The First Thing You Should Do with a New Container of Cornstarch
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: When it comes to keeping your kitchen in order, routine is the name of the game. Sure, you can wait for messes to accumulate, but you’ll be a lot less frustrated in the process — and you’ll simply enjoy your space more — if you implement habits. Luckily, our brains are pretty good at catching onto routines if we spend a little bit of time showing them what to do.
Some of the most effective (and enjoyable!) kitchen-cleaning routines are serendipitous. You buy something, you open it, you realize it has another use beyond what you bought it for, and you put it to work. Case in point: Using your latest flour purchase to polish up your stainless steel sink, or putting your fresh bottle of white vinegar to work on the mineral deposits on your faucet.
Now, we have another fun mnemonic cleaning device to add to your list — and it revolves around cornstarch. While you probably keep it on hand for softening chicken for stir-fries, crisping up tofu, making silky pie fillings, and other cooking purposes, there are lots of other ways to use cornstarch in your home — and one of them happens to leave your windows sparkling clean.
Related: 10 Surprising Things You Can Do with Cornstarch
Maybe you already do clean your windows regularly, or maybe you wait until you can’t see through them. Either way, we like to pair the task of cleaning them with opening a new container of cornstarch. This way, you’ll do the chore at least once a year and you’ll be using the best possible cleaner that leaves no streaks behind.
See, the best glass cleaner is known as Alvin Corn and it’s a homemade solution — with a key ingredient being, you guessed it, cornstarch. You just need 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and two cups warm water. Put it all in a spray bottle and shake up the solution.
Read more: The Must-Have DIY Cleaning Solution You’ve Never Heard Of
Then, just grab your rag and start spritzing and wiping. You may need to spot-clean your windows before your next cornstarch purchase, but now you’ll have a habit of deep-cleaning them at least each time you bring a new container home from the grocery store!