How to Make a Scouring Pad Handle from PVC Pipe
One of the most important things that you can do in the aftermath of a disaster is to keep things as clean as possible. While most of us have some rags and scouring pads stocked away for such a situation, few of our survival kits have things that can make the actual job of cleaning easier. However, there’s a great trick that involves turning a few pieces of PVC pipe, and some other basic items, into a durable scouring pad handle. You can attach almost any type of scouring pad, sponge or fabric to the handle, and this can help to make scrubbing less time and labor-intensive.
Required Items:
One 8” long piece of PVC pipe that is ¾” in diameter
One ¾” elbow joint
One ¾” T joint
One 2” long pex pipe that’s ½” in diameter
Two small screws
Scouring pad
Hacksaw
Screwdriver
Knife or chisel
Getting Started
The first step is to cut out a 3/8 inch wide chunk out of the top of the T connector. Make the cut from one of the T to the other, and angle it so the gap you create is at about a 45 degree angle to the stem of the T connector. Remove this piece and smooth down the edges to remove any fragments. You can also shorten the horizontal part of the T connector by cutting equal parts of material from either end. You can also make the holder longer by using a bigger T connector as well. Remember that you can scale any part of this simple project up or down in order to meet your needs.
Next, you want to fit the screws by poking a couple of starter holes into the horizontal part of the T connector. Make the holes sit just above and off to the side of where the horizontal part meets the stem. Space the holes at least an inch apart. This will be used to anchor the material into the handle later. Spacing the holes an inch apart will help to provide better stability for the handle and allow you to get more power per inch of force that you exert.
Take the pex pipe and screw two holes next to each other that are the same width apart as the ones you made on the T connector. Make sure the holes are started enough to allow the screw to grip and bite the material later.
Assembling the Handle
Attach the T connector to one end of the long pipe. You can either secure it in place with some type of adhesive or epoxy, or keep it detachable as long as the fitting is snug. Make sure that the gap along the top of the T connector is facing out and down at an angle. Next, attach the elbow joint to the bottom end of the long pipe. Again, consider whether or not you want to use some adhesive to keep the components attached, apply it as necessary and let it dry for the specified amount of time.
Attaching the Material
The next step is to choose and trim the scouring pad or other material you are going to be using so that it is centered over the T section of the handle. Take the pex pipe and place it horizontally in the center of the material with the holes facing back. Fold the material around the pipe and locate where the two holes are. Mark the spots on the material. Feed the material and pex pipe into the T section of the handle and center them so all of the screw holes are aligned. Hold everything in place as you tighten the screws and secure everything in place.
All you need to do is use the handle and replace the pad or material when necessary. This simple project can give you an affordable and easy-to-make accessory that can fill an important niche in your post-disaster living situation. Try it out for yourself. You will quickly discover how you can take the same principles outlined here to make bigger and better cleaning tools from PVC. You will also enjoy saving a lot of time and energy the next time you need to scrub down a floor or some walls.
