12 Useful Things You Didn’t Know Your Freezer Could Do

Today’s post is an ode to the freezer, the fridge’s under-appreciated brother. ;-) I use my freezer to store all kinds of things, like frozen foods, leftovers, freezer meals, fresh fruits and veggies, and more! I even wrote a whole post about what kinds of foods you can freeze to save yourself some time and money, which you can check out at the link below.

But we won’t be talking about food today. Instead, we’re focusing on ways you can use your freezer for things other than food. Sounds crazy, right? Well it turns out that there are plenty of useful ways to use your freezer that have nothing to do with food, and I’m excited to share those with you today! I hope that by the end of this post, you all have a new appreciation for just how useful your freezer can be.

12 Non-Food Ways To Use Your Freezer

1. Open Envelopes

Have you ever sealed an envelope, only to discover that you left out something crucial? How annoying! Luckily, your freezer can help you fix it. Just place the sealed envelope in a ziplock bag, and place it in your freezer for 1 to 2 hours. Then take it out, and immediately open it with a blunt knife or a letter opener. Then let the envelope return to room temperature, and remoisten the adhesive to seal the envelope again.

2. Make Candles Last

Place new candles in your freezer for a day before burning them. Chilled wax burns slower, and for some candles, can prevent the wax from dripping.

3. Clean Jeans

If the threat of fading or shrinking is making you nervous about washing your nice denim, here’s a cool trick! When your jeans could use some freshening up, roll them up and stick them in a canvas bag. Place the canvas bag in your freezer overnight. The low temperatures in the freezer will kill the bacteria that can cause odor, so the next day your jeans will smell much fresher!

4. Freshen Shoes

The same principles above can work on smelly shoes, too! Just place the pair of smelly shoes in a sealable bag and stick it in your freezer overnight. The cold temps will help kill odor-causing bacteria.

5. Kill Bugs

Wooden antiques can sometimes harbor woodworm, which are the larvae of beetles. These little critters can chew right through your wooden antiques, leaving unsightly holes. If you bring home a new wooden item and you’re not sure about how bug-free it is, stick it in your freezer for a couple of weeks. The prolonged exposure to cold temperatures should kill any woodworm.

Other household items can be a magnet for little creepy crawlies, including your bedding. Dust mites love bedding, because bedding is generally rife with dead skin cells for them to eat. You can take care of any dust mites by putting the item in question in your freezer overnight. Give it a wash in the morning, and it’ll be fresh, clean, and bug-free!

6. Simplify Plastic Wrap

Plastic wrap can be infuriating when it won’t stop sticking to itself! Use your freezer to help simplify the process. Just stick the plastic wrap in your freezer for a few minutes, which will reduce the clinging action enough that it’s easier to handle. (Don’t keep it in the freezer too long though, or it will lose its hold.)

7. Save Seeds

If you have extra seeds that you want to keep until the next planting season, you can keep them fresh in your freezer! Make sure they are completely dry first, then place them in an airtight container in your freezer. Then pull them out next spring and make your own seed tape!

8. Make Pantyhose Last

You can help extend the life of a new pair of pantyhose by freezing them. Get them wet, wring them out well, then stick them in a plastic bag and place it in your freezer overnight. Remove the bag in the morning and allow the pantyhose to thaw at room temperature. Let them air dry, then they’ll be ready to wear!

9. Stretch Tight Shoes

Your freezer can help you stretch out that pair of shoes that’s just a bit too tight. The process involves freezing a bag of water inside the shoe, so that as the ice expands it gently stretches the shoe. Get all the details at the post below!

Related: How To Stretch Too-Tight Shoes

10. Remove Gum

This is without a doubt the easiest way to remove gum from the bottom of your shoe! No scraping or general agony required. Just stick a sturdy piece of paper over the gum, then place the whole shoe in your freezer for 1 to 2 hours. When you remove the shoe, the paper and the gum should peel away easily!

11. Prevent Sweater Shedding

Fuzzy sweaters are undeniably great, but what isn’t so great is their tendency to shed! Your freezer can help prevent that dreaded shedding. Roll up your fuzzy sweater or cardigan, place it in a sealable bag, and stick it in the freezer overnight. The cold temperatures will make the fibers contract, which will keep them from shedding so much.

12. Makeup Hacks

Lipsticks will last a lot longer if you store them in your freezer. This is especially good for lipsticks that you only use every once in a while.

Your fridge or freezer is a great place to store any natural beauty products too. They usually don’t have the preservatives that give standard beauty products their long shelf-life, so it’s a good idea to store them in a cool place. Put them in the fridge if you use them often, and the freezer if you use them sparingly.

And finally, your freezer can help give your eyeliner a super sharp point. Place your eyeliner in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before sharpening it, which will make the sharpening process easier. You’ll get a sharp, precise point!