11 Ways to Use Parchment and Waxed Paper at Home

Parchment and waxed paper are very helpful in the kitchen, so it hardly ever comes as a surprise to know that any house you go to is likely to have some. In general, it’s used to line different cake pans or to prevent food from sticking. But it also has other uses that can make various household tasks way easier.
5-Minute Crafts wants to share some ingenious tricks with you to make the most of the waxed or parchment paper you may already have in your pantry.

1. Dry a wet book

If you accidentally dropped your favorite book into water or it got wet for some other reason, there’s an easy way to try and fix the situation. Start by placing several pieces of parchment paper between the pages of the wet book. This will help absorb the moisture and keep the book pages from sticking together. Then place the book in the freezer and once it has frozen, let it air dry.

2. Un-stick a zipper

Rub a piece of waxed parchment paper against the teeth of the jammed zipper of your backpack, purse, or coat. Its wax acts as a lubricant, making it an easy way to un-stick your zipper.

3. Prevent color bleeding

Wrap colored candles in a sheet of parchment paper before storing them. By doing this you prevent the color of the candles from staining everything else you want to keep there.

4. Remove dust

Place waxed paper or parchment paper in places in your home that tend to accumulate dust or grease: shelves, kitchen cabinets, window sills, etc. As the paper gets dirty, replace it with new paper. This way you will be able to remove dust effectively, in less time, and without using a duster.

5. Clean your wood floors

Wrap your mop with a sheet of waxed paper. Then use it to clean the floor. The wax on the paper helps collect dirt and dust from the wood.

6. Clean gardening tools

Make a ball of waxed baking paper and rub it on the dirty surface of the garden tools that you need to clean. The wax on the paper makes the dirt easier to remove because it collects it. It also protects the metal from rusting.

7. Brighten stainless steel

It is difficult to polish stainless steel without leaving fingerprints or marks behind. A simple way to avoid doing that is to simply rub a piece of baking paper over all of the stainless steel surfaces (sinks, faucets, refrigerator, etc.). They will shine like they are brand new.

8. Transfer icing patterns to a cake

Use your waxed paper to trace the design you want to put on the cake. Then, lay the paper on a flat surface and fill the design with icing in different colors. Wrap the design in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer until it hardens. Finally, place the design on the cake and carefully remove the paper. The design will transfer smoothly.

9. Rejuvenate wood

After washing and drying your wooden cookware, rub it with a piece of waxed paper. Much like with stainless steel, the wax on the paper helps to polish the wood and make it look shiny, as if it were brand new.

10. Preserve paint

Cut a circle of waxed paper and, before closing your half-used can of paint, place it over the paint can. This prevents a film from forming on the surface and you can then use the paint without wasting anything.

11. Write chocolate or caramel messages to decorate cupcakes.

You can give your cupcakes or cakes a special twist by decorating them with phrases written in caramel or chocolate.

Cut out a piece of parchment or waxed paper and place it on a tray or plate. With a cake piping bag, write the words of your choice. Put the paper in the freezer until the chocolate or caramel hardens. Then, just carefully remove the paper and place the words on the cupcake or cake.