Cornstarch has ancient roots, used by Egyptians around 800 BC for beauty products. Today, it's a kitchen essential—especially for those with wheat flour allergies—and a versatile powerhouse for cooking, cosmetics, sunburn relief, and household tasks. Discover 32 surprising cornstarch uses below.
Achieve perfect sauce consistency by mixing a little cornstarch with water and stirring it in during cooking. Ideal for béchamel sauce.
To discover: The Secret Recipe For Pepper Sauce, Better Than At The Restaurant!
For airy omelettes like those at Mère Poulard, add ¼ teaspoon cornstarch per egg, whisk, and cook.
To discover: 7 Cook's Tips for a Delicious Restaurant-Style Omelette.
Cornstarch eases skin irritations, including sunburns. Mix 3 tablespoons with cold water into a paste, apply with a cotton ball, let dry, and rinse with warm water.
Its fine powder absorbs moisture effectively. Blend with baking soda and coconut oil for a top natural deodorant. See the recipe here.
Sprinkle generously on grease stains, let sit for an hour, then launder normally.
To discover: An Unknown Trick to Remove Oily Stains My Grandmother Has Been Using for 40 Years.
Sprinkle cornstarch on tight knots and rub in to reduce friction between fibers, easing untangling.
Boil cornstarch with water until thick, add food coloring. Safe for painting or skin makeup (add vegetable oil).
Great for Halloween, Carnival, or face paint.
Mix cornstarch into regular polish on a paper plate and apply immediately for a matte finish.
Place cards in a bag with cornstarch, shake, then wipe with a cloth to remove dirt and grease.
Put plush in a bag with cornstarch, shake, leave overnight, then shake or vacuum excess.
To discover: How to Clean a Plush? The Easy Tip in Video.
Revives hair between washes, degreasing roots. Try the trick here.
Apply a cornstarch-water paste to stings or nettle rash to dry the area and reduce itching.
Sprinkle cornstarch on books, leave overnight, then wipe or vacuum.
To discover: A Librarian's Tip To EASILY Clean Your Dirty Books.
Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch in 500 ml hot water, add scent if desired, and use in a spray bottle.
Apply a cornstarch-water paste with a damp cloth, let dry, then buff off.
To discover: How To Clean Your Blackened Silverware With Baking Soda In 1 Min.
Mix 1 tbsp talc with ½ tbsp cornstarch to minimize pores and control shine.
Sprinkle in shoes to absorb moisture and deter fungus in warm, damp environments.
To discover: Foot Fungus: The Tried And Approved Remedy To Make Them Go Away.
Add a glass to bathwater to relieve dry, itchy skin, especially in winter.
Dust on irritated areas or baby diaper rash before dressing.
Mix 150 ml ammonia, 150 ml white vinegar, 2 tbsp cornstarch in hot water. Wipe and buff for streak-free shine.
Blend with hibiscus powder or cinnamon for custom "healthy glow".
To discover: The Homemade Blush Recipe (So Natural You Could Eat It!).
Sprinkle on handles to absorb sweat and enhance grip during tennis or golf.
Wet area, cover with cornstarch, dry, and brush away.
Apply cornstarch-water paste to blood stains, rub, dry in sun 3+ hours, repeat if needed.
Rub in, brush out for natural dirt removal without water.
Sprinkle into parquet gaps to lubricate and reduce squeaks.
Sprinkle, wipe, and buff after waxing.
To discover: The Natural Tip To Clean And Shine Wooden Furniture.
Mix with milk into paste, apply, dry, brush, and vacuum.
To discover: The Surprising Trick to Remove an Ink Stain from Clothing.
Sprinkle, wait 30 minutes, vacuum to eliminate odors.
To discover: 21 Tips to Naturally Deodorize Your Home.
Mix 50/50 with plaster of Paris, place in crevices. Details here.
Sprinkle on cloth and rub gently on kitchen walls.
To discover: How to EASILY Clean Grease Stains from Kitchen Furniture.
Add 1 tsp to bag, shake to absorb moisture and separate.
Store cornstarch in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from heat and moisture for indefinite shelf life. Available at supermarkets or online.
Have you tried these cornstarch uses? Share your results in the comments!
