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Do you think that cornstarch is only used in the kitchen? If your answer is YES, then you should continue reading. Even if your answer is NO, you might not be aware of all the different uses of cornstarch. To be honest, even I don’t know all of the uses of cornstarch—many are yet to be discovered.
In this article, I have listed some uses for cornstarch that you might not have heard about, but are exceptionally useful in solving your small daily life problems. So have a look at them and let me know whether they proved to be useful for you or not.
Outline
20 Home Hacks for Cornstarch Beyond the Kitchen
1. Treating Stains
Cornstarch is effective in treating stains such as oil stains and ink stains. Cornstarch is used for pre-treating the oil stains on clothes.
Apply it on the stain and allow it to sit for 20-30 minutes. Then wipe off the excess cornstarch. After that, make a paste of some good detergent and water. Apply it on the stain and allow the garment to soak in warm water for some time. Scrub the stain a bit and then wash the cloth. The same method can be used for grease stains as well.
For ink stains on clothes, apply a mixture of cornstarch and milk to the stain and allow it to dry. Then dust off the cornstarch and wash as usual. Repeat the process if the stain is still visible.
Related: How to Easily Remove Stains From Clothes at Home
2. Treating Oily Skin
Cornstarch works well on oil. If you have oily skin, apply a little cornstarch powder for a few minutes. It will soak up the excess oil. Then wash your face. It is somewhat similar to the method of using cornstarch for oil stains since both of them are related to oil.
3. Get Relief from Sunburn
Cornstarch is helpful for sunburn-affected people. Make a paste of an equal amount of cornstarch and water. Apply it to the affected area and allow it to dry. Wash with lukewarm water.
4. Polish for Silver Stuff
Cornstarch can be used to make silver dishes and utensils shine. Mix cornstarch and water to make a thick mixture that retains on the surface. Apply it to the metal and allow it to dry.
After the mixture has dried completely, clean it with a good quality cleaning cloth to remove it to reveal a polished surface underneath.
Related: 13 Brilliant Ways to Clean Silver Naturally
5. Smoothen the Surface of Playing Cards
With use, playing cards can become sticky. To make them smooth and easy to use again, put them in some polythene or cloth bag, also add cornstarch powder in that bag and then shake the bag after closing it. The cornstarch will reach every portion of the cards. Remove the cards and dust off the cornstarch.
Your problem is solved!
6. Make Finger Paint
You can make finger paint using cornstarch. Heat a mixture of cornstarch and water until it gets thick like paint. Add food color of your choice and your homemade finger paint is ready.
7. Window Cleaner
Make a good window cleaner by mixing equal parts of cornstarch and soap in water. A very cheap option for an efficient window cleaner. Isn’t it?
You can even add it to your store-bought cleaner to enhance its performance. Add up to one tablespoon in your store-bought cleaner and shake well before use.
Related: 5 Smart Homemade Window Cleaner Recipes
8. Homemade Spray Starch
You must be using spray starch to get your clothes neatly pressed. So why not save money by making one at home itself! Mix around 1 teaspoon of cornstarch in 1 liter of water. Mix and fill it up in the spray bottle.
Spray it while ironing clothes for wrinkle-free and perfectly creased garments.
9. Make Your Powder
Mix one cup of cornstarch and a few drops of essential oil in a container having a lid. Shake it well and you will get your customized body powder. It effectively deals with moisture and sweat and also delivers fragrance to the body. This body powder does the same work as the readymade powder available in the market. But cornstarch one costs very little.
10. Treating Stains on the Carpet
You can use it for treating oil and grease stains on carpets.
Cover the stained area with the cornstarch and allow it to sit for 15-20 minutes so that it can absorb the oil. After it has done its work, use a vacuum cleaner to suck it up.
Related: Carpet Cleaning Hacks
11. Add a Matte Finish to Your Lipstick
Wanna convert your shiny lipstick into a matte one? Apply a coat of lipstick, get your fingers dipped in cornstarch powder, and apply a light coat on the lipstick by tapping gently, until it disappears. Repeat for a long-lasting finish.
12. Clean Your Dog’s Fur
To remove dirt from your dog’s body, apply some cornstarch on its fur and rub it using a brush.
13. Clean Your Smelly Shoes
With usage, the shoes start stinking due to sweat, moisture, and accumulating dirt. There are antiperspirants and deodorizers available in the market for this purpose, but you can also use cornstarch for this purpose which will cost very little.
Sprinkle cornstarch in the interior of shoes such that it forms a coat and leave it overnight. You will notice that the smell has vanished away. The shoes will feel fresher too. Dust off the excess cornstarch before using them.
14. Get Relief from Bug Bites
Applying cornstarch paste to a bug bite keeps the area clean and reduces and provides relief from itchiness. Mix cold water with cornstarch to make a thick cornstarch paste.
15. Treating Skin Burns
Got skin burns? Use this instant home remedy. Take one teaspoon cornstarch and one teaspoon of baking soda. Mix them in 2 cups of water. Take a gauze or clean cloth, dip it in this mixture and apply it on the burnt skin. Remove it after 20-30 minutes.
16. Kill Cockroaches
Cornstarch can be used for killing cockroaches. Mix equal amounts of Plaster of Paris and cornstarch. Put it in the areas where you spot cockroaches and where they hide. Corners, dirt accumulated areas, dark areas are the most common places where they thrive.
17. Healing Diaper Rashes
Wet diapers cause painful and itchy rashes. The products available on the market might not be suitable for every baby.
So instead of hunting for the right product for your baby, mix cornstarch in warm water and make your baby sit in it for some time. It will provide instant relief and will accelerate the healing process of the skin. Repeat it once a day until the rashes have healed completely.
18. Use It as a Dry Shampoo
Cornstarch has been proven good for hair. It can be used as a dry shampoo that will clean the scalp. So if you are in a hurry and have got no time to wash hair with shampoo, apply cornstarch on the scalp. Leave it for some time. Then brush the scalp to remove the cornstarch leaving a clean scalp behind.
19. Make a Bleach Pen
A bleach pen is a great tool to have in the house for removing stains. This portable stain remover provides precision cleanup jobs, removes collar stains effectively, and can even be used for crafting. You might know this already. But you might not know that you can use cornstarch for making a bleach pen. Click here to know how to make it.
20. For Touch-ups
Cornstarch helps a lot in maintaining makeup. Sprinkle some cornstarch on the face to set the makeup. Then use it for touch-ups to absorb oil throughout the day.
21. Facial with Cornstarch
You can do a facial using cornstarch. Take one tablespoon of cornstarch, a beaten egg, and around a teaspoon of lemon juice. Mix these ingredients properly so that it forms a thick paste. Apply it on your face and leave it for 10-15 minutes before washing it.
Lemon is a good skin cleanser and cornstarch softens the skin.
We hope you found these uses for cornstarch helpful, but if there is something you’d like to know more about or add here, let us know in the comments below! We’d be glad to hear from you.
