28 Ways to Use Cornstarch in the Kitchen and Beyond

Cornstarch is derived from kernels of corn and has been in use since approximately 1000 BC. It is often thought of as a staple for the kitchen, and many people trying to eliminate flour from their diets now consider it a supplement for baking and cooking. It is also a star ingredient in many products that aren’t edible, such as adhesives and some makeup products. This list will give you 25 great reasons to add it to your shopping list this week.

1

Thickening Agent

Add thickness to sauces, gravies and some baked goods. Mix cornstarch with a bit of water and put it in recipes that are just a bit too runny for your preference.

Make Fluffy Omelets

Create a fluffier texture for your eggs. Want a delicious omelet that puffs up beautifully? Add about ¼ teaspoon cornstarch to a bowl with your eggs and beat until it mixes. You’re ready to make the best omelet ever.

Skin Irritation

Take the sting out of sunburn, allergic reactions and other minor skin irritations. Take a few tablespoons of corn starch, and then mix in water until you achieve a thick, paste-like texture. Apply directly to the irritated skin using a cotton ball and let it dry. Simply wash it off later with warm water.

Natural Deodorant

Make a healthy, natural deodorant that fits your budget easily. Mix cornstarch with baking soda to create an absorbent powder that naturally soaks up moisture, and then add coconut oil for a fresh scent.
Read my post here for instructions.

Removing Oil Stains

Easily clean up oil spills in the garage and oily messes around the house. Cover the mess with a layer of cornstarch and find something better to do for an hour or so. When you come back, you will find the moisture pulled out of the oil, making it easier to finish the cleaning job. Use your regular cleaning products and techniques to remove the rest of the oil.

Bleach Pen

Make a DIY bleach pen and keep it on hand for all those stains encountered in everyday life. You’ll definitely want one in the laundry room, but bleach pens are useful on the crafting table as well.

Detangling Knots

Loosen any knot by rubbing cornstarch into the ropes or strings. The friction holding the knot together will weaken, making it easier to pull the strands apart.

Homemade Face & Finger Paint

You can make finger paint by boiling cornstarch with water until it is thick. Mix food coloring to the paste and it is turned into finger paint.

You can also create face paint for a kid’s birthday party! Mix cornstarch and vegetable shortening to create the face paint then add food coloring for different colors.

Help your toddlers make their own finger paint before playtime. Simply combine cornstarch and vegetable shortening, and then add food coloring.

Make your own body-safe paint.

Use it to paint your face for a cheap Halloween costume or paint faces at a children’s birthday party for fun. Boil the cornstarch in water until it thickens to the right consistency, and then add your choice of food coloring.

Matte Nail Polish

Turn your favorite nail colors into a fun matte version. Pour some of the polish onto a paper plate and add cornstarch a little at a time until you achieve the perfect matte look. Brush onto your nails immediately.

Clean Your Playing Cards

Get rid of finger grease, dirt and germs that stick to your playing cards. After a fun gaming session, toss the cards in a bag along with a bit of cornstarch. Shake them clean and wipe them dry.

Clean Stuffed Animals

Freshen up stuffed animals by tossing them in a paper bag with cornstarch. Give the bag a good shake, and let it sit overnight. You can remove the cornstarch the next day by vacuuming the stuffed animal, or you can simply take it outdoors and shake it off.

Dry Shampoo

Rub cornstarch on your hair when you don’t have time for a proper shampoo. It makes an excellent dry shampoo that requires no water, rinse or repeat.
Read my post here for instructions.

Bug Bites

Ease the itch of bug bites by applying a cornstarch paste directly to the skin. It just takes a few tablespoons of cornstarch and the right amount of water, and you can apply with a cotton ball. Not only does itch relief set in quickly, but the cornstarch will cleanse the bite as well.

Freshen Musty Books

Give old books new life by sprinkling them with cornstarch. They will be instantly transformed with a fresh scent.

Spray Starch

Create a cheap homemade cornstarch spray that keeps your best clothing fresh and sharp. Simply mix it up in a spray bottle and keep it in the laundry room until needed.

Polish Silver

Make a paste by mixing cornstarch with water, and then use it to scrub down your silverware with a damp cloth. Use the cloth to cover each piece with the paste, and then let it dry. Use a dry, soft cloth to rub the paste off, creating a polished appearance that will impress your guests.

Translucent Face Powder

Use cornstarch as a fine powder that goes underneath your makeup. It will keep your makeup on longer while eliminating shine and reducing pore size.

Athlete’s Foot

Sprinkle cornstarch inside your athletic shoes on a regular basis. It will absorb moisture, reducing your chances of developing athlete’s foot. It can also help with odor, so pay attention if you know someone with horribly smelly feet.

Scented Milk Bath

Take a cornstarch bath to nourish and moisturize your skin. This is perfect for winter when skin can become irritable, itchy and flaky without a little TLC.

Sweaty/Chafing Privates

Prevent diaper rash on babies and chafing on adults by sprinkling a little cornstarch on sensitive areas before pulling on clothing. It will eliminate the pain caused by rubbing.

Washing Windows

Make your own window cleaner. Take a bucket of warm water and add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and ½ cup each of ammonia and white vinegar. Add the mix to a dry cloth and wipe the windows down, and then wipe away residue with a lint-free cloth or paper towel.

Homemade Blush and Bronzer

Add some natural color to your cheeks by combining cornstarch with cinnamon or hibiscus powder, depending on the color you want to create. Use it as a bronzer or blush.

Increase Grip

Make handles easier to grip by dusting them with cornstarch. This works for golf clubs, tennis rackets and many other types of sports equipment.

Lift Scorch Marks From Fabric

Undo the damage when the iron scorches your favorite clothing. Get the scorch mark wet and cover it with cornstarch. Let it dry, and then simply dust it off.

Remove Blood Stains

Get blood out of any cloth item by creating a pasty treatment from cold water and cornstarch. After rubbing the bloody stain with the paste, set the item out in the sun until it dries. Dust off the cornstarch, and repeat the process until the stain is completely removed.

Clean Dog Fur

Rub cornstarch into your dog’s fur before delivering a good brushing. The cornstarch will easily remove dirt, giving your dog a fresh coat.

Eliminate Floor Squeaks

Tell squeaky floorboards or steps to shut up with a good dose of cornstarch. The cornstarch will fill in cracks causing the offensive noise, cutting down on the noise significantly.

Storing Your Cornstarch

Cornstarch naturally absorbs moisture, so you must store it in an air-tight container that keeps humidity out. Place the storage container in a cool, dry place, away from all heat sources. There is no expiration date when you store it properly.