If I handed you a bag and asked you to fill it with items that would be useful for fixing things around the house, what would you put in it? Duct tape is an obvious choice — many people consider it the most versatile “fixer” you can keep at home.
Related: 11 Useful Things You Should Know How To Do With Duct Tape
But in this post, I want to talk about another “fixer” that I’d argue is just as versatile and useful: zip ties!
Zip ties were invented in 1958 as a way to corral wiring on airplanes, and since that time, they’ve become staples in many industries due to their affordability, ease of use, and surprising strength. Below, you’ll find 14 of the best everyday uses for zip ties, which might just convince you to keep some alongside your duct tape!
14 Everyday Uses For Zip Ties
1. Make A Key Ring
You can use a small zip tie as a key ring, which is a handy option to have when you’re giving spare keys to a house- or pet-sitter when you go out of town. Just zip tie your spare house key, mailbox key, and any other important keys together so your sitter can easily keep track of them.
2. Make Binder Rings
Use a couple of small zip ties to “bind” papers and documents together. Just punch a couple of holes along the edge and slip small zip ties through the holes. This is a simple and fun way to create a book of your child’s writing or artwork. They’ll love flipping through it!
3. Organize Cables
One of my biggest pet peeves is tangled, messy, and chaotic cables! I do try to keep the cables as organized as possible, but my videographer husband taught me that the secret to having ultra-organized and sleek cables is — zip ties! Take cables that are in the same area, and zip tie them together at regular intervals. The cables will run in one line, which reduces the chaos significantly.
4. Lock Your Luggage
When you’re traveling (especially if you’re backpacking,) you might utilize luggage storage services to keep your bags for the day while you’re out sightseeing. While I’m sure that the majority of people at these services are perfectly trustworthy people, it never hurts to take an extra precaution or two, right?
If your bag has two zippers to close it, you can use a zip tie to secure the two zippers together. It probably won’t stop a determined thief, but it will deter most people from poking around in your bags while you’re out enjoying your trip.
5. Make A Bubble Wand
Make a small loop at the end of a large zip tie and use it as a makeshift bubble wand! Try out one of these recipes for homemade bubble solution, and have a bubble party with the kids!
6. Snake A Drain
Use a large zip tie to help fish hair out of a stopped-up drain. Use a sharp knife to cut diagonal notches along the sides of the zip tie. Then slide it into the drain, and move it up and down to loosen debris and pick up hair.
7. Seal Bags
Use a zip tie to re-seal packages so that the food won’t get stale. This works great to keep marshmallows, brown sugar, and other foods from drying out.
8. Childproof Your Cabinets
Can’t keep the kids out of the cabinets? Zip ties are a cheap and easy fix! Secure a zip tie between two adjacent knobs or handles to keep the kids out of a cupboard.
9. Support Plants
Some plants need a little extra encouragement to stand up straight. Place a stake next to your plant, and use a loosely looped zip tie to secure the plant stem to the stake. (The zip tie should be loose enough to accommodate for the expected growth of the plant. You don’t want to accidentally strangle it!)
More Ideas You'll Love
10. Fix A Zipper
Got a pair of jeans with a zipper that just won’t stay up? Loop a zip tie through the end of your zipper, then zip up your pants. Hook the loop onto the button, then button your pants. And voila! Zipper crisis averted. :-)
11. Secure A Bouquet
Use a zip tie to secure bouquets of flowers. This is great tip for brides who opt to make their own bouquets. It’s also a great way to keep flowers together as a bundle if you’re displaying them in a slightly larger vase.
12. Pack Efficiently
Need to pack a lot of stuff into a small bag? Zip ties to the rescue! Roll your shirts and pants tightly, then secure each one with a zip tie. You’ll be able pack very efficiently! (Make sure to bring extra zip ties to use for the return trip.)
13. Take Them Camping
Zip ties are a great multi-purpose item to keep with your camping supplies. Use a zip tie to fix broken hooks and loops on a tent. Or use one to secure your camp tablecloth to the table in windy conditions. You can also use them to get more traction on slippery hikes! (See below.)
14. Improve Your Traction
If you need a bit of extra grip to power through a slippery trail, or even just an icy parking lot, grab a zip tie! Loop the zip tie around the toe of your shoe, with the fastener facing down towards the ground. Clip the excess length, and the clasp will give you that extra traction you’re looking for.
BONUS: Zip Tie Tips & Tricks
How To Loosen A Zip Tie: Grab a small, strong, and sharp object (a craft knife or a small screwdriver would work well) and slide it between the strip part and the ratchet mechanism. Carefully slide the strip out.
Using Zip Ties Outdoors: If you’re going to be using zip ties outdoors, look for ones that are marked as UV-resistant or UV-stable. Zip ties that are designed for indoor use will likely deteriorate over time when exposed to direct sunlight.
What’s your favorite way to use zip ties?
When we leave the house for more than a few days, I head to the curb and shut off the water. When that happens, the two holes line up and I put several zip ties to prevent anyone from turning on the water while I’m gone.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Regarding #6, the drain snake, I fashioned one of those years ago which resides in the cabinet over the sink. Howerver, I suggest that instead of simply cutting off the ens of the zip tie at an angle, very carefully cutting the end into an inverted “V” to make it far more effective at its job.Regarding #7, sealing bags, how wasteful is that compared to an ordinary wire bag tie or a rubber band? You seal the bag with a zip tie, and how are you 1. going to reopen it without most likely cutting the bag, And 2. reseal it without using yet another zip tie, because you sure aren’t going to reuse the one you just cut off.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Instead of zip ties when packing= rubber bands. And use again on return trip.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Lots of ‘photo booth’ projects are cropping up at family gatherings. Zip ties are a great way to attach backdrops to a pole or curtain rod–just layer them like flip charts and loosely attach the zips so that the backdrops can be easily flipped. You could have giant prints (think blankets) made of the outside your childhood home outdoors, with Christmas tree, at weddings, etc. Another idea is to purchase inexpensive lengths of fabric in different designs or colors and attach them. You could insert eyelets so that the fabric or paper wouldn’t tear easily. [I see that this is actually three or four tips in one. Oh, well.]
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use them to lock up plastic rubbish bags on rubbish day. Keeps animals at bay
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hello. I use zip ties around the pump on the liquid hand soap dispenser. You don’t really need as much soap as comes out from the pump on some of the name brand scented hand soaps and this makes your soap last much longer.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My sisters family does something to their soap pumps. My brother in-law has a 3-D printer. He can easily make tiny little plastic rings and puts them
Please log in or create a free account to comment.around their hand soap and lotion pumps. It helps so their kids aren’t wasting a lot of the soap and lotion.
Love all these ideas! My favorite use is to put vinegar in a quart or gallon bag and then ziptie it around the shower head. After an hour or longer, the shower head is pristine and works great! Every hole is de-gunked!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Perfect!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oh what a great idea. Thank you for sharing.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My grandpa repaired their wooden dining room chairs…. he glued the rungs and used zip ties to tightly secure them until the glue was well set.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I fastened a wire basket to the back of my bike’s luggage rack with zip ties so I can carry library books, groceries, or pool/gym needs. I intend to do the same with my new golf cart, which I use strictly for transportation around our over 55 community.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use giant size zip ties to train unruly branches on trees. Works wonders!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Years ago on a train a student had books in a carrier that split. A passenger had several zip ties in his pocket, he put the books in a pile joined several ties together wrapped them n-s then e-w made a loop from another for a handle and saved the day.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Amazing!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use zip ties for attaching garland to my handrail at Christmas, also attaching christmas lights outside to tree trunks.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Good ideas! I am going to try the one for a snake when I can find a longer zip tie then I currently have,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Check a hardware store. They HUGE ones.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.These are great ideas! I will try the zipper idea and we already use the zip ties to secure our luggage. You always have unique tips. Thanks for sharing them.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.In the pet shipping industry, we commonly used these to seal dog crates shut so no door can come open by accident. If fact several airlines by teh releasable cable ties and put them on even if I don’t.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That’s just shameful about the luggage. Anyone know if the zip ties work for cabinets. My brother has a girl almost 4 , she’s getting better- but loves to look in Grandmas cupboard when she visits. She also recently let someone from our church visit her with two kids. The baby was fine, but mom wasn’t watching the two year old and she kept open and shutting the cupboards and emptying stuff. Anyone know if this trick will keep the kids out.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It definitely will :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.These are all really great ideas, and I’ve used a lot of them, but I generally use velcro strips which come in different sizes now. I use them for cords (gosh, I hate them!) on small appliances like hair dryers, task lamps and such.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for all the great tips. I love your Blog.
The best ties are the reusable ones so you do not have to constantly replace them. A simple on-line search will lead you to a shopping site, perhaps even one near your home
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I will use this right away on the drains as a drain “snake”. The post was worth it for this alone. All the other creative uses are fun and inspirational.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Be careful with this one! I tried this after seeing the Drain Zip-it at Home Depot. A large piece of the zip tie broke off in the drain! I went back to Home Depot and spent the $3 and luckily I was able to get the piece and the hair clog out of the drain. Saved me from calling a plumber. Plus I’ve used the zip-it several times.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Any idea where I can find cheap ones? They seem kinda expensive when I’ve priced them.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.you can find inexpensive packs of zip ties at Harbor Freight or Dollar Tree
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have the door type and utensil basket and it opens up all the time and utensils fall out so I use zip ties to keep it closed.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Attach a different color zip to mark each child’s belongings. Everyone can tell at a glance who the item belongs to by the color of the zip.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use the tiny 4″ ones to secure those mesh bra bags. The zipper won’t always stay closed, the bra ends up out of the bag loose in the washer, defeating the purpose of the bra bag. I feed it through the hole in the zipper pull and the through a fabric loop on the bag. Then I clip the excess length of zip tie and toss it in the washer.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Meant to say I feed it through the hole in the zipper pull and then through the fabric loop near where the zipper ends.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m glad to see that you included using a zip tie as a luggage lock. Years ago, while waiting for a flight that had, apparently, been overbooked, I was asked to surrender my carry-on bag for checking in. That bag included several pairs of pantihose and expensive costume jewelry.
They lost my luggage between Houston and Dallas–250 miles! My bag folded and had several pockets. I missed 1/2 day of the Furniture Market because I didn’t have appropriate clothing. When my bag arrived, someone had gone through my bag, unfolding it and going through the pockets. My things had been moved around and all of my costume jewelry had been stolen. SW did nothing, absolutely nothing.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Anyone with a pocket knife or pair of scissors can easily cut the zip tie on the luggage – just FYI
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