Simple & Smart Housekeeping Tips: 5 Ways to Put Your Old Candles to Work

updated May 5, 2019
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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

The simplest, helpful household tips are the ones that I value the most. I love finding new uses for humble objects, and it’s exciting to share these tips and learn some in exchange. For some reason, I seem to have a surplus of candles in my home, even though I’m not exactly a “candle person.” Here’s a quick how to on making those extra, old or partially used candles work for you!

• Use a candle to weatherproof a shipping label! (See photo above). I live in Seattle, so this is a great trick for eight months out of the year here!
1. Write your label and wait for the ink to dry.
2. Stick onto your package or envelope.
3. Gently rub a soft end (usually the bottom flat edge) over the entire label. This will keep the ink from running in snowy or rainy weather.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)


• Use an old candle to fix a sticky drawer!
1. Get your drawer open (this might be hard before using the candle).
2. Use the edge to rub wax along the bottom corners of the drawer and the tracks to help with friction.
3. Open and close the drawer a few times to set.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)


• Use an old candle to lubricate a difficult window latch.
1. Open the latch.
2. Simply rub the soft end (usually the bottom edge or side) everywhere all over the latch.
3. Open and close several times to fully lubricate.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)


• Use a lit candle to avoid tears while slicing an onion. — this one is definitely my favorite!
1. Light a candle next to your slicing station.
2. Grab a super sharp knife, brace yourself, and slice.
3. Don’t tear up!

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)


• Use an old candle to fix a stubborn zipper.
1. Unzip the zipper.
2. Rub wax over the difficult area.
3. Zip and unzip a few times.

(Images by Andie Powers)