Anyone that plays tennis often knows that after some time tennis balls can lose their bounce enough to affect your game. Or perhaps, you just live near a tennis court and keep accumulating balls that land up in your yard. In case you wondering what you can do with them, then here are 11 great alternatives to repurpose your old tennis balls with other uses that you may not know.
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11 Genius Ways to Repurpose Tennis Balls
1. Soothe Sore Feet:
Suffering from foot pain, particularly in your heels or the soles of your feet? A tennis ball can provide surprisingly effective relief. By rolling the ball back and forth under your foot, you’re essentially giving yourself a deep tissue massage. This action targets the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. When this tissue becomes inflamed (a condition known as plantar fasciitis), it can cause sharp pain. The tennis ball can help to stretch and release in the plantar fascia, reducing inflammation and easing discomfort. For best results, apply gentle pressure and roll the ball from your heel toward your toes and back again.
2. Say Goodbye to Sweater Shoulder Bumps:
We’ve all been there: you hang up your favorite cardigan, only to find it has developed an unsightly bump on the shoulders. This is a common problem with standard hooks, but a tennis ball offers a clever solution. Using a box cutter, carefully create an “X” in a tennis ball. Then, simply push the ball onto the hook. The soft, rounded surface of the tennis ball provides a much gentler support for your sweaters, preventing those unwanted fabric distortions.
3. Safely Remove a Broken Light Bulb (No More Shards!):
Broken light bulbs can be hazardous to remove, posing a risk of cuts from sharp glass. But there’s a simple and safe solution: a tennis ball. Always begin by unplugging the lamp. Then, gently push a tennis ball onto the broken base of the bulb. The ball’s surface will grip the broken glass, allowing you to carefully unscrew it counterclockwise. This method keeps your fingers away from the sharp edges, minimizing the risk of injury.
4. A Cleaner Dog Toy:
Tired of slimy, slobber-covered balls after a game of fetch? Create a cleaner alternative by stuffing a tennis ball into an old sock (knee-high or athletic socks work best) and tying a knot at the open end. This knot acts as a convenient handle, keeping your hands clean and dry.
5. Restore Pillow Fluff:
Over time, pillows can lose their loft and become flat. To bring them back to life, try this simple trick: Place two clean, light-colored tennis balls in the dryer along with your pillow or pillows. Run the dryer on a low heat setting for approximately 30 minutes. As the dryer tumbles, the tennis balls will gently beat against the pillows, breaking up clumps of filling and restoring their original volume. You can also apply this technique to fluff up a down jacket. Read my earlier post.
6. Stabilize Your Bike on Soft Surfaces:
Parking your bike on grass, dirt, or other soft surfaces can often lead to it tipping over as the kickstand sinks in. A simple tennis ball hack can solve this problem. Using a knife or similar tool, carefully create a small hole in a tennis ball. Then, firmly insert the tip of your bike’s kickstand into the hole. The tennis ball acts as a wider foot, distributing the bike’s weight more evenly and preventing it from sinking.
7. Conserve Water with Every Flush:
Reduce water consumption in your bathroom by placing a tennis ball in your toilet tank. The ball displaces water, resulting in a slightly smaller flush volume. This simple trick can help save water and lower your water bill.
8. Erase Scuff Marks:
Tennis balls are surprisingly effective at removing scuff marks from floors. Simply rub a tennis ball against the scuff mark until it disappears.
9. Conquering Tight Jar Lids:
If you’ve ever struggled to open a jar, you know how frustrating it can be. A simple solution is to use a halved tennis ball. Cut a clean tennis ball in half and place the cut side down on the jar lid. The rubbery texture of the tennis ball provides an excellent grip, making it much easier to twist and open the jar.
10. Quiet Classroom Chairs:
Many schools cut tennis balls in half and place them on the feet of chairs to significantly reduce noise when they’re moved or slide across the floor.
11. Improving Walker Mobility:
For many people who use walkers, navigating different surfaces can be challenging. Tennis balls offer a simple and effective way to improve mobility. By placing them on the walker’s feet, users experience smoother movement, reduced friction, and less chance of catching on obstacles. You can also use ski glides to attach to the walker’s feet, but tennis balls also can significantly enhance comfort and safety. Tip: Cut an “X” in the tennis ball before placing it on the walker leg for a more secure fit at the bottom. You can also buy them precut.
As you can see, there are many creative and practical ways to repurpose tennis balls beyond the tennis court. So next time you find yourself with a collection of old tennis balls, don’t throw them away! Put these tips to good use and discover the surprising versatility of this everyday item.
