what else to use for general repairs and joinery. So last week while driving behind a car which was literally stuck together with duct tape, the spectacle made me think about the eclectic ways in which I have personally used duct tape in the past (and this is without all the DIY stuff I use it for).

Duct tape for DIY car repair

This is not my car.

One of the young people with whom I used to work, once smashed my side car window for fun. It was winter, so I made a window out of duct tape until it was fixed a couple of days later. I’ve also used it to hold my bumper and side mirror together after a collision with another vehicle. The other day my new car’s wind mirror was randomly kicked in. I suppose they felt they had to do something creative with it because it was in perfect condition. I now have a wind mirror that’s secured completely with duct tape. It’s the perfect DIY car repair.

Duct tape for DIY in the garden

I’ve repaired my water hose with duct tape. Here’s how it’s done. Find the hole, stick a piece of toothpick into it, cut off the extra bit, then wrap with duct tape. I’ve also used it in my green house to tape bubble wrap to the glass ceiling in winter. This keeps it warm and toasty for your plants. DIY is ideal for garden and other exterior design uses.

Duct tape for DIY book repair

I used duct tape to repair my thick bible which was falling apart. Of course I could get a new one, but I had made notes in it and had grown used to it over time

Duct tape for DIY clothes care

Duct tape is great for getting lint off your clothes and other materials. I’ve used it time and time again. Wrap a piece around your hand - inside out, then pick up any type of fluff from carpets or clothes with it. It works a treat. Or, if you’re like these people below, you could even make DIY clothes out of duct tape.

DIY clothes made completely out of duct tape. Click image to go to site

Duct tape for sealing packages

Once a year, I send a couple of packages to some children in an underdeveloped country. I reinforce them (the packages, not the kids) with duct tape. Not only does this help to protect the package from rough handling (I ship them, and handling is not something they pay attention to when you ship items), but it also deters unscrupulous postal workers from opening the packages and taking out the things they fancy before sending them on.

Duct tape to fix an abundance of toys

Yes, I confess. I fixed the kids’ toys with duct tape (and they haven’t even noticed). I’ve also taped up a rusty part of my child’s bicycle so she didn’t get injured by sharp bits. It looked as good as new - perhaps even better!

Duct tape for DIY stage settings

Anyone involved in acting and stage performances (professional or amateur) will know about this. I’ve used duct tape in all types of stage props, where nothing else will work to make the facades stay where you want them to. Duct tape is one of the must haves if you’re putting on a performance on a budget. And if you work in TV or film, duct tape is one of the major staples any member of the crew could have. They have them in all sizes and colours on set.

Duct tape for DIY - in and around the home

I’ve got an unending list of things I’ve used it to repair around the home. Just to name a few. I’ve used duct tape to hold down the frayed end of old carpeting while we were working on redecoration; on furniture legs, to stop them scratching the surface of the floor; on the top of the ladder/stairs into the loft space (attic) to cover up sharp the surface at the very top of the ladder.

Duct tape for heavy duty, temporary repairs

I’ve taped up the table cloth outside in the garden at my son’s birthday party. I also stuck some duct tape on the gazebo to keep two torn parts together.

Duct tape for DIY electrical work

I’ve used duct tape to join electrical wires together, among other things. Find some more DIY tutorials on this page for more DIY ideas.

Are you a duct tape admirer? In what other useful ways have you used duct tape? Have you ever seen the invisible, checkered and designer pink polka dot duct tapes below? These were new to me!