If you believe baby powder is only for keeping skin smooth and fresh, you’re really underestimating its power. Try sprinkling it on some on these household woes to unleash its full potential.
1. A knotted necklace
Never waste time desperately tugging at tangled jewellery again. Loosen the knot with a little baby powder and use a pin to pull it apart.
2. Musty furniture
‘I like to keep drawers fresh with a sprinkle of baby powder under drawer liners,’ says cleaning and housekeeping expert Becky of Clean Mama. ‘This is especially great with antique furniture that has that old smell.’
3. Greasy hair
Most dry shampoos are starch-based, so baby powder has a similar effect in a pinch. Sprinkle some on your hands and massage it through your scalp to soak up excess oil.
4. A sweltering summer’s night
Crawling into a hot, sticky bed is no one’s definition of night-time relaxation. Dust powder between your sheets to help absorb sweat and keep things cool.
5. A stuck-together deck of cards
When poker night gets messy, toss the playing cards into a paper bag with a few tablespoons of powder and give them a good shake. Then wipe them with a paper towel.
6. A family of ants
Keep these intruders out of your kitchen by blocking their path with powder. (They’re not fans of the scent.)
7. Oily stains
Don’t stress over spilt salad dressing. Dab any oil-based stain with baby powder to absorb the grease before laundering as usual.
8. Dish-glove friction
‘After washing the dishes, I sprinkle a little powder into my rubber gloves,’ says Victoria of the blog Creative Home Keeper. ‘It helps keep them fresh while they dry and my hands easily slide through the next time.’
9. Squeaky hardwood floors
Pour baby powder onto your wooden floor and sweep it into the cracks to quiet creaking floorboards. Wipe away the excess, and enjoy the sounds of silence.
10. Sandy feet
‘Pack a travel-size bottle of baby powder in your beach bag,’ says Jamielyn of the blog I Heart Nap Time. ‘At the end of the day, rub it on your skin and sand will come right off.’
11. Wimpy eyelashes
Beauty bloggers swear by this one. In between coats of mascara, use a cotton swab to dust baby powder on your lashes. ‘I was surprised how much volume it added,’ says Huda of makeup and beauty blog Huda Beauty.
12. Sweaty feet
Sprinkle the stuff in your shoes to keep odours at bay. And forget socks – the powder keeps your feet dry so you can go barefoot in flats without worry.
And one place you shouldn’t use baby powder: around babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns against it, since the powder can be dangerous if babies inhale it.
This article was originally posted on Goodhousekeeping.com
