Who would have thought a simple plastic wrap could have so many practical uses? You might just be surprised by how useful Glad Press’nSeal is around your home!
Press’nSeal wrap has been one of my favorite things since its debut in August of 2003 (just after I graduated high school 😂) — to the point where I literally designed my kitchen drawers so they were deep enough to accommodate the jumbo rolls of Glad Press’nSeal wrap.
And yes, it has to be the Glad brand — the knock-offs just don’t stick as well (believe me, I’ve tried many times).
Press’nSeal wrap did make my list of Favorite Things several years ago, and it’s always first in my drawer because I reach for it so often.
Obviously, there are countless ways you can use Glad Press’nSeal wrap in your kitchen… but did you know there are a bunch of other creative and practical ways this plastic wrap can make your life easier?
Keep reading for a bunch of clever Press’nSeal wrap uses… and feel free to leave your favorites in the comment section below!
1. A Cover for Paint Brushes and Rollers
I do a lot of painting — walls, trim, cabinets, furniture, fencing, picture frames, etc. — so I’m often “in the middle” of a painting project.
In between painting sessions, I cover my brushes, rollers, and any other painting supplies with Press’nSeal wrap, and they stay good for days.
This means I only need to wash out my brushes and clean up one time instead of every single time I finish for the day. I’ve been using this tip for decades, and it’s a huge time and money saver!
2. Paint Tray Liners
Paint trays are usually $5 – $10, and the liners are usually around $1 – $2 each. This might not seem like much, but when you paint with many different colors, that cost adds up.
Plus, for some reason, I always seem to buy the wrong size liner for my paint trays… 🙄
Thankfully, I solved that problem many years ago when I realized that Press’nSeal wrap was the perfect alternative to paint tray liners — and it only costs a few pennies per tray!
Simply line your paint tray with Press’nSeal (pressing it down very firmly), pour your paint in, and you’re ready to go. When you’re finished, just pull up the Press’nSeal and toss it in the trash.
Also, if you’re coming back to painting in an hour or so, you can use another piece of Press’n Seal wrap to cover the paint in your paint tray until you’re ready to paint again.
3. Keep Your Jewelry Tangle-Free
Whether you’re traveling for the summer or just bringing a change of clothes for an event after work, keep your jewelry completely tangle-free, neat, and organized by laying it on a piece of Press’nSeal wrap and then putting another piece over top.
Simply press all around the edges of each jewelry item, then roll it up and place it in your bag. Nothing will get tangled up.
This is an awesome trick that I’ve used many times over the years, and totally wish it were a thing back when I was in high school!
4. Keep Refrigerator Drawers and Shelves Clean
If you are constantly battling sticky, dirty, grimy refrigerator shelves and drawers, try lining them with Press’nSeal wrap first. Then the next time you spill, simply pull up the plastic wrap and put another layer down.
Another refrigerator tip (while we’re on the subject) is to line produce drawers with a thin cloth or a layer of paper towel to soak up any juices from the produce. These can easily be washed or tossed (and replaced) after a few weeks to keep the drawers clean.
5. Prevent Ice Cream Freezer Burn
We often have multiple varieties of ice cream in the house. We usually store it downstairs in our deep freezer, as the deep freezer is better at preventing freezer burn, but once we open a container, we bring it up to the “kitchen freezer”.
When we do this, we often cover the surface of the ice cream with Press’nSeal wrap and then put the cover on. This extends the life of our ice cream and prevents freezer burn. Plus, it only takes 5 seconds, so it’s totally worth it!
6. Keep Avocados Fresher Longer
I have a love-hate relationship with avocados — on one hand, they are delicious, on the other hand, they go bad SO fast that I’m often left frustratedly tossing another half in to the trash.
That is, until I discovered that you can drastically prolong the life of your cut avocados by keeping the pit intact and tightly wrapping the leftover avocado in Press’nSeal wrap.
It will last for several days in the refrigerator without turning brown and mushy.
Also, you can definitely freeze sliced/diced avocado if you find yourself with too much on hand.
7. DIY Sippy Cup
We used this when traveling, going out to eat, and when transitioning our kids from a sippy cup to a regular glass… and it worked for all 4 kids!
Simply cover any drinking glass with Press’nSeal wrap and poke a straw hole through the center. They can sip away while you enjoy your time without constantly worrying about them spilling.
This is also an easy way to always have “sippy cups” available for guests, or a great option if you find yourself at a guest’s house with no child-friendly cups.
8. Prevent Spills When Traveling
Have you ever packed sunscreen, lotion, or any other liquid item for vacation… only to discover the item leaked all over your suitcase?
If so, the next time you travel, take a few minutes to wrap the tops of your liquid items in Press’nSeal wrap and then screw the tops on.
You shouldn’t have any issues with spills.
9. Cover Seedlings to Keep Moisture In
There was a time, before we had kids, when I grew many of my flowers and vegetables from seeds.
I would put them on heating blankets in our living room, cover them with Press’nSeal wrap, and put them by a sunny, south-facing window.
It worked like a charm — and SO much better than any other frugal method I tried.
10. Prevent Your Bananas From Ripening Too Quickly
I read this tip a long time ago, and after years of testing, I can confidently say it really does work.
Simply cover the tops of each bunch with Press’nSeal wrap, and they will turn brown less quickly. It traps the ethylene gas emitted primarily from their stems, limiting its circulation to the rest of the banana and surrounding fruit
If your bananas are going bad too quickly, give this a try. Or, you could always just toss them in the freezer for banana bread!
Bonus: Cover your Phone to Keep it Dry
I know they make fancy waterproof covers for phones and tablets these days, but sometimes I just want a quick solution that still allows me to use the touchscreen when I’m out by the pool, making a messy recipe in the kitchen, or going for a walk when it’s a little rainy.
I wouldn’t jump in a lake with a phone covered with Press’nSeal wrap, but for light rain or splashes, it definitely does the trick.
There you have it, a few non-traditional ways to use Glad Press’n Seal wrap.
Do you have any other uses to add to my list?
Jenn says
This isn’t related to press-n-seal wrap, but uncut avocados stay fresh for at least 2-3 weeks in the fridge. I buy bagged avocados from Costco, let them all ripen on the counter, then pop them in the refrigerator to use one at a time. Works great and no more wasted avocados!
Andrea says
yes, I do the same thing… but if they are cut and not totally eaten, then I wrap them in plastic wrap.
Also, you can freeze avocados too. I slice and peal them, put them in zip-top bags, and freeze them — it works perfectly!
Gloria says
I know this is a little out of the ordinary, but when I had knee replacement surgery years ago, I couldn’t get my knee wet for awhile so I wrapped it in pressnseal over my bandage to shower. I wrapped most of my leg , took a quick shower and it worked great. Never got wet.
Andrea says
Love this — I actually know a family who used it over their son’s cast for showers too! Great idea!