Steel wool can do more things than you think. If you’re only using steel wool to scrub your pots, you’re tapping just a fraction of its potential! Find out how to put steel wool to work all around the house.
1. Looking for a disposable drain strainer? Use steel wool!
Don’t end up with a clogged drain: Before you give Fido his next bath, use a wad of steel wool to block the drain. There’s enough room for water to get through, but nasty hair and gunk will get caught up in the steel wool.
2. Clean dirty sneakers
Don’t you hate getting scuffs on your white-soled shoes? Use steel wool to fix this common footwear dilemma! Moisten a steel wool soap pad and gently scrub away at stains. Wipe them clean with a damp sponge or put them in the washing machine and they’ll be good as new.
3. Keep garden tools in shape
Nothing will extend the life of your gardening tools like a good cleaning at the end of each growing season. Grab a wad of fine steel wool, and saturate it with the same type of oil you use on squeaky door hinges. Rub rust off your shears, shovels, and anything else with metal parts. Wipe them clean with a dry rag, sharpen any blades, and reapply with a bit of oil before storing them for winter.
4. Use steel wool after sanding a DIY project
Anxious to put varnish on that freshly sanded project? Well, just hold on a second! Before applying the finish, rub the project (moving with the grain—not against it) using steel wool. You’ll lift sanding dust from the grain and burnish and shine the surface fibers. Follow up with a Swiffer-style cleaning cloth to wipe away any specks of dust or steel wool. You’ve now ensured a pristine surface for perfect results with oil-based (not water-based) finishes.
5. Clean the oven
For burnt food stuck to the bottom of your oven, steel wool is a much better alternative than toxic oven-cleaning chemicals. After running your oven’s self-cleaning cycle, use steel wool to remove the burnt debris and make your oven shine like new.
6. Use steel wool to instantly “age” wood
If you want to make new wood “age” quickly, use a mixture of steel wool and vinegar as a stain. The brown-gray liquid, when applied to new lumber, gives it a silvery patina. It’s a much faster way to create this in-demand look than letting your wood sit outside for a few years (and it’s non-toxic, too!).
7. Fill critter holes
Dealing with a mouse infestation is never fun. Once you’ve done your detective work, you can plug suspected mouse holes with a wad of steel wool. It’s inexpensive and mice won’t chew through it.
8. Clean rusty tools
At some point, every metal tool develops rust. Fortunately, steel wool excels at removing surface rust. Just grab a wad of steel wool and start buffing your tools. They’ll look like new in no time!
9. Remove scuff marks on floors
Dark-soled shoes on vinyl floors can lead to scuff marks. Fear not—a few scrubs with some steel wool and the scuff marks will be gone.
10. Sharpen scissors
It may seem counterintuitive, but using your dull scissors to cut steel wool actually sharpens them! You won’t be able to grind a new level by any means, but a few snips through steel wool will renew the cutting edges of your scissors.
11. Remove crayon from wallpaper
If your miniature Monet was inspired to create a masterpiece with crayons on your wallpaper, don’t despair. Steel wool is just abrasive enough to remove the crayon marks. Just make sure to test it in an inconspicuous spot first.
