16 Different USes Of Humble Cornstarch

Cornstarch is one of those mysterious items you have in your pantry. It only costs a dollar, so you probably bought it at least one time and now you're unsure what it’s good for. Well, in case you're out of ideas, I'm going to show you why this cheap item is actually one of the best materials to have around the house, and how it can make your life much easier.

In the Kitchen 

1. Thicken sauces  

A touch of cornstarch can help thicken sauces, soups and stews. It's a healthy gluten-free option for deliciously thick food. Add half a tablespoon per cup of liquid, and whisk in a tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry, which can be added to hot liquid. 

 

2. Fluff eggs 

Add a sprinkle of cornstarch to eggs before you whip them. This helps the eggs become fluffier. 

 

Laundry tricks

3. Remove leather stains 

Get rid of any spilled oil or grease on your favorite leather jacket by sprinkling cornstarch over the stained section. Let it set in overnight and rub it off gently with a damp paper towel in the morning. 

 

4. Homemade spray starch 

Save money by making your own spray starch for wrinkle-free shirts. Make the starch from household items. Start by heating 2 cups of water in a small saucepan. Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and whisk, then bring to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of vinegar as a disinfectant and 10 drops of essential oil for a fresh scent. When it cools, store in a spray bottle and shake well before use. 

 

Household cleaning

5. Clean windows without leaving streaks  

Since cornstarch is a natural abrasive, it can help clean windows and mirrors without leaving any messy streaks. I recommend adding a tablespoon of cornstarch to this homemade window cleaner: 

 

In a spouted measuring cup, mix together 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water. Add 1/4 cup of lemon juice and a few drops of essential oil. Pour this mixture in a spray bottle. After you use the solution to clean the windows and mirrors, wipe with a paper towel. Your windows will become completely transparent. 

 

6. Grease-free carpets 

If you have stains on your carpet, pour cornstarch over the greased areas. Let it set in for 20 minutes and then vacuum. The fine powder will absorb the grease. 

 

7. Polish silver 

Instead of buying expensive and strong-smelling silver cleaners, use a mix of cornstarch and water to make your silverware shine like new. 

 

8. No more squeaky floors 

Cornstarch can stop the awful noises caused by cracked floors. Sprinkle the floor with cornstarch and then sweep. The powder will work itself into the nooks and cracks, ridding you of any squeaks or creaks. 

 

9. Clean wooden furniture 

 Regular household cleaners can leave a residue that builds up over time. You can buff away any grease marks from your beloved wooden furniture or household items with cornstarch. Remove these stains by mixing equal parts water and cornstarch, and then rubbing them strongly on the wood. 

 

Smells

 

10. No more stinky shoes 

Cornstarch is very absorbent. It can soak up those awful smelling sneaker or pump odors. Sprinkle a bit inside the soles and let it set in overnight. Shake and pass a damp cloth inside before wearing them. 

 

11. Give your old books a fresh whiff 

Sprinkle cornstarch over musty smelling books and soon you’ll notice how fresh those old volumes smell. 

 

Cosmetic secrets

 

12. Chafing 

Prevent the burn of chafing by rubbing a pinch of cornstarch on the problem area before you get dressed. It will prevent the sweating and lubrication that usually cause this condition.

13. Body powder 

Save some money by making your own body powder. You can do so by mixing cornstarch with essential oils. Mix one cup of cornstarch with a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and then shake to produce a homemade body powder. 

 

14. Dry shampoo 

This can be a real time-saver if you don’t have a minute to spare for a shower. Apply cornstarch to your hair by dusting it along the crown of your head and the base of your neck, then rubbing it in gently. After applying, brush it out, or it will leave your hair with a grey tinge. 

 

15. Natural deodorant 

 First wipe your underarms with rubbing alcohol or soap to get rid of any unpleasant smells. You can then apply cornstarch. This absorbs moisture and keeps the area dry. 

 

16. Soothe sunburns, bug bites and bees stings 

 Applying a paste of water and cornstarch over the sensitive area can offer a natural relief for burns and bites. The paste will need to dry before the effect takes place.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement
https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs

Many Uses of Cornstarch

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.

PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-
HTTP:GSEASYRECIPES.BLOGSPOT.COM         

FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG

HTTP://KNEE REPLACEMENT-STICK CLUB.BLOGSPOT.COM/

FOR CROCHET DESIGNS- http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com/

 Chafing: Prevent the burn of chafing by rubbing a pinch of cornstarch on the problem area before you get dressed. It will prevent the sweating and lubrication that usually cause this condition.
 Dry shampoo: This can be a real time-saver if you don’t have a minute to spare for a shower. Apply cornstarch to your hair by dusting it along the crown of your hair and the base of your neck, then rubbing it in gently. After applying, brush it out, or else it will leave your hair with a grey tinge.
 Natural deodorant: First wipe your underarms with rubbing alcohol or soap to get rid of any unpleasant smells. You can then apply cornstarch. This absorbs moisture and keeps the area dry.
 Soothe sunburns, bug bites and bees stings: Applying a paste of water and cornstarch over the sensitive area can offer a natural relief for burns and bites. The paste will need to dry before the effect takes place.

Alternative Uses for Vaseline

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.

PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-
HTTP:GSEASYRECIPES.BLOGSPOT.COM         

FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG

HTTP://KNEE REPLACEMENT-STICK CLUB.BLOGSPOT.COM/

FOR CROCHET DESIGNS- http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com/

 Skin Care and Medicinal Uses
 

• Facial care: Use Vaseline on your face to remove greasiness, get rid of dryness, and/or relieve razor burn and windburn. Apply a small amount onto your clean damp face and rub thoroughly. You may even warm it up and use it instead of a night cream.
   
• Back pain relief: Soothe back pain by having warmed up jelly massaged into the affected area in your back.
   
• Treat a fever: If you're running a temperature, put petroleum jelly in the freezer for a few minutes and rub it onto your forehead while still cold.
   
• Prevent or treat chafing: If you've chafed your skin, or are sensitive to chafing, apply Vaseline before or after to either prevent or soothe it.
   
• Protect cuts or scrapes: Although petroleum jelly won't disinfect the damaged area, it will act as protection from dirt and infections. 
   
• Moisturize dry areas: If your elbows and knees are often dry and ashy, apply some Vaseline to them to soften the skin.
   
• Remedy for cold sores: Use petroleum jelly to diminish the appearance of cold sores on the skin. 
   
• Relieve skin reactions: To help treat insect bites, poison ivy rashes, and atopic eczema, use a small amount of Vaseline on the skin.
   
• Heal new tattoos: Got inked? Vaseline is probably the best product you can use to soothe and protect the affected skin area.
   
•  Make vapor rub: Add a few drops of your preferred essential oil to make a homemade version of Vicks Vapor Rub, and relieve cold symptoms.
   
• Prevent diaper rash: Use petroleum jelly as an alternative to Desitin diaper rash preventative for babies.
   
• Protect baby's eyes during bath time: In order to prevent products from entering a baby's eyes in the bath, put some Vaseline above the eyebrows. This way, the water will slide off the sides.
   
•  Pet care: If your pets' paws are cracked, rub in a little jelly to soften them.
   
•  Treat shoe blisters: Help cure or prevent blisters by applying some Vaseline onto the parts that rub against the shoe.
   
• Heal cracked feet: Spread some Vaseline over your the skin on your feet before bed time and sleep with socks to heal dry and cracked feet overnight.
  Beauty and Cosmetic Uses
•  
• Makeup remover: Use petroleum jelly to clean your face from makeup, or to release fake lashes from the lash line.
   
• Alternative to mascara: The easiest way to get your hands on clear mascara is to use Vaseline. Use some with a mascara brush to define your eyelashes in a natural look. It gives a glossy shine and is also waterproof.
   
• Control eyebrows: If your eyebrows need some controlling, use some Vaseline to fix them neatly into place.
   
• Remedy for chapped lips: Use petroleum jelly instead of a lip balm by applying it to your chapped lips. You may even give flavor to your jelly by adding some Kool-Aid powder. You may make use of this application more regularly if you want to make your lips smoother - simply leave the jelly on for a few minutes, then scrub it off using a toothbrush.
   
• Avoid getting lipstick on the teeth: By applying some jelly to your teeth before putting on lipstick, you would be preventing lipstick from getting onto your teeth.
   
• Scalp care: After shampooing your hair, use some petroleum jelly instead of conditioner to soothe scalp itchiness and scaling, as a result of dandruff. You may even use jelly to protect your scalp from the use of chemicals in hair dye, perming, and straightening.
   
• Treat split ends: If you have split ends in your hair, apply some Vaseline to hide and hydrate them.
   
• Style hair: Create a choppy hair look by using some jelly on your hair, applying it in a scrunching motion.
   
• Remove chewing gum from hair: Got chewing gum stuck in your hair? Use Vaseline as the perfect solution for this.
  Home Uses
•  
• Repair furniture damage: If your furniture has stains, rings, or scratches, cover the area with a thick coat of petroleum jelly and let it sit. After 24 hours, rub it into the wood, wipe it away, and polish as usual.
   
• Silence squeaky doors: Spread some Vaseline on the hinges of noisy doors to prevent them from squeaking.
   
• Loosen rusty locks: If you have a key that doesn't seem to fit into an old rusty lock, rub a thin layer of jelly on the key to reduce the effects from the rust.
   
• Stain removal: Remove makeup stains from clothes and fabric by rubbing with some jelly before washing.
   
• Release nail polish bottle caps: To avoid nail polish bottle caps from getting stuck, add some Vaseline to the cap before closing, so next time, they open with ease.

• Restore shine to leather items: If your leather bags, shoes, or gloves lost their shine or softness, rub some petroleum jelly into them.
   
• Paint protector: Prevent certain areas of a room from being smeared with paint when painting a room, by covering them with a layer of petroleum jelly. Do this for door hinges, glasses, knobs, edges, and more.
   
• Prolong pumpkin freshness: To prevent your carved pumpkin from rotting or drying out quickly, cover the exposed edges with jelly.
   
• Keep squirrels away from the bird feeder: Apply some jelly to the pole of your bird feeder, so any cheeky squirrels that try to climb will harmlessly slide off. 
   
• Create fly paper: Make flypaper by using Vaseline. Simply place some jelly into jar lids and place them around infested areas as a trap.
   
• Deter ants from your reaching your pet's food: Spread some jelly around the pet dish, all the way to the ground, to shoo away any pestering ants.