It seems that the wax paper, a kitchen fixture especially in homes where somebody likes to bake, is more versatile than we imagined.
Katie Waldeck, in an article for the website Care2 Make a Difference, lists more than a dozen surprising uses for wax paper—from cleaning a can opener to getting a zipper unstuck.
Waldeck says running some wax paper through the gears of a can opener will loosen up any debris and help the gears run more smoothly. Wooden salad bowls can be kept in great shape by rubbing the wood with wax paper after washing and drying the container.
Out-of-sight and hard-to-reach areas, like the tops of cabinets and refrigerators, can be lined with wax paper. Waldeck says, instead of dusting and scrubbing these places, the paper can just be replaced once a month.
Lining a wooden cutting board with wax paper before placing raw meat on it will prevent juices from seeping into the board, Waldeck suggests.
She adds that wax paper can be used to protect the refrigerator. Drawers can be lined with the paper to catch any spills or grime. Instead of cleaning the ref, the wax paper can just be replaced, saving time and effort.
Rubbing a wine cork with wax paper, Waldeck says, will lubricate the cork, making it easier to get it back in to close the bottle. A sheet of wax paper over food placed in the microwave will prevent splattering and messing up the oven.
Waldeck says storing cheese in wax paper, instead of its plastic packaging, will lengthen the shelf life of the dairy product. She adds, “After you line it with wax paper, line it again with tin foil.”
By rubbing chrome fixtures with wax paper after cleaning, Waldeck says water stain will be avoided. Wax paper can also solve the problem of a sticky door. “Rub a sheet of wax paper along the edge of the door,” she recommends. “It helps stop (the door) from jamming in the frame.”
Dye in colored candles can be preserved and bleeding prevented by wrapping them in wax paper. Squeaking in curtain, clothes and shower rods can be eliminated by rubbing the rods with wax paper.
Gardening tools can be cleaned and protected from rust by rubbing them with balled wax paper. Delicate fabrics and treasured clothes can be protected by wrapping them in wax paper. Waldeck says this will prevent light from damaging the delicate material.
Drawers in workshop, art studio or crafting space can be lined with wax paper to keep them from getting dusty, greasy or oily. The paper may be changed every two months, Waldeck says.
To prevent leftover paint from drying up, put wax paper over the top of the can, Waldeck says.
As for a stuck zipper, Waldeck suggests rubbing the zipper’s teeth with wax paper to lubricate them.
Discipline is key
Cohen’s Lifestyle Centre discussed recently its weight-loss regimen that it said was customized to every client’s need. The program was formulated by Dr. Rami Cohen, a specialist who did a lot of research on hormones involved in obesity and weight loss.
Under the program, an individualized eating plan is drawn up based on a person’s body chemistry. The results, as seen from a recent photo exhibit, were indeed impressive.
I’m glad, though, that the program stresses discipline. As the center explained in a press conference, they would only start offering it to people of a certain age, when they felt a person was mature enough to have the self-control needed to follow the program.
Indeed, any successful weight-loss regimen calls for discipline and a strong will. People cannot stop following a program after they successfully lose weight, then get back on again when they regain those extra pounds. It only makes the task all that much harder.
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