11 Creative Ways to Repurpose Your Old Tennis Balls

Playing tennis is exciting, but constantly replacing balls? That's not so great. Not only is it a hassle, but it's also harmful to the environment. A typical can of tennis balls might only last between one and four weeks for casual play, or just one to three hours in a competitive setting! In the U.S. alone, 125 million tennis balls are discarded every year.

These familiar yellow fuzzy balls are mostly made of rubber sourced from specialized rubber trees in Thailand. While they eventually break down, it takes a staggering 400 years for them to decompose. During this period, they release a significant amount of methane, a greenhouse gas that worsens climate change.

Rather than opening a fresh can for every match and tossing the balls afterward, give your tennis balls a new lease on life with one of these 11 inventive ideas.

1. Stabilize Walkers

Walkers can be difficult to manage due to their slippery legs, causing frustration for those who depend on them. A simple solution is to slice tennis balls in half and slip them onto the legs of the walker. Check out this YouTube video to see exactly how it's done. Even if you don't personally know anyone who uses a walker, consider collecting used tennis balls and donating them to a senior center or assisted living facility. They can put them to good use. Tennis balls can also be used to stabilize wobbly outdoor chairs or prevent indoor chairs from damaging hardwood floors.

2. Open Stubborn Jars

Opening jars can be a real struggle, but tennis balls can help! Made from rubber, they offer excellent grip. Simply cut a tennis ball in half, place it over the lid of a jar, and twist. The jar should open with ease.

3. Speed Up Clothes Drying

While dryer balls are an option, why not use tennis balls if you have them? Throw a couple of clean tennis balls in the dryer to help your clothes dry faster. They bounce around, keeping items from clumping together and allowing air to circulate more freely. This trick saves both energy and time. Plus, you can use them to fluff up towels, blankets, or pillows. Tennis balls also help minimize wrinkles and static in your laundry.

4. Improve Your Toilet's Efficiency

Each toilet flush costs an average of 1.3 cents, which may seem like a small amount, but it quickly adds up. To reduce costs, try placing a tennis ball or two in your toilet tank. This trick lowers the amount of water needed for each flush — a win for your wallet and the environment! It's a simple solution that benefits everyone.

5. Turn It Into a Massage Tool

For a quick, budget-friendly self-massage, all you need is a sock and two tennis balls. Place the balls inside the sock and tie it off. Then, lie down and roll the balls beneath your body weight to relieve tight muscles and feel more relaxed. It’s far more affordable than a professional massage, and you can do it at home in just a few minutes.

6. Soothe Lower Back Pain

For those dealing with lower back pain, you can find relief by rolling a tennis ball. Place it under your foot, rolling it from your heel to your toes and back again. Apply extra pressure on the inner arch of the foot while doing this. This motion will stretch your calf and hamstring, and help ease tightness in the lower back, hopefully reducing any discomfort.

7. Conceal Your Valuables

Whether at home or on the move, slice open a tennis ball to store items like cash or jewelry. A thief likely won’t think to check inside an old ball for hidden valuables. Just be careful it doesn’t end up in the trash by mistake! A slit-open tennis ball is also a great way to carry cash or car keys in your bag while at the gym.

8. Keep Gift Cards Handy

Fed up with slipping gift cards inside predictable greeting cards? Try creating a fun and quirky gift card holder out of a tennis ball instead! All you need is a box cutter, some googly eyes, glue, and any other fun decorations to give it personality.

9. Perfect Your Garage Parking

Protect your car from unnecessary bumps by hanging a tennis ball from the ceiling of your garage. Adjust the height so that the ball gently touches your windshield when you've parked the car in the right spot — far enough to avoid the garage door, but not so close that it hits the garage wall.

10. Tidy Up Your Cables

With all the chargers and cables cluttering up spaces these days, they tend to get tangled and make everything look untidy. Keep your cords organized by cutting slits into a few tennis balls. Thread the cables through, and your cords will stay neatly in place.

11. Clean Your Pool

While tennis balls won't replace your pool's filtration system, they can be a helpful addition. Tennis ball fuzz is highly absorbent, so toss a few into the pool and skimmer basket. They'll soak up oily residues like sunscreen, makeup, and hair products, leaving your water fresher. Just be sure to swap them out regularly, as dirty balls won't be effective.