A few years ago I started compiling a list of ways to use one of my favorite cleaning ingredients, and eventually published that list as a blog post. That post was titled “Hydrogen Peroxide Magic!”, which is fitting because this stuff has so many uses that it does feel like a magic potion! Apparently a lot of you agreed with me, because that post is one of our ALL-TIME most popular!
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But I knew when I posted that list that it wasn’t complete… not by a long shot! So it seemed like high time for us to revisit hydrogen peroxide, and discover a few more uses for one of the most useful items you can have in your house.
But before we begin, I thought it might be helpful to mention that we generally recommend using a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide. This is probably the most commonly available type (it will say 3% right on the bottle), and it’s the safest to use. All of these tips were written with 3% hydrogen peroxide in mind, even if it isn’t explicitly mentioned. But enough about that!
Canker Sores
Use hydrogen peroxide to help heal painful canker sores. Swish a tablespoon or so of hydrogen peroxide around your mouth for about 10 minutes, to help disinfect the area and reduce inflammation.
Cleaning Glass
Screw a spray bottle top right onto your bottle of hydrogen peroxide, and use it like you would a bottle of Windex to clean glass and mirrors. It’s surprisingly effective, and streak-free!
Stain Remover
Treat stains from organic matter like blood, sweat, coffee, and wine. Spray hydrogen peroxide onto the stain and rub it in to help release the stain. This works best with fresh, wet stains, and may bleach some dark fabrics. Test in an inconspicuous spot beforehand to make sure.
Bathroom Cleaner
Hydrogen peroxide makes an effective and affordable mold and mildew cleaner! Spray down the surfaces in your bathroom that are affected by mold or mildew, and allow it to sit for several minutes. The gunk should be easy to remove, and the hydrogen peroxide leaves it disinfected as well!
Sinus Infections
Relieve the painful congestion of a sinus infection with the help of a little hydrogen peroxide. Mix 4 parts filtered or distilled water with 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide, and pour it into a neti pot or a nasal sprayer. Hydrogen peroxide helps relieve congestion and reduce infection and inflammation, without creating a dependence like other nasal sprays can.
Whiten Fingernails
If you paint your nails a lot, you’ve probably already noticed that your nails can yellow over time. Get rid of the yellow tinge by applying a cotton ball soaked in hydrogen peroxide to each affected nail. Let them sit for a few minutes until the stains disappear. Make sure to apply a lotion or cuticle cream afterwards, since hydrogen peroxide can be rough on skin.
Pet Poison Control
We love our pets, but it often seems as though they are determined to eat things that are bad for them! If your dog has ingested a lot of chocolate, or any other food or substance that could be toxic, it may be necessary to induce vomiting, and you can do that with hydrogen peroxide. Measure out 1 milliliter (mL) of 3% hydrogen peroxide per pound of your animal’s weight, up to 45mL. Use a turkey baster to feed the peroxide to your pet.
This method works for dogs as well as cats, pigs, and even ferrets. However, it is NOT recommended for use on rodents, horses, rabbits, or birds.
Clean Contact Lenses
Hydrogen peroxide-based cleaning solutions for contact lenses, such as Clear Care, are actually more effective a cleaning your contact lenses than traditional multi-purpose solutions. Hydrogen peroxide effectively dissolves lipids and proteins, leaving your contact lenses super clean!
However, the reason these products come with special cases or tablets to add is that the hydrogen peroxide needs to be neutralized through a chemical reaction before you can wear the contacts again. Otherwise you’ll be in for some very unpleasant eye sensations! So make sure to follow all of the directions that come with your hydrogen peroxide-based contact cleaner!
Cooler Cleaner
Pop a spray top on your bottle of hydrogen peroxide, and use it to clean and disinfect the inside of your coolers and ice chests.
Shopping Bag Saver
You can also use your spray bottle of hydrogen peroxide to clean your reusable shopping bags! You’ll feel a lot better bringing home fresh produce in a disinfected bag. Collect all your nonporous reusable bags (usually the ones made of recycled plastics), spray them down, and wipe them clean. Reusable bags that are more fabric-y can be thrown right into your washing machine.
What’s your favorite way to use hydrogen peroxide?
You might think of powdered milk as just a food storage staple, but it can actually be a lot more useful than you might think! Today I’ll be sharing 12 things you can make with powdered milk, including everything from coffee creamer to cottage cheese to a luxurious milk bath!
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But before we get started, I wanted to mention that there are different types of powdered milk with different advantages and disadvantages. From a taste standpoint, whole powdered milk is a clear standout. However, it doesn’t dissolve as readily as nonfat powdered milk does, and often requires that warm liquid be added to aid in the dissolving process. Nonfat powdered milk will dissolve readily in any temperature, so it does have the advantage of being easy to work with.
You can also find powdered cow’s milk alternatives if you’re lactose intolerant, don’t eat dairy, or whatever the reason may be. They’re a little harder to find, but just browsing on Amazon I came across powdered goat milk, powdered coconut milk, and powdered soy milk. There are options out there for everyone! :-)
12 Surprising Things You Can Make With Powdered Milk
1. Sweetened Condensed Milk
Sweetened condensed milk is a key ingredient in plenty of different kinds of sweet treats, like pies, cakes, and sweet sauces. While cans of sweetened condensed milk are readily available at grocery stores, most people don’t keep cans of it in their pantry. Learning to make your own sweetened condensed milk using powdered milk could save you a trip to the grocery store the next time you need some!
2. Evaporated Milk
Evaporated milk is similar to sweetened condensed milk, but it is a bit thinner and isn’t sweetened with sugar. It’s great for making thick, creamy sauces (like a cheese sauce for homemade Mac & Cheese, for example!)
To make your own evaporated milk, pour 1 1/2 cups of water into your blender. Add 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon of powdered milk, and blend until it’s smooth.
3. Whipped Topping
You never know when a crepe craving will strike, so it pays to be prepared! ;-) You can use shelf-stable powdered milk to make whipped topping in a pinch.
Add equal parts ice-cold water and powdered milk to the bowl of your stand mixer. Whip the mixture until it’s nice and fluffy. Then add a little sugar, a splash of vanilla extract, and continue to beat until the mixture has thickened. Use it to dress up crepes, waffles, pie, and pretty much anything else!
4. Coffee Creamer
Powdered coffee creamer is convenient because it has a long shelf life, and it doesn’t take up any of the precious real estate in your fridge. And powdered coffee creamer can be even more convenient if you know how to make it yourself!
5. Yogurt
Making homemade greek yogurt sounds like a pretty advanced project, but it’s actually easier than you’d think! Try out my foolproof method for yourself.
6. Oatmeal Packets
Store-bought instant oatmeal packets can make a quick and easy on busy mornings, but the conveniences comes at a price! You can use powdered milk to make your own homemade instant oatmeal packets, at a fraction of the cost of the store-bought ones. You can finally have your oatmeal, and eat it too! ;-)
7. Hot Chocolate
Powdered milk is one of the key ingredients in my family’s very favorite hot chocolate mix. I usually mix up a big batch of it when it starts getting cold in the fall, and then we can enjoy it all winter long. Don’t forget the marshmallows!
Read More: Our Family’s Favorite Semi-Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
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8. Curds
Bring 1 part powdered milk and 2 parts water to a boil. Remove from heat, and drizzle in 1 tablespoon of white vinegar for each cup of water you used. Stir the mixture lightly and let it stand until it separates. Line a sieve with layers of cheesecloth, and pour the mixture through to strain out the liquid. Finally, rinse the curds in cold water.
9. Ricotta
To make your own homemade ricotta, start by following the directions to make curds (see above) and then simply blend or whip the curds until they achieve a smoother, creamy texture. Add your favorite herbs or spices, if you like, and serve with bread or crackers as a party snack. Or use it in your favorite recipes!
10. Cottage Cheese
To make homemade cottage cheese, you’ll also begin by following the steps to make curds. When they’re ready, take a scoop of the curds and stir them into a small amount of evaporated milk. Keep adding small amounts of evaporated milk until you get the consistency you want.
Use your cottage cheese in lasagnas and baked goods, or use it as a topping for french toast, regular toast, or even cornbread!
11. Milk Bath
In addition to the culinary uses for powdered milk, you can actually incorporate it into your beauty routine as well! One of my favorite ways to use powdered milk is in a relaxing milk bath.
The practice of taking milk baths can be traced back as far as ancient Egypt. It’s said that Cleopatra took milk baths for the same reasons we still do today – to slough off dead skin cells and reveal smooth, soft, and hydrated skin. (Though I hardly need an excuse to take a relaxing soak!)
12. Face Mask & Soothing Skin Treatment
Making a simple powdered milk facial mask is another way to take advantage of the moisturizing power of milk. Scoop some powdered milk into a small bowl, and add just enough water to make a thick paste. Use clean hands or a brush to apply the paste to your face. Let the paste dry, then rinse clean for soft, smooth skin.
Milk can also be incredibly soothing on irritated skin. You can use the same face mask described above to soothe insect bites, sunburns, and other skin irritations.
Original article and pictures take www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com site
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