Why do elastic waist bands go brittle?

If the elastic is made with rubber, which is very common, well, rubber is a natural material and it has a lifespan. It will wear out, It will stretch out, be unable to recover and eventually get brittle. High heat ( especially from clothes dryers) and bleach can seriously shorten its life.

How do you keep rubber bands from getting brittle?

If your home or office is not climate-controlled and gets hot in the summer, place the container of rubber bands in your refrigerator. If you purchase your rubber bands in the form of a rubber band ball, just stick the whole ball in a freezer bag and place it in a drawer or on a shelf away from sunlight.

Why does old elastic get crunchy?

It’s called molecular degeneration and, no, you cannot stop it. Over time the underlying elastic underneath the outside fabric of the elastic band breaks down, hardens, and becomes brittle.

How do you keep elastic from dry rotting?