The Crafting Tool That Savvy DIYers Are Using To Connect Pool Noodles

Pool noodles have moved beyond the backyard swimming pool and into many other uses. Creative DIYers can use these noodles to save on potting soil in large pots or on windowsills to protect from pet damage, among many other projects. When you need to connect pool noodles, however, you might not want to use duct tape or string, especially if you prefer a cleaner finish. Luckily, there's a crafting tool you might already have that's perfect for joining pool noodles, giving a neat look to your crafty creations: a heat gun.

If you're a DIY type, chances are you already have this tool in your arsenal. Now you can use that heat gun for more than stripping paint or melting candles, as the tool is also useful for connecting pool noodles for a variety of projects. If you don't already have one, you can purchase the SEEKONE Heat Gun on Amazon for less than $30. The noodles are made of polyethylene foam, and when heat is applied to this material (at around 175 degrees Fahrenheit), it begins to melt. The next time you need to connect pool noodles, ditch the tape and reach for a heat gun instead.

TikTok user Chiara R. demonstrates how a heat gun can give a pool noodle project a cohesive look. She applies heat quickly to the edges of the noodles, pushes them together, and lightly presses the bond. This is especially helpful for angled joins where the pool noodle ends have been cut into 45 degree angles, which would be harder to neatly affix with tape. So for projects where you want to create pool noodle frames or border a mirror, a heat gun creates a neat finish. While tape or string don't make for a strong bond, heat will. Your project won't fall apart at the joined edges, since they'll be fused together.

It's important to note that heat guns typically run from 200 degrees to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. To avoid melting your pool noodles completely, stay on the lower end and apply the heat only briefly. Before pressing on the joined edges, make sure they've cooled enough to touch or wear gloves to protect your fingers. With so many pool noodle hacks you can use around the house and garden, having tools to make crafting projects easier is simply a smart idea.