Some additional uses for food that you use everyday!

Popcorn garland

Traditionally, Christmas trees around the world have been decorated with different foods. So why not make a popcorn garland for your tree? Once you have your bucket of popcorn, get a thread and a needle, and start stringing by piercing the center of each piece until you have a long garland. In the end, cut the thread from the spool and tie the ends. Hang it on the tree for a snowy look.

Kool-Aid

Kool-Aid is more than just a sweet drink. Use the unsweetened version of Kool-Aid powder as temporary hair dye. Empty the powder in a bowl and add conditioner to it. Mix water to make a paste and then apply on the hair. Next, wrap the hair in plastic and let it sit for at least six hours. Rinse off with without shampooing. The colour will last a couple of days and you would be saved from any chemical damage to hair as well. 

Chocolate

Combine half a cup of boiling milk, half a cup of melted 35 percent cocoa (it contains antioxidants) and one cup of unscented bubble bath together for a relaxing and rejuvenating bath spa experience.

Pickle Juice

The briny juice of pickles can melt ice or snow because the liquid acts like salt. So next time there is snow on your doorstep, eat up your pickles and dump its juice outside.

Citrus Peel

Citrus peel can be used as a deodoriser. If your dustbin stinks, just throw some citrus peels in it and the odour will fade off. Dried orange peels can also be used in fireplace flames. The peel's oil fuels the flames, and can even keep your chimney cleaner.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a favored remedy to cure acne and soothe irritated skin. Cook up oatmeal, let it cool down and then apply as a mask over the affected area. It works by drying out the pimple pores. Also, you can use it to neutralise odour by placing an open container of oatmeal in the refrigerator.

Rice

Rice grains are good alternatives to pie weights and keep the crust of the pie from bubbling up on the bottom. Another alternate use for rice is to dry out water from electronics. If your phone has accidentally fallen in the sink or toilet, dry it out by placing it in a ziploc bag filled with rice for about five hours. The rice will soak up all the moisture in the phone.

Cola

Did you know that your favourite cold drink has enough chemicals in it to clean stains on porcelain bowls or a toilet seat? It can also be used to remove gum from hair. It works by dissolving the chemicals that keep gum from dissolving in your mouth, thus releasing the gum from hair strands after a brief soak.

Eggs

Yolks have high protein content and can be used as a fantastic hair deep-conditioner. Separate egg yolk from the white and massage it into your scalp and hair. Wrap the hair in a shower cap and a warm towel, and wait 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water and shampoo as usual. Your locks will be super sleek and shiny afterward!

Vodka

Now you have more than one reason for stocking up vodka at home. The liquor can calm rashes and stings, help remove mould and ease a toothache. Flowers can be kept fresh for longer if you add a few drops of vodka and a teaspoon of sugar to the water in the flower vase. 

Peanut Butter

It can be used to remove glue or a stubborn price tag from any surface. Apply peanut butter over the area and rub off gently with a cloth and watch the glue come off easily.

Cooking Spray

When sprayed on wasps, flies or other winged insects, it impedes their ability to fly. So next time you go out for a picnic or eat outside on the deck, you can spray it around without having to worry about chemical hazards. In other uses, florists use cooking spray to help their tropical flowers last. A light spray on petals prevents them from drying out.

Canola Oil

It can be used to clean grease of any object. The 'oil cuts through other oil’ concept applies here.

Bread

Since bread sticks to things, it can be used to clean up shattered glass. Sliced bread is also ideal for keeping things fresh or re-softening items that have hardened. For example, put bread in a bag of hardened marshmallows or place slices on the edges of a cut cake to prevent it from drying out.

Bay leaves

These act as a bug repellent. You can keep them in the flour canister or spread around the floor to ward off insects. A safe option to use in homes with kids and pets! 

Cornstarch

If a shoelace or jewelry knot has become too tight to open, rub the knot in cornstarch before trying again. The knot will open easily.

Sugar

If you accidently munch on a hot bit of pizza or sip hot tea, a quick fix for a burnt tongue is easily available in the kitchen. Reach out for sugar and sprinkle it on the affected area. The pain will subside almost instantly.

Potato

Did you know that raw potato juice can make your shoes shiny? Simply rub a fresh cut potato slice on the shoe surface to see the effect. If you rub a potato slice on the inside of a windshield or car mirror, the juice will prevent fog from setting on the mirror.

Coconut oil

Applying coconut oil inside nostrils can help you with runny nose, allergies and sore nostrils. If men apply it to their face prior to shaving, it will reduce the skin damage caused by shaving. Apart from this, coconut oil can also be used to lubricate guitar strings.

Brown sugar

Brown sugar can be a good substitute for your costly face scrubs. The granules in brown sugar clear away dead skin effectively when mixed with olive oil and some water, then rubbed on the skin .

Onion

If you wish to thicken or grow eyebrow hair, onion is the solution. The sulphur in onion juice aids in speedy regrowth of eyebrow hair. So grind an onion and apply the juice on eyebrows using a cotton ball.

Walnut

Walnut can be used as a scratch filler. Hardwood floors can be repaired by rubbing shelled nuts into the shallow scratches. The natural oil from walnut helps mask the flaws.

Eggshells

Crushed eggshells can be scattered around vegetables and flowers in your garden to fend off hungry herbivores, such as slugs, snails, and cutworms, without using toxic pesticides. An added benefit: eggshells are rich in calcium and will also enrich your soil.

Cucumber

A cucumber slice can work as a magic shoe polish. Rub a slice on your shoe, it will not only shine but also repel water.

Butter

Increase the shelf life of hard cheese by applying a light coat of butter to it. This will keep them fresh and free of mold for a longer period. In other uses, you can use butter to stop a door from squeaking by rubbing it on the hinges.

Tea bags

Tea bags contain anti-inflammatory caffeine and tannins that can bring relief to puffy under-eye areas. Dip your tea bag in boiling water for five minutes, then cool them in the refrigerator before dabbing them softly on puffy areas. Your tired eyes will be instantly refreshed.

Banana

Is your DVD skipping or freezing while playing? You can rub a banana over its surface to seal the cracks. The inside of banana peel can also be used to polish silver.

Yogurt

Cold plain yogurt provides quick and temporary relief to mild sunburn pain. While coldness soothes the skin, yogurt moistures the skin. Rinse with cool water.

Gatorade

Next time you have a headache, think twice before popping a pill. Instead you can drink two glasses of Gatorade! It can cure your headache almost instantly.

Beer

Beer is an easy solution for thickening fine hair. After shampooing, rinse hair with a can of flat beer. The yeast in it plumps up the hair shaft, giving volume to hair. Remember to rinse off the beer after some time with plenty of water!

Cayenne Pepper

It can be used as an ant deterrent: Just make a trail around the areas you want to cordon off from these insects.

Apple juice

Apple juice is a natural toner and astringent. When applied to the face, it can tighten pores and restore skin’s pH balance. Use it to moisturise the skin whenever needed.

Cinnamon

Use a cinnamon trail to keep insects, especially ants, at bay from unwanted territory! 

Wasabi

Who needs filler for thin lips when you can use wasabi to get a pout? Apply wasabi paste to your lips for a fuller look. 

Ketchup

This tomato-based concoction is effective in cleaning copper-bottomed pans because of it high citric acid content.

Turmeric

Turmeric has great therapeutic properties. It can be used to treat cuts, wounds, burns, psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions. When mixed with gram flour in a face scrub, it can help you get rid of facial hair over a period of time.

Mayonnaise

If you have a problem removing price tags and stickers on household items or clothes, ust dab that sticker with mayo and let it sit. Gently wipe off after a few minutes and it’ll peel out smoothly. 

Vinegar

Some interesting properties of vinegar include dissolving rust, cleaning stiff paint brushes and glass surface, and prolonging the life of cut flowers. Vinegar can also cure sore muscles: Mix a few tablespoons of vinegar into a cup of water, dip a cloth in the mixture and apply it to the affected areas for 20 minutes for relief.

Milk

There is no need to spend on expensive makeup removal products. Just mix 3 tablespoons of powdered milk in warm water to make a cream. Use this to wipe off your makeup with cotton or facecloth.

Coffee

If your fridge is smelling of foul odours, place a bowl of fresh, unused coffee grounds inside it and leave it for a day. The coffee will absorb the odour. You can also get rid of the smell of onion, garlic or cilantro from hands after cooking by rubbing coffee powder on hands and then washing off with warm water!

Coffee

If your fridge is smelling of foul odours, place a bowl of fresh, unused coffee grounds inside it and leave it for a day. The coffee will absorb the odour. You can also get rid of the smell of onion, garlic or cilantro from hands after cooking by rubbing coffee powder on hands and then washing off with warm water!

Lemon juice

Lemon juice is an effective stain remover and shower cleaner. It can brighten your dull fingernails too: Just pour lemon juice in warm water and for dip your fingertips for a few minutes to see the results.

Olive oil

If your hands or feet are covered in paint, sap or any other sticky substance that’s not coming off, scrub them with olive oil and a little salt or sugar. The paint will come right off. Similarly, olive oil can be used to clean heavy make up smoothly.

Garlic

Try applying to an acne breakout. Garlic is also a potent natural antifungal. Add a few cloves of crushed garlic to warm water in a foot bath and soak the affected foot for half an hour to get relief from athletes foot.

Salt

When mixed in hot water, a saltwater gargle will reduce toothache and provide relief from sore throats. In other uses, add a pinch of salt to a carton of milk and it will not go sour. You can also check the freshness of an egg by dropping them in salt water. If the egg floats, it’s too old to use.

Wine

According to a study at Oregon State University in 2005, wine can be used to clean fruits and vegetables. The alcohol in wine dissolves impurities on the surface, and some of its components kill pathogens like salmonella and E. coli. Wine may also heal bruises: An old folk remedy suggests soaking a piece of bread in wine and then applying it to a bruise to help it heal quicker.

Baking soda

A paste of baking soda and water will bring relief to itching caused by insect bites or stings. Baking soda also helps to remove stubborn stains on utensils. Add a little lemon juice to it and you can brighten brass with this solution.