Lots of households have a container of cornstarch somewhere. But most households don’t get as much use out of that container as they can. Cornstarch is often used as a thickening agent in recipes.
But that’s not all that cornstarch does. There are plenty of uses for cornstarch that have nothing to do with cooking. You can untangle a knot and even make finger paint.
Cornstarch can be your new household helper. There’s so much that it can do.
Here are 50 Uses For Cornstarch Outside Of The Kitchen.
Don’t let an oil spill ruin that new shirt or tablecloth. Just sprinkle a generous layer of cornstarch over the stain. Keep it there for an hour so the cornstarch can soak up the oil. Launder your item as normal.
Got a bad case of sunburn or another type of skin irritation? Mix three tablespoons of cornstarch with some cold water until a paste is formed. Apply the mixture to your skin with a cotton ball and let dry before you rinse with warm water.
Don’t feel comfortable wearing chemical-filled deodorant? Make your own. Just mix some cornstarch with baking soda and coconut oil. Get the full recipe here.
Corstarch is also used to cure diaper rashes. Instead of using baby powder, some pediatricians recommend cornstarch instead. Just sprinkle as you would baby powder. Always consult your doctor first as cornstarch can affect the respiratory systems of some babies. Learn more here.
Sick of those stubborn soap scum stains? This DIY soap scum remover works great and is inexpensive to make. Just mix some vinegar, cornstarch, and dish soap. Get the full recipe here.
Got a knot you can’t untangle? Sprinkle some cornstarch over the knot and rub it in a little bit. This should provide some lubrication to help you untangle the knot.
Cornstarch can keep your feet dry and will make a great athlete’s foot powder remedy. Mix one cup of cornstarch with 15 drops of tea tree oil. Sprinkle the solution on your feet to heal your athlete’s foot.
This is an easy recipe. Just boil some cornstarch and water together. Drop in some food coloring and let cool before you use to finger paint. If you want to use this as a face paint just mix cornstarch, vegetable shortening, and some food coloring.
Make your own matte nail polish with cornstarch. Mix some cornstarch into your nail polish and use it to paint your nails right away. It’s best to pour the paint onto a paper plate first then mix with cornstarch.
Don’t spend money on expensive beauty products. Mix cornstarch with hibiscus powder or cinnamon instead to make a DIY blush or bronzer. Get the recipe here.
Did you have a little accident with the iron? You can remove scorch marks with cornstarch. Wet the markings with water and cover with cornstarch. Let it dry and then brush everything away.
Make a paste with cornstarch and cold water. Put this on the stain and rub it into your fabric. Let your fabric dry in the sun. Wipe the rest of the cornstarch away.
Clean and freshen your carpets with cornstarch. Mix it with baking soda and some essential oils. Sprinkle on the carpet, let it sit for a little while, and vacuum up.
Cornstarch can help to absorb the stinky odors from your cat box. Just mix a little bit into the litter box. It will help keep the area smelling fresh. Be sure to check with your vet first.
Help your kids have some outdoor fun with this cool sidewalk chalk paint. Mix some cornstarch with water and food coloring. You can find the recipe here.
Cornstarch can also work as a great oil absorbing facial cleanser. Just mix two tablespoons of cornstarch and glycerin with half a cup of water. Heat this mixture on the stove until it becomes thick. Cool it down and use it to clean your face.
Create a paste from cornstarch and water. Cover your silverware with it and let it sit until it is dry. Wipe the paste away and shine up your silverware.
Create a paste from cornstarch and water to adhere dainty fabric onto a window. This can be used to block out sunlight or simply to add more privacy to a room. Learn how to make your own here.
These Vicks bath bombs are perfect for relieving congestion while you’re taking a shower or relaxing in the tub.
It’s super easy to make, and all you need is cornstarch, a tub of Vicks, baking soda, and either a chocolate mold, mini cupcake pan, or ice tray. Get the full Vicks shower tablets recipe here.
Although it doesn’t get nearly as much glory, cornstarch is just as effective as baking soda when it comes to DIY cleanup jobs. It’s a natural abrasive that loves to soak up moisture, smells, and oily things, which makes it great at tacking problems like mold and mildew!
To make this cornstarch cleaner, just mix 1 teaspoon each of cornstarch, baking soda, and lemon juice, add 1/4 cup of water, and start scrubbing away!
If your face usually looks like an oil slick by the end of the day, then use cornstarch to keep your oily skin in check. Just dip a makeup brush into the powder and apply a very fine layer to bare skin or over your makeup. Expensive brands use the same ingredient in their matte powders, but you can keep your face looking shine-free for less!
Oil and dirt can leave unsightly blobs on your driveway that are notoriously difficult to remove. But, there’s no need to buy abrasive cleaners that fill your lungs with toxic fumes. Try this natural DIY solution!
Just sprinkle the area very liberally with cornstarch and wait a few hours. That’ll give it just enough time to soak up all the oily residue. Then all you have to do is vacuum or sweep the powder away!
Oil has a tendency to leave a stain on anything it touches, and even though some oil is good for leather, the wrong kind can leave it looking like a blotchy mess. Cornstarch is excellent at absorbing oil, so all you need to do is powder the oily spots and leave it on overnight. When morning comes, just brush the powder away. For really tough stains, repeat the process.
Cornstarch will absorb the excess wax on your furniture, and clean up those annoying fingerprints too. Just sprinkle cornstarch over the furniture and buff it with a soft cloth until it starts to shine.
Don’t limit your cornstarch to just stuffed toys, real dogs need a good cleaning, too! But if Fido hates the water, then sprinkle fur cornstarch on his fur to give him a dry shampoo.
To give your pup the absolute best dry doggy shampoo, then check out this DIY recipe here.
Cornstarch is a super handy thing to keep on hand for all the little accidents we run into. For example, you can staunch the flow of blood on a minor cut, scrape, or shaving mishap by giving it a good dusting of cornstarch.
It’ll even work like styptic powder on your pets if you clip their nails a little bit too close! Just be forewarned that it’ll sting a little bit at first.
If love to garden, then here’s a tip that will make your green thumb get greener. If you pre-germinate vegetable seeds in a simple cornstarch gel, they’ll grow a lot faster. Find out how to make the cornstarch gel here.
Sprinkle the leaves of your veggie plants with some cornstarch to keep worms, stinkbugs, and other garden pests at bay. For some reason, they just don’t like crawling on the cornstarch and they’ll leave those plants alone.
Most of us have been sleeping on the same mattress for too many years to count. We always wash the bedding, but what about the mattress itself?
Thankfully, it’s easy to freshen up a stale mattress! Give it a light dusting of cornstarch, then let it sit for about an hour before you vacuum it up. The cornstarch works by absorbing liquids, odors, and other stains.
If there’s one that we can all agree on, it’s that cockroaches do not belong anywhere in our home. Unfortunately, these stubborn bugs are hard to do away with, but this cornstarch formula should do the trick.
Mix an equal amount of plaster of Paris and cornstarch and spread this around gaps, holes, and other places that cockroaches love to hang out. The cornstarch will attract them, but when they eat this mix, the plaster will “set” in their stomachs. Bye bye icky critters!
The bad news is that talcum powder may be carcinogenic when used on private parts. So don’t do it! Instead, reach for the cornstarch. This natural alternative to heavily scented feminine powders will keep you cool and dry.
Clay is fun to work with, and even more fun to paint! There are different clay recipes you can make depending on what you’re making, but these are all cornstarch based and super easy to make. Check them out here.
Ditch the store-bought body powders and make your own with cornstarch, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and essential oils. Why this works: cornstarch is great for absorption, while the baking soda and cinnamon help deodorize. Get the full DIY recipe here.
Cornstarch glue is non-toxic if (when?) your kids end up eating it! That’s because it’s made from totally edible cornstarch, light corn syrup, and vinegar.
It might not taste so great, but this sticky concoction will glue paper together without making it ripple. Find out more about how to make cornstarch glue here.
Lots of households have a container of cornstarch somewhere. But most households don’t get as much use out of that container as they can. Cornstarch is often used as a thickening agent in recipes.
But that’s not all that cornstarch does. There are plenty of uses for cornstarch that have nothing to do with cooking. You can untangle a knot and even make finger paint.
Cornstarch can be your new household helper. There’s so much that it can do.
Here are 50 Uses For Cornstarch Outside Of The Kitchen.
