Flight attendant shares $2 trick to make your luggage last way longer
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If you're someone who travels a lot, chances are your suitcase is going to get quite the beating.
Even on just one trip, it bangs through airport security, gets thrown onto then off the plane, then you're wheeling it across dirty city streets or across cobblestones.
So, any possible way to protect your luggage to make it last that little bit longer is going to be a good thing.
Suitcase wheels can get a beating. Getty
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Recently, a trick to add a little extra protection to the wheels of your luggage has gone viral online.
"I learned this genius trick from a flight attendant," reads the video caption, shared by a life hacks account.
The video shows someone tightly wrapping black electrical tape - a roll of which costs about $2 - around the wheels of their suitcase.
They then cut it and smooth it down, adding an extra layer to the wheels.
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Black tape can protect your wheels. Facebook
Many people chimed in in the comment section, marvelling at the idea, which they'd never considered before.
One person humorously added that it's a good way to "pick up hair from all over the world". A few other people said that you'd probably need to replace the tape after one trip, as it won't last too long.
Two others commented that they replace their suitcase wheels with wheels from old inline skates, as they tend to last a lot longer.
You can also buy silicone wheel protectors online for your suitcase, if you're worried about wearing out the wheels.
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Wheel protectors are also an option. Getty
Wheel protection isn't the only thing that black electrical tape is good for. One Reddit contributor swears by it as a travel essential.
"Buy black tape and put one in every bag or suitcase," they wrote.
"Black tape will save you when you're in a hotel room with an LED light (TV, switches, etc) that doesn't go off."
Others added that they've used tape to close curtains in hotel rooms, fix thongs, and even repair a hole in their CPAP machine hose.
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