Life Hackery

Bad weather isn’t much of a problem if you have an umbrella. The device offers an instant shade for rainshowers and extreme sunlight. Its covering is made from tough waterproof fabrics, while its support ribs are either made of metal or plastic-based. You can certainly depend on this useful device to keep the monsoon from raining down on your parade. Now, look closely at its contours and features. You might discover that the umbrella is even more useful than what some people would think.

For a cheap item, the umbrella has many other possible uses. You can use it as a form of self-defense, leak collector and even a resource for kiddie ponchos. Not many people have taken advantage of its alternative uses, since the device ihas been typecasted as an exclusive device for weather protection. Just let go of its typical definition and you’ll see for yourself how useful the umbrella really is.

Here are 12 amazing ways to use the umbrella:

1. Club – Long umbrellas are built like batons. Their metal frames are strong and durable, making them decent items for self defense. If a mugger approaches you, just swing your umbrella at him forcefully. He will definitely see stars once he gets hit on the jaw. An even faster way to immobilize attackers is to hit them on their solar plexus with the tip of your umbrella. Once hit, your attacker will momentarily gasp for air, which gives you enough time to run or to continue pummeling him with your hand-held canopy.

2. Clothes Hanger – Umbrellas with damaged fabrics are not useless. In fact, they are welcome signs for people who do the laundry. Remove the umbrella’s fabric, then retract its handle. Now, if you turn the structure over, you can start hanging clothes on what used to be the umbrella’s ribs. For umbrellas with straight handles, use a drill to bore a hole at the tip of the handle. Affix a small metal hook into the hole to start using it as a clothes hanger.

3. Kiddie Poncho/Miniskirt – Imagine how an umbrella’s fabric shade will look like if the frame isn’t there? It will resemble two different types of clothing – the poncho and the miniskirt. Unhook the fabric shade from the umbrella’s ribs. Unfasten the fabric from the tip of the umbrella. When the fabric is free from the frame, cut its middle portion according the measurement of your kid’s neck or your waistline.

4. Leak Cover – Having problems with leaks? The umbrella comes as a temporary covers for leaks, until those annoying holes on your ceiling have been sealed. Bore a hole next to the leak then attach a hook. Open your umbrella and hang it on the hook. The umbrella’s shade will surely catch everything that the leak has to offer.

5. Walking Stick – Sturdy long umbrellas are built to support a person of medium weight. On the Internet, you will even find videos of people standing on the frames of long umbrellas just to demonstrate a well-item’s sturdiness. You can clearly depend on a long umbrella to support your frame, if you weigh less than 200 pounds. If you have a foot injury, you can just lean on your umbrella as it helps you travel long distances.

6. Fishing Rod – Given the sturdiness of metal umbrellas, their frames should have no problems carrying the weight of some fish. Turn your umbrella into a makeshift fishing rod by detaching the ribs and fabric. Once done, you have two options – you can tie a long nylon string near the handle and you can have the metal rod remodeled into a fishing rod. Of course, you can do the remodeling yourself if you are adept at working with metals.

7. Home Ornaments – Oriental-themed umbrellas are made with elegant-looking fabrics that have nice prints. These items look good if they are placed alongside Japanese or Chinese decorations. Better yet, you can place an umbrella in an ornamental jar and set the two in a prominent corner of your oriental-themed room. Take note that not all umbrellas look good as home ornaments.

8. Lampshade – The lampshade is both an ornamental item and a source for illumination. These items are expensive, given their dual-purposes. You can create a cheap version of the lampshade by modifying your umbrella. Create a hole on the top portion of the umbrella’s shade. Slide a bulb through the hole then bore several small holes on the shade. Use a thin string to tie the bulb’s wire to the shade. Once affixed, plug the wire into a power source. You can now place your makeshift lampshade in a thin container so that it is held steadily.

9. Mobile Crib Toy – If your baby is looking for something new to play with, you can turn your umbrella into a nice mobile. Find eight small toys and eight pieces of string. Tie the toys with the string, then tie the opposite ends of each string to the tips of an umbrella’s ribs. When the toys are attached, you can bring your mobile toy umbrella by the crib. Twirl it slowly as you watch your baby enjoy the moving toys.

10. Chair Parasol – If you want a breath of fresh air, you can bring your lazy boy or any comfy chair on your lawn. You can recline in your seat as the surroundings relax you further. The moment you see rain clouds appear, just tie a large golf umbrella to the back rest of your chair. With the size of the golf umbrella’s shade, rain cannot dampen your relaxed state outside the house.

11. Practice Putter – For golf enthusiasts, you can turn your crook handled umbrella into a makeshift golf club — perfect for backyard putting. Just remove the umbrella’s ribs and shade. You may then turn the metal rod upside down, with the crook handle acting as the putting head. The umbrella putter will not totally improve your game, but you will surely have a dandy time spiking golf balls into holes.

12. Lightsaber – Jedi masters fight rain with items that totally fit their statures, the lightsaber umbrella. To create one, disassemble the main parts of the umbrella. Purchase a translucent PVC pipe that is about the same circumference as the umbrella’s main rod. Fit a 2.7 volt LED that bears a standard lightsaber color. With the lightsaber’s blade ready, reassemble the umbrella with the illuminated PVC acting as the main rod. You can then swing your lightsaber umbrella at annoying Star Trek fans during rainy days.

Popular characters like Mary Poppins and the Penguin have amazed viewers on how they have creatively used the umbrella to their advantage. You can follow suit and make life more convenient. Consider the umbrella your rain-repulsing utility belt.