9 Baby Powder Hacks You’ll Never See Coming
Baby powder has uses outside of infant care, most people already know that, but did you know just how many uses it has? It's a far more flexible item than people realize, with potential uses in just about every room of the home. If you have an old bottle stashed away in a cabinet somewhere, it's time to dust it off, because here are 9 baby powder hacks you'll want to try.
Loosen Stubborn Jewelry Knots
It's incredibly frustrating when your favorite chains end up in a tangled bird’s nest. Instead of picking at the metal with your fingernails and risking a break, sprinkle a little baby powder over the knot. The powder acts as a dry lubricant, reducing friction between the links. This helps the metal to slide apart easier. You can use a needle to gently nudge the center of the knot once it’s coated, but from there it should open right up.
Help With Seed Planting
Small seeds, like those for carrots or lettuce, are often difficult to see against dark soil, which leads to over-planting in one spot. To solve this, toss your seeds in a small container with a pinch of baby powder before planting. The white coating makes each seed stand out more clearly against the soil, which then allows you to space them perfectly, ensuring your plants have enough room to grow without the need for heavy thinning later in the season.
Deterring Aphids
If you notice tiny pests like aphids starting to congregate on your rose bushes or vegetable leaves, grab some baby powder. Lightly dusting the foliage creates a dry environment that many soft-bodied insects find inhospitable. It makes it harder for them to grip the leaves and feed on the plant's juices. Since the powder is fine, it won't block the plant from absorbing sunlight, but it serves as an effective, temporary shield until the next rainfall.
Easy Sand Removal
A day at the beach is wonderful until you try to get back into the car. Wet sand sticks to skin like glue, and towels don't always do a great job of removing it. Keep a small bottle of baby powder in your beach bag for this exact reason. Rub it onto your legs and feet, and the sand will fall off immediately. The powder absorbs the moisture that makes the sand stick, leaving your skin clean and dry.
Remove Grease Stains Instantly
Dropping a piece of buttery food on your favorite shirt can feel like a disaster, but baby powder can help. Before the oil sets into the fibers, apply a generous amount of baby powder to the spot. Let it sit for at least ten minutes so it can pull the grease out of the fabric. The powder's absorbent properties are much more effective than water, which often spreads oil. Afterward, just brush it off and wash the garment as usual, the stain should be gone!
Protect Your Garden Bulbs
If you're a gardener, you know that pests often dig up newly planted bulbs before they have a chance to bloom. Before you put your bulbs into the soil, give them a quick toss in a bag with some baby powder. This coating serves two purposes: it protects the roots from rot by managing excess moisture, and many rodents dislike the texture and scent of the powder. It gives your flowers a much better chance of surviving the winter.
Silence Squeaky Floorboards
Old wooden floors might add character to a home, but they also often come with annoying sounds. If a specific floorboard squeaks every time you step on it, baby powder is a great fix. Puff the powder into the cracks between the boards and use a soft brush to push it down deep. The powder fills the gaps and lubricates the wood, stopping the pieces from rubbing together, thus stopping the noise.
Revive Old Books
Old books often develop a musty scent due to moisture trapped between the pages over the years. To save a cherished vintage find, place the book in a paper bag with a bit of baby powder and let it sit for a few days in a dry spot. The powder draws out the dampness and neutralizes the odor without damaging the paper. Once you shake out the excess powder, the pages will feel much smoother and smell significantly better.
Discouraging Ant Trails
Ants are a common sight in any garden, but you don't always want them crawling across your patio furniture or up the legs of your potting bench. You can create a physical barrier by drawing a line of baby powder around the areas you want to protect. Most ants won't cross the powdery texture because it interferes with their ability to travel and scent-trail, meaning they'll head back into the grass.
It's often the most basic items that provide the cleverest solutions to life’s little problems. With a little creativity and better awareness of all that baby powder can do, you can find plenty of ways to use it to your benefit. You don’t always need a specialized tool when a simple bottle of powder can do the job!