Corn starch for household chores: you can use it in many ways

There are a myriad of different products to clean every surface or material in the home, and each of us has our own trusted items to rely on - the ones that are never lacking in our homes. The more we diversify the detergents we use to clean the house, the more we will have bottles of all kinds crowded into the drawers and units, and it cannot be denied that keeping the stash always fully stocked involves a considerable outlay of money.

How was it done in the past, before so many specific detergents existed? And what can you do when you run out of your favorite product or want to look for a cheaper alternative? We can try ingredients that we often have handy: not only bicarbonate and vinegar, but also another products we find in our pantries can come in very handy at home. And this is true of the product which is the focus of this article: corn starch.

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Corn starch is the fine powder that is used to thicken sauces and is used in many other dishes in the kitchen. But corn starch can also be used for:

• Polishing the silver: mix two tablespoons of corn starch with 4 tablespoons of water and create a paste to rub on the silver with a soft cloth. Then rinse off and dry immediately. Always try the remedy on an invisible spot of the object first to see if you like the result.
• Removing odors from rugs and carpets: just like baking soda, you can sprinkle these objects with corn starch, let it sit for a while, and then vacuum everything up.
• Cleaning soft toys: put the soft toy in an airtight bag, pour a little corn starch, seal tightly and shake. Let it sit for five minutes before removing the toy, shaking it and combing it to remove all the powder. Don't get it wet, though!
• Cleaning pots and ceramics: mix one part of water and two parts of corn starch to create a thick paste with which to clean and polish the pots and pans (which are not in a terrible condition) - and it can also be used on ceramic surfaces in the bathroom (and even those in the kitchen).
• Removing greasy stains from fabrics: like baby powder, you can use it to absorb greasy stains. Just pour it over the stain, let it absorb the grease and "lift" as much dirt out of the fabric as possible, and then brush off any residue. It will be easier to remove the remainer in a wash.
• Deoderizing smelly shoes: corn starch is one of the powders that absorbs odors - even in shoes. Put it in a gauze bag, or pour it directly into the shoe, and then shake it out the next morning.

Have you ever used cornstarch in these ways?