Here's why this summer staple is more than meets the eye...
CK and GK love a good hack, especially ones that are easy, inexpensive, and give them a place to channel all of their ADHD-hyperfixation-energy. Jenny is great at finding imaginative solutions to common problems, and Caitlin loves any practical “a-ha” moment. When their powers combine, CK & GK are a reliable source for DIY hacks.
Enter: the pool noodle.
We were amazed by the versatility of pool noodles and how they can transform your home!
Listen now for genius pool noodle hacks that you can DIY in just a few minutes with a pool noodle, scissors, and some tape. We’ve got everything from keeping your kids safe and entertained to preventing car door dings in your garage.
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4 of Our Favorite Pool Noodle Hacks
Summer wouldn't be complete without pool noodles. These genius pool noodle hacks offer practical solutions for everyday challenges, like preventing door slams and hanging your laundry. With a little creativity and a few cheap pool noodles, you can easily DIY a few home improvements.
*Note: Please, we beg of you, always practice good judgment when borrowing hacks from TikTok. If you have any concerns about the safety of something, err on the side of caution and skip it.
Special thanks to our sources for this episode and blog post.
1) Door-Slam Deterrent
TikTok mom @ljflommom hacks off a foot-long chunk of green foam, slices it halfway through lengthwise, and then stretches it around the edge of her baby's bedroom door to prevent it from slamming. We liked this hack for babyproofing, too, because it protects small fingers from getting stuck in the door.
Another thing it could help with? Keep your pets from accidentally closing doors!
2) Prevent door dings in the garage, too!
Again, slice your pool noodle halfway lengthwise, but this time, wrap it around the studs in your garage and the cross-brace of your garage door to make sure your car's doors and lift gate stay ding-free... and then blame a rogue grocery cart for any new ones you get while out and about.
3) Keep Your Plants Cool
TikTok user @pennyjo8 says "For plants in pots, you can use pool noodles standing vertically to fill the container to about 3/4 of the height of the container. That way you won’t need as much soil in your largest containers, and it’ll help with drainage, keeping the soil from getting over-saturated."
So. Much. Lighter. Than. Rocks.
Brilliant, right?
4) Floating Beverage Barge
Cut short lengths of pool noodles to the length of the sides of a plastic bin. The tipster recommends using a bin with a lip to keep the noodles in place!
Thread a bungee cord through the center of the noodles to keep them snug against the sides.
Tie some rope or cord onto the bungee to make a handle.
Add a small circle of pool noodle as a floating ring to make the handle easy to grab while you're lounging on your flamingo float in the pool.
Boom! Bevvys in the pool.
Get the rest of the hacks in the episode!
More From The Episode
Ultimate Summer Survival Guide
Looking for more summer survival tips? Visit our Summer Survival Guide on our site for a range of practical tips and resources for parents we’ve curated ourselves.
Whether
your kids are in year-round school or out until Labor Day,
you’re working or a stay-at-home parent,
you’re going on vacation or hoping for a few day trips around your town,
the survival guide caters to all the ways you summer. We hope our actionable tips and relatable content help our listeners have a memorable and stress-free summer experience.
The Moral of the Episode? First Food, then jokes.
Jenny GK's quest for a special type of Dr. Pepper had us cackling while we recorded this episode. Her obsession with finding this specific flavor showcases how this woman can make anything fun.
Two more things
Consider purchasing a carpet cleaning machine to easily clean up spills and messes at home.
Explore the Pinky Malinki show on Netflix for some family-friendly entertainment.
Make good choices!
Love,
CK & GK