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9 Uses for Your Freezer Besides Frozen Food

Between the frozen meatballs and the bag of vegetables waiting to be turned into a stew, there’s unused space in all of our freezers just waiting to be filled. While your first thought might be to put more food in it, you can use the empty space in your freezer in a variety of surprising ways that aren’t food-related at all! These 10 clever freezer hacks will save you precious time and allow you to make the most efficient use of this highly useful machine.
 
Non-food uses for a freezer: an open freezer full of food

1. Dry cleaning your jeans

We all have our favorite pair of jeans, and we worry they will shrink or fade after every wash. If you want to keep your beloved jeans looking great without damaging them, just put them in the freezer! Fold your jeans and place them in a canvas bag overnight. The low temperature in the freezer will kill the bacteria causing unpleasant smells, leaving your jeans clean and fresh.

2. Sanitizing wooden utensils

Wooden utensils, like serving bowls and plates, have pores that absorb bacteria, leading to unpleasant smells and making them unsafe for eating. This is especially true for second-hand wooden items, which can also harbor small insects and their eggs. To get rid of all these harmful elements, simply put the wooden items in the freezer without any cover for a few weeks. The cold will take care of the problem, and after the waiting period, you'll have clean utensils to enjoy.
Non-food uses for a freezer: stacks of wooden food bowls

3. Getting rid of dust mites

Besides bacteria, dust mites also cannot survive in low temperatures. To get rid of them and keep your clothes clean, place sweaters, bedding, and other items in sealed bags, freeze them for a few days, and then wash them. This process will refresh the clothes, soften the fabric, and prevent dust allergies, which many people suffer.

4. Preserving seeds for planting

Those with a green thumb love growing various types of plants, but the changing seasons don't allow for growing every type of flower, vegetable, or plant year-round. Instead of throwing away your seed packets and buying new ones, simply freeze them! Next time the right season comes around, take the seed packets out of the freezer, let them thaw, and plant them as usual.
Non-food uses for a freezer: packages of seeds hanging side by side

5. Extending the lifespan of tights

Every woman who's ever worn tights knows they don't last beyond a few uses. To extend the lifespan of your tights, freeze them overnight. The cold causes the fibers to contract, making the tights stronger and reducing the chance of forming runs.

6. Extending the lifespan of candles

If you want to light candles to create a romantic or relaxing atmosphere, it's recommended to freeze them before use. Freezing wax candles for about 24 hours before lighting them makes the wax burn more slowly, and for certain candles, it also prevents dripping. You'll get double the benefit from freezing them!
Non-food uses for a freezer: a row of lit candles

7. Easily opening envelopes

If you want to keep letters inside their original envelopes or preserve envelopes without cutting them open, place them in the freezer for 1-2 hours. The cold will allow the glue to separate from the paper, letting you open the envelope easily. If you want to reseal it, wait until it thaws to room temperature, then apply a little moisture, such as water, to the glue.

8. Preserving lipsticks

Lipsticks last and keep their shape best when stored in the freezer. To extend the lifespan of these makeup items, keep them in a small box in the freezer and apply them before going out.
Non-food uses for a freezer: open lipsticks standing side by side

9. Saving books that got wet

You're reading your favorite book again and sipping a drink beside it when suddenly it spills everywhere. The pages get wet, and your beloved copy seems lost, but don’t worry – you can easily fix this mistake. Take the book to the sink, shake it to drain excess water, then put it in a sealed bag and into the freezer. You’ll need to wait two weeks for the pages to dry properly, but it’s worth the wait to save the book you love.

10. Opening cling film easily

Cling film is a great product that sticks well to anything you want, but unfortunately, it sticks best to itself... If you want to wrap items with cling film, place the roll in the freezer for a few minutes (but no longer), take it out, and wrap the film easily and without hassle around whatever you need.

Main image source: Stephanie Keeney

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