Household Tips: 19 Unusual Uses for Oatmeal (WWII Series)

By now everyone has heard how wonderful oatmeal is for you. It’s good for your heart, it’s a cancer fighting agent, it’s a great source of fiber, it’s low in calories, but did you know it can be used for more than just filling your belly? This week we came up with 19 unusual frugal living tips using this wonderfully healthy staple.

There are several different types of oats that you can buy: instant, quick, rolled, the list goes on. I like to use the Irish steel cut oats, the pieces are smaller so it’s easier to eat, and they also contain more nutrients because of the way that they are hulled and cut. They’re a little more work than most oats but the benefits are worth the extra effort.

Health
Always consult a doctor before using oatmeal as a treatment.

1. Burns – to soothe, apply cold, cooked oatmeal to the area.
2. Chicken Pox – to relieve itching, place ground oatmeal into
   the leg of pantyhose. Tie the pantyhose around the faucet of your bathtub so
   that the water hits it while filling the tub. Soak for at least 15 minutes.
   Save the oatmeal filled pantyhose to rub on your itchy skin later.
3. Energy – to increase, eat a bowl of oatmeal a couple of
   hours before any strenuous exercise.
4. Feet – to soothe aches, soak feet in a tub of tepid water
   and oatmeal.
5. Feet – to cure cracking, soak feet in a tub of tepid water
   and oatmeal.
6. Poison Ivy – to relieve itching, place ground oatmeal into
   the leg of pantyhose. Tie the pantyhose around the faucet of your bathtub so
   that the water hits it while filling the tub. Soak for at least 15 minutes.
   Save the oatmeal filled pantyhose to rub on your itchy skin later.
7. Stress – to relieve, add 2 cups oatmeal, 1 cup milk and 1
   tablespoon of honey to your bath water.
8. Sunburn – to soothe, to relieve itching, place ground
   oatmeal into the leg of pantyhose. Tie the pantyhose around the faucet of your
   bathtub so that the water hits it while filling the tub. Soak for at least 15
   minutes.

Beauty

1. Acne – to control, spread cooled, cooked oatmeal on your
   face and leave it on for about 15 minutes and rinse.
2. Face – to soothe and brighten, make a mask using 1/3 cup
   oatmeal, ½ cup hot water, an egg white and a little honey. Apply the mixture to
   skin and leave it on for about 15 minutes before rinsing.
3. Hair – to clean, apply a dry shampoo made from equal parts
   ground oatmeal and baking soda. Work the mixture into dry hair and brush out.
4. Skin – to exfoliate, coarsely grind up oatmeal, moisten and
   scrub skin, then rinse.
5. Skin – to moisturize, add 2 cups oatmeal, 1 cup milk and 1
   tablespoon of honey to your bath water.

Kitchen

1. Ground Beef – to cut costs, add oatmeal to your ground beef
   so that you don’t have to use as much meat. Works great in hamburgers,
   meatloaves and meatballs. Plus your adding a good source of fiber to your diet.
2. Oat Flour – to make your own, grind oats in a grinder or
   food processor and use the ground oats in any recipe that calls for flour. I do
   this all of the time to add more fiber to our diets and to cut back on
   calories.
3. Oil Spills – to clean, cover the area with uncooked oatmeal,
   let it sit for 5-10 minutes and wipe away.
4. Soups and Stews – to thicken, use ground oatmeal.

1. Clay – to make your own, mix together equal parts rolled
   oats and flour. Add a few drops of food coloring and water.
2. Dogs – to relieve itching, bathe dog in an oatmeal bath. Tie
   the pantyhose around the faucet of your bathtub so that the water hits it while
   filling the tub. Work the oatmeal water throughout the dogs coat and rinse.
3. Odors – to remove from refrigerator, place an open container
   of oatmeal in the refrigerator.