My grandma’s fridge always had the usual things: milk, butter, and a jar of pickles she swore went with just about everything. But tucked in the corner was something that never made sense to me as a kid: a little bag of rubber bands.
I used to laugh about it. Who keeps rubber bands in the fridge? It felt random and a little silly. But recently, I learned there was a real reason behind it, and now I keep my own bag of rubber bands in the freezer at all times. Here’s why.
The Issue with Rubber Band Storage
If you’ve ever rummaged through the junk drawer hoping to find a rubber band for a random task, only to have it snap or crumble the moment you stretch it, you know the feeling. That happened to me all the time because most of the bands I had lying around had already been sitting out for a few months.
Technically, natural rubber has a recommended shelf life of 3 to 5 years under ideal storage conditions, which means it must be sealed, stored cool, and kept away from light. But in a regular kitchen drawer where they’re exposed to heat and air, rubber bands typically start drying out much faster.
Why You Should Always Store Rubber Bands in the Refrigerator
Generally speaking, cold temperatures slow everything down. When you stash rubber bands in the fridge, they don’t dry out nearly as fast. The rubber’s long, stretchy molecules, called polymers, actually behave differently depending on the temperature. Warmth makes them tighten and wear out faster, but the cold helps them relax and stay flexible.
When I learned about this research, I immediately thought about Grandma’s little bag of rubber bands and realized she probably knew this trick worked, even if she never explained to me why.
When I finally tried it myself, I tossed a bag of just a few rubber bands into the freezer, thinking the coldest possible temperature would be even better for extending the life of my rubber bands. Right? The first one I pulled out felt stiff in my hand at first, and when I stretched it right away, it almost snapped. After a minute sitting on the counter to warm up, though, it softened back up and worked like it should.
Ultimately, I did a little more research, and many rubber companies recommend that rubber be stored between 72°F (22°C) and 32°F (0°C), and if stored any colder (like in the freezer) will require warming before use, and can sometimes even cause breakage if there’s any moisture in the rubber bands that has expanded. So, while you can put them in the freezer with caution, the fridge is ultimately a better storage space for longevity of your rubber bands.
Now, when I need to close up a bag of veggies, bunch herbs together, or wrangle some cords, the rubber band I grab out of my fridge actually holds up. No breaking halfway through, and no crumbly mess! What I love about this trick is how small, simple, and easy it is. It doesn’t cost a thing, it takes zero effort, and it saves me from dealing with rubber bands that fall apart the second I need them, ultimately saving me some cash in the long run.
Every time I open the fridge and see that little bag, I think of my grandmother. What I used to see as one of her funny quirks now feels like a clever habit that makes my life a little easier. Turns out, she knew exactly what she was doing! Find more of the smartest ways to use rubber bands in the kitchen here.
Have you tried this fridge storage trick? Let us know in the comments below!