Uses for Cornflour 

(or Cornstarch to our friends on the other side of the pond)







Nappy Rash: to sooth, powder their bottoms with cornflour after each nappy change. To protect add a quart of a cup to their bath water.
Sunburn: to sooth, mix one cup cornflour into warm bath water and soak for 20 - 30 minutes.
Burns: to sooth, mix one tablespoon cornflour and one tablespoon baking soda* in two pints of warm water. Dip a soft cloth or gauze into the mixture and place on skin.  Allow it to remain on burn for 20 - 30 minutes.
Face: to control oil, dust your face with a small amount of cornflour - but not enough to look like a goth!
Face: to clean, heat two tablespoons cornflour, two tablespoons glycerin and half a cup of water in a bain marie.  Heat until the mixture is thick and clear.  Use in place of soap.

Feet: to reduce itching from athletes foot, sprinkle cornflour in your shoes and on your feet (presumably would help with odour too).

Face: for a facial, mix together a quarter of a cup of cornflour, 2 tbsp milk and one egg white until smooth.  Apply mixture to face and allow to dry for about 15 - 20 minutes. Rinse.
Hair: to clean hair between shampooing, sprinkle hair with cornflour to absorb oil.  Brush hair to remove excess.
Powder: to make a scented body powder, fill a container with cornflour and add a few drops of your favourite scented oil.  Shake well to mix.
Skin: to relieve irritations from insect bits, poison ivy and rashes, make a thick paste using cornflour and water.  Apply to affected area.
Skin: to prevent chaffing, dust area with cornflour.
Underarms: to eliminate odour, rub underarms with rubbing alcohol then dust with cornflour.

Leather: to remove oil spots, apply cornflour to the area and allow it to sit overnight.  Brush it off.

Windows: for a streak-free shine, mix one teaspoon cornflour and one teaspoon of soap in a gallon of water.  Mix well and apply to windows, then wipe dry.
Silver: to polish, mix a paste of cornflour and water. With a soft cloth buff the silver. Let it dry and buff to a shine.
Carpet: to freshen and clean, sprinkle the carpet with cornflour, then allow to sit for 30 - 45 minutes. Vacuum.
Carpet: to spot clean, make a paste using cornflour and milk, then apply the paste to the spot.  Allow to dry.  Using a hard bristle brush, brush the spot and then vacuum.

Fabric: to remove grease, blot away as much as you can and then sprinkle with cornflour.  Let is sit for 10 - 15 minutes.  Shake off the excess cornflour, dab the stain with white vinegar and launder as directed.
Wood furniture: to remove wax build-up, sprinkle with cornflour and buff clean.
Driveways: to remove stains, sprinkle the stain with cornflour and allow to absorb overnight.  Rise clean.
Blood: to remove blood stains, make a paste using cornflour and water.  Apply the paste to the area and gently rub it in. Place the item in the sun until dry.  Brush away the dried paste. Repeat as needed.
Books: to remove the mildew smell, sprinkle the pages with cornflour and let it sit overnight.  Dust clean.

Stuffed animals: to clean, sprinkle with cornflour and place in a large paper bag.  Seal the bag and shake it well.  Allow the stuffed animal to remain the bag overnight, then remove from the bag and vacuum clean.

Starch: to make your own, completely dissolve cornflour n hot water and shake before each use.  For heavy starch - a quarter of a cup of cornflour in four cups of hot water; medium starch - a quarter of a cup in 8 cups hot water; light starch - a quarter of a cup in twelve cups hot water.

Cockroaches: to kill, mix equal parts cornflour and plaster of Paris and sprinkle mixture into cracks.

Pack of cards: to keep them from sticking, place the cards in a bag with a couple of teaspoons of cornflour.  Shake the bag well, being sure to coat all the card.  remove the cards form the bag and wipe each card with a dry rag.

Knots: to easily de-tangle, sprinkle the knot with cornflour.

Baking Powder : to make your own, mix one part cornflour, one part baking soda and two parts cream to tartar.

Sports equipment: to make gripping easier, lightly dust hands with cornflour.
* The difference between baking soda and baking powder: Essentially baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, baking powder is baking soda plus cream of tartar (and a drying agent - usually cornflour) .  See: http://chemistry.about.com/cs/foodchemistry/f/blbaking.htm.




See also:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/may/02/physics7 (see pic of children having fun!)
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=579hNOgHUs8




I'm thinking that next it would be a good idea to research the many uses for the magic bicarb and also for vinegar and for lemons.