It actually worked!

@Fleura (34927)

United Kingdom

January 29, 2026 8:33am CST

We seem to be going through a phase of things wearing out here. The washing machine is on its last legs, the fridge seems to be misbehaving and now the mixer blades are coming off! I think the plastic centre has crumbled due to the stress it is under in use. One end of one of the metal ‘blades’ (I’m not sure if that’s the right term) is now detached. I thought I would have to throw it out but as a last resort I tried holding it in place with an elastic band – and it worked! I really didn’t expect that, I thought it would just ping off, but I have used it to make two cakes and it’s holding up so far! All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2026.

11 people like this

11 responses

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jan

That's very cool and I'm sure there is no shortage of elastic bands.

1 person likes this

@Fleura (34927)

• United Kingdom

30 Jan

You're absolutely right because of course I always save any elastic bands that come in, along with paperclips etc. Wasn't it the entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne who refused to ever buy paperclips?

1 person likes this

@Fleura (34927)

• United Kingdom

30 Jan

Yes I have jars of elastic bands and paperclips too! Our bread just comes with a sort of tape fastening the bag though.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381739)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jan

@Fleura I have a little jar full of bands; another of paperclips and another of the funny little clips that come on the bread and a big jar of various sized bulldog-type clips.

1 person likes this

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@LadyDuck (502148)

• Italy

29 Jan

I am glad it worked, at least those mixers are no more very expensive.

1 person likes this

@Fleura (34927)

• United Kingdom

29 Jan

That's true, but since the actual motor is still working I don't want to have to throw it away.

2 people like this

@LadyDuck (502148)

• Italy

29 Jan

@Fleura I understand very well, I kept the old accessories of the one that stopped working.

1 person likes this

@Fleura (34927)

• United Kingdom

29 Jan

@LadyDuck So did I! Unfortunately they don't fit, it's a different brand and the little lugs on the stem of each beater are in a different position!

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@AmbiePam (120533)

• United States

29 Jan

I like how you use things until they literally fall apart. Why get a new one if you really can make it work?

1 person likes this

@Fleura (34927)

• United Kingdom

29 Jan

Exactly!

1 person likes this

@Tampa_girl7 (54714)

• United States

29 Jan

Thank goodness it worked for you.

1 person likes this

@Fleura (34927)

• United Kingdom

29 Jan

I was surprised!

@DaddyEvil (174208)

• United States

30 Jan

I usually replace things when they start going bad. I'm glad that worked for you.

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (222222)

• United States

30 Jan

You are very creative!! Yes, things don't last as long as they used to.

1 person likes this

@Fleura (34927)

• United Kingdom

31 Jan

Thanks. I do enjoy problem solving!

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (222222)

• United States

1 Feb

@Fleura You're very welcome.

1 person likes this

@BarBaraPrz (51811)

• St. Catharines, Ontario

29 Jan

Great! I love it when I find a simple solution to a problem.

1 person likes this

@wolfgirl569 (135583)

• Marion, Ohio

29 Jan

Glad that is working for you

1 person likes this

@Marilynda1225 (91011)

• United States

29 Jan

Hope it continues to work until you can get a new one.

1 person likes this

@DianneN (254949)

• United States

29 Jan

You have always been inventive. Good going!

1 person likes this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (323168)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

29 Jan

I'm glad it worked and you could make two cakes.

1 person likes this