Household Tips: 17 Unique Uses for Flour (WWII Series)

Flour never made it to my list of WWII frugal living tips until just recently. I was working on my post for sugar when the thought hit me that maybe flour had some unique household uses as well. So I sent an email out to my family, to see what they could come up with and to my amazement they came up with 16 uses, the 17th was mine.

Did you Know? 
Wikipedia

• Flour was discovered around 6000 BC.
• Flour with a high protein content is great for breads, it produces crusty and chewy breads
• Flour with a low protein content is perfect for cakes, cookies and pie crusts.
• Flour dust suspended in air is explosive.

Beauty

1. Acne – to reduce swelling,
   mix equal parts flour and honey and apply to the infected area. Apply before
   going to bed and cover with a bandage.
2. Face – to minimize facial
   hair, make a paste using flour and water. Apply the paste to your face and
   allow it to dry. Rinse and repeat 3-5 times per week.
3. Hair – to remove oil, make a
   dry shampoo by sprinkling your roots with a little flour and then brush it
   out after about 30 seconds.

1. Copper – to shine, mix
   together equal parts flour, salt and vinegar. Apply the paste to the copper,
   allow it to dry and then buff to a shine.
2. Stainless Steel – to shine,
   buff with a soft cloth and dry flour. Rinse with clean water.

1. Ants – to divert, sprinkle a
   think line of flour wherever to see them coming in or leaving.
2. Garden – to control pests,
   sprinkle potato and squash plants with a thin layer of flour.

1. Clay  – to make your own, mix 3 cups flour , 1 cup
   water, ¼ cup salt, 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil and a few drops of food
   coloring. Knead all of the ingredients together. To harden bake in a 250 degree
   oven until hard.
2. Glue – to make your own, bring
   1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. While the water begins to boil whisk
   together 3 tablespoons flour in 4 tablespoons cold water, being sure to remove
   any lumps. Once the water boils slowly whisk the flour mixture into the water.
   Heat the mixture until it thickens and then remove from heat. Now stir in 1
   tablespoon sugar and let cool. Store the glue in an air tight container.
3. Paper Mache – to make your
   own, bring 1 cup flour, 5 cups water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil, stirring
   constantly until it creates a thick paste.
4. Play Dough – to make your
   own, mix 2 cups flour, 2 cups warm water, 1 cup salt, 1 tablespoon of cream oftartar and a few drops of food coloring. Store in an air tight container.
5. Spray Adhesive – to make
   your own, bring 3 cups water and 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil. Lower heat to
   medium and slowly add 3 tablespoons flour. Let it cool and then mix in 1 cup
   rubbing alcohol. Pour into a spray bottle and shake well before using.

1. Bowls with Lids – to loosen
   tight lids, dip the edge of the lid in some flour before attaching to bowl.
2. Cards – to keep them from
   sticking together, place loose cards in a bag containing about a ½ cup flour.
   Give the bag a good shake and let the cards remain in the bag for about 1/2 an
   hour.
3. Diaper Rash – to soothe, powder
   your babies bottom with a mixture of equal parts flour and brown sugar that has
   been heated in a skillet and then cooled to room temperature. Store the mixture
   in an air tight container.
4. Fruit – to ripen, place
   fruit in a paper bag with a cup of flour for 24 hours.
5. Starch – to make your own,
   bring a ½ cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan. While the water begins to
   boil, mix together ½ cup cold water and 1 tablespoon flour. Now slowly whisk
   the flour mixture into the boiling water until it becomes thick. Pour the
   cooled mixture into a spray bottle and lightly spray clothes before ironing.