Bungee Cord Hacks That Will Help You Around The Home And Garden

Bungee cords are a must-have home item, and you don't have to be a camper or doomsday prepper to make the most of these humble straps. They are handy for almost anything when you're in a pinch. The bungee cord's elastic band, fabric coat, and hook ends make it ideal for several projects around your home and garden. We've listed 12 easy hacks to increase storage space, build DIY tools, and optimize your chores, all with just a simple bungee cord.

These elastic ropes come in various lengths and thickness to offer different levels of versatility and durability. Whichever cords you have on hand, whether mini or jumbo, will work for these hacks. You just may need to use more bungee straps if yours are on the smaller side. Furthermore, it's best to inspect your cords before putting them to use. If there are any fraying ends or splits in the rope, they can snap, which would be a nightmare if they are anchoring heavy items. Other than that one precaution, there's no harm in trying these hacks. In fact, they may just make your life much easier.

Raccoons enjoy rifling through the trash. They sometimes pry off the lid, and the open buffet invites more critters, leaving you with a filthy mess to clean up. Fortunately, you can keep raccoons out of your trash with help from a bungee cord. The strap acts as a garbage can lock to secure your lid in place. If knocked over, the top won't fly off and any critters will have a harder time removing the lid. At the same time, it will be easy for you to take off. Use one or multiple to secure the top, making sure the strap fits snug.

Is your garbage bag always falling down into the can when you throw something inside? Grab a bungee cord. Just wrap the cord around the edge of the bag and secure both ends by connecting the hooks. The elastic rope will keep the bag in place so you can toss your scraps in and not have to fish for the bag afterwards. This hack is suitable for both small bins in the kitchen or bathroom and large containers as well, although you may need to connect two or more bungee cords to fit around larger garbage cans.

Organizing groceries in your car trunk just got easier thanks to a bungee cord. Clip the elastic rope to the hooks inside your vehicle and string any bags through the line. This will help keep your shopping bags upright so your goodies don't fall out during a sharp turn or sudden stop. Just ensure the bungee cord isn't too high up where the cargo blocks your view. Or, instead of hooking the cord, you can drape it around the headrest to keep everything in place. When you arrive home, easily carry all your bags inside on the bungee cord.

Large stems and branches often need support to stay upright, and a bungee cord offers just that. The fabric around the rope makes it great for bracing plants without damaging them. For thick tree branches, wrap the bungee cord around both branches and hook the ends together so they can support each other. For smaller plants, loop the strap around one stem and secure the ends to a stake, trellis, fence, or wall. You can then adjust the bungee cords or add more as needed throughout the growing season to keep all your plants upright.

Chopping wood for the fireplace and for DIY projects gets easier with this bungee cord hack. Simply wrap the rope around the partial tree trunk, then go to town with the axe. The cord will keep the split pieces in place so they don't go flying and you're left to fetch them after chopping the wood. The strap also makes the cut wood easy to transport. Use the cord as a handle to carry the lumber together instead of in loose pieces. This simple extra step could make splitting wood much faster and easier.

When you need to patch an opening in your fence, bungee cords can be a temporary fix until you install a gate or the rest of your fence. They link rail posts or chain links to bar the gaping hole and keep cattle inside or other animals out. The same system works for a DIY fence around your garden. Similarly, you can also use the flexible bungee cords inside your home to make a baby or pet gate by hooking the bungee cords on opposite ends of a staircase or entryway. 

No door stopper? No problem! Use a bungee cord or two to prop open any door or gate whenever you need. Now, you can leave the shed door open for easy access while you're doing yard work, or leave the back door ajar when you're entertaining guests on the patio. It's a better solution than propping the entryway open with a brick or chair that obstructs the pathway and potentially scratches the door. You can easily remove the bungee cord when you're finished — no permanent equipment required.

For more storage space, all you need are bungee cords and a place to hook them. If you don't have a spot to mount the straps, try installing a wood plank, extension rod, or C-hooks on the wall. While it's not the most aesthetically-pleasing system, it works as a budget-friendly idea to organize your garage, shed, and crawl spaces. You can even store smaller pieces with mini bungee cords or file them in bags and baskets first. It's a great way to free up floor real estate and take advantage of any unused vertical space.

Instead of using the bungee cords for simple hanging storage, use them to make a storage cage. With a wood frame and bungee cord, you'll have extra storage that mounts on the wall or sits on the floor. Use it for toys in the kid's room, toilet paper in the bathroom, or hand towels in the kitchen. Since bungee cords stretch, more items can be packed inside than with a traditional box. Add more bungee cords to the sides if you're worried about smaller items falling through the gaps.

Bungee cords also double as a makeshift clothesline. Hang the rope outside or inside a well-ventilated room to air dry your garments. You'll get the same versatility of being able to drape your items across the line, clip them up with clothespins, or place them on hangers before adding them to the bungee cord. This system also works for drying herbs or flowers. Since the cord is easy to mount and dismount, it's the perfect on-the-go solution and temporary drying spot at home, so you don't always have a tacky rope decorating your space.

Another nifty trick is to use the bungee cords to brace products on shelving units. Just place two nails on either side of the shelf and string the bungee cord between them. If anything jostles the storage shelves, the items won't fall over, and it will allow you to store more on the shelves without fear of them falling off. It's like a seat belt for your goodies. You may need to add two straps for taller items on the shelves. For wire shelving units, secure the front, back, and sides with bungee cords to close off all the openings.

Free up counter space by letting your paper towel roll float. With a bungee cord, you can string the paper towel underneath upper cabinets, inside cupboards, or on the wall with a towel rack. It works as a temporary solution when you're entertaining guests in the backyard or when you're on-the-go, but it can also be a permanent solution for inside your home. Also try storing other items on a roll with this hack, like reusable cleaning cloths, ribbons, and garden hoses. If you want a simple toilet paper roll, also try using this hack in the bathroom.