Playing with chalk can be a whole lot of fun. Kids love pretending that they are artists and creating little masterpieces on the driveway. Chalk isn’t just for kids though. Adults can have a lot of fun with the sticks of soft limestone rock as well.
Although, adult uses of chalk might be slightly different than what the young people use it for.
Once you reach a certain age, getting down on your hands and knees on the sidewalk to scribble colorful doodles just isn’t as appealing anymore. However, something most people don’t realize is that there are all kinds of alternative uses for chalk that make it just as productive for the adults as it is for the youngsters.
We’ve gathered a few of our favorites to share with you today:
1. Redirect ants
Surprisingly, ants are very obedient little insects. If you draw a chalk line on the ground, they won’t cross it. You can basically use chalk to send an army of ants on whatever random course you want. The chalk messes up the ants’ ability to communicate with one another. Whether you do it simply for enjoyment or for an actual beneficial use like keeping ants away from your home is up to you.
2. Remove grease stains
Apply the chalk to the stained area. The chalk dust helps to absorb some of the grease and will make it easier to wash the stain out later. In addition to clothing and bedsheets, this technique also works for cleaning suede and leather. The chalk will absorb the grease just the same.
3. Prevent silver from tarnishing
Chalk works amazing for keeping silverware or other silver pieces such as jewelry from losing their luster. If you coat the silver item in chalk before storing it, it will absorb any moisture in the air and prevent it from tarnishing. In the future, you’ll never have to worry about polishing your silver to keep it sparkling. Simply wash the chalk off the item and it will be good to go.
4. Cleaning pewter
Another metal that can benefit from chalk dust is pewter. In pewter’s case, chalk is the perfect cleaning substance. Mix the chalk with a small amount of vodka to create a runny paste. Then apply the mixture to the pewter. Rub it in, and wash it off. Your pewter will appear as though it is brand new.
5. Eliminate collar stains
Stubborn ring around the collar stains can easily ruin a good shirt. The mix of sweat and oil from the skin creates an unsightly yellow color that is hard to get rid of. Luckily, there is a simple solution. Just use chalk. The chalk will soak up the oil that holds the dirt. Afterward, you will be able to rinse the stain right out.
6. Wall touch-ups
Scratches or small marks on walls can easily be covered up with chalk. It provides for a quick way to do touch-ups without having to repaint everything. While it is really only a temporary solution, it can make for a solid quick-fix when you are in a crunch. Just match the chalk color with the color of your wall and you’ll be all set.
7. Mildew and laundry odors
Dirty clothes hampers can get quite stinky if you let the clothes sit in there too long. We don’t always have time to wash everything right away though. Place an open bag of chalk at the bottom of your dirty laundry pile to absorb some of the excess moisture from the clothes. It will help prevent the odors from getting out of control. The mildew that gets trapped in laundry hampers is a big cause of the foul scents that arise occasionally.
8. Fix keys and locks that stick
The experts will tell you to spray the key and lock down with WD-40 or some other industrial product. However, regular old chalk works just as good. Coat the ridges of your key in the chalk, then push it in and out of the keyhole a few times to lubricate everything.
9. Keep jewelry from tarnishing
Depending on what material it is made out of, costume jewelry has a tendency to turn black or green if it sits unused for too long. This issue can be stopped by keeping a stick of chalk in your jewelry box. It will absorb the various sulfur compounds that cause jewelry to tarnish and change colors.
10. Problems with screws
Have you ever tried to screw something in only to find that your screwdriver keeps slipping? It’s a problem that can be prevented by applying chalk to the head of the screwdriver. It will increase the tool’s ability to grip the grooves of the screw and make it much easier to stabilize it while you screw it in.
11. Musty closets
Closets often get musty smelling for the same reason that dirty clothes hampers do — mildew. If this is a reoccurring issue in your household, try keeping a few pieces of chalk in your closet. It will go a long way towards eliminating any of that annoying mustiness that moisture causes. The chalk will keep your closet smelling nice and fresh.
12. Stop tools from rusting
When it comes to rust, moisture is the enemy. However, the enemy of moisture is chalk. Keep a stick or two of chalk in your toolbox to absorb the moisture and keep your tools from rusting. This tip is especially useful if you work outdoors in inclement weather. Without a stick of chalk in your toolbox, rain can be a total disaster.
13. Interior decorating
Use chalk to make tiny marks on the floor as you are moving furniture around and testing it out in different positions. It will allow you to have a reference point to refer back to when repositioning things as you work on your design plan for the room. The chalk can easily be wiped away with a wet paper towel whenever you are done.
14. Create colored paper
Add colored patterning to paper for use in arts in crafts by first wetting the paper, then dipping it in a bowl of whatever color chalk powder you desire. Let the paper air dry and then finish it off by spraying it with hairspray. The hairspray works as a thin lacquer and will permanently set the design in place.
15. Sanding a surface
When doing woodworking projects or other sanding around the household, it helps to apply chalk to the area first. The layer of chalk will help you to sand the surface evenly. It acts as a guide and will allow you to keep track of which areas you’ve already sanded and which areas still need more attention. Just continue to sand the surface until all of the chalk is gone.
16. Brighten your fingernails
First, rub your nail brush over a stick of white chalk to coat the bristles. Then clean your nails with it as you normally would. The brush will remove the dirt on the underside of your nails and the chalk will leave a white dusting which will make the tips of your fingernails glow. It will look like you just got a fresh manicure done.
Who knew that chalk could be so versatile?
Many of these 16 alternative uses for chalk are things that you have probably never thought of before. However, chalk is not just for teachers writing on chalkboards or kids drawing on sidewalks. It has all sorts of different practical uses. Now that you know about some of them, you might find yourself thinking about chalk a whole lot differently.
See one more additional cool thing you can do with chalk below.
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17. Compete in a chalk art competition
Sometimes using chalk just like the kids do is okay too!
