Unconventional Ways To Use Caulk Around The House

For many homeowners, caulk is one supply that we always put to good use yet still somehow let go to waste at the same time. There's always leftover caulk sticking around in the tube after every project, whether you're finishing filling in your window or caulking the bathtub. As much as we try to salvage it by closing off the end, you know what usually happens — it just ends up drying in the tube and ultimately finds its way to the trash. We could blame it on the manufacturer for giving us more than we need, or we could take responsibility and realize that the real problem is that we don't have enough jobs around the house where we could use the rest of the tube. But it's not that the opportunities aren't there; you're just not looking hard enough.

Caulk is more versatile than you might realize. With a little creativity, you can take advantage of its adhesion, tackiness, and strength in numerous ways, ensuring you burn through the whole tube within its year-long shelf life. Worried about slips and falls? Caulk can be used to give items more traction. Want to reduce annoying slamming noises? Use caulk as a buffer on your cabinet doors. If you're crafty, it can even function as a kind of art medium to create one-of-a-kind works that will bring more interest to your space. If you're struggling to think of good uses, scores of DIYers have done some of the work for you and shared their outside-the-box ideas with the world.

Any leftover silicone caulk can find a great alternative purpose in walking surfaces around the house. Because it's slightly grippier and more flexible than acrylic caulk, silicone makes a fantastic anti-slip application for light area rugs, welcome mats, pet beds and dish mats, bath mats, and more. To make your rug non-slip, apply a line of caulk to the edges and corners of the rug's underside. You can also put lines over the rest of the rug, spacing them about six inches. If desired, smooth the lines down into a thin, even layer.

If your wallpaper is peeling at the edge, a few dabs of well-placed caulk (such as decorator's caulk or another water-based acrylic caulk) can be the quick fix you need to restore the smooth, unbroken appearance. Clear caulk can come in handy to fix edges without leaving any unsightly blemishes. Apply a few dabs without putting on too much, as it can leak over the edge when you press the wallpaper back. Let it get sticky and roll it down to complete the repair.

Tired of hearing the loud smacking of cabinet doors whenever they shut? With a few drops of caulk, you can quickly fix the issue with door bumpers that provide a softer close. Put a dollop at the corner where the door meets the frame when closed, and let it dry in place. Apply these to cabinet doors, lidded equipment, or anything that slams shut. You can also put them on the backs of hanging picture frames to protect the walls and prevent floor damage from planters, appliances, and furniture legs by applying small amounts to legs and bases.

Caulk isn't just for the repair side of household DIYing. If you prefer homemade crafts to decorate the house, that leftover paste can become a stamp for creating unique printed art. Get a printed design, and lay it beneath a piece of plexiglass (aka acrylic glass). Trace over the design with the caulk on the glass cover. Once finished, allow the caulk to dry. You can then roll on your favorite colors or combinations and use your new stamp to adorn the home with custom artwork.

When you're just starting to dabble in making your own molds, silicone caulk may be the ideal medium to save money as you test your interest and knack for this new arts and crafts project. YouTuber Hopi Breton shows us how this works, using dish soap and water to activate the caulk. You'll need 100% silicone caulk (and a lot of it) to work on larger molds. But if you have a small item you want to capture for multiple uses, you can see how far you can take whatever is remaining in your old tubes.

Making cool and easy-to-make 3D wall art is fun for the whole family and a great way to use caulk before it goes bad. Use a canvas, wood board, or the wall itself as the backdrop for stenciled designs or freehand drawings. Getting creative with different textures and application techniques can create inspiring pieces that are a bit more interesting than your typical painted works. Leave it as-is for a minimalistic piece, or paint over the caulk to bring in some color.

For a neat bit of luminous decor, get your hands on a set of night light bulbs and silicone caulk to make primitive silicone bulbs. Simply pour the caulk into a dish, dip the bulbs to the desired depth and give them shape, and let them hang to dry. It is, however, important to note that you should only try this with low-wattage bulbs. The tipped bulbs add moody or festive accents to the room, especially if you mix the caulk with cinnamon, coffee grounds, glitter, and other colorizers.

It's clear by now that caulk makes wonderful molding material, so you can bet it's ideal for miniature models, gaming boards, and much more. Using rubber or foam backing, you can recreate realistic textures, like these detailed ruins from YouTube channel @customminiaturemaker. Different caulks can be preferable for specific applications, such as using a more flexible caulk for bendable backings. If you're not a modeler, don't fret — you can also use these textured pieces to bring more interest to your DIY home decor projects.

As much as hardwood and tile floors add sleek, chic elegance to a space, their smooth, hard surfaces also allow distinct safety issues. Slips and spills can be a common concern, especially with small kids running around the house. While you can't safeguard against the occasional accident completely, you can significantly reduce their frequency with non-slip socks. With silicone caulk, the upgrade is easy. Add a few lines of silicone to the soles of socks and slippers, spread them thin, and let them dry to make non-slip footwear so everyone from toddlers to seniors can navigate their homes with confidence.