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Car Wax: Not Just For Cars
Most people only ever think about car wax when they’re trying to protect their car’s paint job, but believe it or not, there are a lot of other things you can do with it! That humble container of car wax (sometimes called “turtle wax” after the popular car care brand) hidden away in your garage can be used in a variety of ways that will make it easier to keep your home clean.
So what is in car wax, anyway? This special synthetic coating is made up of carnauba wax, natural oils, beeswax, and petroleum distillates, and is designed to form a thin, protective (and shiny!) layer over automotive paint.
But those protective properties can be equally useful in other scenarios as well, especially for shining and protecting various surfaces around the house. While I could probably come up with 101 uses for car wax, I decided to save us all some time and limit this list to 11 of the most useful car wax uses. Enjoy!
11 Practical Car Wax Uses Around The House
1. Fog-Free Mirrors
Prevent your bathroom mirror from fogging up after a hot shower by shining it with car wax! Apply a small amount of car wax to the mirror, let it dry, then buff with a soft dry cloth.
Related: Make Your Glass Surfaces Sparkle With These Reliable Cleaners
2. Prevent Mildew
After cleaning your shower with your standard cleaner, apply a layer of car wax to the inside and outside of your shower door (and other areas that tend to get mildew-y), then buff with a clean, dry cloth to prevent mildew growth. Reapply the wax around once a year to keep your shower mildew free.
Related: This Easy Natural Cleaner Gets Rid Of Mold And Mildew
3. Fight Fingerprints
If you own stainless steel kitchen appliances, consider using car wax to clean them instead of a surface cleaner. Simply apply a light coat of car wax to the appliance, and buff clean to repel fingerprints and smudges.
4. Protect Patio Furniture
Apply a thin coat of car wax to metal, plastic or molded furniture to protect and add shine. They’ll last a lot longer with the added protection of the wax, which could save you a lot of money over time!
Related: How To Put Away Your Outdoor Furniture The Right Way
5. Shine Bathroom Fixtures
Rubbing car wax onto your bathroom and kitchen metal fixtures will help keep them shiny and help prevent water spots. After applying the wax, buff it to a shine with a microfiber cloth.
6. Keep Snow From Sticking
When it’s time to clear the driveway and sidewalks after a snowstorm, apply two coats of car wax to your shovel before you begin. This will stop snow from sticking to it, making shoveling the walk so much easier. (If you use a snow blower, wax the inside of the chute for the same benefit!)
7. Make Backsplash Easy To Clean
If you wax the backsplash tiles behind your stove and sink, grease will wipe right off with almost no effort. Plus it will make your kitchen sparkle!
8. Prevent Metal Corrosion
Mailboxes, door knockers, and outdoor light fixtures are all subjected to the elements, and that can eventually lead to corrosion. You can fend off the elements by coating your outdoor fixtures with a thin layer of car wax.
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Related: 6 Unexpected Ways To Remove Rust With Things You Have At Home
9. Cure Sticky Doors & Windows
Apply a small amount of car wax to the tracks of sliding closet doors, drawers, and windows to help them open and close more smoothly.
Related: 21 Problem-Solving Ways To Use WD-40 At Home
10. Shine Leather Shoes
Car wax works great for shining leather shoes. It keeps them looking great, and makes them much easier to wipe clean.
11. Shine Your Stove
Clean your stove top and apply a layer of car wax once a month to create a clear barrier that makes cleaning up a breeze! Burnt on food and grease wipe off easily, and it will stay shiny for weeks.
Looking For More Posts Like This?
- I’ve written dozens of blog posts about creative alternative uses for everyday items, and now there’s a quick and easy way to peruse them!
- Check out all of my “Uses For” posts here.
What other car wax uses would you add to this list?
