Dental Floss Hacks Everyone Should Know About – #12 is Genius!
Dental floss is one of those small, oft-overlooked items, but its strength, compactness and versatility make it useful beyond its original purpose. Whether you need something to cut a cake, are hiking in the backcountry backcountry or dealing with an emergency at home, floss can help you with all sorts of stuff.
Here are just a few smart dental floss hacks to keep in mind!
Emergency Gear Repair
When you're in the wild, tears in backpacks, tent seams or clothing can go from a small problem to a big one pretty fast. Dental floss is strong enough to be used as thread for temporary stitching. A basic sewing needle or even a sharp thorn can work to push it through fabric.
It's not a permanent fix, but it'll hold long enough to get you through the trip or back to safety.
Slice Soft Foods Cleanly
Dental floss can cut soft foods like cake, cinnamon rolls, brownies or soft cheeses much more neatly than a knife. Simply hold a long piece of floss between both hands and pull it through the food in a gentle sawing motion.
Since floss is thin and smooth, it glides through without crushing the texture, giving you bakery-style slices every time. Just make sure you use a non-flavored type, so no minty taste is left behind on your food!
Remove Sticky Labels
Dental floss can help remove stubborn price stickers or labels from glass jars. Slide the floss underneath the label and gently pull it back and forth. It cuts through the adhesive layer and lifts the sticker away without scratching the surface.
Hang Lightweight Pictures
Dental floss is surprisingly strong and can be used to hang lightweight picture frames or decorations. Tie it securely to hooks or nails and it will hold small frames while remaining nearly invisible against the wall.
Food Storage and Hanging Line
In areas where wildlife is a concern, hanging your food away from camp can protect your supplies and reduce the risk of an animal attack. Dental floss can be used to hang lightweight bags of food from tree branches.
You'll need to toss a rock or stick tied to one end to loop it over the limb of a tree. It won’t hold large amounts, but for small kits, it's a helpful last resort to keep critters away.
Tie Plants to Supports
Gardeners or home plant lovers can use dental floss to tie plant stems to stakes or trellises. The thin material keeps them upright without adding bulky ties, and it can easily be cut away later when the plant grows stronger.
Unstick a Ring from a Finger
Dental floss can help remove a ring that’s stuck on your finger. Slide it under the ring and wrap the longer end around your finger toward the tip. Then gently unwind the floss while pulling the ring over it.
The floss compresses swelling and allows the ring to slide off.
Cut Through Clay or Dough
If you work with clay or baking dough, dental floss is perfect for slicing it into clean portions. Potters often use a similar wire tool.
Simply pull the floss through the material to separate pieces without distortion.
Makeshift Fishing Line
If you're in a situation where you need to catch your next meal while out camping, floss can act as a substitute fishing line. It's thin, nearly invisible in water,and strong enough to handle small to medium-sized fish.
Tie a hook or even fashion one from a soda can tab, paperclip or thorn. Add bait and drop it into a stream or pond. It's not perfect, but when your options are limited, it can help put food on the proverbial table.
Clean Small Spaces
Floss can help clean tight spaces around appliances, keyboards or narrow grooves in objects. Since it’s thin and flexible, you can run it through narrow gaps to remove crumbs or dust that cloths can’t reach.
Remove Photos from Albums
If a photograph is stuck to a scrapbook page or old album, dental floss can separate it safely. Gently slide the floss behind the photo and move it slowly back and forth to loosen the adhesive without tearing the image.
Mark Garden Rows
When planting seeds, stretch dental floss between two stakes to create straight planting rows. This simple trick helps keep your garden neat and evenly spaced!
Emergency Shoelace or Gear Strap
Shoelaces break more than you'd expect, and losing one while out can make walking difficult. Dental floss can be braided to form a strong enough replacement to keep your shoe snug until you’re able to get new laces.
The same applies to securing gear like rolled-up tarps or keeping tools tied to a pack. It’s not ideal for long-term use, but it works when you need something fast and functional.
Repair Broken Jewelry
In an emergency, dental floss can temporarily replace a broken necklace or bracelet string. Thread beads or pendants onto the floss and tie it securely until you can repair the jewelry properly.
It might not be pretty, but it'll do in a pinch until you can get it fixed!
Hang Holiday Decorations
Dental floss works well for hanging lightweight holiday decorations, such as ornaments, paper snowflakes or small lights. Since it's nearly invisible, decorations appear to float, making an incredible illusion that'll impressive everyone!
Make a Travel Clothesline
When traveling, tie dental floss between two hooks or handles to create a temporary clothesline. It’s strong enough to hold socks or other small garments and takes up almost no space in your bag.
Tripwire or Perimeter Alarm
Staying aware of your surroundings is key in any survival setting. Dental floss can be used to create a simple tripwire across a trail or around a campsite.
Tie it between two trees and add noise-making items like tin cans, keys or sticks. If anything crosses the line, you'll hear. It won't stop anything in its tracks, but you'll get a heads-up when you need one most.
Thread Needles Easily
Here's another sewing hack for you!
Dental floss can act as a strong threader when sewing heavy fabrics. Fold the floss through the needle eye and use it to pull thicker thread through more easily.
Clean Jewelry Chains
Run dental floss through tight links in necklaces or bracelets to remove dirt and buildup. This helps clean areas that cloths or brushes can't reach, keeping them sparkling as if they're new.
Secure Loose Buttons Temporarily
If a button pops off while you're out and you don't have sewing thread nearby, dental floss can temporarily secure it back onto clothing. Its strength holds surprisingly well.
Fire Bow String
Starting a fire with a bow drill is hard enough without worrying about cord failure. Dental floss, when braided or doubled up, can serve as an emergency bow string, as it's durable enough to create the friction needed to start a coal.
While it won't last as long as paracord, it’s good for a few attempts and may be all you need to get a fire going in damp or cold conditions.
Remove Stuck Food from Appliances
Dental floss can help dislodge food caught in toaster or blender crevices, at slides into tight areas to remove trapped crumbs. Just make sure the appliances are unplugged before you attempt this, as not doing so risks an electric shock.
Secure Gift Wrapping
If you run out of ribbon or tape when wrapping a birthday or Christmas gift, dental floss can hold the wrapping paper closed for you. Since it's thin and surprisingly strong, it ties neatly without adding bulk.
Separate Frozen Foods
There's nothing worse than going into your freezer to grab food, only to find it's stuck together and you need to portion it out. Instead of waiting for it to defrost, you can use dental floss to separate them.
Slide the floss between the pieces and pull gently to break them apart.
Shelter Building
Strong cordage is essential for building a shelter, especially when tying together branches or securing a tarp. Dental floss can act as backup lashings if you run out of or lose your paracord. You can even use multiple strands twisted together for extra strength.
While it won't hold up long under heavy weight, it does the job in a hurry and holds tight in dry conditions.
Create Straight Cutting Guides
When cutting foam, clay or similar materials (for either arts and crafts or another project), dental floss can serve as a guide line for straight cut. Simply pull the floss across and you have no excuse to not cut straight!
Remove Caulking
Looking to redo the caulking around your home, but don't have the proper tools? Dental floss can sometimes help loosen old caulking in narrow seams. Just slide it along the edge of the material to break the bond before scraping the rest away.
Organize Charging Cables
If you're like us, then your charging cables are a jumbled mess in a random drawer in your home. If you want to keep them organized, use small pieces of floss to tie and bundle the cords together. This keeps the chargers neat and easy to grab when you need them.
Splints and First Aid Fixes
Injuries happen, and when they do, keeping a wound stable or covered is crucial. If you're out in the wilderness and far from medical care, floss can help tie splints in place when you have nothing else. It also works to secure bandages or even makeshift slings.
It's not the most comfortable material, but in emergencies, it can hold things together until you reach proper help. If nothing else, it keeps pressure on a dressing when time is critical.
There's So Much You Can Do With Dental Floss
It's easy to overlook the simple things, but dental floss proves that even the smallest tools can offer a lot in survival situations.
Lightweight, durable and easy to pack, it has the kind of flexibility that makes it worth slipping into every bag, glove box or emergency kit. You may never need it, but you’ll be glad it’s there if you do.
