Last week, my son sent me an email about the “many uses of powder.” I thought this would be a good time to share it, it being summer and all. The sun is so brutally hot, we need some softness from somewhere, or odor relief in our tennis shoes, or a soothing sprinkle in our bed.
As it is, baby powder is good for more than just making that little one smell so clean and sweet! Read on…
Give sand the brush-off: How many times has a family member returned from a day at the beach only to bring a good portion of it back to 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.
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.
Dry-shampoo your pet: Is your pooch’s coat in need of a pick-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 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 using the same technique.
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.
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.
Slip on your rubber gloves: Don’t try jamming and squeezing your fingers into your rubber gloves when the powder layer inside the gloves wears out. Instead, give your fingers a light dusting with baby powder. Your rubber gloves should slide on as good as new.
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: First, 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 might not be as good as new, but they should be in a lot better shape than they were.
Dust off your flower bulbs: Many savvy gardeners use medicated baby powder to dust flower bulbs before planting them. Simply place five to six bulbs and about three 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.
Read more at www.readersdigest.com.