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DIY for Homeowners

7 Ways to DIY a Pool Noodle

4/7/2016

26 Comments

 
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text by Vicki     Sign up to get Mother Daughter Projects updates in your email!
7 pool noodle DIY idea. MotherDaughterProjects.com
Pool noodles make the best crafting material! Steph challenged me to come up with a post of ideas to using pool noodles. Challenge accepted!

In this post you’ll see a couple of ideas we’ve previously posted, an unoriginal idea (boot storage), but one that we’ve found especially useful since we are now putting our winter boots into storage (yes, we wear boots in Florida!), an idea for using pool noodles to make a floral arrangement, a fun pool noodle footstool, and a squeegee for Steph’s garage floor.

With the new floor coating in Steph’s garage, we’ve found a squeegee to be a necessity as water sits rather than absorbs into the concrete and needs to be removed. Rather than buy one, I decided to see if a pool noodle would work. (Previously we had used this pool noodle type hack with a rake to make a squeegee. That version used split insulating foam and zip ties.)
7 pool noodle DIY idea. MotherDaughterProjects.com

#1 Footstool

Materials:
  • (19) Pool noodles cut to 16” in length
  • Hot glue or glue dots
  • Double sided velcro to create clamps
  • Upholstery fabric, Batting​, and Foam 
  • Embroidery hoop or something to use to draw a circle
  • Spray glue, Fabric Glue, and Duck tape
Steps:
  • Gather 19 pool noodles into a “circle”
  • I actually built out the pool noodles from the center, but looking at the final bundle it is clear you can glue one row of five together, two rows of four, and two rows of three.
  • I used hot glue which does melt the noodles but does a good job keeping them together. Glue dots also work but doesn’t hold them firmly. As I was gluing the noodles together, I used the double sided velcro to hold everything in place like a clamp while the hot glued cooled. 
  • From the picture above follow the noodle pattern to place the rows together. The finally shape is more hexagon than circle. 
  • I trimmed my noodles to length after glueing but it was VERY difficult to get a good straight cut. Do yourself a favor and keep the noodles even from the get-go!
  • Duct tape the entire bundle together. 
7 pool noodle DIY idea. MotherDaughterProjects.com
7 pool noodle DIY idea. MotherDaughterProjects.com
7 pool noodle DIY idea. MotherDaughterProjects.com
7 pool noodle DIY idea. MotherDaughterProjects.com
7 pool noodle DIY idea. MotherDaughterProjects.com
7 pool noodle DIY idea. MotherDaughterProjects.com
  • If using batting, cut the batting to 16" long. Use the entire width so it goes around the bundle a few times. Use spray glue to attach the batting to the bundle.
  • Repeat the process with the upholstery fabric cutting the fabric at least six inches longer than the height of your footstool (you want extra to tuck around the ends). Spray and roll, making sure to match up the pattern if your fabric has one. 
  • Finish the top and bottom by folding in the fabric as shown. Cut out a circle of foam, cover this with an additional piece of the upholstery fabric for the top. Cut an additional circle of upholstery fabric to cover the bottom.
  • The spray glue I used did not hold the fabric well so I used fabric glue to re-glue what did not hold. 
7 pool noodle DIY idea. MotherDaughterProjects.com

#2 Floral Arranger

Material:
  • Pool Noodles—I used two shades of green 
  • Silk Flowers—I used green and pink
  • Glue Dots
  • Plastic tray
  • Pre-cut rug yarn
  • Serrated knife
  • Mini food processor cup
​Steps:
  1. Cut the pool noodles to length. I used a mini food processor cup and serrated knife to easily and consistently cut the pool noodles to length. I cut four of each color.
  2. Arrange the noodles as shown in the picture. Use glue dots to glue noodles to each other and to the bottom of the tray.
  3. Arrange flowers. I started with a row of green that followed an “s” sort of curve down the entire length. I then filled-in with the smaller pink flowers until I was satisfied with the look.
  4. Green rug yarn was scattered along the edge and a couple of wood ladybug magnets were added.

Notes: I used this table display for my DIL Ashley's 30th Birthday! We love her :)
7 pool noodle DIY idea. MotherDaughterProjects.com

#3 Pond Light

Check out our "how to" post here.
7 pool noodle DIY idea. MotherDaughterProjects.com

#4 Squeegee ​

Materials:
  • Handle from a broom/swiffer/mop. Any handle that has an end with screw threads.
  • 16” piece of round pool noodle

Steps:
  1. Cut an “X” into the center of the noodle. Do not cut all the way to the other side.
  2. Push broom end into the “x” until it reaches center.
  3. Use as you would a squeegee, cleaning the noodle off as needed. 
7 pool noodle DIY idea. MotherDaughterProjects.com

#5 Boot Support

Not my original idea, but using a pool noodle inside boots keeps them from bending and creasing during storage.
  • For skinny boots I use the smaller diameter noodle.
  • For UGG type boots I use the thicker ones or double up the smaller one although the thicker one actually does a better job holding up the boot.
  • Simply put the noodle into the boot and use a serrated knife to cut it to the length needed. 
7 pool noodle DIY idea. MotherDaughterProjects.com

#6 Play Time Campfire

Materials:
  • Pool noodles
  • Wood grain gift wrap
  • Clear contact paper (optional)
  • Felt, Hot Glue, and Spray glue
  • Plastic bowl

Steps:
  • Cut the pool noodles to approximately 10 to 11”. Four is a good number to make.
  • Cut the gift wrap to fit the noodle leaving some overhang on each end.
  • Working outside (because of fumes) spray the noodle and the paper with spray glue (follow the instructions on the can for permanent bonding), wrap paper around the noodle, folding and glueing the overhand to the ends.
  • Cover the paper with clear vinyl contact paper, optional
  • Cover the ends with hot glue and quickly place each onto tan or brown felt, let cool and trim
  • The fire is made with felt, plastic bowl, and hot glue
  • Fuse two pieces of felt together with iron-on fusible webbing. Place the plastic bowl onto  the red felt a little off center. With the hot glue, artistically glue into “flame” shapes. I didn’t have enough orange and yellow to add to the fire so I simply placed them into the center of the red. 
  • The “stones” are beanbags made with recycled winter/dark clothing. 
  • ​The marshmallows are chopsticks and white felt. 
7 pool noodle DIY idea. MotherDaughterProjects.com

#7 Pond Light: Holiday edition

Check out our "how-to" post here.
Please note: We are not sponsored by any of the companies/products that we used. These products were picked and bought by us.

FYI: We are not professionals, and we don’t claim to be. This is what we found worked for our project. Yours may need a little different approach. Safety first!

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26 Comments
Susan link
4/11/2016 05:40:26 pm

I love your pool noodle ideas. I am a Brownie leader and am using mini noodles to make camp fire marshmallows for the Brownies to pin to their camp hats. I'm having an issue with paint. I used acrylic craft paint but once dry it flakes off. Before I try spray paint I was wondering if you have any idea what type of paint will adhere and stay on. Am I on the right track with spray paint?

Reply
Vicki@MotherDaughterProjects
4/12/2016 07:10:08 am

Hi Susan, I have used spray paint that works on plastic on pool noodles. (Used on the holiday pond noodles.) The paint eventually started to flake but that was after time in the water and the sun. Make sure the can says it is good for plastic. I'd love to see your finished product. GSA is near and dear to Steph and I. I served as her Girl Scout leader until her troop graduated from high school. She is a Gold Award winner!

Reply
Nikki Colton
10/28/2021 04:12:11 pm

You could also put a layer of sealant or mod podge over the top of the paint to keep it from flaking!

Reply
Mary
7/5/2016 04:43:54 pm

We put pool noodles on the springs on the trampoline, as the protective cover got cracked and brittle from the sun and weather. So far so good with the noodles and they add a little color to the trampoline. The couple right next to door we wrapped with some duct tape to secure them better.

Reply
Steph
7/5/2016 06:27:42 pm

Great idea! Thanks for sharing Mary :)

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Janice West
7/6/2016 12:30:20 pm

I split noodles lengthwise and placed them around the swing set metal legs to protect little heads in case the swingers get a little crazy outside. Cable ties worked to secure them. I also sliced them into about 2-3 inch lengths and use them as items for stringing together, kinda like large beads, paired with lengths of poly rope that's cut to lengths of about 24-36 inches. Tie a large knot in one end so the pieces don't fall off and put masking or duct tape around the other like a shoe lace. Great eye/hand development activity.

Reply
Steph
7/6/2016 03:52:07 pm

So many great uses! Thanks for sharing Janice!

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Kady Marcotte
7/7/2016 11:28:36 am

Years ago I bought a used electric knife, not to cut meat but to cut foam to replace old foam in my sofa cushions Worked great! It also slices right through pool noodles.

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Steph
7/7/2016 08:50:59 pm

Yes it does! Thanks for sharing!

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sue hojdik
7/9/2016 04:04:12 pm

Don't forget these are great to hold furniture covers in place too:)

Reply
Steph
7/10/2016 09:34:17 am

Great tip thanks!

Reply
Brenda
1/9/2018 07:45:03 pm

I’m using a noodle cut to fit over the foot rest bar on my barstools.sliced lengthwise to fit over the bar it stays in place well. Covered with matching fleece and secured with fabric glue on ends and Velcro for the fleece wrap around.

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Steph
1/10/2018 09:55:49 am

Very cool! Thanks for sharing Brenda!

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April C
4/22/2019 06:57:26 pm

Use a 6inch piece (or whatever size can be small left overs from another hack) anyways, Amal piece of noodle slice down one side for slit (now resembles pipe insulation) trim sides to make it butt up against bedroom door knob. (Depending in door style it may look like the letter U) and use a big rubber band (I used old loom bands I found laying around old toys) to place the noodle over the door latch mechanism on door and secure by stretching the rubber band from outside doorknob to inside door knob! Toddlers can’t shut the door NOR will they smash any fingers in a door!

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Ruby L
12/9/2019 03:10:48 am

I have sliced pool noodles down the side and used on side rails of hospital bed to keep granny from hitting her head or legs on the bed, when she was still living. I am currently making a Christmas wreath from pool noodles. Love your ideas!

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Steph
12/11/2019 06:55:16 am

Great idea! Thanks for sharing Ruby!

Reply
Kathy
8/13/2020 12:41:13 pm

I use pool noodles in my fridge and in a unused freezer to keep the doors open when not used. Cut about three pieces, 6 inches Long, slit one side and slide over the edges. You can put them near the hinged side of the doors or where ever it works to keep the door slightly open. No more stale smelling camper fridge or freezer smells

Reply
Steph
8/14/2020 03:24:06 pm

Cool! Thanks for sharing Kathy!

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Sandra Rudolph
7/6/2024 09:30:33 pm

Love this idea! I use several folded dish towels to prop the doors open.

Reply
Brenda Huntley
11/10/2020 05:05:36 pm

I use pool noodles cut in half, then string them on poly cord to make an inexpensive buoy line on the shallow end of our pond. They then get tied to posts on each side of pond so swimmers know where the shallow part ends. Of course they fade from the sun, but my kids loved to make one each summer. Each noodle part can be knotted or double strung to stay in place.

Reply
Steph
11/11/2020 08:03:59 am

That's so cool! Thanks for sharing.

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Harley link
11/29/2020 11:35:22 am

Thanks great bloog post

Reply
Deb
7/5/2022 12:50:17 pm

I can’t wait to try to make a version on the stool for my 3rd grade classroom! If I secure noodles tightly (maybe duct tape) and really reinforce the batting and material this could be a favorite reading spot that my littles won’t accidentally destroy too quickly. Lol!

Reply
Steph
7/5/2022 02:39:32 pm

That's an awesome idea!

Reply
Julia Pochinski
7/26/2022 10:10:43 am

Very nice ideas about pool noodles.

Reply
Steph
7/26/2022 11:48:39 am

Thanks!

Reply



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