12 Problems That Can Be Solved With Baby Powder

If you believe baby powder is only for keeping skin smooth and fresh, you're really underestimating its power. Try sprinkling it some on these household woes to unleash its full potential.

1. A knotted necklace

Never waste time desperately tugging at tangled jewelry (opens in new tab) again. Loosen the knot with a little baby powder and use a pin to pull it apart.

2. Musty furniture

"I like to keep drawers fresh with a sprinkle of baby powder under drawer liners," says Becky at Clean Mama (opens in new tab). "This is especially great with antique furniture that has that old smell."

3. Greasy hair

Most dry shampoos are starch-based, so baby powder has a similar effect in a pinch. Sprinkle some on your hands and massage it through your scalp to soak up excess oil.

4. A sweltering summer night

Crawling into a hot, sticky bed is no one's definition of nighttime relaxation. Dust powder between your sheets to help absorb sweat and keep things cool.

5. A stuck-together deck of cards

When poker night gets messy, toss the playing cards (opens in new tab) into a paper bag with a few tablespoons of powder and give them a good shake. Then wipe them with a paper towel.

6. A family of ants

Keep these intruders out of your kitchen by blocking their path with powder (they're not fans of the scent).

7. Oily stains

Don't stress over spilt salad dressing (opens in new tab). Dab any oil-based stain with baby powder to absorb the grease before laundering like usual.

8. Dish glove friction

"After washing dishes, I sprinkle a little powder into my rubber gloves," says Victoria at Creative Home Keeper (opens in new tab). "It helps keep them fresh while they dry and my hands easily slide through the next time."

9. Squeaky hardwood floors

Pour baby powder onto your wooden floor and sweep it into the cracks to quiet creaking floorboards. Wipe away the excess, and enjoy the sounds of silence.

10. Sandy feet

"Pack a travel size bottle of baby powder in your beach bag," says Jamielyn at I Heart Nap Time (opens in new tab). "At the end of the day, rub it on your skin and sand will come right off."

11. Wimpy eyelashes

Beauty bloggers swear by this one. In between coats of mascara, use a cotton swab to dust baby powder on your lashes (opens in new tab). "I was suprised how much volume it added," says Huda at Huda Beauty (opens in new tab).

12. Sweaty feet

Sprinkle the stuff in your shoes to keep odors at bay. And forget socks — the powder keeps your feet dry so you can go barefoot in flats without worry.

And one place you shouldn't use baby powder: Around babies. The American Academy of Pedriactics warns against (opens in new tab) it, since the powder can be dangerious if  babies inhale it.

Related:

11 Incredibly Useful Vaseline Beauty Hacks (opens in new tab)

6 Beauty Hacks, All Done With a Spoon (opens in new tab)

10 Lipstick Rules To Live By (opens in new tab)

Beauty Fails and Fixes: Summer Edition (opens in new tab)

Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D

via