9 Ways That Chalk Is Seriously Useful Around The House

while wood cutting, after tree is cut down and de lambing the tree, mark tree with chalk, in measurements to fit in to your wood stove. work better then other products and instead of using paint can.

Oh my gosh, you are the best! Now I can use this random chalk I have for everything! Thanks for the sweet blog!

Best tips lately!

Chalk is basically diatomaceous earth, of which the FOOD GRADE one can be used in your home for bugs as well as a desiccant (absorbs moisture) in closets, drawers, etc. when handled correctly, as well as in the garden to deter pests. I am currently reading a book on this product ‘GOING GREEN WITH DIATOMACEOUS EARTH HOW-TO TIPS’ by Tui Rose – got it on Amazon.com. Has some really GREAT info in it on all kinds of uses of this product. She says when using it in the garden, to be careful about how close you get to bushes that bees and butterflies frequent, or it may kill them. It works by getting on the bug, and causing the bug to basically lose moisture and die. Also, be careful about what KIND of this earth you are buying, as the NON-FOOD GRADE is used for swimming pool filters and other industrial uses and is not good for humans nor animals. The FOOD-GRADE one is safe for humans and animals, but just be careful about inhaling the dust or getting it in your eyes (use eye and inhalation protection when using/dispersing), as since it is a drying agent, it can also cause issues to your eyes, and internal breathing areas; as well as your skin if you don’t wash off the dust immediately after using. I am only 1/4 of the way through this great book, and am so glad I ordered it! Learning a lot about this great natural product from the earth to treat the earth and other areas of habitation as well. Got my FOOD-GRADE diatomaceous earth on Amazon.com too. No one around close to me carried it. =D

Some newer chalk has a “coating” on the outside that will prevent it from absorbing! So use a textured surface to get that coating off before you try to use these hints.

Sidewalk chalk does not seem to have that coating so it might be a better one to use.

For the ants in the garden—get a bag of LIME from your hardware of feed store–this is MUCH less spendy than chalk and is the SAME thing inside! I think it is the size and texture of the lime chalk etc they don;t like—I think I have read it does something to their systems they don’t like.

For the popular “chalk paint”—dissolve some plaster of paris or UNSANDED grout in a small amount of WATER and then mix well with LATEX paint. This is NOT chalkboard paint–the proportions are different—but this will cover ANYTHING and does not need primer etc. This avoids that gritty feeling and can be sealed with poly or wax or even wax shoe polish! The pre-mixed chalk paint costs the earth but you can use pretty much anything you have on hand for this DIY.

Thanks for all the great ideas, Jillee! I’m wondering now if chalk wouldn’t absorb odors in the freezer like baking soda. I have a whole box of the little sticks, I think I’m going to go throw a couple in and find out. If I remember, I’ll check back and let you know the results of my little experiment :)

Have a great day!

I also use chalk in quilting to mark designs and lines. It comes off easily when finished.

while wood cutting, after tree is cut down and de lambing the tree, mark tree with chalk, in measurements to fit in to your wood stove. work better then other products and instead of using paint can.

Oh my gosh, you are the best! Now I can use this random chalk I have for everything! Thanks for the sweet blog!

Best tips lately!

Chalk is basically diatomaceous earth, of which the FOOD GRADE one can be used in your home for bugs as well as a desiccant (absorbs moisture) in closets, drawers, etc. when handled correctly, as well as in the garden to deter pests. I am currently reading a book on this product ‘GOING GREEN WITH DIATOMACEOUS EARTH HOW-TO TIPS’ by Tui Rose – got it on Amazon.com. Has some really GREAT info in it on all kinds of uses of this product. She says when using it in the garden, to be careful about how close you get to bushes that bees and butterflies frequent, or it may kill them. It works by getting on the bug, and causing the bug to basically lose moisture and die. Also, be careful about what KIND of this earth you are buying, as the NON-FOOD GRADE is used for swimming pool filters and other industrial uses and is not good for humans nor animals. The FOOD-GRADE one is safe for humans and animals, but just be careful about inhaling the dust or getting it in your eyes (use eye and inhalation protection when using/dispersing), as since it is a drying agent, it can also cause issues to your eyes, and internal breathing areas; as well as your skin if you don’t wash off the dust immediately after using. I am only 1/4 of the way through this great book, and am so glad I ordered it! Learning a lot about this great natural product from the earth to treat the earth and other areas of habitation as well. Got my FOOD-GRADE diatomaceous earth on Amazon.com too. No one around close to me carried it. =D

Some newer chalk has a “coating” on the outside that will prevent it from absorbing! So use a textured surface to get that coating off before you try to use these hints.

Sidewalk chalk does not seem to have that coating so it might be a better one to use.

For the ants in the garden—get a bag of LIME from your hardware of feed store–this is MUCH less spendy than chalk and is the SAME thing inside! I think it is the size and texture of the lime chalk etc they don;t like—I think I have read it does something to their systems they don’t like.

For the popular “chalk paint”—dissolve some plaster of paris or UNSANDED grout in a small amount of WATER and then mix well with LATEX paint. This is NOT chalkboard paint–the proportions are different—but this will cover ANYTHING and does not need primer etc. This avoids that gritty feeling and can be sealed with poly or wax or even wax shoe polish! The pre-mixed chalk paint costs the earth but you can use pretty much anything you have on hand for this DIY.

Thanks for all the great ideas, Jillee! I’m wondering now if chalk wouldn’t absorb odors in the freezer like baking soda. I have a whole box of the little sticks, I think I’m going to go throw a couple in and find out. If I remember, I’ll check back and let you know the results of my little experiment :)

Have a great day!

I also use chalk in quilting to mark designs and lines. It comes off easily when finished.