The Magic of Chalk
Did you know?
Most people first encounter the word "chalk" in school where it refers to blackboard chalk, which was originally made of mineral chalk, since it readily crumbles and leaves particles that stick loosely to rough surfaces, allowing it to make writing that can be readily erased. Blackboard chalk manufacturers now may utilize mineral chalk, other mineral sources of calcium carbonate, or the mineral gypsum (calcium sulfate). While gypsum-based blackboard chalk is the lowest cost to produce, and thus widely used in the developing world, calcium-based chalk can be made where the crumbling particles are larger and thus produce less dust, and is marketed as "dustless chalk". Colored chalks, pastel chalks, and sidewalk chalk (shaped into larger sticks and often colored), used to draw on sidewalks, streets, and driveways, are primarily made out of gypsum.
Chalk is a source of quicklime by thermal decomposition, or slaked lime following quenching of quicklime with water. In southeast England, deneholes are a notable example of ancient chalk pits. Such bell pits may also mark the sites of ancient flint mines, where the prime object was to remove flint nodules for stone tool manufacture. The surface remains at Cissbury are one such example, but perhaps the most famous is the extensive complex at Grimes Graves in Norfolk.
Woodworking joints may be fitted by chalking one of the mating surfaces. A trial fit will leave a chalk mark on the high spots of the corresponding surface. Chalk transferring to cover the complete surface indicates a good fit. Builder's putty also mainly contains chalk as a filler in linseed oil.
Chalk may be used for its properties as a base. In agriculture, chalk is used for raising pH in soils with high acidity. The most common forms are CaCO3 (calcium carbonate) and CaO (calcium oxide). Small doses of chalk can also be used as an antacid. Additionally, the small particles of chalk make it a substance ideal for cleaning and polishing. For example, toothpaste commonly contains small amounts of chalk, which serves as a mild abrasive. Polishing chalk is chalk prepared with a carefully controlled grain size, for very fine polishing of metals. Chalk can also be used as fingerprint powder.
What common everyday things can Chalk be used for?
Remove Grease Stains
Rub chalk on the stained area and let it sit for 10 minutes. This helps absorb the grease. Before throwing it in the washing machine, wipe off the excess dust.
Remove Grease Stains from Suede
Crush the chalk and sprinkle it on the grease stain. Let sit overnight. Then brush off in the morning. The chalk dust absorbs the grease from the suede.
Clean Ring-Around-The-Collar.
Rub the stain heavily with white chalk. The chalk will absorb the oil that holds in the dirt. Allow to sit for at least 10 minutes, then wash as usual.
Prevent Mildew and Odors in the Laundry Hamper
Place several pieces of sidewalk chalk in a resealable plastic bag, and place the open bag in the bottom of the dirty clothes hamper. The chalk will absorb the moisture from the damp clothes, preventing the growth of odor causing mildew. Replace once a month.
Stop Silver from Losing its Luster
Keep some chalk in the same place that you store your silver. It’ll absorb the moisture and prevent the silver from tarnishing.
Prevent Tarnished Jewelry
A piece of chalk in your jewelry box will prevent costume and silver jewelry from tarnishing. The chalk will absorb the sulfur compounds inside the jewelry box before they can turn the jewelry black.
Clean Pewter
Make a paste with a ground-up piece of chalk and vodka. Rub on pewter, rinse it off, and polish.
Prevent Musty Closets
A bundle of chalk in a closet will go a long way in preventing the mustiness that often occurs.
Rearranging Furniture
Chalk is a great temporary way to mark out a new design on the floor when you’re redecorating. You can stand back and see if it will work before you start moving things around.
Sand a Surface Evenly
Rub chalk on the surface you are sanding. Continue to sand until it’s all gone, and you’ll end up with a perfectly even surface!
Keep Your Toolbox Rust-Free
Since chalk absorbs moisture, a handful of chalk pieces in your toolbox will help prevent your tools from rusting.
Prevent Screwdrivers from Slipping
Rub some chalk on the head of a flathead to prevent your screwdriver from slipping when you’re turning a screw.
Instant Wall Repairs
For a quick fix of little nicks and scrapes on your walls, find a piece of chalk that matches the paint color and just draw it in.
Stop Ants In Their Tracks
For some reason, ants don’t like to cross chalk lines. Draw some on around your doorways, windowsills and wherever else the ants are coming in from to stop them in their tracks.
Instant Fingernail Brightener
Rub a nail brush over white chalk, then rub the brush under the tips of fingernails, re-loading the brush with chalk as needed. The brush bristles dislodge and remove dirt from under nails while the white chalk leaves behind a fresh, clean manicured look.
Shine Metal or Marble
In a small bowl, crush a few pieces of sidewalk chalk (color doesn’t matter) into a fine powder. Dampen a soft cloth and dip the tip of it into the crushed chalk and use it to wipe the dull metal or marble. Rinse with warm water and wipe dry. The chalk granules are just abrasive enough to remove the cloudy residue without damaging
the finish.
Sticking Keys
Got a door key that keeps sticking in the lock? Rub a piece of chalk along the teeth and tip of the key, then slide the key in and out of the lock a few times. The chalk coats the dirt particles inside the lock and absorbs any moisture.
Installing Door Hardware
To get an exact fit for door hardware, coat the underside of the hardware on the door, then shut the door. The chalk will mark the exact location for latches, locks, etc.
Hide Ceiling Marks
Temporarily cover up water or scuff marks on the ceiling until you have time to paint or make a permanent repair. Rub a stick of white chalk over the mark until it lightens or disappears.
Create Patterned Paper
Shave some colored chalk slivers into a bowl of water then dip a piece of paper into the water. Let air dry and then set the design with hairspray.
And finally…. you can take leftover pieces of chalk that aren’t usable anymore and make MORE CHALK!
Just crush it, mix with water, pour into some kind of mold and let dry. If it is too chunky to use for writing, the kids can use it as sidewalk chalk. Add a bit of tempura paint powder to make colored chalk.
