Chicago Home and Lifestyles – 4 household uses for cornstarch

I always try to use natural products to clean the house. There are fewer chemicals and fragrances that trigger my allergies. It’s bad enough dealing with dust making me sneeze and then having harsh cleaners make it worse. Cornstarch is, along with baking soda and vinegar, one of those natural ingredients to do many tasks around the home. 

Stain removal

Cornstarch is naturally absorbent and that makes it efficient for removing fresh grease stains from fabrics. Sprinkle a generous amount directly on the grease stain, covering the spot completely. Let it sit at least 15 minutes or for up to an hour for deeper stains. Wipe off the cornstarch with a soft brush then launder. If the stain is not gone, repeat and add a bit of dish detergent before laundering. This works well on upholstery, but you’ll need to do it a few times. For ink stains, combine cornstarch with vinegar and repeat the steps above.

Deodorizer

Cornstarch works as well as baking soda for deodorizing carpets. Sprinkle on the carpet and let it sit for 30 minutes, then vacuum. This works on upholstery, dog beds, and stuffed animals too. Just sprinkle on, let sit and vacuum!

Degreaser

Cornstarch is a gentle cleaner with a mild abrasive that can be used safely on many surfaces in your home. Stainless steel in the kitchen attracts grease and grime. Sprinkle a little cornstarch on a damp sponge and rub the stainless steel in circular motions. Wipe away residue with a wet microfiber cloth, rinsing frequently to remove all residue. Dry with the grain with dry microfiber cloths till shiny. 

Removing soap scum

Porcelain and ceramic surfaces in your bathrooms and kitchen can also benefit from a cornstarch scrub. Sprinkle equal parts baking soda and cornstarch on the surface. Use a sponge to scrub, paying attention to stains and soap scum. Rinse thoroughly to remove all residue then dry with a clean towel.  Your grout and tile in the shower will look as good as new when you use this method. Make a paste with equal parts cornstarch with equal parts baking soda and enough vinegar to form a paste. Use a scrub brush to work the paste into the tiles and grout. Rinse with warm water and dry with a clean towel. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago