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.
Use cornstarch to make yourself a streak-free glass cleaner. Just mix some with vinegar and rubbing alcohol. Get the details on this recipe
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.
Bleach pens are great for cleaning grout, crafting and more. But you don’t have to buy one. You can make your own with this 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.
9) DIY Athelete’s Foot Powder
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.
Why spend money on dry shampoo when you can make your own. You can make one for light or dark hair. Get the recipe
here.
11) DIY Face And Finger Paint
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.
Are your playing cards sticking together? Shake them in a bag with some cornstarch. It will get rid of the dirt and grease after you wipe them down.
Got an itchy bug bite? Mix three tablespoons of cornstarch with cold water to perform a paste. Apply it to the area with a cotton ball.
Do your old books have a musty smell? Sprinkle the old pages with cornstarch. This will get rid of the dampness and gross smell.
Want to keep your shirts crisp without taking them to the dry cleaner? Just make your own starch spray. you can find the recipe
here.
Do you chafe when wearing certain clothing in the summer time? Put some cornstarch in the areas where you tend to chafe. This should prevent it.
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.
Need a better grip? Give the handles of your sports equipment a dusting with cornstarch. This will help you to better grasp it.
20) Get Rid Of Scorch Marks
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.
22) Stop A Squeaking Floor
Are your floor boards squeaking? Pour some cornstarch into the cracks of your floor boards. This will silence those cracks.
23) DIY Lifting Face Mask
This cornstarch face mask will help to firm and tighten your skin. All you need is egg whites and corn starch. Get the full recipe
here.
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.
Slime is all the rage with kids now. But don’t go buying any. Make your own with this simple cornstarch recipe.
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.
30. Make A Privacy Window
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.
Are your shoe stinking? Sprinkle some cornstarch in them. It will absorb any odors.
There are literally only three ingredients that you need to make these foam play dough balls – shaving cream, cornstarch, and food dye. That’s it!
Although it sounds like a strange combination, it’s much softer and silkier to the touch than flour-based dough balls. Get the entire DIY recipe here.
33) DIY Vicks Shower Tablets
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.
34) Clean Up Mold And Mildew Stains
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!
36) Remove Oily Driveway Stains
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.
39) Clean Stuffed Animals
Don’t toss an old stuffed animal in the trash when it starts to look or smell a little bit off. What it probably needs is a good cornstarch bath!
Sprinkle the stuffed toy with cornstarch and leave it in a zipper bag overnight. In the morning, vacuum the toy o get it nice and clean.
