10 Creative Reuses for Old Lighters
Old lighters seem to have a way of piling up in the junk drawer, even if you try to stay conscientious about not keeping things around when they don't work anymore. The next time you go to clean out your stash of exhausted rubber bands, tired disposable lighters, and other random bits and pieces,
Posted — UpdatedOld lighters seem to have a way of piling up in the junk drawer, even if you try to stay conscientious about not keeping things around when they don't work anymore. The next time you go to clean out your stash of exhausted rubber bands, tired disposable lighters, and other random bits and pieces, though, don't throw out those lighters: you might just be able to find a really cool use for them.
Have you considered making your old lighters refillable? Yes, we're talking about the so-called "disposable" ones. You'll need to carefully remove the top of the lighter (tools like needle-nosed pliers can help you get a good grip without damaging the components) so you can pour lighter fluid into the lighter. It's a good idea to refill lighters outdoors or in a well-ventilated areas, and be careful to prevent cracks or spills.
How about jewelry? These vintage beauties are trying on a different lifesyle as earrings. Whether a lighter does't work anymore or isn't being used, this can be one way to keep a vintage or beloved belonging in the family without having it turn into a useless ornament gathering dust on a side table.
How about colorful rings? They're bright, blocky, and totally trendy, making great gifts in addition to fun fashion accessories. You'll need some crafting skills, but there's a lot of room for creativity when it comes to the shaping and the fill you use at the top (MetalsAndThread, the Etsy creator who made these, uses acrylic for the fill material).
Start a fire. Wait, what? No, seriously, bear with us. It is in fact possible to start a fire with a dead lighter, but it's going to take some work. You'll be using the flint (which is in fact usually not made with flint today) to create a small spark, which means you need the best possible tinder. Tissue and cotton lint both work extremely well because they're highly flammable, but you still need to be patient. Strike the lighter repeatedly as close to the tinder as you can until it catches, and then quickly fan it and add it to additional tinder to get your fire going.