Our Kitchen

Corn Starch Tricks

Hodgson Mill's Pure Corn Starch is not only great for baking and cooking, but also for everyday household uses. Go ahead and give these tricks a try!

Everyday Health & Beauty Tricks

  • Use for DIAPER RASH: Use as a baby powder to help sooth diaper rash. To protect baby’s skin, add 1/4 cup Corn Starch for each gallon of bath water.
  • Use as a FACE POWDER: dab small amounts on face to absorb excess oil. Remember to use sparingly as Corn Starch can make face look white.
  • Sooth SUNBURN: mix 1 cup Hodgson Mill Corn Starch into a bathtub of warm water. Soak 20 to 30 minutes. Or apply a wet Corn Starch and baking soda dressing. Stir 1 tablespoon each Corn Starch and baking soda into 2 quarts warm water; dip gauze pads into the solution and let them rest on sunburn for 20 - 30 minutes.
  • All natural relief from SKIN IRRITATIONS: for rashes, hives, insect bites, poison ivy etc… stir 1/4 cup Hodgson Mill Corn Starch with 3 Tbsp. water until a thick paste forms. Apply to irritated skin lightly.
  • For a LIGHT FACIAL: mix 1/4 cup Hodgson Mill Corn Starch, 1 egg white and 2 Tbsp milk to a smooth consistency. Apply paste to clean and dry skin, let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse with clear water and dry.
  • FACIAL CLEANSER: Mix 2 Tbsp. Corn Starch, 2 Tbsp. glycerin and 1/2 cup water until smooth. Heat in a small pan placed in a water bath inside another pan. Heat until thick and clear (it will have the consistency of pudding). Do not boil. Cool completely. Use in place of soap to cleanse your skin. (If too thick, you can thin by adding a little water one tablespoon at a time)
  • SCENTED BODY POWDER: Mix fragrant flower petals such as rose or lavender with Hodgson Mill Corn Starch. Shake the mixture several times and let sit for one day. Sift the mixture to remove petals. Repeat process for 4-5 days or until powder is well scented.
  • Use as a DRY SHAMPOO: between regular shampoos, a sprinkling of Corn Starch will help absorb excess oil. Be sure to brush thoroughly to remove excess Corn Starch.
  • Underarm DEODORANT substitute: use alcohol to remove bacteria, then apply cornstarch.
  • ATHLETE’S FOOT: sprinkle Hodgson Mill Corn Starch on feet and in shoes to absorb moisture, reduce friction and lesson itch.

Everyday Household Uses

  • GREASE STAINS ON WALLPAPER sometime are easily removed by applying a paste made with Corn Starch and water. Rub on with a soft, clean cloth. Be sure to test in an inconspicuous area first.
  • Corn Starch can also be used to REMOVE SOME GREASE STAINS on washable clothing or tablecloths. Sprinkle spots with Corn Starch. Rub into the stain, and then brush off. Repeat until grease is removed, then launder as usual.
  • Absorb excess GREASE AND OIL STAINS ON DRIVEWAYS by sprinkling with Corn Starch.
  • Remove MILDEW IN BOOKS by lightly sprinkling with Corn Starch. Let sit for a few hours and then wipe and shake clean.
  • WASHING WINDOWS: take 1 quart of water and mix in 1/4 cup Hodgson Mill Corn Starch. Apply with a clean cloth to windows. Keep water and Corn Starch well mixed. Wipe windows dry with paper towels or a lint-free cloth.
  • Clean RUGS AND CARPETS: mix 1 part baking soda to 2 parts Corn Starch. Sprinkle onto carpet or rug, wait 5 minutes, then vacuum.
  • CLEAN STUFFED ANIMALS by sprinkling with Hodgson Mill Corn Starch. Rub in, let stand for a few minutes then brush off.
  • Dust SWIM GEAR with Corn Starch to prevent sticking while items are stored.
  • Clean a MUDDY SPOT ON CARPET by sprinkling Corn Starch on the damp spot. Let dry, then vacuum.
  • To PREVENT EXCESS MOISTURE AND CHAFING in athletic shoes, dust the insides with Corn Starch.
  • To PATCH PLASTER WALLS OR WALLBOARD: mix 2 Tablespoons of salt, 2 Tablespoons of Corn Starch and 4-5 Tablespoons water to make a thick but pliable paste. Fill in holes and sand as necessary.
  • After POLISHING WOOD FURNITURE, sprinkle with Corn Starch and use a soft cloth to rub furniture until it is glossy.
  • LAUNDRY STARCH SPRAY recipe: Fill a spray bottle with 2 pints cold water and mix in 2 Tablespoons of Hodgson Mill Corn Starch. Shake before each use
  • LAUNDRY STARCH: Stir 1/2 cup Corn Starch into 1 cup cold water. Add boiling water (2 quarts for heavy finish or stiffness, 4 quarts for medium finish, and 6 quarts for light finish). Dip clothes into starch and dry. Sprinkle lightly with warm water; iron as usual.
  • TO STARCH DOILIES: Heat 2 cups of water to boiling. Mix 1/2 cup Pure Corn Starch with 1 cup cold water. Have another cup of water available. After the 2 cups of water comes to a boil, add the Corn Starch mixture slowly, stirring constantly. If the mixture becomes too thick, which can happen quickly, add some of the extra water. After the mixture cools, saturate the items to be starched, gently squeeze or roll out excess, shape and let dry.
  • REMOVING SCORCHES can be made easier by wetting the scorched area and cover with Corn Starch. Brush excess off when dry.
  • If you use RUBBER GLOVES for dishes or gardening, sprinkle some Corn Starch inside before slipping them on.
  • SHINE YOUR CAR! When buffing, sprinkle a Tablespoon of Corn Starch on the rag to remove excess polish easily.
  • Sprinkle Hodgson Mill Corn Starch onto a STUBBORN KNOT to help detangle it.
  • CLEAN YOUR SILVER with a paste of Hodgson Mill Corn Starch and water. Apply with a damp cloth, let dry, and then remove with cheesecloth.

Everyday Recipe Tricks

  • To THICKEN gravies, sauces, casseroles, soups and stews: Remember 1 Tbsp. of Hodgson Mill Corn Starch = 2 Tbsp. flour. When your recipe calls for flour, use 1/2 as much Corn Starch and your result will be much creamier.
  • To THICKEN hot liquids: mix Hodgson Mill Corn Starch with a little cold liquid until smooth before adding to hot liquid
  • For LOWER CALORIE gravies: pour off fat from pan drippings, leaving the crusty brown particles. For liquid (replacing fat) use fat-free broth or water.
  • Corn Starch Cake
  • Try our fabulous NO-FAIL CORNSTARCH GRAVY. Pour off drippings and return 2 Tbsp to roasting pan. Stir in 2 cups of liquid (water or broth). Cook over medium heat, stirring to loosen brown bits. Remove from heat. Mix 2 Tbsp Hodgson Mill Pure Corn Starch and 1/4 cup cold water until smooth. Stir into liquid in pan. Add seasoning. Stirring constantly, bring to boil over medium heat and boil 1 minute. Makes 2 cups.
  • Make your own POWDERED SUGAR: Buzz 1 cup sugar and 1 Tablespoon Hodgson Mill Corn Starch on high in a blender until smooth. Makes about 1 cup powdered sugar.
  • Make your own BAKING POWDER: Stir and sift together 2 parts Cream of Tartar to 1 part baking soda and 1 part cornstarch.
  • PREVENT PASTRY FROM STICKING to rolling pin by sprinkling the cutting board and rolling pin with Hodgson Mill Corn Starch.

KIDS & FUN

  • Recipe for Happy Holidays Cornstarch Ornaments
  • To make SAND DOUGH: 1 cup sand, 3/4 cup liquid starch, 1/2 cup Hodgson Mill Corn Starch. Mix both starches over heat. Add sand. Stir for several minutes until thick like oatmeal. Let sit in sun to dry.
  • Finger Paint Recipe
  • Watercolor Recipe
  • To make safe, non-toxic FACE PAINT: Mix 1 tsp. Hodgson Mill Corn Starch, 1/2 tsp. water, 1/2 tsp cold cream, and 2 drops food coloring.
  • Jewelry Clay
  • PLAY CLAY: 1 1/4 cups water, 2 cups baking soda and 1 cup cornstarch

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Hodgson Mill Corn Starch should be stored closed tightly and in a cool, dry place.
  • To DRY SHAMPOO YOUR DOG: rub Corn Starch into fur, then comb or brush out.
  • A light dusting of Corn Starch will also make handles of SPORTS EQUIPMENT such as tennis racquets and golf clubs easier to grip.
  • CLEAN A DECK OF CARDS by placing cards in a paper bag with 4 Tablespoons Corn Starch. Shake vigorously, then remove cards and wipe clean.