I have a few things that I keep wrapped up with rubber bands and they break after a few months. They seem to get dried out and loose their stretch. Is there a particular type (or brand) of rubber bands that I can expect to last longer, or should I just buy a bag of them and expect to change them often?
Could you use velcro wire ties? I use them in a couple of spots and they work fine.
As far as rubber bands, I have an enormous rubber band ball. It’s probably got 15,000 rubber bands on it (it’s about the size of a basketball). A friend and I made it over the course of a few months back in college. Since then, I only feel the need to put another layer on every 2-3 years ago when they start to feel dry. Before I was adding to it, I had ignored it for probably 5 or 6 years before I noticed that the ones on the outer layer were starting to dry out and snap.
I don’t think I’ve used any special type of rubber band, but part of it might be that they aren’t being used on a regular basis. Either not taking them off and putting them back on makes a difference or they dry out and lose their stretch but I never notice it.
Rubber bands from office depot for file folders last longer. It would be their own brand, cause I am cheap like that.
I’ve found so many cords and other stuff with sticky residue from rotted rubber bands.
I zip tie cords now.
I buy Alliance Sterling Rubber Bands. They are at Walmart, Costco, Sams Club etc.
I don’t know if they are any better than Office Depot or Staples store brand.
I consider rubber bands short term storage, due to problems described in the OP. Find another method for long term.
Not real fond of paperclips, either.
If you don’t need large bands you could use the coated hair ties. The ones without a metal piece are better. You can get wads of them at Dollar Tree.
If you are really going through bags of elastic bands, why not invest in some twine? Tie it around the object with a binding knot and it will last for years.
I think silicone rubber won’t dry out and break down. And looking on Amazon, some people sell silicone rubber bands, mostly for kitchen use.
The best ones I ever had are the ones the postman uses to bundle letters and then drops on my drive or in the street.
Condoms make good improvised bands.
I don’t know the brand, but at work we have these orange rubber bands made out of some kind of synthetic rubber. Maybe like the silicone ones Dewey Finn mentioned. They don’t dry out and disintegrate like normal rubber bands do. A lot of stuff we rubber band goes into boxes for long term storage so it’s good to have rubber bands that won’t fall apart.
Grifiti bands. Look for the words “Food Grade” and they won’t break down on you.
Thanks all! I went with non-latex rubber bands (they mention being “archival”). I really liked the Grafiti X bands but I couldn’t get them small enough (or I had to pay $15 which was way more money than I felt like paying).