Corn Starch: 25 Ways to Use it Around the House

Corn starch is 100 % pure, and as you know from your science lessons, any plant that is green
manufactures starch through a process called photosynthesis. This starch is used by the plant as a sort of metabolic reserve.

In 1842, a man by the name of Thomas Kingsford discovered a way to separate this starch from corn, but it wasn't until 50 years later that corn-refining came about. Today however, it is reported to be the most important starch being manufactured in the States.

It is also stated that corn starch can be used to manufacture D-glucose and corn syrup, and this may be the reason why 1/3 of this starch is being sold for use in food.

Hemorrhoids
Mix 1 tablespoon corn starch in 1 pint of water. Boil for a few minutes, let it cool, then use the mixture as an enema.

Grease Stains On Fabric
Pour corn starch on stain and leave it there for 12 hours. After 12 hours, remove corn starch and wash as you usually would. This method can also be used to remove oil stains.

Spray Starch
Put 1 tablespoon of corn starch into 1 pint of water. Mix it well, then pour into a spray bottle. Be sure you shake the bottle before using the spray.

Use In Gravy
Remember that 1 tablespoon of corn starch is equal to 2 tablespoons of flour. So if you use it to make your gravy thick, or to use in your soups, sauces or stews, only use ½ of what the recipe calls for.

Clean Your Silver
To clean your tarnished silver, just mix enough corn starch into ½ cup of water to make a paste. Rub the mixture on the silver, let it dry, then polish it with a piece of cheesecloth.

Bloodstains
When you get a bloodstain on something, you need to make a paste from corn starch and cold water, rub it on the stain, then let the item dry in the sun. The sun helps the corn starch absorb the blood. After it dries and blood still remains, repeat this process.

Skin Irritations
Mix equal parts corn starch, castor oil and zinc oxide to form a paste that you can apply to the irritated area.
Remove Polish From Furniture
If you apply too furniture polish, you can pour a little corn starch over the area, then remove with a soft cloth. This will remove any excess furniture polish.

Your Carpet
To clean your carpet, just sprinkle a little corn starch over it, wait about 25 or 30 minutes before vacuuming.

Clean Your Playing Cards
When you playing cards get dirty and sticky, just put them in a bag with 1 tablespoon of corn starch. Just the bag really good, remove the cards and clean with a soft cloth/

Finger Paints
If you want to make finger paints for yourself or your children, just mix 1/4 cup of corn starch to 2 cups of cold water. Boil the mixture until it is thick. Pour the mixture into several containers then add your food coloring.

Sooth Sunburn
Make a paste out of corn starch and water, then rub the mixture over the area that is sunburned.
This will relieve the pain.

Use When Baking
Since corn starch is tasteless, you can spread some on your rolling pin and cutting board when rolling out your dough. This will prevent it from sticking.

De-tangle Any Knots
Just pour a little corn starch over the knot to de-tangle it.

Athlete's Foot
If you put a little corn starch in your shoes to absorb moisture, and pour a little over you feet, this goes a long to preventing athlete's foot.

Stuffed Animals
Clean your stuffed animal by sprinkling corn starch over it and let it set a while, then clean it off

Use For Baby Powder
If you ever run out of baby powder or talc, you can always use corn starch. But don't use a lot, it is more absorbent than baby powder and talc, so it has a tendency to really cake up.

Pest Control
Want to petrify any roaches coming into your house? Mix equal parts plaster of Paris and corn starch. Put the mixture around your house in out of way places and cracks. The cockroaches who eat this mixture will petrify.

Your Car
To get your car to shine, pour a little corn starch on your buffing rag. This helps remove all the excess polish and make your car shine.

Your Dog's Hair
Tired of your dog's scent, but can't shampoo him or her. Then give them a dry shampoo with corn starch. Just sprinkle onto their coat, rub in, then brush out.

Protect Your Books
Do have books that are filled with mildew or books that you want to prevent mildew from forming? Then sprinkle corn starch through out the pages, let the books sit for a few hours while the moisture is absorbed. Then take them outside to clean the corn starch off. You don't want mildew spores circulating around inside your house, so please clean books off outside.

Clown Makeup
To make clown makeup, just mix 1 tablespoon of solid shortening with 2 tablespoons of corn starch. If you want to color it, add your choice of food coloring.

Your Hair
Need to shampoo your hair, but don't have the time. Try using the same method you used on your pet's hair. For a dry shampoo just sprinkle with corn starch, rub in and brush out.

Rubber Gloves
If you're having trouble putting on rubber gloves, but you don't have any talc to sprinkle into them, use corn starch instead.

Absorb Moisture In Closets
If you've run out of baking soda and you need something to absorb the moisture in you closet, try putting some corn starch in them instead.

This completes the list of 25 ways to use corn starch around the house. I hope you discovered a few ways you can use this product other than cooking.