From cleaning windows to removing odors and stains, cornstarch can be used to freshen almost any area of your home. This pantry staple has long been used as a natural cleaning method that can be used to clean everything from shoes to silver.
Cornstarch, which is typically sold on the baking aisle of most grocery stores, makes an excellent household cleaner for two reasons: It’s a natural, superfine abrasive that boosts cleaning power by physically removing stains and dirt from surfaces without scratching them. It’s also absorbent, so it easily soaks up moisture, dirt, oil, and smells.
Plus, cornstarch is environmentally friendly, so you can use it as a safe alternative to harsh chemical cleaners. It’s more affordable than commercially-made cleaners, too. Sprinkle cornstarch on dirty items straight out of the box, or mix it with warm water or vinegar to make a cleaning spray or paste. These are a few of our favorite ways to use cornstarch to clean common household items.
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1. Clean Glass and Windows
Cornstarch makes a great natural glass cleaner. Mix a tablespoon each of cornstarch and vinegar with 2 cups of water and stir until dissolved. Pour into a spray bottle and use as you would a commercial window and glass cleaner. Spray on and wipe off, and your glass and windows will be free of grime, handprints, and streaks.
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2. Remove Grease Stains From Clothing
Pour a scoop of cornstarch directly on grease-stained clothing and let it sit for 12 hours. Shake off the excess cornstarch, toss the clothing into the washing machine, and run it through a normal laundry cycle. The cornstarch will pull the grease straight out of the fabric. This works best if you apply the cornstarch when the stain is new, but can still be effective on older grease stains.
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3. Polish Silver
Cornstarch is one of the best ways to naturally polish silver, and it's easy to do. Mix a half cup of cornstarch with enough water to form a paste. Apply the paste to silver jewelry or tableware and rub with a soft cloth until the tarnish is gone. The cornstarch acts as a gentler abrasive, physically removing the tarnish without harming the silver. Rinse the cornstarch paste off the silver items, and wipe the object with a clean, soft cloth until it is dry and shiny.
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4. Dry and Deodorize Stinky Shoes
Cornstarch can absorb odors and moisture from foul-smelling footwear. Sprinkle cornstarch inside boots and shoes after you take them off. Let them sit overnight, then shake out the cornstarch the next morning. The cornstarch absorbs the smells and moisture, leaving shoes fresh and dry. You can also use your vacuum to suck the cornstarch out of your shoes before wearing them again.
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5. Remove Stains and Smells from Carpet
For overall freshening and cleaning, sprinkle cornstarch on a rug or carpet. Let it sit for about 20 minutes, then vacuum it up. The cornstarch will absorb odors and dirt, which are then removed by the vacuum. Cornstarch is also great at pulling oily spots out of rugs and carpets. For spot cleaning, sprinkle it on the stain or problem area. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then vacuum it up.
6. Clean Pots, Pans, and the Kitchen Sink
Make a simple non-abrasive scrubbing cleaner you can use on just about anything in the kitchen. Mix 1 part water with 2 parts cornstarch to make a loose paste. Use it to scrub stains and burned-on food from pots, pans, your cooktop, and even the kitchen sink.
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7. Clean Stuffed Animals
If you can't throw a smelly stuffed animal in the wash, use cornstarch instead. Sprinkle the toy liberally with cornstarch, then gently rub or brush it to distribute it all over. The cornstarch will absorb dirt, oils, and odors that have been transferred to the toy. Let the powder sit on the stuffed animal overnight, then use a vacuum attachment to clean all the cornstarch off the toy.
FAQs
Remove stains: Dry or mixed into a thick paste with water, cornstarch can remove many kinds of stains on rugs, furniture, clothing, and other fabric items. Leave the paste on until it dries before brushing or vacuuming. A cornstarch paste even works to remove blood and grease stains.
What can I clean with cornstarch? ›
Remove stains: Dry or mixed into a thick paste with water, cornstarch can remove many kinds of stains on rugs, furniture, clothing, and other fabric items. Leave the paste on until it dries before brushing or vacuuming. A cornstarch paste even works to remove blood and grease stains.
Does cornstarch and water clean windows? ›
Clean windows with a mixture of ordinary cornstarch and water. Half fill a bucket with cold water and sprinkle in about a third cup cornstarch. Mix together until cloudy. Use a sponge to wash the window.
Does cornstarch remove odors? ›
Corn starch, not dissimilar to baking soda, is finely ground, helping to make it super absorbent. This makes it great for attacking unpleasant odors, especially from stinky shoes. Sprinkle a bit into your favourite shoes and let it sit overnight.
What does cornstarch do in laundry? ›
Combining a spoonful of cornstarch with water and misting onto fabric before ironing can achieve a clean, stiff finish — similar to what professional laundries achieve. Secondly, cornstarch has stain-fighting capabilities. Its powerful absorbent properties make it ideal for tackling greasy, stubborn stains.
What happens when you mix cornstarch and baking soda? ›
And, cornstarch and baking soda can make air dry clay! So simple to make at home and the kids love making it as well. Here is a recipe for you to make air clay that you can shape, paint and use for whatever your heart desires- make them into magnets, wall hangings, ornaments…
Does cornstarch clean hair? ›
It's a fantastic volumizer that adds thickness but not weight to strands. Another benefit: When your scalp is oily or moist (say, in the summer, or after a workout), Corn Starch sucks up that condensation and grease so your scalp and hair stay fresh and, if not actually clean, then clean looking and smelling.
What do professional window cleaners put in their water? ›
The most common professional window cleaning solution recipe is filtered or distilled water and dish soap. Just a few spoonfuls of dish soap is all that's needed to create foam for gliding and to help break up any grease and dirt on the glass during cleaning.
Can you use cornstarch and vinegar to clean? ›
Clean Glass and Windows
Mix a tablespoon each of cornstarch and vinegar with 2 cups of water and stir until dissolved. Pour into a spray bottle and use as you would a commercial window and glass cleaner. Spray on and wipe off, and your glass and windows will be free of grime, handprints, and streaks.
How do you make crystal clear windows? ›
Mix vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio. Commercial Window Cleaner: Opt for solutions with ammonia for tough grime, or go for eco-friendly options without harsh chemicals. DIY Soap Mixture: For mild cleaning, mix a teaspoon of mild dish soap with a bucket of warm water.
Grab a generous amount of cornstarch and apply it directly onto the urine stain. Use enough to cover the entire surface area. After letting the corn starch sit for about 30 minutes, rinse the area with water. Using a cloth towel or paper towels, press firmly to absorb any remaining water.
Can you put cornstarch on the groin? ›
To treat chafing in your groin area, you may try applying cornstarch to help absorb excess moisture. Chafing may not heal overnight, but you should be able to get rid of it within a few days. Avoid the activity that caused the chafing and wear well-fitting clothing until your skin heals.
Does cornstarch help foot odor? ›
Using Antifungal Powders
An antifungal foot powder will help to keep feet dry and odor-free. An alternative option is to apply a light dusting of cornstarch to the feet.
What is cornstarch good for cleaning? ›
Clean urine stains by applying a thick paste of corn starch and water. Allow it to dry completely then brush or vacuum away. Stains on fabrics (blood, ink, scorch marks, etc) can often be removed by applying a thick paste of corn starch and water to the area. Allow it to dry then remove.
Can cornstarch remove stains? ›
Use Cornstarch to Remove Grease Stains
Sprinkle the stain with cornstarch to absorb some of the grease from the fabric. Flush the backside of the fabric with cold water to remove the cornstarch and push the stain out of the fibers of the fabric. Spray the area with a dish soap cleaning solution.
Can you put starch in your washing machine? ›
Yes, you are able to use both laundry detergent and liquid starch for one load of laundry. This is possible because liquid starch can be sprayed on clothes before turning the washing machine on or added in small amounts to a load of laundry.
What happens when you mix cornstarch and vinegar? ›
When cornstarch is mixed with vinegar, a chemical reaction does not occur that would cause bubbling. Instead, the mixture forms a paste-like substance. Cornstarch is a thickening agent commonly used in cooking and baking. It is derived from the starch found in corn kernels.
What are good uses for cornstarch? ›
Cornstarch is a common ingredient made from the starchy portion of corn kernels known as the endosperm. It's used as a thickening agent for gravies, marinades, sauces, soups, and casseroles.
Is cornstarch safe for skin? ›
A wonder ingredient, Cornstarch is a natural moisture-absorbing powder which is often used as an alternate to chemically formulated talcum powders. This lightweight arrowroot powder is rich in antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which soothe irritated skin and refresh the body, whilst not harming the skin.
