It’s not hard to see why the DIY movement continues to grow and grow. People love the chance to save money, live more sustainably, and use their creativity — all while making their home look great.
It’s also no surprise that DIY projects are super popular with millennials, a generation known for being poorer than their parents and more passionate about the environment. Why wouldn’t they love ways to decorate their home and fix their things without spending a lot of money?
One of the most versatile tools to help on your DIY quest is a hot glue gun. You can find this handy tool at almost any craft store for pretty cheap, and it can help you with tons of stuff around the house. From upcycling furniture to hanging pictures, there’s little that hot glue can’t do.
Your dad might have said that duct tape was the best tool ever, but we’re going to challenge him on that. Hot glue is discreet and holds as well as duct tape in many cases — and sometimes, even better!
If you love DIY hacks, upcycling, saving money, and being creative, you’ll love these 40 ways to use a glue gun in your home.
Hemming clothes is a great way to save money. To complete the task in just minutes, put a simple “seam” of hot glue around the hem and resize as needed.
2. Keep mold out of bath toys by sealing the hole in the bottom.
Most bath toys have a hole in the bottom. This often results in them accumulating water and then mold. Luckily, a blob of hot glue can provide a permanent plug.
If you have shoes that tend to slip and slide on hard surfaces, make sure you stay safe. Add a couple of lines of hot glue to the bottom to give them some extra traction.
Do you have a rug that tends to slip out from under your feet, causing a hazard? Just add a simple border or pattern of hot glue to the bottom to make sure no one ever trips again.
If your ring is wobbling on your finger, keep it in place until you can get to a jeweler’s by making a pool of hot glue, then dipping the bottom part of the ring into it.
The DIY movement is growing ever more popular, and it’s not hard to see why. There are so many awesome things you can make yourself! With a hot glue gun, you can creat gorgeous textured vases.
9. Consider a new take on the melted crayon art trend.
It’s important to clean makeup brushes because they harbor bacteria, but it can be difficult. Using a regular cutting board or plastic binder, make a textured cleaning board to scrub your brushes.
Roman shades add style and pattern wherever you put them. But you don’t have to do a bunch of sewing for this window treatment. Instead, make faux Roman shades by following this tutorial.
If you’re an avid crafter, you probably use stamps to apply texture and interest to your projects. With a paper towel roll and some hot glue, you can make whatever pattern you like with ease.
Are your chairs looking a little ragged? There’s no need to buy new ones. Some fabric and a glue gun make for the easiest reupholstering job in the world.
Do you have candle holders that look a little boring? If you love to decorate, spice them up with a custom hot glue design and cover it with paint, glitter, or whatever else you like.
16. Hang things on the wall without causing damage.
If you love wall decor but don’t want to make a bunch of holes, don’t stress. Just put some painter’s tape on the wall and apply hot glue to the non-adhesive side. Then mount your picture.
If your pictures tend to slip and slide on the wall, apply a little glob of hot glue to each corner. When dry, they’ll provide just enough traction to keep the picture hanging straight.
Putting fairy lights up outside is a great way to make your garden stand out, but figuring out how to mount them can be a challenge. Eliminate the difficulty by applying dots of hot glue every couple of feet.
This is something that should go in everyone’s emergency kit! Just put a large glob of glue about a third of the way down a match and let it dry. When the match is struck and burns down, it’ll heat the glue so you can use it anywhere.
If you have a drawer that tends to slam or scrape, break out your glue gun and apply a thick patch of glue to the side. It will make an effective buffer so the drawer opens and closes without making a racket.
If your shirt button pops off and you don’t have time to sew it back on, use hot glue to secure it until you can get to your sewing kit. A layer of hot glue over your buttons will also make them less likely to fall off.
Glass tables are fitted with rubber or plastic stabilizers. This gives the glass some traction and keeps it from breaking or chipping. You can use a glob of hot glue to replace one if it goes missing.
If you leave the curtains open and a good breeze blows through, things could get knocked over. To make a simple DIY curtain clip, all you need is two strong magnets and a long strip of dried glue.
To keep bags of chip secure after opening them, use a regular binder clip and glue two popsicle sticks to the end. No need to buy something factory-made!
If you have a plastic cutting board, chances are you’ve had it slip and slide a couple of times. Keep it firmly in place by adding a pattern or border of hot glue on the back side.
Do you want an easy way to find your keys? Make a keychain by covering a picture, design, or other object with hot glue. Let it dry, then puncture it and thread your key ring through.
Making a hot glue phone case is fun because you have tons of unique options. Use whatever colors and designs you want — and save money with one you create instead of a store-bought one.
33. Replace the caps of markers to prevent from drying out.
Want to make a wallet that’s super unique? Trace several layers of glue on a piece of oiled paper, then glue together for a simple and striking way to store your money.
If you lose the back of an earring, it’s not the end for that piece of jewelry. With this hack, you don’t even need to heat the glue. Just cut off a small piece and stick it on the end of the earring after inserting it in your ear.
Do you put your knives in storage? Make sure to cover the blades. Coat both sides of the knife with a thin layer of Vaseline, then apply hot glue for a custom-sized “sheath.”
37. Make a simple drain stopper when you can’t find your plug.
If you can’t find your bathtub plug or sink stopper, you can make your own! Just fill a balloon with enough hot glue to make a ball big enough to fit in your palm. Let it dry and cool, and then place it in the drain.
You’re out in public and the nosepiece of your glasses pops off, making them unwearable. No worries! Just put it back together with hot glue until you can get to an eyewear repair store.
It’s not hard to see why the DIY movement continues to grow and grow. People love the chance to save money, live more sustainably, and use their creativity — all while making their home look great.
It’s also no surprise that DIY projects are super popular with millennials, a generation known for being poorer than their parents and more passionate about the environment. Why wouldn’t they love ways to decorate their home and fix their things without spending a lot of money?
One of the most versatile tools to help on your DIY quest is a hot glue gun. You can find this handy tool at almost any craft store for pretty cheap, and it can help you with tons of stuff around the house. From upcycling furniture to hanging pictures, there’s little that hot glue can’t do.
Your dad might have said that duct tape was the best tool ever, but we’re going to challenge him on that. Hot glue is discreet and holds as well as duct tape in many cases — and sometimes, even better!
If you love DIY hacks, upcycling, saving money, and being creative, you’ll love these 40 ways to use a glue gun in your home.
