Cornstarch is usually used in the kitchen to thicken sauces and other meals. However, this is just a small part of its potential. In fact, cornstarch can be extremely useful and help you with cleaning, crafting, polishing, and a number of other useful things that will pleasantly surprise you.
We will share some of our favourite uses for cornstarch. We hope you like them, so keep reading to find out what those are.
- Separate marshmallows – If you love sweets and especially marshmallows, you may have been left disappointed if you got a bag and found them all stuck together. If that indeed happened to you, we have good news. You can actually get them unstuck. This is where cornstarch comes in. Before taking the marshmallows out, grab a tablespoon of cornstarch and pour it into the bag. Shake well and enjoy separate marshmallows. The starch will absorb the excess moisture and prevent the sweet fluffs from sticking together.
- Remove a scorch mark from clothing – If you got distracted while ironing, you may end up with a scorch mark on your favourite shirt. If this happens, wet the area of the stain and pour some cornstarch on it. Let it dry and brush it away, along with the scorch mark.
- Soothe your skin with a milk bath – Some people have extremely dry/itchy skin that becomes especially bad during the cold winter months. If you also suffer from a similar issue, you can make yourself a soothing, calming, and moisturising milk bath. To do that, combine 2 cups of whole powdered milk, ½ cup of cornstarch, ½ cup of baking soda, and a few drops of your favourite essential oil (depending on how strong you want the scent to be). First, mix all of the powders in a sealable container and give them a good mix. Add the essential oil and give them another good shake. Let the mixture sit for 24 hours before using and keep it in a cool, dry place. One or two cups of this mixture are enough for your whole bath.
- Cleaning blood stains – To get rid of fresh blood stains from clothing, linens, or other fabrics, make a paste by mixing cornstarch and water. Cover the stained area with the paste and gently rub it in with your fingers. Let it dry in a sunny location. Once the paste is dry, brush it away and wash the garment as usual.
- Polish your silver – If you have silver jewellery, silverware, or any other silver objects that have lost their shine, cornstarch is the solution. Make a paste of cornstarch and cold water, apply it to your silver and let it dry. Then wipe the items with a soft cloth to reveal their original shine.
- To remove excess furniture polish – If you just finished polishing your furniture but there is a bit of the product left on the surface, do not worry. Sprinkle some cornstarch on the surface of the furniture after polishing. Wipe up the powder and polish, then buff to a shine.
- Cleaning ink from your carpet – If you spilled some ink on your carpet, do not freak out. Grab some milk and some cornstarch and mix them into a paste. Apply it to the stained area and let it sit for a few hours. Once it is dry, brush off the leftover residue and vacuum the surface to restore and lift the fibres.
- Create matte nail polish – Recently, matte nails have been very trendy. If you want to get them but do not have the correct nail polish at home, grab the cornstarch and get to work. All you have to do is mix a bit of the nail polish with some cornstarch and apply it to your nails directly after that.
- Deodorise your carpets and upholstery – WIth time, carpets and upholstery collect grime, dirt, and other dust. Not only will that be visible, but a bad smell may also occur. To get rid of that, you can sprinkle some cornstarch all over your carpet or upholstery. Let it sit for a few hours and once it’s dry, vacuum the whole surface.
- Pet shampoo – Yes, cornstarch will help you not only with house cleaning but the cleaning of your pets as well. If your little friend needs a bath but you are in a rush and don’t have the time to take care of it, grab some cornstarch and rub it into its coat, then brush it out. The fur will become fluffy and clean looking until it is time for a proper bath.
- Make your own deodorant – Cornstarch has amazing absorbing properties. If you feel like your store-bought deodorant is no longer doing the trick, make your own. Mix together 2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil, ⅛ cup of baking soda, and ⅛ cup of cornstarch and you are done. Store it in a jar and keep it in the fridge.