What springs to mind when you think about uses for chalk? Writing on blackboards? Decorating the pavement? Believe it or not, chalk actually has a lot of uses around the home. The great thing about chalk is that it’s inexpensive and easy to come by, so you’ll definitely be wanting to keep a few sticks handy! Here are a few household uses for chalk that you may not have considered:

• Preventing tarnish – Try wrapping some chalk in a piece of cloth and putting it in your silverware drawer or jewellery box. It will absorb moisture and prevent tarnishing.

• Preventing rust – Put a couple of sticks of chalk in your toolbox – similar to silverware, this will absorb moisture and prevent rust.

• Removing clothing stains – Underarm sweat stains can be removed with chalk! Rub the stain with white chalk, leave for 10 minutes then throw the garment in the wash. With something tricker like a grease stain, sprinkle the stain with crushed chalk, leave overnight, shake the chalk off then wash the garment with warm water.

• Eliminating smells – As chalk is ideal for absorbing moisture, it works well at stopping mildew and musty odours. Try placing some chalk in an open plastic bag and hanging it in your wardrobe or placing it in a clothes drawer.

• Unsticking sticky locks – If you have a lock that gets stuck a lot, try rubbing some chalk on your key and gliding it in and out of the lock a couple of times. This should dislodge debris and absorb moisture.

• Dealing with ants – This is an old school trick. Draw lines of chalk along windowsills, doorframes and along baseboards in your house. This will discourage ants from forming lines into your house.

Share any other chalk tips in the comments!