The simple rubber band has been around for over a century but it still has its uses - even in today's technology-centered world.

简单的橡皮筋已经存在超过一个世纪了，但是即使在当今这个以技术为中心的世界里，它仍然有它的用处。

This article shows how manipulating rubber bands and attaching them to everyday objects can make daily tasks simpler and as a helping¹ hand out of sticky situations.

这篇文章展示了如何巧妙地使用橡皮筋并把它们绑在日常用品上来使得日常任务更容易解决，以及橡皮筋是如何帮助我们解决棘手情况的。

1. Chopping vegetables and fruit

1、切蔬菜和水果

Non-slip: To avoid the board slipping when cutting and chopping food, put two rubber bands around either side of chopping board to stop it from sliding.

防滑：为了避免切食材时案板滑动，在案板的两边裹上两个橡皮筋来防止其滑动。

2. Opening jars

2、开罐头

Tight: Got a jar that is too stiff to open? Put a band around the lid and then try and it should turn with ease.

绷紧：罐头太紧打不开？在盖子周围缠上橡皮筋，然后再试一下，应该就可以轻松地打开了。

3. Reading books

3、读书

Handy: Make turning pages easier by getting a thin rubber band and wrapping it around the index finger to leaf through books, papers and notepads with ease.

便利：翻阅书籍、报纸以及记事本的时候，在食指上绕上一圈薄薄的橡皮筋可以使翻页变得更容易。

4. Painting

4、涂油漆

Mess-free: Open the tin and put a band vertically² around the paint pot to use as a rest for the brush when it is not being used.

避免脏乱：打开罐子，在油漆罐上垂直地绕上一圈橡皮筋；不用刷子的时候，把刷子放在橡皮筋上。

5. Getting dressed

5、穿好衣服

Overindulged: For those moments after a big meal when doing up pants the conventional way is just impossible, reach for the rubber band. Loop the band around the buttonhole and hook it to the button to breathe with ease without constraining³ zips and buttons.

过度放纵：吃过大餐后整理裤子的时候，常规手段是不可能的了，那就去拿橡皮筋。将橡皮筋绕过扣眼并系在扣子上，这样就可以轻松地呼吸而且不用强行拉上拉链、系上扣子了。

6. Packing

6、打包

Neat: For space-efficient packing, fold then role up clothes and secure them either end with a rubber band before loading them into a bag.

整齐：打包时为了节省空间，把衣服折叠起来并在装包前在两端套上橡皮筋。

7. Hanging clothes

7、挂衣服

Non-slip: Some items - especially spaghetti straps⁴ - have a tendency to slip off hangers⁶ within seconds of being tidied away. Double-loop elastic⁷ bands and put them either side of the hanger⁵ to keep clothes from falling down.

防滑：一些物品，尤其是细吊带，容易在整理好后的几秒钟之内滑下衣架。在衣架两端绕两圈橡皮筋可以防止衣服滑落。

8. Washing up

8、洗餐具

Firm: Get two bands, loop them together, then loop on several more. Loop the whole chain through the end of the dish-wrack then wind around wine glasses and loop at other side to keep them in place inside the dishwasher.

稳固：取两个橡皮筋缠在一起，然后再缠几个。将整条橡皮筋链穿过洗碗机架子的底段，然后绕在酒杯周围，并在另一边打环扣住，这样就可以将杯子固定在洗碗机上了。