Use boiling water to fix these 10 problems around the house

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Water is much better for cooking, cleaning and bathing, especially if it’s really hot. Try some of these ingenious ideas for tackling household tasks using little more than a pot or two of boiling water. But be careful: boiling water can burn the skin, so use it with caution. Wear closed-toe shoes, suitable clothing and gloves to protect yourself from splashes.

1. Clean the candle wax from the jar

Boiling water can help Remove the remaining wax From old candle jars so you can reuse or recycle them. After you’ve cleaned off any loose wax, pour boiling water into the jar, filling it to within an inch of the top. The wax will begin to melt and float to the top. Let the jar sit until the water cools, and then remove the larger pieces of wax and filter out the smaller pieces.

2. Kill the ants

Pour boiling water directly over the ant hill Kill the fire ants As well as other types of ants. It is important to use very hot water (at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit) and pour at least 2 to 3 gallons over the colony. This method works best for small colonies that do not extend too deep into the soil, and is about 60 percent effective. Be careful when handling hot water, and be sure to keep it away from nearby plants.

3. Sterilize the plastic cutting board

Even if you practice good kitchen hygiene and use separate cutting boards for meat and vegetables, these surfaces can be a source of cross-contamination. A quick dip in a tub of boiling water, or pouring boiling water over the board, can clean and disinfect the surface. Boiling water can strain or damage cheap, thin boards, so check the manufacturer’s instructions first.

4. Home fragrance

Does your living area smell less than fresh? Add vanilla, cinnamon sticks, lemon peel or your favorite aromatic herbs to a pot of water on the stove to spread a pleasant aroma throughout the house. Bring it to a boil, and then turn it down and let it simmer, releasing the aroma into the air. Add water to the pot as needed so that it does not dry out.

5. Remove laundry stains

Certain types of stains (and fabrics) respond well to treatment with boiling water. Good candidates include fruit stains from raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, watermelon, and grapes. For table linens or clothing, immerse the stained area in a pot of boiling water until the stain is removed.

6. Kill weeds in sidewalks and yards

There are many common weeds growing from cracks in your sidewalk or driveway Kills using boiling water. This method of weed removal is particularly effective against annual weeds, such as meadow grass, groundsel, creeping wood sorrel, chickweed, and willow herb. Some perennial weeds with long spikes and broad leaves, such as dandelions, thistles, mallows, and dock weeds, may require additional treatment. Boiling water also works for small-scale weed control in the yard. Pour the water directly over the weeds, and process again in 7 to 10 days. This approach works best for newly emerged, lightly rooted weeds. To protect desirable plants, pour carefully.

7. Remove grease stains from the garage floor

Oil dripping from your car’s engine can make an unsightly mess on your driveway or garage floor. Regular dousing with boiling water can help reduce or Remove these stains from concreteHowever older stains may require additional scrubbing with a stiff brush.

8. Sterilize canning jars

If you preserve your fruits and vegetables with Water bath canningIt is generally recommended to sterilize the jars before use. To do this, immerse the jars right side up in boiling water for 10 minutes, then remove and drain the jars before filling. (Boil them 1 additional minute for each additional 1,000 feet of elevation.) Note that sterilization is not required if the processing time (the amount of time spent in the water bath to safely seal the filled jars) is more than 10 minutes.

9. Disinfect water in an emergency

Sometimes storms, accidents or even routine maintenance can contaminate municipal water supplies. When this happens, bring the water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute (3 minutes at altitude) to remove disease-carrying organisms from water, making it safe for drinking, cooking and bathing. Generally, if the water supply has been adversely affected, your local municipality will issue a boil water advisory and let you know when the problem will be fixed.

Removing paint from small metal objects Like doorknobs, backplates, and cabinet hardware, boil water and then submerge painted items in the water, or place them in a heat-safe container and pour boiling water over them. Wait about 15 minutes, or until the paint bubbles up a bit. Put on heat-resistant gloves, remove the pieces, and then peel off the paint with a paint scraper. Dry them with a clean cloth. If you have soaked painted items directly in a cooking pot, stop using that pot for cooking.

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