10 Uses for Old Tennis Balls

If you play tennis, even if you play horribly and only a few times a year (like we do), then you probably have a tube of old tennis balls in the trunk of your car. Test 'em out. They probably don't have much bounce left in them, which means it's time to try one of these ten ideas ...

We had no idea how useful old tennis balls could be until we read this article over atThis Old House. Amazing.

Here are our favorite three:

1. Protect a padlock: "Cut a slit in a tennis ball with a utility knife and slip it over an outdoor padlock to prevent water from getting into it and freezing."
2.Open a jar: "Cut a tennis ball in half. Use the open end to grip and unscrew tight lids."
3. Collect change for tolls: "Cut a slit in a tennis ball and stash spare change inside. Keep the ball in your car so you don’t have to grope for your wallet when you’re at the tollbooth."

Get the rest here.

Image: This Old House

Comments (4)

Oops! Don't keep a ball somewhere in your car, especially one the size of a tennis ball. It can easily get loose, roll under your brake and cause a crash!

posted by percent on October 1st 2009 at 9:48pm
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it would prob. be ok if you stuck it in a cup holder.

posted by sarahc123 on October 1st 2009 at 10:18pm
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Someone at my husband's company brings in tubes of old tennis balls and lets dog owners come and take them.

We really appreciate this as our dog really loves tennis balls but she goes through them pretty quickly unless they're the spendy ultra-tough-for-dogs type.

posted by Slow Lorus on October 2nd 2009 at 9:00pm
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Teachers like to cover the feet of the classroom chairs with tennis balls. It makes for a quieter classroom and keeps the floors from getting scuffed up.

posted by wsafranek on October 4th 2009 at 9:39am
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