A while ago, potato starch could be found in every kitchen. Nowadays this product is mostly forgotten. When my grandmother told me about the wonderful properties of potato starch, I could hardly believe my ears. But after a while I decided to try it out, and it worked. Now I can confirm that many daily chores can be solved without expensive and allergy-provoking chemicals.
1. To clean silverware. Spoons and forks can be cleaned very fast and easily. Add 2 teaspoons of potato starch to a small bowl of water, soak the silverware, and then wash as usual.
2. To clean windows. Potato starch added to water will act as an abrasive and will clean glass surfaces fast and easily.
3. To clean carpets. Carpets are never easy to clean, especially in homes with small children. Potato starch absorbes dirt as well as grease stains from carpets. Sprinkle some starch on the stains and vacuum the carpet after 10 minutes.
4. To treat sunburns. Potato starch can restore burnt skin. Dissolve some powder in water to obtain a paste and then apply the paste on the burned area.
5. To iron clothes. Clothes used to be soaked in starch before being ironed. Nowadays sprays containing harsh chemicals are used for this purpose. Instead, dissolve 1 tablespoon potato starch in a glass of water and sprinkle the clothes with the mixture.
6. To remove shoe odor. If you had a hard day and you didn’t manage to wash your shoes, sprinkle some starch into them and leave in overnight. The starch will absorb all unpleasant odors. The same method can be used to deodorize carpets.
7 and 8. Clothes and leather furniture. Whether you would like to clean a pair of leather pants or your leather couch, you can use potato starch. Sprinkle some starch on the surfaces and after a while wipe the surface with a wet cloth.
9 and 10. Books and maps. You can remove excess humidity by placing the books and maps into a plastic bag and sprinkling on some potato starch, and then shaking the bag.
11. Soothing effect. To enjoy a pleasant smell with a soothing effect, mix some potato starch with your favourite essential oil.
12. Dry shampoo. Of course you shouldn’t use potato starch on your own hair, but the hair of a dog that is afraid of water can be cleaned easily.
13. For shiny furniture. Wood furniture can be made shiny again if you wipe off the surfaces with a mixture of water and cornstarch mixed in 1-1 ratio.
14. Soft toys. Potato starch can be of great help to clean toys as well. The procedure is the same as in the case of books. Place the toys into a plastic bag, sprinkle over some potato starch and shake the bag. You can use the vacuum cleaner to remove traces of starch.
15. Irritation. The skin of babies is very sensitive and gets irritated easily. Despite the fact that there are many kinds of powders to treat diaper rash, potato starch is the most efficient and inoffensive solution. Add 1-2 tablespoons of potato starch in the baby’s bathwater.
16. Deodorant. To prevent excessive sweating, wash your underarm area with the following solution: make a spruce bark infusion and then add the cornstarch and essential oils.
17. Sauces. Potato starch will replace thickening agents which are usually full of gluten. Instead add starch to sauces until you obtain the desired consistency.
18. A fluffy omelet. Add a little potato starch to the eggs before you whisk them. The omelet will become very light and fluffy.
19. To treat creaking floor. If your floor creaks, sprinkle on some cornstarch. The fine powder will get into the smallest cracks, which are the main culprit for the unpleasant sounds.
20. Paint for children. Mix water and cornstarch in 1:2 ratio and boil up the paste. Add food coloring and mix well. From now on, your children can paint with this mixture that doesn’t pose any problem to their health.
