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Cornstarch is great in the kitchen, but you may not know that there are a slew of uses for cornstarch around the house.
Let’s look at 12 such uses:
1. Window cleaner.
Cornstarch is naturally abrasive and granular, so you can add a tablespoon of it to any window cleaner. It will make cleaning your windows much easier and leave them streak-free.
2. Remove grease stains.
If you have grease stains on the carpet you can get rid of them by throwing some cornstarch on the floor and letting it sit for about 20-30 minutes. The cornstarch will absorb the grease, and then you can vacuum up the powder for a fresh carpet.
3. Soothe sunburns and bug bites.
A paste made of cornstarch and water will help soothe sunburns and bug bites. Apply this paste over the affected area and let it dry. You can repeat this until the sunburn goes away.
4. Air freshener.
Cornstarch is naturally absorbent, so it also works well to remove bad smells from the air. Sprinkle it in shoes, let them sit overnight, and then shake the powder out in the morning. You also can apply it on a couch, leave it overnight and then vacuum it off the couch in the morning, giving it a fresh and new smell.
5. Custom body powder.
Stop buying body powder and make your own at home with custom scents. Mix one cup of cornstarch with a few drops of essential oils; shake it up.
6. Finger painting.
Need something to keep the kids busy during the summer or on the weekends? Boil cornstarch and water together for some homemade and non-toxic paint. Add food coloring in various concentrations to make different colors for the kids.
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7. Clean furniture.
Some cleaners leave a build-up or residue on wood furniture; fix this problem by mixing equal parts cornstarch and water, and then lightly buffing away any marks or build-up. (But test this on a small unseen area first!)
8. Refresh your books.
If you have old classics sitting on your bookshelf that smell musty, then sprinkle some cornstarch on the books and leave them out for a day or two. Brush off the cornstarch and – voila – your bad smell will be gone.
9. Dry shampoo.
Sure, you may have seen advertisements for dry shampoo, but you don’t have to go to the store to buy a retail bottle. Make it at home.
Dust some cornstarch along the roots of your hair, along the crown and around the base of your neck. Follow by working the cornstarch through your hair and brush it out. As a bonus, you can use it on your pet, too.
10. Fix that squeaky floor.
If you have an old squeaky hardwood floor, then sprinkle cornstarch on the floor, leave it for a bit and then sweep it up. Cornstarch will work its way into the nooks and crannies of the floor, which will stop the squeaking as it fills in the space.
11. Chafing prevention.
If you are a regular runner or workout enthusiast, then you might be familiar with chafing problems. To prevent that, dab a bit of cornstarch in the problem areas; it will absorb the moisture that causes chaffing.
12. Homemade deodorant.
If you’re looking for a natural deodorant instead of using a store-bought one, then cornstarch just might be your answer. Start by wiping under your arms with rubbing alcohol and then sprinkle on the cornstarch.
