The Amazing, Versatile Duct Tape and Why You Can't Get Along Without It

Duct tape is durable and has a slew of uses. It is not like your ordinary tape that tears and snaps because it is made of fabric strengthened by resilient plastic backing and rubber adhesive. It sticks to practically everything and good for all sorts of repairs. History Duct tape wasn't originally spelled as such at the start. Soldiers fighting in World War II needed a durable adhesive tape to fix their gears and keep water out of their ammo boxes. Duct tape was designed for that purpose in 1942 and was named "duck" tape because of its water-repellant properties. After the war, this adhesive tape was used to seal up and repair heating ducts. From military green, its color was changed to silver and was thence referred to as "duct" tape. Some Uses of Duct Tape At Home - Use some brightly colored duct tapes to mark your suitcases to make it easy to recognize at the airport. - Duct tapes can even remove warts. It will irritate and weaken the wart tissue and allow your immune system to destroy the growth. - You can use it as a temporary seal on leaking pipes and joints under the sink or in the bathroom. It can be used as a temporary repair on zero-pressure drain lines. It mustn't be a permanent plumbing fix on pressurized drain lines. - A windy picnic day can be saved with a few strips of duct tape. Fold back the tablecloth and stick the strips of tape underneath the cloth and stick the other end of the tape over the edge and underneath the picnic table in different places. - Use duct tape and a waterproof permanent marker to make long-lasting labels for books and boxes. - Duct tapes can function as makeshift sticky notes on work sites to remind people of the next day's activities. - To stop a leaky garden hose, first use a rag to wipe it dry. Plug the break with a small piece of tape and proceed to double wrap the hose at an angle with a second piece. - You can use duct tape to patch leather punctured or torn upholstery, heavy gym bags or bicycle seats. Just use a tape with a matching color. When covering furniture, it is important to overlap each strip of duct tape so they won't break off when sat on. - Duct tapes can be used to hold up babies' diapers. Automotive uses - To repair a leaking radiator hose, allow the engine to cool down for a while. Antifreeze is very hot and you don't want to get scalded. When the engine is cooled, make sure the hose is dry by wiping off any excess antifreeze. Cut off a length of duct tape and wrap it tightly around the puncture area twice. Fill the radiator once more with water and antifreeze and replace the radiator cap on loosely. Bring your car to the nearest mechanic. Don't screw the cap back on too tight as pressure can build up and loosen the tape. - Duct tapes are sold in different colors and can be used to patch an automobile seat. - You can use duct tapes to "pimp up" your automobile seats by sticking a couple of different colored tapes across the seat's back rest.