There’s no doubt about it: Duct tape has adhered itself to American hearts. Invented to help the war effort during World War II, duct tape originally went by the moniker “Duck Tape” because of its ability to repel water. Once the war was over, civilians started using the tape in construction. For a while it was used most commonly to hold metal air ducts together, earning the silver-gray adhesive its second (and current) name: duct tape. Pretty soon, consumers realized the tape was good for more than adhering ducts; it’s an incredibly versatile tool that has been used for anything from the Apollo 13 mission to making prom dresses. Turns out, the magical stuff also has some neat uses for the health- and fitness- inclined. Here, we've rounded up 15 of them.1. Remove Warts Apparently it’s not just an old wives’ tale. Studies of duct tape’s effectiveness have yielded mixed results, but some research does suggest regular gray duct tape can assist in wart treatment . To give it a whirl, cover up warts with duct tape every day for six days, then soak the warts in warm water on the seventh day and exfoliate them with an emery board or pumice stone.
Repeat this process for as long as two months, and there’s a good chance your warts will be gone.2. Prevent Blisters from Ruining a Workout Avid runners, walkers, and hikers are likely familiar with this trick: When you first feel the symptoms of an impending blister (i.e., burning, friction, or irritation), apply duct tape over the irritated spot as smoothly as possible. If a blister has already developed, protect it from the duct tape’s glue by placing a circle of paper or gauze directly over the blister, and then apply the duct tape on top. Voila: Pain be gone!3. Make an Emergency Bandage If you’re nowhere near a first aid kit when someone develops a cut, apply some sterile, absorbent fabric to the wound (a bandana or strip of t-shirt will do in a pinch) and then wrap duct tape around the cut (applying firm, but not constrictive, pressure) to hold the fabric in place. 4. Make a DIY Mask for CPR Needs to administer mouth-to-mouth don’t have a CPR mask handy? A strip of duct tape could help save a life.
Fold big piece of duct tape over on itself (so that the sticky side isn’t exposed) and cut a quick slit to breathe through (important note: do this quickly).5. Trap Bugs No one wants flying insects buzzing around inside. Keep bugs at bay by hanging long strips of duct tape from the ceiling (like flypaper). If you’re looking to get a cardio workout out of your bug trapping, wrap a tennis racket in duct tape (sticky side out) and wave it around to trap the little critters.6. Keep Socks from Slipping Sliding around in your socks on tile floors is all fun and games until someone crashes and cracks a few bones. Skip the skid by attaching a strip of duct tape to the bottom of each sock in order to make a non-slip sole. (This one’s especially handy if you have kids.)7. Make an Apron Need to protect your clothes from getting messy while whipping up some healthy recipes? No problem—just make an apron from duct tape! Or, heck, just make a whole water-resistant outfit out of duct tape.8.
Make Garden Labels If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, keep your herb and produce beds organized with adorable garden labels made from aluminum duct tape.9. Work Out—Intensely A thirty-minute, high intensity interval training workout using nothing but duct tape (and an optional jump rope)? Get Stronger Arms This move is super simple, but if the Marine Corps Times recommends it, we’re going to assume it’s pretty legit. Just hold a large roll of duct tape out to your side, and keep holding it there until you no longer can. Then repeat with the other arm.11. Repair Ripped Camping Gear Duct tape is one of the best tools to have around when it comes to preventing a camp trip from going downhill. Use it as a temporary fix for a hole in an air mattress or a rip in a tent or sleeping bag.12. Improve Punching Accuracy If you train with a punching bag, challenge your accuracy by placing little squares of duct tape on the bag to use as targets during a workout.13. Correct Ski Issues While out on the slopes, use duct tape to (temporarily) fix a broken ski pole or to reduce snow build up on skis—if snow keeps sticking to the bottom of your skis, simply apply a layer of duct tape.
The slick side of the tape will prevent snow from collecting.14. Make a DIY Sandbag All you need to create your own sandbag (a great full-body workout tool) is a canvas laundry bag, a few heavy-duty garbage bags, some zip ties, some pea gravel, and (of course) duct tape.15. Make a DIY Foam Roller Foam rolling is a great way to relieve muscle tension, increase your range of motion, prevent injuries, and help with recovery. It’s pretty easy (and cheap) to make your own foam roller—all thanks to the power of duct tape. Back to U.S. Website, APO/FPO FurnitureExtra 15% offSelect Furniture by Christopher Knight*RugsUp to 70% offSelect Area Rugs by Safavieh*DécorUp to 50% offSelect Curtains by Exclusive Fabrics*Bed & BathSave onSelect Bedding & Bath by Laura Ashley & MoreHome ImprovementExtra 15% offHome Improvement*KitchenShop AppliancesOutdoorUp to 50% offSelect Outdoor Furniture by Portfolio*JewelryUp to 50% offSelect Auriya Jewelry*WatchesUp to 50% off Featured Branded Watches*Shop WatchesWomenUp to Extra 15% offClothing
, Shoes & Accessories*MenUp to Extra 15% offClothing, Shoes & Accessories*Kids & BabyExtra 10% offKids Furniture*MoreExtra 10% offPet Supplies* FAQs about Air Mattresses When you have an air mattress on hand, you'll be prepared for a spur-of-the-moment camping trip or for unexpected overnight guests. Sleeping on a high-quality airbed is almost as comfortable as sleeping in your bed at home. Whether you have air mattresses already or are getting ready to buy your first, these answers to frequently asked questions will help you choose the right one and enjoy it for years. What type of air mattress should I get?The type of air mattress you should get will depend on what you are looking for in an air bed. Any air mattress thicker than six inches should give you plenty of cushioning. Raised air beds provide the ultimate comfort for sleeping, and raised air beds with pillow tops will give you even more comfort and support. If you are looking for just a little extra comfort for backpacking trips, a thin, self-inflating sleeping pad can give you that comfort in a lightweight, compact design that will easily fit in your backpack.
How do I fix a leaking air mattress?Air mattresses are made from thick plastic that is designed to be resilient and not leak air. However, sometimes leaks and punctures happen. Fixing a leaking air mattress is a simple task. A patch kit usually comes with the air bed. The patch kit should include a piece or two of material, some glue, and a small square of sandpaper. Use the sandpaper to rough up the area around the leak, which will help the glue hold better. Make a complete circle around the hole with the glue and press an appropriately sized piece of the supplied material to the air mattress. Press firmly for as long as the glue recommends. How do I store my air mattress?You can take steps to prevent unnecessary holes by storing your air mattress once you're finished with it. Leaving it out can increase its chances of getting ripped or otherwise damaged. If at all possible, keep the original box your air mattress came in. If you no longer have it, use a sturdy cardboard box or a waterproof container.