Whether you're someone who wants to make their own home accessories, or whether you just want to get a little bit crafty for a special occasion, there's one tool that will completely change the DIY game. Yep, we're talking about the hot glue gun! By utilizing this handy tool, you can make your own drapes and curtains, finally fix the coat hangers in your closet, get rid of all that dog fur lying around, and so much more. Don't believe us? Check out this list of the easiest hot glue gun hacks that will send you running to the closest DIY store.
Stop Your Clothes From Sliding off the Hanger
If you have a huge closet full of clothes, your bank account might not stretch to allow for fancy and expensive clothes hangers. Because of this, you might have to resort to cheaper plastic hangers that can be a real nuisance. Before you know it, your clothes are sliding off the hangers and your wardrobe is turning into a floordrobe. Thankfully, there is a simple solution to stop this from happening.
By pouring a small amount of hot glue onto the hangers, you should create enough friction and grip to stop your clothes from sliding off. They'll stay on the hangers, no problem.
DIY a Nifty Brush Cleaner
Everyone has brushes in their homes. From paint brushes to makeup brushes, these things need to be cleaned every so often - but doing so can be difficult if you don't have the right tools. Thankfully, you don't need to shell out a huge amount of money to clean your dirty brushes. All you need to do is have an afternoon of arts and crafts with a hot glue gun for company.
Simply apply hot glue to a plastic board in patterns of your choice, and let it dry. Then, hold the board under the faucet and give your brushes a good wash.
Create Your Own Halloween Decorations
Some people love Christmas, and others love Valentine's Day. But if you're someone who can't get enough of Halloween, you might be interested in knowing that you can make your own Halloween decorations without breaking the bank. Yes, if you're looking to do some arts and crafts in the run-up to this spooky holiday, you can use a hot glue gun to DIY spooky candles, spiderwebs, and even creepy skeletons!
What makes this easy glue gun hack even cooler is the fact that you can get super creative with this idea. After all, there are so many different glues out there - including ones that glow in the dark!
Keep Your Rugs From Slipping
If you love home accessories, there's a high chance that you have at least one rug in your home. But anyone who has a rug on top of wooden flooring will know how annoying it is when your rug slips around under your feet. Thankfully, there's a simple solution to that problem! No, you don't have to stick your rug to the floor with hot glue, but that idea isn't far off.
By adding globules of hot glue onto the back of the rug, you can create friction between the rug and the wooden floor. Just remember to let the glue dry before putting the rug back down.
Attach String Lights With Ease
There are two kinds of people in this world; those who are happy to use the 'big' light in their rooms, and those who refuse to turn it on at all. The latter group of people instead make use of lamps and string lights - but sometimes it's hard to attach string lights to a wall when you can't nail them into the surface. But you'll be happy to know that a hot glue gun can help with that.
By attaching your string lights to a wall with a small bit of hot glue here and there, you should also be able to take them off with ease when you need to.
Make Your Own Toothbrush Cover
No matter whether you're team electric or manual when it comes to the toothbrush debate, there's no doubt about the fact that these things are a huge part of our lives. If you follow your dentist's guidelines, you use this thing up to three times a day - which means that you need to take care of it! But sometimes people forget to keep the bristles of their toothbrush safe, which is where a hot glue gun can come into play.
By covering the head of your toothbrush in baking paper, pouring hot glue over the top, and then waiting for it to cool, you'll be left with a toothbrush cover you can reuse time and time again.
Make Your Own Roman Shades
It's always a good idea to have some kind of window treatment in your home. You might prefer drapes or blinds, but if you're someone who can't get enough of roman blinds then we have a hack for you. Sure, you could just buy some of these blinds from the store - but why do that when you could make your own decorations at home for a quarter of the price?
When you have the fabric for your blinds, simply fold it every so often and use hot glue to hold it in place. This will create the concertina-style effect you're after.
Customize Some Candle Holders
Hands up if you love candles? If you're waving your hands in the air like you just don't care right now, there's a high chance that you have a huge number of candle holders in your home. But how many of them are plain and boring? If you're looking to upgrade your home accessories, grab yourself a glue gun and get creative. There are no rules when it comes to this hack.
By covering a candle holder in globules or patterns of colored hot glue, you can create unique and bespoke designs that add a new dimension to your home. Plus, it's super easy!
Fix Your Torn Clothes
There's nothing worse than getting a tear or a hole in one of your favorite items of clothing, right? This is enough to ruin your whole week, especially if you feel as though you have no option but to throw the item of clothing in the trash. But you'll be happy to know that you don't have to part ways with your beloved pair of pants! Especially if you have a hot glue gun at your disposal.
One of the best ways to fix a tear in your clothes is to stick them together with some hot glue. Sure, this won't last a lifetime - but it'll certainly last a few washes.
Craft Some Quirky Cake Toppers
Everyone loves cake, right? But when you pay for a professional to bake a cake or buy cake toppers from a store, you can guarantee that you're going to spend a small fortune. Thankfully, it doesn't have to be that way. By crafting these cake toppers yourself, you can save yourself a huge amount of money while also benefitting from making something completely bespoke and unique. What's better than that?
By using a cookie cutter as a guide in terms of shape, you can fashion a cake topper using hot glue. From there, you can decorate it however you want. Go wild!
Make Personalized Fridge Magnets
Whether you want to upgrade your decorations or whether you want to gift something to a friend, fridge magnets are a great idea. And while you can certainly buy these from a store or online, there's nothing quite like getting crafty and making these things yourself. That's because it's super easy to make your own fridge magnets at home, and all you need is some hot glue, some magnets, and a mold of some kind.
Simply place the magnet in the mold, cover it in hot glue, and voilà! Of course, we highly encourage the use of glitter, colored glue, and other types of decoration.
Perfectly Align Your Picture Frames
There's nothing quite like filling your house with home accessories. From candles to rugs, they add a touch of personalization to your space. But if you're someone who loves to hang pictures on the wall, you'll know just how difficult it is to perfectly align these frames on your wall. No matter how hard you try, you're always going to end up with wonky picture frames, right? Well, not anymore.
One of the best ways to keep your picture frames level is to apply a globule of hot glue to each corner of the frame. By doing this, you'll stop it from sliding around.
Fashion Some Curtain Straps
Whether you call them curtains or drapes, everyone can agree that these home accessories can make all of the difference in your home. They can offer you privacy and darkness, and they can also add a bright pop of color or pattern to a room. But loose curtains can also be pretty annoying if you have a small space, which is why straps can come in pretty handy. And you can make them using a hot glue gun!
Once you've chosen the fabric you'd like for your curtain straps, grab some magnets and attach them to the straps. Once they're dried and secure, they're ready to keep hold of your curtains.
Make Your Own Homemade Bag Clips
Let's be honest; bag clips make life a whole lot easier. Nobody likes stale potato chips, and kids certainly don't like their lunch spilling out into their backpacks. That's why every home seems to be equipped with these bag clips - but as they're so small, you can misplace them quite easily. But if you find yourself in a situation where you have none to hand, don't worry! Just grab your hot glue gun.
By hot glue gunning a binder clip to two popsicle sticks, you'll be able to create the perfect alternative that should be able to last at least a few lunches.
Diy Some Original Keychains
No set of keys would be complete without a keychain. But if you're fed up with buying the same generic keychain from the dollar store, why not try and mix things up? You might be surprised to learn that it's super easy to make your own keychains, and the process won't even cost you a lot of money. As long as you have some hot glue and some kind of silicone mold, you should be golden.
By pouring the glue into the mold and adding any other personal touches you may like - such as glitter, dried flowers, or even a small photograph - you can create the most unique keychain in seconds.
Create a Knife Sheath
We all have knives in our homes. From cutting onions to chopping wood, most people have at least one knife in their house. But these things can be pretty dangerous, and if you want to keep your family, your children, and even your pets protected from these share blades, why not make your own sheath? You don't have to shell out for anything expensive or fancy, as you just need some hot glue and baking paper.
Simply cover your blade with the baking paper, and then pour the hot glue over the top of it. When it's dry, you should be able to pull it off and place it over your blade.
Glue on a Temporary Door Stopper
If you live in a rental property with a nightmare landlord who looks for any reason to withhold your deposit, you'll be happy to know that you can easily make your own temporary door stopper. This will allow you to open and close your doors without worrying about chipping the paint on the walls, and you can easily remove it when your landlord pops around for an annoying and unannounced visit.
By sticking a bottle cap to some masking tape with a hot glue gun, you can automatically stop your doors in their tracks. Once you're finished with it, simply pull it off the wall!
Craft Your Own Jewelry
If you're the kind of person that loves to adorn your body with necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more, there's a high chance that you have a jewelry box full of store-bought items. But there's nothing quite like wearing something you made yourself, and you'll be happy to know that it's not difficult to make your own jewelry. And you can make it with just a few items that you probably have in your house already!
If you're looking to showcase your arts and crafts talent, simply grab some silicone molds and pour in some hot glue. When you're done, drill a hole and attach it to a string or chain.
Mold the Perfect Lighter Cap
Lighters are a staple in most people's houses. They're used to light fires, candles, cigars, and more - but they can also be pretty fragile. One drop of water can render a lighter useless, which is why it might be a good idea to protect them. This way, you don't have to replace your lighter every few weeks, and you can save yourself some serious money in the long run.
To do this, cover the top of the lighter with baking paper and pour the hot glue on top. When it's dry, you should be able to peel it off, remove the paper, and place the cap back on.
Fashion Your Own Festive Decorations
They say that Christmas is one of the most wonderful times of the year, and this festive period gives those who celebrate the chance to festoon their homes with beautiful decorations. And while it's easy to head to the store and buy these decorations yourself, some families love to make their own. If you're one of them, a hot glue gun could be your next best friend! It's the perfect tool for making your own home accessories.
To make these decorations, simply grab some festive molds, some glitter, and some hot glue. Just make sure that you take care when it comes to using hot glue around children!
Make Your Chopping Boards Safer
Some people don't have the money to buy expensive and well-made chopping boards, but that doesn't mean that you should have to sacrifice your safety. Many of the cheaper plastic chopping boards often slide around your countertop, making you feel extremely uneasy when you use a knife. But there is a way to solve that, and all you need is a hot glue gun to help you out during this crafty project.
By placing four little globules of glue on each corner of the plastic, you can provide a cheap and efficient base for the chopping board. And this will instantly stop it from sliding around the counters.
Craft Your Own Scrapbook Stamps
If you're someone who prides themselves on their affinity for arts and crafts, you've probably completed all kinds of DIY in the past. From painting walls to making your own home decorations, there are so many ways to get creative at home. But if you're looking for a new idea, why not explore scrapbooking? It's the perfect way to let your imagination flow, and it's super easy to make textured stamps.
The best way to do this is to create a pattern of hot glue onto a toilet paper roll. Then, you can roll your stamper in paint and use it however you wish.
Make Some Bumpers for Your Table
Glass tabletops are extremely popular, and it's not hard to see why. They're perfect for small spaces, and they go with any home aesthetic. But there's no doubt about the fact that glass tabletops can be pretty dangerous and fragile. Not only are they easy to tip over, but they're also very easy to chip. Because of this, it might be an idea to think about adding some bumpers to your glass tabletop!
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to do this is to use a glue gun and glue around the circumference of the table. You could choose a clear glue, or go for a different color if you're feeling adventurous.
Stop Kids Toys From Going Moldy
If you have children or grandchildren, you'll know that kids' toys can get pretty disgusting. They get covered in drool, mud, and so many other bacteria - and this is even worse when toys are used in the bath. With so many nooks and crannies in these toys, it may seem like the only option is to throw these toys out, but you don't need to do this if you have a hot glue gun at home.
Whenever you get a new toy, fill any holes with hot glue, and all of your problems will you solved! Without anywhere for the bacteria or mold to go, your kids' toys will stay safe.
Give Your Kitchen Appliances a Second Life
No kitchen would be complete without a few kitchen appliances. Whether your personal favorite is the microwave or the blender, these appliances are normally made from plastic - and they are quite fragile because of that. But the next time the base or the handle of your kitchen appliance breaks, don't just throw it in the trash! Some hot glue could give it a new lease of life, so why not give it a go?
You could use hot glue to create a base for the appliance to stand on, or you could attach the handle back onto the main part of the appliance. Yes, hot glue can be pretty handy.
Craft a Animal Fur Remover
The world wouldn't be the same without pets. So many people find love, joy, and companionship in their fur babies. And while cat and dog people will always have their own reasons for loving their pets, there's no doubt about the fact that they can also be a nuisance. Yes, pet parents find that their house is full of loose hair, and it can be extremely tedious to clean up.
But instead of shelling out money on brushes, vacuums, and expensive pet products, you can create your own loose hair remover with just a glove and some hot glue. It works perfectly!
DIY a Makeshift Drain Stopper
There's nothing more relaxing than a hot bubble bath after a long day of work, but have you ever been in a situation where you've misplaced your bath stopper? Without that all-important tool, it's almost impossible to have a bath in water that at least covers your heels. But what you might not realize is that a balloon and some hot glue could be the solution you've been searching for.
If you fill a balloon with some hot glue and then mold the balloon into the drain before the glue cools, it will perfectly mold to the shape of the drain and stop any water from coming through!
Make Your Own Coasters
When you spend money on expensive furniture, the last thing you want is to see water marks all over it. And while you could solve this by never drinking water again, we don't think your body would thank you for that! So, it might be time to invest in some coasters. But you don't have to go to a store and buy some, as the only investment you'll need to make is a glue gun, some wool, and some felt.
By gluing the wool onto the felt in a spiral pattern, you'll be able to make your own coasters in no time. Of course, you can choose your own color scheme too.
Create Your Own Glue Seal Stamps
If you have a wedding coming up and want to seal your invitations with an old-school seal stamp, then you've come to the right place. Although you could shell out on a wax seal set and pretend you're in a medieval movie, there's a much easier and cheaper way to create this same effect. All you have to do is substitute the wax set for a hot glue gun and some colored glue!
Once you've chosen the color glue you want, squeeze some out onto the envelope and then stamp it with the design of your choice. That decision is completely down to you.
Fix Your Broken Vases
Vases are the perfect home accessory. They can serve as a practical addition to a household with a love of flowers, or they could just serve as decoration. But if you're the kind of person who knocks things over a little too often, you've probably come across a broken vase or two over the course of your life. And while you may have just thrown the pieces in the garbage, you don't need to!
Kintsugi is the Japanese way of putting broken pottery pieces back together using gold, but it's super easy to do the same thing with some gold glue. The finished product looks pretty cool.
Replace Nails With Hot Glue
With so many holidays and special occasions throughout the year, it can be hard to deal with the number of decorations that need to be put up on the walls. After all, there are only so many nails you can hammer into the wall before it ends up looking like a pinboard! But what if we told you that you didn't have to use nails to hang decorations? In fact, all you need is some hot glue and some tape.
By adding some hot glue to tape on the wall, you can attach the decorations to the tape rather than the wall itself. Then, you can simply pull off the tape when you're done.
Design a Quirky Wallet
If you're someone that loves to experiment with arts and crafts, you're probably always on the lookout for something new and exciting to make. And while this idea is certainly a rogue one, why don't you try and make your own glue wallet? You can never have too many wallets, as you never know when you're going to lose one. Plus, you could gift this to a friend or family member for their birthday.
The best way to complete this DIY project is to glue around an existing wallet. This will give you the shape that you want, and you can remove the old wallet when the glue is cooled.
Fix Your Broken Earrings
Around 80-90% of American women have their ears pierced, and many people choose to wear earrings every single day. But depending on how much you pay for your earrings, you may find yourself running into a few problems. Due to their fragile and small nature, many earrings break after just a few months of use - and it seems a shame to throw them away. Luckily, you don't have to!
As long as you manage to keep the backs and the main part of the earring, you should be able to fix them with just a little bit of hot glue.
Keep Some Spare Glue Handy
A hot glue gun can solve so many of your problems, but there's no doubt about the fact that this tool does have one downside; it's powered by electricity. And while this isn't really an issue when you're at home and have full power, there may be an instance where you desperately need glue during a power cut or an emergency situation. But there is a way to get around this problem.
By dolloping some glue on some matches, you can ensure that you have some glue handy during a power cut. Simply use a candle or another match to melt it once again.
Create Some Bespoke Artwork
If you find yourself drawn to the art world, you might love to experiment with different artistic mediums. Sure, you could use pencils or normal watercolor paints - but if you're looking for something else to try, why not give melted crayon art a go? Yes, it might surprise you to learn that hot glue guns don't just work with hot glue. They can also work with crayons, and the effect is pretty awesome.
Although it'll create a huge mess, the melted crayons can stick to any surface, and they come in so many different colors! So, we think it's definitely worth the clean-up afterward.
Upgrade the Safety of Flip Flops
If you're lucky enough to live somewhere where you can wear flip-flops regularly, or whether you just wear them on your vacations, you'll know that flip-flops are perfect for hot weather. But they tend to struggle around water or slippery surfaces. This makes them extremely dangerous, but it doesn't mean that you have to ditch these shoes altogether. You just need to make a slight alteration using some hot glue.
By adding your own unique patterns of hot glue on the soles of the flip flop, you can create some all-important friction between you and the floor. This should stop them from sliding!
Stick Loose Buttons Back on
As you can tell from this list, there are so many ways to use a hot glue gun. And while most of these things surround the world of DIY, arts and crafts, and decorating, you'll be happy to know it can also be super practical in terms of the clothes you wear. Especially if you find that one of the buttons on your favorite pair of pants has come loose and fallen off.
If you're in a rush and can't afford to spend the time sewing the button on, some hot glue can work as a quick fix. Just remember to let it cool before you use the button again!
Make Some Temporary Nose Pads
If you're someone who wears eyeglasses that have nose pads, then you'll know how important they are for your eyesight. The pads need to be in the right position to ensure that the glasses sit on your nose properly, and so they don't dig into your face. So, it's a nightmare situation when you find that one or both of these pads has broken or fallen off from the glasses completely.
There is an easy solution, though. By cutting off small pieces of hot glue, you can mold them around the metal frames and use them as part of a temporary repair.
Re-Upholster an Old Chair
Chairs are very specific to each person. What one person finds comfortable another finds uncomfortable, which is why it's important to keep ahold of the chairs that mesh well with you and your body. But what do you do when the fabric on this chair is ripped or ruined? Well, you don't need to worry. It's super easy to reupholster a chair using some new fabric and a handy glue gun.
Instead of using a staple gun or getting your sewing kit out, some hot glue should allow the new fabric to stick to the old chair. Just make sure that you use a lot.
Make Caps for Your Loose Markers
Marker pens are great to have around the house. Whether you need them for your arts and crafts endeavors or whether you use them to map out your DIY projects, they're always handy. But everyone knows that a marker without its cap is useless - so what do you do when you accidentally lose the lid? Well, that's where some hot glue and a glue gun can help you out.
By wrapping the end of the marker in baking paper and then covering the paper in hot glue, you'll create a glue cap that's the perfect shape and size for what you need.