How can I reuse or recycle … random shaped sticking plasters?

Sticking plasterWe’ve had an email from Andrea:

Sometimes I buy assortment packs of adhesive bandages (we call them Band Aids whether they’re Band Aid brand or not) and when I’m through with all the regular ones I’m left with the small round spot ones. I haven’t figured out why that size and shape exists to begin with.

Is there any use for them?

My guess would be that they’re for people who have to inject themselves regularly but since I have a complete and utter needle phobia, I’ve got a pile of them here too. I’ve recently started buying own brand plasters that are just different rectangle shapes but have a number of random shaped ones left over from previous boxes – those little circle ones, and the (for want of a better description) butterfly shaped ones particularly.

So any suggestions for alternative uses?

(Photo of a standard shaped plaster by monique72)

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14 Responses to “How can I reuse or recycle … random shaped sticking plasters?”


  1. dancing girl says:

    You could use them with a dab of glue on the non sticky side for attaching things to things that you don’t want to damage too much.
    Sticky plasters seem to have much stronger glue than your average sticky tape but you can remove them without too much damage.

    OR…the dotty ones could be used for repairing holes in plastic.

  2. dancing girl says:

    You could add a dab of glue to the non sticky side and use them to attach things to other things that you don’t want to damage. The glue on Band Aids is stronger that sticky tape and yet they can be easily removed. The residue can easily be removed with rubbing alcohol.

    You could also use the dotty shaped ones to repair small holes in plastic items.
    Shower Caps, Beach Balls, Tarpaulins, Rain coats, Umbrellas…………endless items.

  3. Andy says:

    Use the small round plasters on the back of pictures when hanging on the wall, this will prevent marks from the wooden frame damaging your wall paper.
    The wing shaped ones are designed to be used on finger tips, espsicaly useful for those pesky paper cuts… Ouch!

  4. LeeF says:

    How about using them on the feet of furniture, ie chairs, to stop scratching the floor?

  5. john says:

    A friend used them to repair the hinges on glasses cases or on cases of car stereo fronts. The plaster becomes the new hinge.

    • Audrey says:

      First you might try putting fans there and relaly fan the place. If you have two fans, all the better. I have seen people many times, use fans to dry out a carpet

  6. Mea says:

    Um, when I wear a top (like a tank top) where you don’t want to wear a bra, I use the round ones to cover of a certain part of my anatomy to prevent poky-outiness.

    I liked the idea of using them on the back of pictures.

  7. Chusha says:

    The spot shaped band-aids I find useful for fixing wobbly shelving, replacing a missing rubber foot on small electronics, and even have used them in computer repair. Inside the PC case I use them to keep system fans from rattling in the case if they’re not secured by screws.

    Additionally I also use them for annoying mosquito bites.

  8. My guess would be that they’re for people who have to inject themselves regularly but since I have a complete and utter needle phobia, I’ve got a pile of them here too. Thanks for this information. :)

  9. Olia says:

    Stick them to the bottom of the items , if you do not want those items to scratch your furniture.

  10. Olia says:

    Those that are butterfly shaped, paint them in different colors and create design in a scrapbook, on a wall, on a decorative box, etc.

  11. Olia says:

    Stick round ones on the opposite side of the nontransparent fabric, when sewing down buttons. Then remove adhesive part of the band-aid. Your buttons will stay longer without tearing fabric.

  12. Olia says:

    Use round band aid to mend small hall in a sock or clothing. Just adhere it to the back of the hall and mend over.

  13. Olia says:

    You can stick them to your body in an interesting pattern or word, then lay in a sun and have temporary skin decoration. :)



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