16 prepper Uses for Candle Wax

Okay, without any fanfare here we go:

1. Make new candles, best to get the most obvious one out the way first.
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3. Keep zippers on bags and jackets running freely.
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5. Waterproof regular matches: Remember, dip quick and cool quicker so that the wax doesn’t soak into the match head. Lay dipped matches on a ziplock filled with crushed ice to cool them quickly.
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7. Rub a broken candle over raised stitched seams on boots and shoes to waterproof the joins.
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9. Use the rest of the candle to lubricate drawer runners.
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11. Fix the end of a fraying shoe lace, twirl between your fingers and then dip in melted wax.
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13. Rub along the edge of saws, axes and shears after use to keep them rust free.
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15. Melted wax and linseed oil makes an effective waterproofing treatment for tents, tarps, ‘waxed’ jackets, boots and holdalls. Treat on a sunny day to allow the mixture to sink into the fabric. Smaller items can be heated with a hairdryer.
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17. Fire starters: There are dozens of these ‘recipes’ about, dried leaves in toilet roll tubes, drier lint in egg cartons. Get creative, anything that burns mixed with wax will work.
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19. In a real pinch a soft ball of candle wax can be used to replace a lost filling. Get the area as clean and dry as you can, place the wax where you need it and gently bite down.
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21. When repairing outdoor gear pull the thread through a small block of wax a couple of times to weatherproof it and also make it pull through the canvas more easily.
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23. Quilting or repairing that needs to last will last longer if you sew with waxed thread, just a light pull through solid wax is enough.
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25. Coat the bottom four inches of your snow shovel with wax, it prevents the snow building up and saves you lifting extra weight. Re-coat as required.
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27. Rub a white household candle across a map to keep it dry and readable.
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29. Seal small holes in window frames with softened wax.
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31. Paint melted wax onto a crack in a window as a temporary seal against the weather. Let it ‘run’ down the crack. put a couple of layers over the top and when totally set drag a butter knife over the fix to trim off the excess.

Take care

Liz