10 Fantastic Uses Of Cornstarch That You Didn’t Know
Image: Shutterstock
Known for adding that thick, gooey texture to many a gravy as well as lending that crispiness to baked or fried foods, cornstarch is a staple kitchen item all around the world. Made up from the starch of fine flour, you already know all about the culinary uses of cornstarch.
But did you know that the humble cornstarch’s uses extend beyond the realm of the kitchen?
This magic ingredient can prove to be very handy in your day-to-day life as well. Here are 10 unexpected uses of cornstarch we bet you had no idea about.
1. Grease Stain Remover
Grease stains can be very difficult to get rid of; especially if it’s on chairs, couches or carpets. But with the help of cornstarch, removing them can become a breeze!
Just make a paste of 4 tablespoons or 32gms of cornstarch mixed with ¼th cup of milk (or 62ml). Apply this mixture to the stain and leave it overnight to dry. The paste will solidify by the morning. Remove it and your stain will be gone! Bonus? It works on ink stains too.
2. Footwear Odor Eliminator
Washing your shoes all the time is not practical or feasible in terms of eliminating footwear odor. However, you can put an end to it with the help of cornstarch. Simply sprinkle a little cornstarch on your shoes and leave it undisturbed for 12 hours. Dust off the powder after that and you’ll notice that there’s no stench anymore.
3. Glass Cleaner
Whether it’s your spectacles or that glass tabletop, you can use this simple cornstarch concoction to have spotless glass surfaces. In a spray bottle, add a cup of vinegar, a cup of water and the juice of half a lemon with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Shake all the ingredients to mix them together. Now apply this mixture to the areas you want to clean and simply wipe with a damp cloth.
4. Ironing Agent
Sometimes getting the crinkle out of cotton clothes seems like a Herculean task. For those times, there’s cornstarch to the rescue! To make the ironing spray, you’ll need 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 500ml of water. Pour these into a spray bottle and mix them well. Spray it on clothes you find it a challenge to iron and the crinkles will vanish instantly!
5. Cutlery Polish
Who doesn’t want their ancestral silverware and cutlery to always look as good as new? Well, a paste made from 4 tablespoons of cornstarch and 1/4th cup of water can help! While cleaning your silverware, rub this paste on them and allow it to dry. Once dry, immediately wipe clean with the help of a damp cloth. This will give a wonderful sheen to your cutlery.
6. Furniture Shiner
Once the polish fades away, furniture can look as if it’s centuries old even when it’s not! To restore the original shine and glaze of your furniture, rub it with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 250ml of water. Dip a cleaning cloth in this mixture and wipe all your furniture with it. Let it stay for a few minutes and then wipe with a dry cloth. Your furniture will look brand new!
7. Moldy Book Cleaner
Books that haven’t been read in a while can easily develop mold due to the humidity in the air. One easy way to way to say goodbye to this mold is to sprinkle cornstarch on the affected area. The cornstarch will absorb the moisture as well as the odor, consequently fighting and removing the mold.
8. Facemask For Oily Skin
An oily face is one dreaded nightmare. You can’t even apply makeup on to make it look good as cosmetics may just aggravate the oiliness. The solution? A cornstarch facemask! To make this mask, you need to add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, 100ml of warm water and a little bit of your moisturizing cream into a bowl. Mix them well and once the mask is formed, apply it on your face. Leave it on for 20 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. Repeat 2 to 3 times a week.
9. Knot Detangler
If you’re tired of trying to untie a complex knot, give cornstarch a shot! Just pat a few pinches of cornstarch on the knot and watch it come loose. Untying a knot has never been this easy.
10. Clothes Dry Cleaner
Dry cleaning is expensive. And with this DIY cornstarch dry cleaner, you can save tons of cash on laundry. Take a plastic bag and fill it with 2 cups or 240gms of cornstarch. Now add the garment you want to clean into the bag and seal it. Shake the plastic to make sure the powder covers the garment entirely. Leave it overnight and the next day, remove all the cornstarch with the help of the vacuum cleaner. You’ll find your clothes clean and spot-free!
Try out these various uses of cornstarch and we guarantee you, your monthly house maintenance bills will reduce drastically. Also, your hands are saved from all the damage that is caused by the chemicals while cleaning. Win-win!
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our vibrant community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with like-minded individuals. Let our readers get your unique perspectives and do better together! Read our Comment Policy to know about the guidelines.
