7 Ways You Can Reuse Tennis Balls Around The Home
A tennis ball might look like nothing more than a piece of sports equipment, but it has plenty of secret uses beyond the court. It has a lot of unique properties that helps it solve problems all around the home. If you have a tennis ball lying around in a drawer or in your garage, here are seven useful ways to put it to work.
Protect Your Floors
Chairs and stools can leave scratches and scuffs on wood or tile floors. Instead of buying felt pads, cut an X into a tennis ball and slip it over each chair leg. The ball cushions the contact with the floor and helps the chair slide more easily. It also reduces noise when pulling chairs out, which can make a big difference in busy kitchens or dining spaces. If you have a pet that likes to chew, the tennis ball will also keep them away from the lower parts of your furniture.
Loosen Stubborn Jars
A tennis ball can work as a makeshift jar opener. Cut one in half and use the curved piece to grip the lid. The fuzzy surface improves friction while the rubber backing gives you extra leverage and grip. This is especially helpful for people with weak grip strength, arthritis, or anything else that makes it hard to hold things tightly. It’s a simple, affordable alternative to store-bought jar openers, and you can keep one half tucked away in a kitchen drawer for whenever it’s needed.
Relieve Muscle Tension
A tennis ball makes an excellent self-massage tool. Place it between your back and a wall, then lean against it to gently roll out tight spots. You can also use it under your feet while sitting, under your glutes, essentially anywhere you can put it between a muscle knot and a hard surface. Unlike larger massage equipment, a tennis ball is easy to control and adjust (not to mention it’s way cheaper). It’s a handy way to reduce muscle tension after a long day without needing an appointment or expensive tools.
Safeguard Garage Walls
If parking in a garage feels like a tight squeeze, a tennis ball can save your car doors and/or garage walls from damage. Hang a ball from the ceiling with a string so it touches your windshield when the car is in the right spot. It’s a simple, easily visible marker that’ll help you stop at the perfect place every time. It greatly reduces the likelihood of dents and scratches, especially if more than one car is parked in the space.
Keep Laundry Fresh
Tossing a few clean tennis balls into the dryer helps fluff items like pillows, blankets, and jackets, essentially acting as a wool dryer ball. They keep fillings from clumping and shorten drying time by improving air circulation in the drum. They can also soften towels without using fabric softeners. It’s a small addition that makes a surprisingly noticeable difference, especially for bulky loads that otherwise take forever to dry.
Sharpen Scissors
If your scissors aren’t cutting as well as they used to, a tennis ball can help restore them in a pinch. Cut the ball in half and repeatedly snip through the rubber edge. The resistance of the rubber helps realign the blades and even sharpens them a bit. It’s not a replacement for professional sharpening, but it can make a noticeable difference and extend the time before you need to replace or repair the scissors.
Create Safe Storage
If you need a discreet spot to hide spare keys, cash, or anything else that’s both small and secretive, a tennis ball can be turned into a discreet container. Cut a slit in the ball, squeeze it open, and place your items inside. The felt covering hides the cut well, and you can toss the ball among others without drawing any attention. Just remember where you put it, and use this only for low-risk storage, not for valuables.
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A tennis ball may be designed for sport, but its usefulness reaches far beyond the court. It can help you solve problems all around your home, make chores easier, and even improve how you use other everyday items. So the next time you come across an old tennis ball, think twice before tossing it aside. It might turn out to be one of the most helpful little tools you own.
Daniel Mitchell
