Ice: its many forms and uses

Suppose your bathtub needs recaulking due to mildew that formed around it. Immediately after applying the caulk, run an ice cube along the lines. The ice will glide over the tacky compound without sticking, allowing you to easily tidy up the seams.It is difficult watering plants hanging higher than your head without making a mess. Drop several ice cubes onto the soil daily. The moisture will be slowly absorbed by the dirt without drips or spills.Keep your pet occupied while you relax by placing an ice cube on the floor for him to bat around. The slick cube will keep sliding out of reach so he can chase it around. When he gets tired of chasing it, he can chew it up. (Some dogs, like mine, will eat the ice immediately!)View the list »
Ice cubes come in handy for many things.

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Ice is considered a mineral because it is a naturally occurring crystalline inorganic solid with an ordered structure. It is an important component of the global climate, particularly in regard to the water cycle.

Glaciers and snowpacks are an essential storage mechanism for fresh water; over time, they may melt. Snow melt is often an important source of fresh water.

Ice can be found in many forms: frost, glaciers, hail, icicles, ice cubes, ice discs, ice pellets, ice spikes, pack ice, polar ice caps, and snowflakes. Winter sports and ice sculpting are cultural markets dependent on ice in one form or another.

Ice cubes will be the focus of this particular list. Ice cubes, besides being used to cool our drinks and to make ice packs when we sustain an injury, have other uses most readers likely have not considered. I had only used the first idea listed, but plan to keep the list handy for future reference. I suspect many of you will do the same.

View the list
  • Keep your pet occupied while you relax by placing an ice cube on the floor for him to bat around. The slick cube will keep sliding out of reach so he can chase it around. When he gets tired of chasing it, he can chew it up. (Some dogs, like mine, will eat the ice immediately!)
  • It is difficult watering plants hanging higher than your head without making a mess. Drop several ice cubes onto the soil daily. The moisture will be slowly absorbed by the dirt without drips or spills.
  • Suppose your bathtub needs recaulking due to mildew that formed around it. Immediately after applying the caulk, run an ice cube along the lines. The ice will glide over the tacky compound without sticking, allowing you to easily tidy up the seams.
  • Food particles can build up on your garbage disposal's blades which can keep it from properly grinding up scraps and cause a nasty odor. Remedy: run a few ice cubes through the disposal once a week. The ice will clean off the blades, keeping the disposal working and smelling like new.
  • What? You left the last bit of coffee in the pot until it scorched? Instead of tossing the pot, let it cool, fill it halfway with ice, add 1/4 cup of salt and swish it around for 1 minute. The abrasive combination of ice and salt will dislodge the stains.
  • Each of us have likely experienced the aggravation of not being able to separate two stacked glasses. Place a few ice cubes in the top glass while soaking the bottom glass in warm water. The heat makes the bottom glass expand while the cold causes the top glass to contract.
  • Tired of your furniture as it's been for years, but don't want to rearrange it because you don't want to deal with the indentations left behind. Go ahead - move your furniture. Place an ice cube on each of the spots before going to bed. As the ice melts, water will slowly seep into the carpet fibers, plumping them up to their original fluffy shape by morning.
  • Silky tops can be tricky to press. Try wrapping an ice cube in a soft cloth and run it over the fabric. The ice will leave behind just a touch of moisture, so the iron can be set to warm and still generate enough steam to smooth out the creases.
  • You cooked too much rice and don't want to toss out the leftovers, but you don't like your rice dry and crunchy from being reheated in the microwave. To prevent this, add an ice cube and loosely cover with a lid before heating on high 2-3 minutes. As the ice melts and evaporates, it will infuse the grains with moisture, leaving your rice light and fluffy.
  • Run an ice cube over your mouth right after applying your favorite shade. The ice sets the color and prevents it from feathering, bleeding or melting.
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Suggested by the author:

, Suffolk Public Schools Examiner

Janice Holland is a retired public school educator having served her hometown of Suffolk, VA as as the assistant superintendent for administrative services; an elementary principal; a high school assistant principal; and, as a high school mathematics teacher. Since retiring, Janice has worked as...

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