by Pam Uher

Created on: February 22, 2010

Cornstarch (also known as cornflour) is exactly what its name states, a starch that comes from corn. It is extracted from the white endosperm, or what many call the heart, of a kernel of corn. After the “heart” is removed from the kernel, it is ground into a white tasteless powder-like state, which has numerous uses.

Cornstarch is probably best known around the world as an organic, gluten-free thickening powder used in cooking: frying, gravies, puddings, soups and various sauces. It is also used in most commercial bakery recipes for cakes, cookies, tortes, pies, pastries and many other delicious deserts. You also find cornstarch in powdered sugar to give the sugar a thicker consistency.

But this versatile natural agent has many home uses that help households save money, while enhancing living a cleaner “green” lifestyle.

Cornstarch is a healthy alternative to baby powder made from talc and much less expensive. It works great for baby diaper rash and other types of skin rash.

A paste of cornstarch and lemon juice works great to stop bug bite itching and soothes the redness associated with inflammation.

Putting cornstarch in your shoes and on your feet will help absorb perspiration. It can help prevent blisters, athlete’s foot and other fungus infections, also.

 If you clip the dog’s nails too short and cut the vein, quickly dab on some corn starch it will help clotting to occur.

Pour cornstarch on grease stains in your carpet, clothes or cloth car seats. Let it sit on the area for at least 20 minutes, until it absorbs the grease. Then vacuum the area and then brush over the area to even out the material.

Cornstarch will also absorb mildew around your house. It can also be used in books when flocking happens from dampness. Sprinkle the mildew pages with cornstarch then close the book and pop it into the microwave for 20 seconds; then remove the book and brush out the cornstarch with a soft cloth.

If you mix equal parts of cornstarch and plastic of Paris, making a paste, then fill baseboard cracks around your house with the mixture roaches will never invade your house again. They eat the paste and die!

Cornstarch will remove blood stains in clothing or carpet.

Put some corn starch on a soft cloth to buff your car after you wash and dry it. It will even clean your silverware.

For your children cornstarch makes an inexpensive gooey paste, cornstarch ‘clay’ and finger paints (when washable food coloring is added).

You can clean old stuffed animals by dusting them cornstarch and letting them stay covered overnight in plastic bags. Then remove them shake off the excess cornstarch and put them in the dryer for 10 minutes (on low heat).

Use cornstarch to give your cat or dog a dry bath and sooth their skin, deodorize and shed dead hair, in the winter or cold months.

If you are looking for a science fair experiment for your children look no further than the box of cornstarch in the cupboard. The Dr. Seuss “oobleck” or goop experiment is a really awesome use of a simple agent to demonstrate the dilatant properties of some fluids called suspensions (polymers).

Who ever thought that box of cornstarch had so many uses?

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