Cornflour is one of those staple pantry items, it has so many uses for cooking. In the world of culinary delights, corn flour is used as a binding agent for puddings and similar recipes. It is commonly used as a thickener for soups, stews, sauces and other dishes. The completely wheat free version is used quiet heavily for gluten free recipes. Corn flour is also used as breading in Italian cuisine.

What you might not realise is that Cornflour has many more uses around the house then just in the kitchen. Here are some of the handiest ones that we have found.

Deck of Cards

My grandmother taught us that when you open a new pack of cards to always shuffle a bit of cornflour or powder through them to stop them sticking. It is also handy to deal with any stickiness that has accumulated on the cards after the kiddies have handled them.

Chaffing

Using Cornflour to dust around sweaty areas like your upper legs can help stop chaffing during hot and sweaty weather. Also dusting it lightly on your legs prior to wearing leather pants can help with easy removal of them later on. Not suitable to use on baby’s bottoms.

Reduction in Wooden Floor squeaks

Just sprinkle out some cornflour over the squeaky area and allow the flour to go into the crack. This should leave you with a reduction in squeaks.

Cleaning your Pet’s Fur

This basically works as a pet dry shampoo. Dust the pet with the cornflour, brush and comb it through and you will find it will remove all the dirt out of the pet’s hair.

Removal of Blood Stains

Make a paste of cornflour and cold water. Rub it into the stain and allow to dry in the sun. Then remove the cornflour. If the stain is still there then repeat the process.

Window Cleaning

To get your windows sparkling clean mix together 1/2 cup of ammonia, 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to a bucket of warm water. Apply the solution to your windows with a clean cloth, and wipe clean with old newspaper or a lint free cloth.

Milk Bath

The combination of milk, cornflour and bi-carb soda with some essential oils is a great way to combat dry flaky skin especially in winter. Mix together in a jar 2 cups of milk powder, ½ cup of cornflour, ½ cup of bi carb soda. Once that has been thoroughly mixed, add 10 drops of essential oils like lavender. Let sit for 24 hours before using. Add 1-2 cups of Milk Bath mixture to some nice hot water and enjoy. This would also make a lovely homemade gift.

Skin Irritations

For sunburn and mosquito bites, applying a paste made from 3 tablespoons of cornflour with some cold water will sooth irritated skin.

Deodorant

The fine texture of the cornflour is excellent at keeping those nasty body odors at bay by absorbing any moisture on the body. Melt 2-3 tablespoon of coconut oil to just liquid, mix together 1/8 cup cornflour and 1/8 cup baking soda. Add dry ingredients to coconut oil to form a paste. It can be then stored in a jar and used like a lotion or in the fridge for a deodorant stick type effect.

Untangling Knots

By dusting some flour onto knotted string it will help the knot slip easily apart. No more chipped nails.

Blush and Bronzer

For those who are supersensitive to make up you can make your own blush and bronzer out of cornflour. For blush mix together ¼ cup of cornflour with 1-3 teaspoons of hibiscus powder depending on how pink you want it. To make the blush a bit browner add ¼ tsp of cinnamon. For a bronzer use more cinnamon and less hibiscus powder.

Translucent Powder

To really set your makeup you can use a combination of 2 teaspoons of cornflour with 1 teaspoon of baby powder and 1/8 teaspoon of powdered foundation for colour.

There are still so many other uses like polishing silver, cleaning soft toys (dry shampoo style), as dry shampoo on your own hair, removing oil stains or a base for homemade finger and face paint. The possibilities are endless!

What is your favorite use for cornflour outside of the kitchen?