9 Creative Zip Tie Hacks You Should Be Using In Your Home & Garden

To some people, a zip tie is nothing more than a simple piece of plastic that can be used to hold things together. Others who are more familiar with zip ties know that these tiny ties are a lot more powerful than they seem. However, even many of the biggest zip tie aficionados may not know about some of the cool ways they can be used in their homes and gardens.

Thanks to the versatility, there are a lot of ways zip ties can come in handy. Whether you need a quick fix for problems around the home or want to give your plants a little extra TLC, a zip tie could be exactly what you need. Not only are zip ties easy to use, but they are also affordable, making them a great option for people who don't want to break the bank. Keep reading to learn about some of the best (and most creative) ways to use zip ties in your home and garden.

No matter how careful you are about what you let goes down your drains, there's always a chance that you can end up with a clog. However, next time you notice that things aren't flowing down the drain as quickly as they should, you might want to grab a zip tie before you call a plumber. With just a zip tie and a little ingenuity, you can make your own drain snake.

Simply grab a long zip tie and use a pair of scissors, a box cutter, or wire cutters to cut small diagonal slits into the zip tie. It's important to be careful that you don't cut all the way through. Then, insert the zip tie into your drain and move it around to allow it to catch hair and other gunk that may be clogging your drain. If you don't have any long zip ties, you can tie several short zip ties together to unclog your drain.

Did you know that, according to Fixr, baby-proofing your home can cost up to $2,500? Although new parents may not be able to eliminate all of that expense entirely, there are things they can do to lower the price tag. One of those things is using zip ties to baby-proof kitchen (or bathroom) cabinets. In addition to being cost-effective, using zip ties also means that you won't have to drill holes or attach screws.

If you're dealing with cabinets that have two handles next to each other, all you need to do is attach the tie around both handles. Tighten the zip tie until it fits on both handles securely. If your cabinet has just one knob, fasten the zip tie around the knob and another part of the cabinet that is sturdy. Once you've gotten the zip tie attached securely, tighten it until there is enough resistance that the cabinet can't be opened.

If you're tired of walking into your garage or shed only to be met with a mess of garden tools — you're in luck. With just a few zip ties, you can get your garden tools organized and neatly stored away so you know exactly where to find them the next time you're ready to get some gardening done.

The first method is arguably the simplest: Bundle your garden tools and tie a zip tie around them to keep them all together. However, if you're looking for a method that will allow you to access your tools quickly and easily, you may opt for the second option. For this method, you will need to have a pegboard. Place an open zip tie through one of the holes in the pegboard and pull it out through another hole. Use another zip tie to create a complete loop. You can then use this loop to hang your tools.

On the surface, hanging a shower curtain seems like a pretty straightforward task. However, if you don't have any shower curtain rods handy, it can quickly start to feel like somewhat of a nightmare. Fortunately, zip ties are the perfect stand-in if you need to hang a shower curtain in a pinch. This hack can also come in handy if you've simply lost or broken a few of your existing shower curtain rings.

To put this method to use, put a zip tie through one of the holes at the top of your shower curtain and fasten it around the shower rod. Be mindful not to fasten the tie too tightly so that you can easily slide them across the rod to open and close your shower curtain. In addition to being easy to attach, you also don't have to worry about the zip ties rusting or corroding, thanks to their plastic design.

Creeping (or climbing) plants can be a beautiful addition to any garden, but they can also get a little tricky to maintain, because they require more support as they grow upwards. However, with a little help from a few zip ties, your plants can stand strong and healthy.

Wrap a zip tie around the stem of your plant and a fixed structure, such as a fence, stake, or trellis and fasten it. This will allow your plant to grow straight up as opposed to bending and becoming crooked. Keep in mind that the stems of your plants will grow with the rest of the plant, so it's important that you leave enough room in the zip tie to prevent damage to the stem. On top of the added support, zip ties can also help you train your plants to grow in the shape and direction you want.

Have you ever reached for the bag of chips that you opened a few days ago only to take a bite and realize that your beloved snack is stale? Unfortunately, this can happen easily when bags of chips aren't resealed tightly after being opened, and chip clips have a strange habit of disappearing right when you need them. However, if you have a zip tie lying around, you will never have to worry about being without a chip clip again.

Zip ties can be used to keep chips fresh by simply tightening a zip tie around the opening of the bag. Be sure to keep the zip tie as tight as possible to prevent air from getting into the bag, as this will help your chips stay better longer. When sealed properly, an open bag of chips can last for up to two weeks. You can also use this hack to keep some of your other favorite snacks fresh.

When you're sitting outside on a warm day, a breeze can feel like a dream come true. But those feelings can quickly change when the breeze starts to pick up, and the cushions on your outdoor furniture are blown to the ground. Luckily, zip ties offer a simple solution to this problem.

Use a zip tie to keep your cushions in place by placing a small hole in the seam of the cushion. Placing the hole in the back of the cushion will make it more discreet. Next, slide a zip tie through the hole in your cushion and attach it to the base of the furniture. Depending on the size of your cushions, you may need to add more than one hole. Since your outdoor furniture is likely outside for a good portion of the year, this is another instance where you may want to consider using UV-resistant zip ties.

Many of the avid gardeners out there would probably agree that a fence around your garden can help keep your plants safe and healthy. On the other hand, though, the fence needs to be properly maintained in order to be as effective as possible. That's where zip ties come in. Using just a few zip ties can help your fence stay secure without costing you a lot of time or effort.

Place a zip tie around each of your fence posts and then attach the zip ties to your fence's netting. This method will help your fencing remain strong against wind, animals, and other things that could damage your fence and, subsequently, your plants. Since too much time in the sun can break down the material that traditional zip ties are made from and cause them to weaken, experts recommend using UV-resistant zip ties. The good news is that UV-resistant zip ties are easy to find and can be purchased at most hardware and home and garden stores.

One of the best things about growing flowers in your garden is being able to make them into beautiful bouquets for loved ones. But instead of buying bouquet clips or fidgeting with strings or ribbon, many will be happy to know that zip ties can get the job done just as well. In fact, all it takes is one zip tie to hold the perfect bouquet together. 

Once you've gotten your arrangement just how you want it, you can use a zip tie to bind the flowers together. Although you want the stems to be held together fairly tightly, you should also leave enough room so that the flowers can be slightly adjusted when added to a vase. Making the zip tie too tight could also lead to the stems being damaged and/or broken. If you're worried that a zip tie won't be aesthetically pleasing, experts suggest using green zip ties so they can easily blend in with your stems.