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Remove Stickers
Remove stubborn stickers from jars, plastic, and other items by applying a bit of clear Chapstick to the sticky spot. Let the waxy substance sit for about 10 minutes. After the lip balm has softened the sticker, it will be a lot easier to scrape off.
Start a Fire
You know Chapstick can protect your lips from the cold, but it can also warm up your whole body. How, you may ask? Well, this wonder product can help small tinder to burn longer, making it easier to get a fire started. Remove a dab of Chapstick from the tube and rub it into a wad of dried grass, bark, or even the loosened fibers of a cotton swab. Light it with a match, and watch the fire starter burn long enough to ignite larger tinder. Before you know it, you’ll have a roaring fire.
Lubricate Drawer Tracks
If a hard-to-budge drawer turns getting dressed into a game of tug-of-war, here’s a trick to make opening your wardrobe a bit easier. Lubricate old drawers by putting a little lip balm on the runners or tracks. The smooth stuff will act as a lubricant, making the drawers slide more easily and silencing their squeaking.
Related: Kitchen Cures: The Perfect Solution for Every Unruly Drawer
Light an Emergency Candle
If an emergency power outage or a dark night at the campsite finds you in need of a little light, you can make a candle in a pinch with a match and a tube of Chapstick. Turn the wheel on the tube to push the balm above the edge of the plastic container. Then, insert the match in the middle of the tube, and light. It will not burn all night, but it will light your way temporarily, and even help you start a fire.
Related: 14 New Uses for Old Candles
Loosen a Stuck Zipper
Sticky zipper? Loosen the stubborn teeth by rubbing a bit of Chapstick over them. Then, move the slider back and forth a few times to work in the waxy substance. That’s all it takes to return your zipper to its zippy self.
Reduce Friction on Bar Clamps
Over time, tools and clamps can get a bit bound up. Smooth out the action on sticky bar clamps by lubricating them with a bit of Chapstick. This approach will also work to ease the screw mechanism of a bench vise.
Clear Fog on Glasses
Working up a sweat in the yard during cold weather can cause your safety goggles or sunglasses to fog up. Fight the fog by rubbing a small amount of Chapstick onto the lenses, then buffing it off with a soft cloth. This simple act will reduce the fog and clean your glasses at the same time.
Avoid Splitting Wood
On your next project, keep from splitting lumber when driving screws by lubricating fasteners with Chapstick before using them. The lip balm will help ease the screw into the wood, giving you a clean finish.
Keep Blades from Rusting
When stored out in the open, any utility knife, chisel, or pair of scissors can become susceptible to rust. Keep your sharp metal tools, whether in the garage, basement, or outdoor shed, rust-free by rubbing a little Chapstick on the blade edges before putting them away.
Lubricate Outdoor Light Bulbs
Like metal tools, the screw bases of outdoor light bulbs often succumb to rust as a result of exposure to rain and humidity. It’s no surprise that rust then makes these bulbs difficult and potentially dangerous to remove, as forcing a stuck light bulb can cause it to crack or break. Save your fingers—and your time—by putting a little Chapstick on the threads of the light bulb base before screwing the bulb into a socket. This simple step will protect the metal from the elements and make changing the bulb a cinch.
Related: 10 Inventive Outdoor Lighting Projects to DIY for the Holidays