12 Alternative Uses For Masking And Painter's Tape (Other Than Painting)

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Did you ever finish a painting project, then shove the tape into your junk drawer — or worse, randomly in with your paint cans — until you need it again? Instead of doing this, keep your tape within your tool box or somewhere else you can quickly retrieve it. Affordable and easy to use, both painter's tape and masking tape are must-haves when changing up your wall color. Yet beyond painting, there are numerous alternative uses for masking tape and painter's tape. Depending on your needs, they can be repurposed to hold screws, create miniature plants, and even add a creative touch to various crafts. Both types are easy to tear and write on, which adds to their versatility.

While some people may use the words (and tapes) interchangeably, masking tape and painter's tape are two different things. Masking tape features a stickier adhesive than painter's tape, as the latter is meant to remove easily after a painting project. Don't toss your tape roll aside after you've painted, because you can try these clever uses for it. After checking out these ideas, you'll find that masking and painter's tape rolls are some of the most indispensable items in your home.  

Do you ever find yourself hunting for screws of any size, especially when you're in the middle of assembling something, such as yet another piece of IKEA furniture for your living room? With a few strips of masking tape, you can create a wearable holder for them so you don't have to keep them in your pocket or somewhere where they can easily roll away. Start with a long strip sticky side up for your screws, place the hardware down, then grab two other strips to wrap around your arm.

When storing food in your cabinets, it's good to see what you have at a glance. Yes, you can buy pre-made labels, but if you switch a container out, you have to then remove the label or buy a new one, which can be costly. Using masking tape as a temporary label is a great hack because it's thinner, easier to remove, and cheap. Place a strip on your container, write out the contents, and add an expiration date. You can also do the same for spices so you use them before they expire. 

Washi tape comes in various styles, but if you've ever wanted a specific design, use masking tape to make it. Use a set of rubber stamps to decorate it in black or whatever color you desire. The combination of stamps with the masking tape makes an interesting vintage effect. If you don't have any stamps, try a set that features various motifs like botanicals and space, such as the Hacaroa 32 Piece Wooden Rubber Stamp Set. Once done, the tape could decorate a picture frame or even be a DIY garden plant label. 

Feeling creative with watercolors? Make a geometric-inspired watercolor design. Start with a piece of watercolor paper, such as a sheet from an Amazon Basics Watercolor Pad. Cut out strips of the masking tape, then place them on the sheet in triangles as you please. Once set, you can use your watercolor paints to fill each area with the color of your choice. Let the paint dry, frame, and hang. This idea would be great for varying shades of the same color family, but it also looks good with multiple colors.

A good hack for any extra painter's tape you might have after a painting project is to use it as transfer tape. If you regularly use your Cricut or another vinyl-cutting machine, you're familiar with transfer tape. After placing it on top of your design, you want to rub on top of the tape to make sure it sticks well, then peel away as you would traditional transfer tape as you place your design.

Make a collection of tiny but adorable plants for your desk starting with just masking tape. The snake plant design is a good beginner, but as you get the hang of working with the tape, you could branch out into a monstera. Cut a strip of tape to any length of 1 inch or more, then fold. You'll trim the leaves from these pieces, and then paint each one with acrylic paint or paint pens, with a tiny bit at the end to stick into a capful of air dry clay.

Feel a chill coming in? After you determine there's a draft in one or more of your older windows, you can quickly seal them off with a roll of masking tape. Just place one strip along the edge of the window, then press to adhere fully. It will help with the drafts until you can fully seal your window with caulk or draft tape and can easily be removed at any time.

No one likes to deal with the dust and debris that can come with drilling, especially if you're drilling into a wall. With a piece of regular paper taped to the wall with masking tape, fold the bottom up and then seal on the edges to create a pocket. Now, once you drill your hole in the top strip of tape, the resulting dust will fall into the waiting envelope for easier cleanup.

Consider adding painter's tape to your essential checklist of moving supplies. While it can't seal boxes like packing tape, it's great for helping organize your move once you get to your new home. Use painter's tape and a marker to label your doors, such as "Parent bedroom," and then put the same label in the same color on the boxes that belong in that room. Your moving company will be able to quickly tell which boxes go where, leaving you to focus on more pressing matters. 

Buying furniture and decor is fun, but what's not so fun is when you overestimate the space you have for it. Make it easier to perfectly fill your space by framing out the intended spot with painter's tape. You can set the tape on the carpet or flooring without worrying about it ruining it, and then pull when needed. Just cut the strips to the dimensions of the sofa, table, or whatever you're buying. It's also handy for "visualizing" your space for a new rug.

When moving a mirror of any size, guard against cutting yourself when unpacking in case it accidentally breaks during the move. Take a roll of either type of tape, create an "X" across the glass, and then pack your mirror like normal. If it breaks while in the middle of the move, the tape will help keep the glass shards stuck together so you don't injure yourself on one when you reach into the box.

It can be hard to stay on a straight line when using a sewing machine. Place a piece of tape under the needle so you will be able to see exactly where you need to go as you sew. You can also use a piece of tape as a seam allowance guide, especially if you're creating more than one of the same item, such as pillows or curtains. This will ensure that the seams have universal spacing.