what is corn starch used for

1 year ago 107

Cornstarch is a common ingredient made from the starchy portion of corn kernels known as the endosperm. It is primarily used as a thickening agent for gravies, marinades, sauces, soups, and casseroles. However, cornstarch has many other household uses, such as:

Skin irritation: Cornstarch may be a convenient and cost-effective remedy for skin irritation, though little research supports its efficacy for this use. Many people use it to soothe sunburns and reduce skin itchiness.
Matte nail polish: To create a matte nail polish, put a few drops of nail polish on a plate and sprinkle a small amount of cornstarch on top. Start slowly, adding more as needed. Then mix it with a paintbrush and apply it to your nails.
Milk bath: Milk baths have historically been used to soothe skin while creating a luxurious bathing experience. Interestingly, one of the secret ingredients in many milk baths is cornstarch.
Silver cleaner: To shine up silver, rub on a thick water-and-cornstarch paste, let it dry, and then buff with a soft cloth.
Oil absorber: Cornstarch is great at soaking up oil, which makes it a handy fix between shampoos. The secret is to mix two parts cornstarch with one part of another kitchen shelf staple, baking soda. Dab on the mixture close to your roots and brush through thoroughly.
Laundry: Cornstarch can help keep laundry looking its best. Use it to get oily stains out of clothing or to starch your shirts when they are pressed.
Non-Newtonian fluid: Cornstarch can be used to make a non-Newtonian fluid.
Gluten-free thickener: Cornstarch is a gluten-free substitute for flour as a thickener for sauces, fillings, casseroles, soups, and even baked goods. For thickening things, cornstarch can be used interchangeably with potato starch, rice flour, tapioca starch, or arrowroot powder.
Egg substitute: A mix of cornstarch and water can replace an egg in many baked items. The ratio varies between recipes, but on average, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to 3 tablespoons of water matches the liquid content of an egg.