Talcum Powder – 6 Unusual Uses

Talcum powder is a product used for decades to care for babies’ skin. Its popularity is due to its pleasant smell and ability to prevent irritation.

Recently, however, it has been brought to public attention that this product is not exactly a beneficial choice for children, because it can cause breathing problems and can dry their delicate skin.

Although still on the market almost worldwide, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not encourage the use of this product. Fortunately, there are many other uses for talcum powder that can make your life easier.

If you already have talcum powder around the house, do not throw it away and try the following alternative uses of this product . Read on and remember!

Alternative uses for talcum powder

1. Remove grease stains

When clothes or upholstery become stained due to oily residues, cleaning them can be a real challenge. Frequently, we have to resort to aggressive chemicals.

But when you face this problem, there is no need to resort to drastic measures. Sprinkle some talcum powder on the stain, leave it to act for a few minutes, then wipe with a cloth.

2. Prevent shoe creaking

When you buy new shoes, it is not excluded to produce an embarrassing squeak at every step. This is the consequence of the friction between the materials, which causes an annoying noise until they heat up.

To get rid of the squeak, sprinkle some talcum powder on the shoes. Repeat the trick whenever needed.

3. Protecting rubber gloves

Rubber gloves used in the kitchen deteriorate slightly due to mold.

To keep them in good condition for a longer time and prevent the growth of microorganisms inside them, add some talcum powder in the gloves after each use. You need a very small amount to absorb moisture.

4. Prevention of parquet creaking

I already mentioned that talcum powder helps eliminate the noise of new shoes, but did you know that it is just as effective in reducing the creaking of floors?

If you have a wooden floor that squeaks and bothers you, sprinkle some talcum powder on the area.  Use a broom to spread it in all directions and cracks.

5. Driving ants

Due to the volatile compounds of this product, ants will no longer be able to enter the house.  In other words, talcum powder is a great way to keep them at bay.

Sprinkle talcum powder on windows and in any other places where ants usually enter the house. You can even use it in the garden.

6. Eliminate the bad smell from the cat’s litter

Although the sand in the litter is created in such a way as to absorb feces and their unpleasant odor, after a few days of use it begins to give off a bad odor.

To prevent this inconvenience, add four tablespoons of talcum powder to the litter, and the unpleasant odor will be neutralized.

In conclusion, even if this product is not as beneficial for babies as it was thought, it is very useful in the household. If you have any talcum powder left in the house, don’t hesitate to try some of these uses today!