If you showed pretty much anyone a pool noodle, they would know exactly what it was and what it’s used for. It’s right there in the name – it’s a floaty toy, shaped like a noodle, which you play with in a pool! Well, as it turns out, that’s not the only way you can or should use pool noodles.

Everyone’s favorite Crazy Russian Hacker is up to it again, and this time he’s showing us 13 amazing ways you can use pool noodles in every-day life. No pools required – heck, it doesn’t even have to be summer!

These tricks are extremely handy for a medley of real-life situations. The best part of all is that you can pick up cheap pool noodles, probably for around a buck a piece, at pretty much any value store. So stock up and prepare to try out a few of our new favorite hacks.

Here are our two absolute favorites from the video below:

1. Extended Hose

This situation is too real. You have to clean your car or mop the floor, so you bust out your handy cleaning bucket and take it to the sink. If it fits in the sink, you can probably fill it up without a problem – it’s removing the bucket that ends up being the real problem.

Usually, as you try to tilt the bucket to remove it from under the faucet, at least 30% of the water you just filled it with pours out. Ugh.

Well, the next time you foresee this problem, you only need to bust out your pool noodle! Put one end of the noodle around the faucet and the other in your bucket. Let the water run and it’ll flow easily through your makeshift “hose” right into the bucket. Brilliant.

2. Fish Pole Storage

If you love to fish, you probably have a lovely collection of poles in your garage or basement. You’re also probably constantly looking for a way to store them, as they’re very expensive and delicate. Turns out, all you need is a pool noodle to get the job done!

You can cut the noodle to whatever length you need, or use two noodles if you have more than five rods. Once you have the right length, take a knife or box cutter and make slices into your noodle, about halfway deep.

These slots are perfect for holding your fishing poles upright and firmly in place! Take it a step further and carve some holes into a 2″x 4″; this makes for a perfect base to keep your poles safely in place.

For the rest of these clever pool noodle hacks, make sure you watch the Crazy Russian Hacker video below! It’s a bit long, but it’s filled with really smart ideas that you can actually use in your day-to-day life.

What clever uses have you used pool noodles for? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below.