Did you know that baby powder is not only for babies? Here are ten ways in which you can also find it useful:
1. Removing sand from your scalp
Going to the beach is fun, except for the part when you have sand in your hair. It takes a long time to get the sand out by shampooing, and it also irritates your scalp. Instead, massage one tablespoon of baby powder into your roots, brush your hair and then shampoo it. The powder is astringent and will absorb the natural hair oils that bind the sand, so the grains will be washed right out. Also, putting baby powder on your skin will help you brush off the sand.
2. It helps you stay cool during summer nights
If you wake up covered in sweat during the summer, just sprinkle one to two teaspoons of baby powder on your sheet before going to bed. You won’t notice the small granules, but their absorbent quality (baby powder contains silica, talc, and cornstarch) will help you with your nighttime perspiration. Just wash your sheets the next day.
3. It will protect your tops from stains
In order to prevent sweat stains from appearing on your shirts, turn your tops inside out and sprinkle the underarms, collar, and other perspiration-prone areas with baby powder. Press the shirts with an iron set on medium for 3 seconds. The powder will form an invisible barrier that will absorb the moisture before it seeps into the fabric, so the sweat will wash out easily.
4. It will keep the pool inflatables from sticking
If you use inflatable toys when you go to the pool, you have noticed that the plastic sticks to itself after being deflated and folded. It can even get torn apart when you try to unfold it. To avoid this, just dust the plastic with baby powder before folding it. The powder will absorb the remaining moisture and create a thin, slippery barrier that will keep the plastic from sticking. You can also use this trick for pool covers and inflatable pools.
5. It will keep away the ants from your picnic
If you like eating outdoors, you’ve probably had a problem with ants. You can use baby powder to keep them away from your picnic. Sprinkle it around the perimeter of your picnic table or blanket. The powder will stick to the pads of the ants’ feet and inhibit their ability to move.
6. It makes waxing less painful
If you feel pain when you do your waxing at home, just put baby powder on the area that you are about to wax before applying the wax. The powder will absorb the moisture and body oils and the wax will properly adhere to each hair. Also, it will create a barrier to protect your skin. You can also put on a little powder before shaving and it will protect you against razor burn.
7. It prevents the iron from snagging delicates
If you are worried that the iron will snag the fabric on your silk clothes, just sprinkle some baby powder on a soft cloth and rub it over the bottom of a cool iron. Heat the iron until the white residue disappears, and begin ironing as usual. The powder will leave behind a smooth, slippery layer that will help the iron glide over your delicate fabrics. Just in case, test this method on some old clothing first.
8. It silences squeaky wooden floorboards
If you have a squeaky wooden floorboards, you can silence them with baby powder. Apply the powder with a clean turkey baster to the crevices between the boards of the step. The granules will fill in the gaps and will keep the boards from shifting and making noise.
9. Clean your dog’s coat
If you don’t have the time to give your dog a bath, rub one or two handfuls of baby powder into his coat and leave it for a couple minutes before thoroughly brushing it out. The powder will sop up the built-up body oils that make the dog’s fur look dingy, and it won’t harm his skin. Also, it will give him a fresh smell.
10. It protects books from water damage
If you keep your books or photo albums in the basement they can start growing mold or become damaged from water. Luckily, you can fix this. Sprinkle each page with baby powder, then place the book inside a paper bag, seal, and leave it in a cool place for 3 to 7 days. Then dust off the powder. The absorbent particles from the baby powder will dry out the mold and sop up some of the more recent water damage, leaving the books almost as good as new.
