15 Genius Zip Tie Hacks You Should Be Using In Your Garage

It's time we give the humble zip tie a little more credit. What first appears to be a small strip of plastic is actually a very useful tool. These simple ties can be used for a variety of tasks thanks to their strength and the sizes available. With a little creativity, they really have the potential to handle a lot of jobs. Ahead, we've rounded up some creative zip tie hacks you can use around your garage to improve organization and security.

Zip ties are cheap and most households have some lying around. If not, you can grab a pack like the TR Industrial Multi-Purpose Cable Ties for under $10. With the DIYs and hacks ahead, you might be able to save some cash compared to buying other comparable products. Plus, with a careful hand, you can even learn how to reuse your zip ties, so they're no longer single-use items. So, try out these hacks for a budget-friendly way to add functionality to your garage.

To prevent it being a possible entry point for burglars, it's worth adding an extra layer of protection to your garage door. Luckily, there's an easy hack that can improve your home's security. As this video explains, burglars can break into a garage by grabbing the manual release cord with a coat hanger or piece of wire. Use a zip tie to prevent garage door break-ins by latching the emergency release mechanism closed. It works like a lock, and you (and potential thieves) won't be able to manually open the garage door using the release cord until you cut the zip tie off. However, the door will still open and close when you use the garage door opener.

Cleaning and garden tools often come with a loop in the handle for storage, but sometimes, that loop is too small to fit on the hooks in your garage. Fix the problem with this simple zip tie hack. Thread one through the hole and close it, keeping the loop large enough to fit over your storage hooks. Plastic zip ties will be more durable and dirt- and mold-resistant than using a piece of string for the same job.

For the above hack, a plain old zip tie will work just fine for most garages. But if you want your hanging storage area to look a little nicer, you can add a metal ring. It just makes the storage space look more polished and distracts from the plastic tie. Metal rings aren't expensive either. You can grab a bulk pack like Ewparts 10-Pack of Metal Rings for $8.99 for a cheap aesthetic upgrade.

Are you looking for small garage storage ideas that allow you to take advantage of every surface? This zip tie hack from @sstephenjohnh shows a rare occasion where it's possible to use the space on the back of your garage door for storage. They use zip ties to create a holder for fishing rods; the rods' light weight and slim shape make them possible to store on a moving garage door. You may be able to use this hack to store similar items like pool noodles or telescopic handles for tools. Just make sure to place the items across the center of the door panels and clear of any moving parts.

If your garage doubles as a workshop area, you probably have your fair share of tools and chargers plugged in. Tame cord clutter with some well-placed zip ties. This is a much cheaper and more customizable alternative to cord organizers. This video from @mancrafting shows a way to neatly bundle cords together so they lay flat and organized. It's a welcome hack for when you need to figure out which cord belongs to what tool (it eliminates the multi-cord bundle), and it will make your garage look neater too.

Are your zip ties too short? You can buy extra long ones like this Pack of 50 Big Cable Ties by Gaiian. Or, you can make your own by attaching shorter ties together. Just stick the end of the next zip tie into the latching mechanism of the first, and the zip ties won't easily pull apart. You can place as many as you need together to make the strand long enough to wrap around thick items like rolled-up ropes and hoses.

A packing tape holder makes tasks like taping moving boxes closed easier. But if you can't find yours, you can use a zip tie in a pinch. It's not as ergonomic as the real thing, but it's much better than nothing. All it takes is a spare zip tie that's long enough to wrap around a side of your tape roll, with a bit of wiggle room so you can grip the holder with your fingers.

If you're missing your packing tape holder, you're also missing the handy built-in cutter. This video from @juju.cares shows how you can make one using a zip tie. It takes advantage of the stiff and sharp surface created when you cut the excess plastic off the tie. To make this piece even sharper, cut it at an angle and it will slice right through the packing tape. Just take care while using this hack so you don't accidentally cut yourself in the process!

Sturdy wire utility shelves are one of the best ways to organize the garage, but they can be an eyesore. Make a basic cover using a large piece of fabric and zip ties to secure it into place. The easiest option is to use a shower curtain that already has holes that you can thread the zip ties through. You can also use old bedsheets or other textiles. and cut small holes for installation.

Maybe you're already well-versed in all of the fabulous uses for zip ties, or maybe you reach for them constantly as part of your job. Either way, you know that most bags open along the top edge and it can be hard to extract just one tie without a couple more tumbling out. So, make zip ties much easier to access with this zip tie bag hack using a piece of tape. If you use multi-colored rolls like Cosimixo 6-Pack of Rainbow Colored Duct Tape, you can color-code your various-sized zip ties to easily grab the one you need.

You can make a useful adjustable spotlight using zip ties, a flexible but sturdy piece of wire, and a small light like one of these EverBrite Mini Flashlights. You want the wire to be strong enough to support the weight of your flashlight but flexible enough that you can move it around. Use the zip ties to attach the flashlight to the wire. You can then bend the wire into a base, wrap it around the post of your work table, or attach it to a magnet so you can stick the light onto metal surfaces.

When you're in the zone tinkering or building, it's a major annoyance when your pencil or tool bit rolls away. Use a zip tie to keep pencils, pens, drill bits, and other rounded items from making their escape. Just attach the zip tie around the rod-shaped piece (you can trim the excess plastic if it's a bother) and it will stop these items from being able to roll.

Equally as annoying as losing pencils and drill bits is losing small items like nails, tacks, or screws. You can upcycle plastic bottles and zip ties into this mini holder as Simple Ideas demonstrates. This mini container project even helps save a couple of bottle caps from the recycling bin. By cutting off the bottle's neck, you can attach a cap to each side to create a compact container. Then, with the help of a zip tie, you can hang the holders on a pegboard or hook, so they also won't get lost in a garage junk drawer. 

Garage cabinets are often the storage spot for dangerous substances like antifreeze, harsh cleaners, and car maintenance fluids. Keep children and pets away from these potential hazards with a simple zip tie. Attach a zip tie around cabinet doors as a child-proofing measure, and little fingers won't be able to break the tough material. For adult access, hang a pair of scissors out of reach so you can easily cut off the zip tie and open the cabinet when needed.

You can even use a zip tie to make taking out the trash easier. If you have one of these two-piece cans, you know how easily the lid can fall off. If it somehow gets lost or blows away on a windy trash day, this defeats the purpose of having a can with a lid at all. Simply use a few zip ties to connect the lid to your garbage can. Just make sure you're keeping enough slack so you can easily take it on and off. Again, you can attach multiple zip ties together if you need more length.