20 ideas on how you can use cocktail straws at home

Oh, how many useful and beautiful things you can make from cocktail straws with your own hands! This is one of the most rewarding materials for creativity.

Making curls for cocktail tubes

With the help of cocktail straws you can create a spectacular afro hairstyle - a lush head of hair made of small curls. The method is very gentle and does not damage the hair at all.

You will need:

• 15-25 cocktail straws;
• the same number of small rubber bands;
• several clamps;
• water in a spray bottle;
• comb.

1. Brush hair.
2. Secure the hair with a clip on the top of the head, at the temples (divide into zones).
3. Separate a thin strand, spray a little water on it, and comb it.
4. Place the straw under the strand. Bend upward. Wrap it around your hair, moving in a spiral.
5. Bend the edge of the tube on the opposite side. Press it with a rubber band.
6. Wrap all your hair sequentially around the straws, strand by strand.
7. Dry your hair with a hairdryer or wait 2-3 hours.
8. Remove the rubber bands and take out the straws.
9. Carefully divide each curl with your fingers into 2-3 parts (for fullness).

How to fix a zipper with a cocktail straw

The tubes are useful in repairing zippers on outerwear: jackets, coats, raincoats or down jackets. The fabric on the bottom of detachable zippers often frays and tears. If this happens:

1. Cut off the damaged edge of the fabric.
2. Take a tube in the color of the lightning.
3. Cut a piece of it 4 cm long.
4. Cut it in half lengthwise.
5. Fold it across.
6. Apply hot glue (“Moment” gel) to the damaged fabric on top and bottom.
7. We insert the fabric between the folds of the tube patch.
8. Crimp with pliers.
9. Trim off excess plastic.
10. Now the edge of the zipper will easily fit into the slider.

How to repair a zipper with a straw is shown in detail in the video:

Other ways to use cocktail straws

Cocktail straws are useful in everyday life in a rented apartment or on a trip. They make useful devices:

1. Clothes hanger. Take 2-3 straws and a long string. Pass it through the first tube. Place the ends into the next tube from opposite sides. Maintain a distance of 10-15 cm between the straws. Do the same with the third straw. Tie the ends of the cord and hang them on a hook. The result will be something like a rope ladder, on the rungs of which it is convenient to hang clothes.
2. Frame. Take two straws. Crop them to fit the photo. Cut lengthwise. Insert photos into the slits. Thread a string through the top straw and hang the photo frame on the wall.
3. Zip for large and small bags. Product packages must be securely closed so that nothing spills or disappears ahead of time. It is very convenient to use straws for this. We wrap the edge of the bag around one straw (2 turns is enough). We cut the second one lengthwise and put it on the first one.
4. Tower of soap bubbles. Tie 10-15 tubes into an armful. Pour a glass of water and 1 tbsp into a flat plate. spoon of dishwashing detergent. Blow. A tower of soap bubbles will grow right before your eyes. Children will be delighted with this entertainment.
5. Organizer for brushes. Artists and simply those who like to paint with paints can do the following: cut off the edges of the straws diagonally, glue the hole on the opposite side, and glue them to thick cardboard. You will get convenient cells for brushes.
6. A bottle of shampoo for the road. Put the shampoo into a syringe without a needle. Squeeze the ends of the straw with tweezers and hold it over the fire of a candle or lighter (5-10 cm above it). Fill it with shampoo. Using fire, solder the opposite end of the straw. Now you don’t have to take bulky bottles on your trip.
7. Container for salt and spices. The tubes can be filled with different seasonings, for example, if you are going on a picnic. The ends do not need to be soldered. Tuck them up and wrap them with tape.
8. Packaging of seeds. The tubes are easy to label. They don't take up much space. The seeds in the straws will not become damp or wet. An excellent option for storing small batches.
9. Cap for felt-tip pen (cosmetic pencil). If the original cap is lost, cut a suitable piece of straw. Squeeze one edge and hold it over the fire. The new cap is ready. Now the pencil will not break, and the felt-tip pen will not dry out.
10. Wire markings. Use short pieces of straw in different colors to organize your bundle of wires. To put them on the wire, you need to make a longitudinal cut.
11. Razor guard. Cut a piece of tube that fits the machine head. Cut it lengthwise. Place on top of the head.
12. Vacuum packaging. To keep fresh food longer, place it in a tight zip-lock bag. Close, leaving a small hole for the straw. Pull all the air out through it. Zip the bag all the way.Due to the absence of air in the packaging, products will be stored for 2-3 days longer.
13. Organizer for jewelry. Glue cocktail straws into a tripod. Glue the crossbars. You can hang earrings, beads and chains on them.
14. Drain brush. Make cross cuts at one end of the straw (in different directions). Stick it down the drain. Along with the straw, any hair stuck in it will be removed.
15. Peeling cherries. Pierce the berry with a straw exactly in the center. The bone will fall out on its own.

1. Cocktail straws for decorating the area:
2. Wicker basket:
3. New Year decoration:

Questions and answers

Question: Where can I get a lot of cocktail straws?

Answer: You can collect straws that are sold with juices and smoothies. But it's much easier to buy them. Pack of 250 pcs. will cost about 100 rubles.

Question: Can a cocktail straw be reused?

Answer: Definitely not. It is impossible to rinse them well inside. Particles of juice pulp and microbes from the oral cavity remain on the walls. Drinking from a straw a second time is not recommended.

Cocktail straws are an attribute of celebration, fun and relaxation. But they are only used once for a party. And then...then the straw goes into the trash bin, and at best is recycled into recyclable materials. At worst, it rots in a landfill for decades. Therefore, if you have the desire and opportunity to give them a second life, you should definitely do so. Useful little things will not only make life easier, but will also help our planet stay clean.