Arts &Crafts, How-To's, Upcycling & Repurposing

Most of us have this common staple in our home. It is commonly used as a thickening for foods such as soups, stews and other recipes.

Not to be confused with corn flour, which is made from whole kernels, cornstarch is made from the endosperm found at the center of the corn kernel. The starches inside the endosperm are removed, rinsed, dried, and milled into a fine powder. This leaves us with cornstarch — a white, chalky powder that has a variety of uses in the kitchen.

If you are out of cornflower, it can be substituted with –

All purpose flour

Rice flower

Arrowroot powder

Tapioca starch

Potato starch

* Cornstarch had many uses such as a egg substitute in recipes. Mix 1Tablespoon of cornstarch with 3 Tablespoons of warm water. For cookies, cakes and bread.

* cornstarch is good as a cleaner.

Mix 1 Tablespoon each of cornstarch and vinegar into 2 cups of water. Can be used on cleaning glass, scrubbing tubs.

* To remove stains from rugs, furniture, clothes- mix cornstarch with a little bit of water to make a paste. Leave the paste on until it dries then wash as normal. If it’s a carpet stain than you can vacuum it up.

* polish silver – mix cornstarch with a little water to make a paste. Rub on the silverware for a pretty shine!

* loosen knots in shoelaces, hair, dog fur. Sprinkle cornstarch on the knit and gently rub it in to loosen the knots.

* Soothe a bug bite or bee sting. Mix a few drops of water with cornstarch to make a paste. Apply to area and leave on till it dries.

* Make kid friendly finger paints. Mix 1/2 cup cornstarch to 2 cups of water, boil until thick and gel like. Mix thoroughly. When finished you can either separate into different containers and add the food coloring or add the food coloring while it’s still in the pot.

Many more ways to use cornstarch! Dry shampoo your hair, prevent Athletes foot, ease sunburn pain, even to make deodorant.