DIY Life

An old bicycle or automotive inner tube has a lot of life left in it after it no longer holds air.

A punctured wheelbarrow inner tube was one of the best dog toys for my black lab. She would drop it at my feet. All I had to do was kick it and it would fly through the air, roll along the ground, or skim along the wet grass. She would race to it, shake it, and drop it at my feet again. Her teeth were never damaged, I never had to bend over and pick up a slobbery toy, and it was easily hosed off.

Here's a list of 24 more reasons to keep a flat tube around.

• Make rubber bands.
• Wrap around a hose tightly, jam into the opening of a clogged pipe and turn on the water. The pressure should clear the blockage.
• Make a belt with a bike sprocket.
• Make adjustable and flexible clamps for holding glued projects together while drying.
• Make a ball that won't become soaked with dog slobber and will be easy on your pet's teeth.
• Use as a funnel or hose.
• Temporary gaskets.

17 more ideas after the jump.

• Make insoles.
• Reduce vibration. (Hauling a bike on a car rack for a while? Protect the paint.)
• Protect wiring from chafing.
• Protect ropes from edges, tree sap, and moisture.
• Makeshift oil filter wrench.
• Combine with hose clamps for a non-slip clamp.
• Use to make waterproof bags.
• Cane a chair.
• Cut a bike tube at the valve stem, and then again on the other side of the stem. Run the chain of a swing set through it to reduce the chance of pinches, or of hair being stuck in the links.
• Make a wallet.
• iPod case.
• Make clothing out of the rubber.
• Make a stretchy rope.
• Scarecrow hair.
• Combine with sticks or bamboo to make a trellis.
• Make unique purses...
• Or bags.