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Today we are sharing some really clever cornstarch hacks that will save you time and money!
As we get into this fall season, it is common to buy cornstarch to thicken certain stews or sauces, even baked goods.
It never fails, I end up having a jar or box of cornstarch in my pantry for a year and never use it again! Most recipes only call for a small amount too.
The good news is, corn starch is actually a product you should keep on hand anyways because it works better than other things for many types of issues!
Clever Cornstarch Hacks That Save Time & Money
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The Chemistry Of Cornstarch
To understand these corn starch hacks and how they work, it helps to see some of the science! Cornstarch has a chemical formula of C27H48O20, and it is made through a refining process from corn kernels. The last stage of this process involves separating the starch from the gluten giving you pure corn tarch.
Physically, cornstarch goes tthrough a gelatinization process when it it is heated with water. This is why it is a common thickening agent in foods.
Also, with its chemical structure, it can work to absorb molecules like odors or grease. It also contains antimicrobial properties.
Clean up grease splatters from walls
Due to cornstarch’s structure, it is one of the best things for grease. If you happen to get grease on your wall or back splash while cooking, you can use a little corn starch to immediately absorb the grease. It also soaks up grease on a counter or cabinet. You can sprinkle the cornstarch or apply it with a towel. You can also dampen the cornstarch a little on a towel before applying to make a paste. No matter how you use it, it will get the job done!
Remove oil stains from fabrics
It also does well on fabrics! This can be a chair or clothing that gets a grease stain. If you can sprinkle cornstarch on the stain right away, it will soak up all the grease, then you can wash it like normal. If the grease stain has been there a little longer or set in, you can still apply it to soak up the grease. You can follow up with a regular stain remover and wash as normal.
Homemade slim
If you have kids or grandkids around, try a simple recipe with corn starch to make slim. It is so simple to make! And it doesn’t take much time either. Here is a cool recipe:
Apply to itchy bug bites
Just like with the grease absorption, the nature of cornstarch makes it really great for bug bites. If you apply a small amount to a bite, it will stop the itching and can also help with swelling.
Make omelets really fluffy
If you add just a pinch of cornstarch to eggs, it makes them puff up. This makes recipes like omelets really fluffy and soft! I have started doing this, and it makes the omelet look so pretty and cook better too.
Absorb musty odors
Similar to baking soda, cornstarch can actually absorb bad odors. If you sprinkle cornstarch on a book with musty pages or a drawer that has some bad odor, it will absorb the odors! You can also sprinkle it onto carpet to freshen it up, then vacuum! I would say it might work even better than baking soda since the texture is finer!
Separate sticky foods
Cornstarch can aid in separating sticky foods like marshmallows. We had a bag of marshmallows sitting around and we wanted to make some s’mores. All of the marshmallows were stuck together, so I just sprinkled in cornstarch, shook the bag, and they were perfect! You can try this with all types of foods like this.
Make a homemade foot soak
Cornstarch is a popular ingredient in many foot soaks you buy, but you can also make your own. Here is a recipe that uses cornstarch and sea salt for a great foot soak! With the antimicrobial and deodorizing benefits of cornstarch, it can benefit your feet in many ways 🙂
Sprinkle in your shoes
Like above, cornstarch can really help with your feet including absorbing moisture. My husband learned this trick in the military. If you sprinkle a little cornstarch inside your shoes also lightly on your soaks, it can prevent athlete’s foot. It does this by keeping your feet, socks, and shoes drier. Constant moisture in your shoes and socks can cause athlete’s foot.
Other cornstarch questions…
Here are the answers to some common questions readers have about cornstarch.
Does cornstarch eliminate odors?
Yes! This is another benefit of sprinkling in your shoes and using in a foot soak. It is antimicrobial, but also the structure makes it great at absorbing odors in many ways. You can try it out on many surfaces like fabrics too.
What does cornstarch do in window cleaner?
You might have seen this little tip floating around online. But you can add a small amount of corn starch to aid a homemade window cleaner! If you use our DIY outdoor window cleaner and add in about 1/2 tsbp of cornstarch, it can help clean stuck on grime off. Since corn starch is gently abrasive, but also dissolves in vinegar or cold water, it doesn’t scratch surfaces.
Is any type good for these cornstarch hacks?
Yes, just make sure the label only says cornstarch with no added ingredients.
Is cornstarch one word or two?
You will notice that some of our graphics have it as two words, but the article has it as one word. I always spend time looking up things like this because you see it both ways! If you buy cornstarch it is two words on the packaging “corn starch” , but in most articles online, it is written as one word. So, just FYI if someone notices 🙂 Here is an article from Chicago Tribune that explains more.
I hope you enjoyed all these great cornstarch hacks!
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What are you thoughts on using cornstarch as powder? baby powder? and dusting powder? After the talc issues, it all went to Cornstarch. Just curious and with a new baby coming you should be up on this.
You can use it for dusting powder or in place of something similar. It has a similar texture, so it can do many of the same things like absorb moisture. We don’t use baby powder or anything like that for our kids, just baby wipes and air drying 🙂
I agree and appreciate you chemistry views. New grandbaby in my world and they have used “Water Wipes”. Love them. Not wipes for sensitive skin, just water wipes. In my dad it would have been a wash rag but it is so convenient to have wipes. She was having diaper rash early on and they switched to those and never had diaper rash again.
Water wipes are great!
Yes! I love Water Wipes as well! I think maybe they had just launched in Canada when I was at a large thrift store one day and they had skids of them- for $1.50 a package! Even though I’d never tried them, I figured ?♀️- they could be used in the barn or shop if they weren’t any good. I bought 3 or 4 boxes- can’t remember exactly but I think there was about 12 pkgs in a box. I’m just getting down to the last of the packages after about 2 years!!! ?and they are still perfectly fine btw!) Wish I had bought a whole skid! ? Patti
Awesome post indeed, thanks heaps
Glad you enjoyed it!
Which activator for slime do you use
Also whats the amt of glue and cornstarch to make the slime
Thanks for your website
I learned from it
I have used a product called activator slime like they do in this video. But I have also bought Elmer’s glue brand at the store. They call it magical liquid.
Hey Alexis! Always learn something new on here! Liked these cornstarch hacks! I have two related questions. 1) with antibacterial & absorbent properties you mentioned sprinkling in footwear and using in soaks. Definitely going to try the footwear thing this winter as my feet are perpetually wet from sweat. Hopefully that will help! But that leads to my question: Continualky having damp feet has provided the perfect environment for toenail fungus to develop (which absolutely disgusts me?). It’s so gross looking- and make your toes/toenails hurt all the time! About 6 months ago I started spraying peroxide on them ( 20% strength watered down 1 part peroxide:1 part water but that was too strong, so I made it 1pt peroxide:1.5-2 parts water.
I ‘think’ I am seeing some improvement as the nail grows out, so I’m hoping it is killing any bacteria, virus or fungus!!!
Do you have any of your ‘magic potions’ (or can you brew one up!?) for soaking and/or spraying on nails that may help get rid of this yucky thing? I have read of putting freshly minced garlic (quite a bit of it) on your toes, wrapping with plastic wrap (i think! ?) and then foil, with a sock on top for overnight. In the morning there’s all kinds of dead fungus/tissue/cells/material (???) that can be easily removed. I haven’t tried this yet, but I’m going to! If I can get it under control I’d like to be able to maintain it as well. Now I will add cornstarch to my recipe for a soak!!
I’ve thought about using Tea Tree Oil in it (I used it on its own & there was no improvement- but it may not have been long enough).
I’m also going to use Epsom Salts to help draw out the ‘bad stuff’. And, I am planning to use the full-strength Hydrogen peroxide (20%) in the soak as well. What are your thoughts? Any other weird and wonderful things I could add to it that you think could kill the fungus/bscteria/ virus (or whatever it is referred to as! ?). Bleach? What about a product called Benefect? (Are you familiar with it? It’s used in hospitals and the food industry- 100% all natural- (I believe Thyme Is a main ingredient) – it eliminates mold, (it TOTALLY DOES!) mildew, & purports to remove 99% of all viruses and bacteria. Spray on and leave- no wiping required! It smells great too! You should check it out!) Anything else you can suggest that you believe have powerful anti-fungal properties? I had no idea this is SO prevalent, so I thought it might make for an interesting post in the future! (My second question I will post separately!) Thanks for any input you can offer! Patti
Hi! So, you can use this foot soak mentioned above and also add in baking soda and peroxide to the soaking. Baking soda combined with peroxide is actually a really powerful anti-fungal. You can make a paste of baking soda/peroxide and put on toenails. However, I would not try bleach or anything made for cleaning mold, it would not be good for toenails. The home remedy versions are okay because they aren’t made specifically for anything, they just have anti-microbial properties. If all else fails. I would get some cream from the doctor. My friend suffered with toenail fungus for years and she tried every remedy in the book. She finally went to a doctor and got a special cream to use, and it cleared it up pretty quick. She now uses it every so often as a preventative and it is helpful. Keeping the feet dry is also important, so many using cornstarch to dry out soaks and inside of the shoes can help too!
Thanks for your suggestions Alexis! I did actually go to my doctor…but she didn’t want to prescribe anything because she said there weren’t any medications that were truly effective.
(I’m in Canada…and as you may know…1/2 the things that are available in the U.S. aren’t ‘permitted’ here. ?) So, it’s possible that your friend did get something that works…but it isn’t available here. ?
IF you happen to find out the name of it, that would be great. I think one they can prescribe here is Jubelaya (or something similar to that), so I’d be interested in hearing if that is the one your friend used with good results. Thanks again! Patti
Oh yeah, that is true. I will get in touch with her and see what the name of it was! I will comment back when I hear something from her!
Manicurist here.
Go to the dermatologist for your toe nails . They’ll do a culture to determine whether it’s fungal or bacterial , then prescribe the appropriate medications.
I make my own starch and it works better than bought starch. You make it as light or heavy as you want it.
I use a recycled glass vinegar bottle with a heavy duty sprayer.
Cool!
I’d be interested in hearing how you make your own starch? It seems like it would be a time & labour intensive task! With the cheap price of cornstarch do you find it is worthwhile making it yourself? How much do you make in a batch? Just curious! ?Patti
These hacks are sooo interesting !
I don’t think I’ve ever used cornstarch for anything .. but I may now!
It’s a great tool to use in the home! And cheap too!
Hey Alexis, thank you for this great post!
I just have question about putting cornstarch in shoes. Wouldn’t that simply feed the bacteria and other micro-organisms in the shoe & foot?
Thank you
Hi! Cornstarch is mainly in the shoe to absorb moisture, but since it also has antimicrobial benefits, it won’t feed bacteria or anything like that.