Make modeling clay
Keep the kids busy on a rainy day with modeling clay -- they can even help you make the stuff. Knead together 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup salt, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, and 1 or 2 drops food coloring. If the mixture is sticky, add more flour; if it's too stiff, add more water. When the "clay" is a workable consistency, store it until needed in a self-sealing plastic bag.
Polish brass and copper
No need to go out and buy cleaner for your brass and silver. You can whip up your own at much less cost. Just combine equal parts of flour, salt, and vinegar, and mix into a paste. Spread the paste onto the metal, let it dry, and buff it off with a clean, dry cloth.
Bring back luster to a dull sink
To buff your stainless steel sink back to a warm glow, sprinkle flour over it and rub lightly with a soft, dry cloth. Then rinse the sink to restore its shine.
Repel ants with flour
Sprinkle a line of flour along the backs of pantry shelves and wherever you see ants entering the house. Repelled by the flour, ants won't cross over the line.
Freshen playing cards
After a few games, cards can accumulate a patina of snack residue and hand oil, but you can restore them with some all-purpose flour in a paper bag. Drop the cards into the bag with enough flour to cover, shake vigorously, and remove the cards. The flour will absorb the oils, and it can be easily knocked off the cards by giving them a vigorous shuffle.
Safe paste for children's craft
Look no farther than your kitchen canister for an inexpensive, nontoxic paste that is ideal for children's paper craft projects, such as papier-mâché and scrap-booking. To make the paste, add 3 cups cold water to a saucepan and blend in 1 cup all-purpose flour. Stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring until smooth and thick. Cool and pour into a plastic squeeze bottle to use. This simple paste will keep for weeks in the refrigerator, and cleans up easily with soap and water.
Keep the kids busy on a rainy day with modeling clay -- they can even help you make the stuff. Knead together 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup salt, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, and 1 or 2 drops food coloring. If the mixture is sticky, add more flour; if it's too stiff, add more water. When the "clay" is a workable consistency, store it until needed in a self-sealing plastic bag.
Polish brass and copper
No need to go out and buy cleaner for your brass and silver. You can whip up your own at much less cost. Just combine equal parts of flour, salt, and vinegar, and mix into a paste. Spread the paste onto the metal, let it dry, and buff it off with a clean, dry cloth.
Bring back luster to a dull sink
Sprinkle a line of flour along the backs of pantry shelves and wherever you see ants entering the house. Repelled by the flour, ants won't cross over the line.
Freshen playing cards
After a few games, cards can accumulate a patina of snack residue and hand oil, but you can restore them with some all-purpose flour in a paper bag. Drop the cards into the bag with enough flour to cover, shake vigorously, and remove the cards. The flour will absorb the oils, and it can be easily knocked off the cards by giving them a vigorous shuffle.
Safe paste for children's craft
Look no farther than your kitchen canister for an inexpensive, nontoxic paste that is ideal for children's paper craft projects, such as papier-mâché and scrap-booking. To make the paste, add 3 cups cold water to a saucepan and blend in 1 cup all-purpose flour. Stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring until smooth and thick. Cool and pour into a plastic squeeze bottle to use. This simple paste will keep for weeks in the refrigerator, and cleans up easily with soap and water.