Your kitchen pantry is a treasure trove of useful items. Beyond their obvious culinary uses, many of our most common pantry staples have a surprising number of alternative applications around the house. These simple, everyday ingredients can be used for everything from cleaning and deodorizing to gardening and first aid. Before you go out and buy an expensive, specialized product, you should check your pantry first. You might already have the perfect solution right on your shelf.
1. Use Baking Soda to Clean Almost Anything
Baking soda is a miracle cleaner. Its mild, abrasive texture makes it perfect for scrubbing your sinks, your countertops, and your bathtub without scratching them. You can also use it as a natural deodorizer. A small box left open in your refrigerator or freezer will absorb any unpleasant odors.
2. Use Vinegar as a Natural Weed Killer
White vinegar is a powerful and eco-friendly weed killer. You can simply pour it into a spray bottle and spray it directly onto any weeds that are growing in the cracks of your sidewalk or your driveway. The acetic acid in the vinegar will dry out the leaves of the plant, killing it in a day or two.
3. Use Coffee Grounds to Deodorize
Used coffee grounds are great at absorbing bad smells. You can place a small bowl of dry, used coffee grounds in your refrigerator or your car to eliminate any lingering odors. You can also use them to scrub your hands after you have been chopping garlic or onions to get rid of the strong smell.
4. Use Cornstarch to Detangle Knots
Cornstarch is a great tool for dealing with stubborn knots. If you have a knotted shoelace or a piece of tangled jewelry, you can sprinkle a small amount of cornstarch onto the knot. The fine powder acts as a dry lubricant. It will make it much easier to gently work the knot loose.
5. Use Salt to Clean a Cast Iron Pan
You should never use soap to clean a cast-iron skillet, as it will strip away the pan’s seasoning. Instead, you can use coarse salt as a gentle, abrasive scrubber. You just pour a generous amount of salt into the warm pan and then use a paper towel to scrub away any stuck-on bits of food.
6. Use Olive Oil to Polish Wood Furniture
You can make your own natural furniture polish with two simple pantry items. ust mix two parts olive oil with one part lemon juice. You can then use a soft cloth to rub a small amount of the mixture onto your wood furniture. It will clean and condition the wood, leaving it with a beautiful, natural shine.
7. Use Mayonnaise to Remove Water Rings
If someone has left a white water ring on your wooden table, you can use mayonnaise to get it out. You just apply a generous dab of full-fat mayonnaise to the ring and let it sit for a few hours. The oil in the mayonnaise will penetrate the wood and displace the moisture, causing the ring to disappear.
8. Use a Walnut to Repair Scratches in Wood
For a small scratch in a piece of wood furniture, a simple walnut can work wonders. You just rub the meat of the walnut directly onto the scratch. The natural oils from the nut will seep into the wood, which will darken the scratch and make it much less visible.
9. Use Rice to Clean a Coffee Grinder or a Vase
You can clean a narrow-necked bottle or a coffee grinder by using uncooked rice as a gentle abrasive. You just pour a small amount of rice into the container, add some warm water, and shake it vigorously. The rice will scrub the inside of the container clean.
10. Use Ketchup to Polish Copper
The mild acid in ketchup is great for removing the tarnish from copper pots and pans. You can simply squirt a small amount of ketchup onto the copper and then rub it with a soft cloth. The tarnish will wipe right off, leaving the copper bright and shiny.
11. Use Aluminum Foil to Sharpen Scissors
You can quickly sharpen a dull pair of scissors by using a piece of aluminum foil. You just take a sheet of foil, fold it over several times to make it thick, and then cut through it with the scissors about ten or twelve times. This will hone the blades and give them a much sharper edge.
12. Use a Tea Bag to Soothe a Sunburn
A cool, damp tea bag can be a very effective and soothing treatment for a mild sunburn or an insect bite. The tannins in the black tea have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce the redness and the stinging. You just place the cool, wet tea bag directly on the affected area.
The Hidden Power of Your Pantry
Your kitchen pantry is more than just a place to store food. It is a home’s secret arsenal of multi-purpose tools and remedies. By learning about these lesser-known uses for our most common pantry items, we can save money, reduce our reliance on harsh chemicals, and become more resourceful and self-sufficient. The simple ingredients we use for our meals often have a hidden power that is just waiting to be discovered.
What is your favorite lesser-known use for a common pantry item? Do you have any other household hacks to share? Let us know in the comments!
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