Have you ever wondered what an ideal peaceful night in your home would be like? Does it entail a Netflix marathon? A warm bath with bubbles and wine? Or a home-cooked meal? Whatever your perfect pampering soirée is, we are absolutely sure you’ll light up a candle (or ten) to add a touch of fun and relaxation to your evening.

Used since the dawn of time, candles can do much more than simply illuminate a room or make a room cozier. Put some of that candle wax to use with these uncanny, but useful hacks!

Snow Removal

Before you go shoveling snow this winter, just rub a little candle wax on your snow shovel. It will make the snow slide down right away. These ten great snow and ice removal hacks will make winter a bit easier.

Make a Perfect Fire Starter

You can use leftover candle wax to make firelighters and keep them handy for your next barbecue or camping trip. Just take an empty cardboard egg carton, some lint from the dryer, and some candle scraps. Place the dryer fluff in each cup of the egg carton and melt the candle wax. Pour the melted wax into each cup of the egg carton so that the lint is covered. The wax will solidify and allow you to tear the cups. When you’re ready for a fire, light the torn rim of the cup, and the fire will begin to burn. Simply throw one or two into your prepared fire pit, and you’ll have a fire within minutes. 

Lubricate Screws

Just rub a little wax on the threads of the screws, making them easier to drive. Keep an old candle in your workshop, and you will save a lot of time by removing bare or broken screws. 

Loosen Sticking Drawers

Do you have a kitchen drawer that sticks? Use a little candle wax to peel it off and slide it more easily along the rails. 

Predict the Weather

Make sure your mail gets to the right place by using candle wax to waterproof addresses. Simply rub the candle on the text, and it will be waterproof. This tip also works for your favorite recipes if they are on the cards. 

Fix a Shoelace

Stop a frayed shoelace with candle wax! Simply dip the end of the shoelace in melted candle wax, so that it hardens and the fraying stops. Learn how to make an emergency candle out of toilet paper and butter!

Waterproof Mail

Make sure your mail gets to the right place by using candle wax to waterproof addresses. Simply rub the candle on the text, and it will be waterproof. This tip also works for your favorite recipes if they are on index cards. 

Prevent Mildew and Mold

Try rubbing your shower grout with a white candle. This will fight off mold and fungus formation and will also ward off with other stains. 

Stop a Squeaky Door

You have a door that makes an annoying squeaking sound when it opens or closes, and you’re out of WD-40? Remove the door from its hinges and rub it with a candle. The wax will prevent the components from rubbing together and squeaking. Here are 22 ingenious ways to use WD-40 around the home.

Stop the Tears

Cutting onions makes you cry? Next time, light a candle near your workplace before you start cutting onions, and the candle flame will absorb some of the vapors, making your job easier. 

Loosen Zippers

Release a zipper stuck with an old candle. Simply rub the candle on the zipper’s teeth before unzipping it, and it will work without any problem. 

Cosmetic Fix for Furniture

If you have a small dent in a wooden piece of furniture, fill it with a little melted candle wax. When it hardens, go over it with a furniture repair marker. 

Aah, candles – whether you appreciate them for their soothing scents or only for their ambiance, these little luxuries have a place in almost every home. But when the wick disappears, a piece of wax remains that all too often go unused. Don’t let this extra stash go to waste! Instead, try one of the above ideas and make the most of all your old candles!