Protect Your Hands During Your Next Yard Project With This Pool Noodle Trick

Pool noodles rival duct tape with their versatility and problem-solving potential. Want to protect your fishing pole? Use a pool noodle. Eager to shield your campsite from rain? Get crafty with a pool noodle. Need a seat cushion for an emergency toilet while camping? You guessed it: pool noodle. This long, foam tube can even prevent blisters when you're using rakes, shovels, and other yard tools. That's because you can turn it into a handle cushion.

This low-cost hack calls for one can of WD-40 and one pool noodle. Dollar Tree often carries single pool noodles. You can also purchase a set such as the Oodles of Noodles foam pool swim noodles 5-pack, which you can use to upgrade the handles of other indoor-outdoor tools, or, if you're an angler, use a pool noodle to keep your tackle gear organized. After you've gathered your supplies, grab the long-handled yard tool that's been harsh on your hands and give it a softer side. Ready to get started? Read on for a quick tutorial.

To make a cushion for a tool handle, aim the nozzle of your WD-40 can at your pool noodle's hole and spray inside it thoroughly. Then slide the tool's handle into the hole. For a demonstration of this process, check out the video above by TikTok user jmg8tor.

Can't locate a pool noodle? Not a problem. Instead, try other foam tubing you may already have at your house. If you have spare foam tubing for pipe insulation, it can get the job done. WD-40 is smart to keep on hand since it has so many lawn and garden uses, but you can swap in a different lubricant if you run out. A non-stick culinary product such as Crisco original no-stick cooking spray will work in a pinch. Another solid choice is mineral oil. One option is Materialix food-grade mineral oil. Though it's often used on cutting boards, it can also help your pool noodle slide onto a rake or shovel handle.