8 Things to Do with Baby Powder
Updated: Oct. 04, 2018
Baby powder is a handy item to have around to help soothe a baby’s diaper rash or prevent chafing. However, it also has some surprising household uses.
1. Use baby powder to get rid of sand
How many times have you had a family member return from a day at the beach only to discover that a good portion of the beach has been brought back into your living room? Minimize the mess by sprinkling some baby powder over sweaty, sand-covered kids (and adults) before they enter the house. In addition to soaking up excess moisture, the powder makes sand incredibly easy to brush off.
2. Use baby powder to cool sheets in summer
Are those sticky, hot bed sheets giving you the summertime blues when you should be deep in dreamland? Cool things down by sprinkling a bit of baby powder between your sheets before hopping into the sack on warm summer nights.
3. Use baby powder to dry-shampoo your pet
Is the pooch’s coat in need of a pink-me-up? Vigorously rub a handful or two of baby powder into your pet’s fur. Let it settle in for a couple of minutes, and follow up with a thorough brushing. Your dog will both look and smell great! You can even occasionally “dry shampoo” your own, or someone else’s, hair by following the same technique.
4. Use baby powder to absorb grease stains on clothing
Frying foods can be dangerous business – especially for your clothes. If you get a grease splatter on your clothing, try dabbing the stain with some baby powder on a powder puff. Make sure you rub it in well, and then brush off any excess powder. Repeat until the mark is gone.
5. Use baby powder to clean your playing cards
Here’s a simple way to keep your playing cards from sticking together and getting grimy: Loosely place the cards in a plastic bag along with a bit of baby powder. Seal the bag and give it a few good shakes. When you remove your cards, they should feel fresh and smooth to the touch.
6. Use baby powder to slip on your rubber gloves
Don’t try jamming and squeezing your fingers into your rubber gloves when the powder layer inside the gloves wear out. Instead, give your fingers a light dusting with baby powder. Your rubber gloves should slide on good as new.
7. Use baby powder to remove mold from books
If some of your books have been stored in a less than ideal environment and have gotten a bit moldy or mildewed, try this: Frist, let them thoroughly air-dry. Then, sprinkle some baby powder between the pages and stand the books upright for several hours. Afterward, gently brush out the remaining powder from each book. They may not bas a good as new, but they shold be in a lot better shape than they were.
8. Use baby powder to dust off your flower bulbs
Many savvy gardeners use medicated baby powder to dust flower bulbs before planting them. Simply place 5-6 bulbs and about 3 tablespoons baby powder in a sealed plastic bag and give it a few gentle shakes. The medicated-powder coating helps both reduce the chance of rot and keep away moles, voles, grubs and other bulb-munching pests.
