Masking tape was invented in 1925 by a 3M employee named Richard Drew.

Since then it has become a staple in households and workplaces around the world.

From holding down plastic drop sheets to being used as a makeshift drill gauge, masking tape is especially handy during DIY and no handy person worth their salt would begin a project without having a supply.

In this blog, we celebrate masking tape by listing 5 hacks that will make using masking tape even easier than it already is.

Be sure to let us know if you already use these handy tips or if you have any of your own ideas to share.

1. Protect walls with masking tape

1. Protect walls with masking tape
Handyman Magazine

DIY jobs like mounting shelves or attaching hooks to the wall often require you to make pencil marks at certain points to show where fasteners need to go or to mark measurements and distances.

However, even if you use a pencil and try to remove the marks with an eraser, traces can be left behind.

Next time you need to mark a wall, use a piece of masking tape to protect it.

Simply attach a piece of masking tape to the wall roughly where your pencil marks will go, then mark the tape instead of the wall.

That way you can drill holes into the wall through the tape and when you remove it, you’ll be left with a tidy hole and no excess pencil marks.

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2. Soften old masking tape in seconds

2. Soften old masking tape in seconds
Handyman Magazine

The solution to dried out masking is simple: put it in the microwave!

Heating time will vary depending on your microwave power settings but you shouldn’t need to heat the masking tape for more than 30 seconds.

We recommend heating the tape for 10 seconds at first, and then repeating as necessary.

3. Create a DIY tape dispenser with a sock

3. Create a DIY tape dispenser with a sock
Handyman Magazine

Don’t throw away your old sport socks, turn them into DIY tape dispensers.

The ridges on these socks work like grips to the keep the tape from sliding down your arm.

To make a sock dispenser all you need is an old sport sock and a pair of scissors.

Cut the foot off the sock put it aside, slide the remaining part of the sock onto your wrist, followed by a role of tape.

Use the foot of the sock as a dust rag or shoe polisher.

Masking tape was invented in 1925 by a 3M employee named Richard Drew.

Since then it has become a staple in households and workplaces around the world.

From holding down plastic drop sheets to being used as a makeshift drill gauge, masking tape is especially handy during DIY and no handy person worth their salt would begin a project without having a supply.

In this blog, we celebrate masking tape by listing 5 hacks that will make using masking tape even easier than it already is.

Be sure to let us know if you already use these handy tips or if you have any of your own ideas to share.

4. How to remove masking tape neatly

 4. How to remove masking tape neatly
Handyman Magazine

This could quite possibly be one of handiest DIY hacks.

A main issue with using masking tape is that if left on for too long, it can be difficult to remove without leaving residue.

The solution to this issue is ridiculously easy.

Use a hair dryer to heat up masking tape for about 30 seconds before removing.

5. How to find the end of a roll of tape

5. How to find the end of a roll of tape
Handyman Magazine

One thing that can really slow you down and cause major frustration when using masking tape is when you can’t find the end of a roll.

It’s often difficult to locate the tape end with your fignernail, especially when the tape is clear.

Instead of wasting time searching for the tape end, simply try this trick.

All you need to do is place a paperclip on the roll of tape just after where you are about to make the cut.

Then smooth the tape down against the roll.

When you want to use the tape again, this trick makes it easy to find the end of the roll.

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