Any kitchen tool can be used in a different way if you’re creative enough – even your trusty steel wool. Steel wool uses often include removing sticky grime or burnt crusted from pan surfaces. But it’s more than just a cleaning material.
Can you use steel wool on cast iron pans? Well, no. But you can actually use steel wool for a variety of things like cleaning non-kitchen surfaces, camping, arts and crafts, and even tool maintenance.
Age Wood Quickly
If you want to give new wood an aged look, use some steel wool and vinegar.
Drop some steel wool in vinegar and let it sit until the vinegar turns a brown color. Use this mixture to stain the wood and give it a silvery patina.
Start A Fire
Need to start a campfire quick? Touch the terminals of a 9-volt battery to a wad of steel wool.
This will spark your campfire. Just use necessary precautions and only employ this in case of emergencies.
Substitute for Sandpaper
Out of sandpaper? Try some steel wool. Use the finest gauge of steel wool, which is 0000, to sand layers of oil-based paint.
Prevent Critters From Creeping In
Critters like mice invade your home through tiny holes. Fill up holes and gaps around pipes with steel wool. They won’t be able to chew through it.
Clean Your Tires
Make sure tires look like they’re brand new with some steel wool and WD-40. Soak your steel wool in WD-40 and scrub your tires gently in a circular motion. Your tires will look amazing when they’re done.
Sharpen Dull Scissors
Have your scissors gone dull? Cut through a piece of steel wool a few times. This will sharpen them up again.
Clean Rubber Shoes
Steel wool is great for getting rubber shoes clean. Just wet a piece of steel wool scrubber and scrub the dirty rubber part of your shoe. Your shoes will look brand new.
Tighten A Loose Screw
Wrap a little bit of steel wool around your screw. Then screw your screw back in. The steel wool will keep the screw tightly in place.
Steel Wool Uses: Remove Crayon From Walls
Use a minimally abrasive piece of steel wool to remove crayon scribbles from walls. Just gently rub the area with some steel wool. It will come right off.
Shine Up Your Rims
Steel wool is great for shining up rims. Just pour a little dish soap on your steel wool. Use it to get rid of grime and restore shine.
Remove Scuff Marks on Floors
Steel wool can remove scuff marks from your vinyl floors. Just dampen the steel wool and use it to gently buff out the scuff marks. Your floors will look brand new.
Wash Your Windshield
Dirt can easily get embedded on your windshield. Remove it with steel wool. Just wet your windshield and wet a piece of ultrafine 0000 steel wool and use it to gently buff your windshield clean.
Can you use steel wool on glass? Yes, but only 0000 steel wool. You can use this not only for your windshield but for your windows as well.
Clean Your Headlights
Remove sap and other stains from your headlights with fine-grade steel wool.
Just wet your headlights first. Then wet a piece of #0000 steel wool and gently scrub your lights in a circular motion.
Takeaway
So, what is steel wool used for? You may have answered “for cleaning” at the beginning, but now you know the other functions of this handy kitchen tool. Just remember the do’s and don’ts, and you’ll definitely make this tool your best friend. As you can see, there are so many great steel wool uses to try out.