Uses for Old Inner Tubes

Old inner tubes from cars or bikes are commonly disposed of in landfills and trash dumps, but those old tubes can be re-purposed to perform a multitude of different tasks. Because of inner tube rubber's strength and elasticity, it can be used to strap down loose items, to add grip to slippery things or it can be employed to create an entirely unique product.

  1. Grips and Tire Protectors

    • According to Paul Oertel, author of "101 Uses for Old Inner Tubes," strips of old inner tubes can be laid inside the tire of a bike before a new inner tube is inserted. These strips will give the new tube an added layer of protection against punctures from thorns and other sharp objects. Oertel also recommends wrapping strips old inner tubes around the handles of tennis rackets or bicycle handle bars for added grip.

    Tree Support Protection

    • Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories recommends using old bike inner tubes as a cushion between a tree's bark and a staking wire supporting the tree. By cutting the old tube into multiple pieces and removing the valve stem, a sheath is created through which a supporting guy-wire can be thread. This can help prevent damage to the tree's bark from any type of wire that might be used to stake the tree.

    Goose Decoys

    • Some hunters have found ways to fool geese using old inner tubes.

      Hunters tired of schlepping heavy goose decoys out to their hunting areas can cut down on the lugging by using old inner tubes to build lightweight and effective goose decoys, according to Profit Frog, a web resource for "profitable hobbies." According to the website, J.C. Schultz, a hunter from South Dakota, sews piece of old inner tubes together in a pattern that looks like a Canada goose. When the pattern is sewn and all the seams vulcanized, the decoy can be inflated and set out to attract real, live geese.