When the trusty companion gets beaten up

Image by yeowatzup via Flickr

In a place like Singapore where it is either hot like hell or wet like a well, the umbrella is the trusty companion that we all can't do without. But when heavy-duty pouring begins, is your umbrella sturdy enough to withstand the onslaught?

For the less hardy, a broken rivet or a loosed end are common problems that can be easily fixed with a needle and thread or some wires and scissors.

One of the most common faults that gets the umbrella relegated to the trash bin is a bent spoke - which seems such a pity. Afterall, the umbrella can still be used - it's just not pretty anymore. But hey, I understand why people do it. Somehow it just seems so embrassing to be using an umbrella that is bent out of shape. What one of my friends would do is to keep those faulty umbrellas for heavy-rain and

Image by thornj via Flickr

strong-wind days, because on those days, everyone's going to be hunched under their umbrellas anyway so nobody's going to pay any attention to you! And since the umbrella is already benty, your heart won't break if it takes further beatings from the weather.

In the apartment where I used to stay, a less than perfect umbrella is actually a chance to do your good deed of the day. The estate management would placed umbrella stands next to the estate management's office, the main door or guard counter, for residents to donate their unwanted, but still functioning umbrellas. Typically called "big-hearted umbrellas", these bent, crooked, or kinked umbrellas have been real lifesavers on more occasions than one. (Ok, so that's an exaggeration, but they're really great when I'm just hoping over to the shop across the road to grab something quick and didn't notice the light drizzle when I left the apartment.)

But what if your umbrella is beyond repair? Rather than just chucking it, why not consider the following ideas:

• strip off the fabric and use as drying rack for clothes.
• the fabric is water-proof, so why not use it as ground sheet or to cover food during picnics or as any other form of wrapping for things that you don't want to get wet.
• another way is to just sew the fabric it into a waterproof drawstring bag.
• use it to make a waterproof cover for your backpack if you are the outdoorsy kind who likes to go on hiking or camping trips.
  
• give the fabric to your kid to play as a cape.
• use it to make a rain coat for your pet.
  

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