The Pool Noodle Hack That'll Keep Your Kitchen Cabinets Protected And Scuff-Free

Swinging objects around the house, such as trashcan lids and doors, often lead to a common household issue: They can leave scuffs and scratches on nearby surfaces that they frequently bump into. The problem usually arises when these objects have a swing radius larger than the surrounding space. A typical scenario is a trashcan positioned close to a kitchen cabinet or wall, where its repeated opening and closing can result in unattractive scuffs and peeling paint, not to mention the collision's annoying sound. Placing a bumper guard should solve the problem. If you don't have any in your home, don't worry. All you need is a pool noodle!

If you have a pool noodle at hand, you can easily cut it in half or trim it down further and then use double-sided tape to attach it to the affected area of your kitchen cabinet. This simple fix will help protect the cabinet from any further damage.

One of the advantages of pool noodles is their versatility, thanks to their donut-like shape that allows them to adapt to various surfaces needing protection. For instance, you can easily slit a pool noodle open and slide it onto your towel bar, providing extra cushioning. This pool noodle hack will prevent your shower door from hitting your towel bar. This method can also be applied in other areas, such as your garage or with any door. Simply cut the pool noodles to size and attach them to either the door's edge or the part of the wall it frequently hits with double-sided tape. If you have children, you can open a pool noodle and fit it onto the edge of a door; this prevents the door from fully closing, preventing little hands from getting caught.

The major downside, however, is that pool noodles typically come in bright colors, which can easily ruin the room's aesthetic. For a more subdued, natural look, consider using pipe insulation, which is available in more neutral colors like tan, black, and brown. These can be found in hardware stores, or from Amazon, where you can get two pieces of 15.7-inch pipe insulation for $16.99 at the time of writing. Additionally, pipe insulation often comes in smaller diameters, so you probably don't need to trim them as much. While this is a pool noodle hack that makes it easy to keep your home clean, pipe insulation can be a more visually appealing option.