14 Brilliant Baby Powder Uses That Will Save You Time and Money! Plus the Genius Hack to an Ant-Free Picnic

We all have that huge bottle of baby powder sitting in our medicine cabinet that we likely bought to take care of one specific issue and then never touched again. Well, it turns out that that bathroom staple can be used to solve a plethra of household and beauty issues , from volumizing your eyelashes to silencing squeaky wooden floorboards and so much more. Keep reading to discover our 15 favorite brilliant uses for baby powder.

1. Remove stubborn sand from your scalp using baby powder

You may be a beach bunny, but you hate the feeling of sand in your hair. Shampooing it out takes forever and the little granules irritate your scalp. Instead, massage 1 Tbs. of baby powder into your roots, brush thoroughly then shampoo as usual. The astringent powder will absorb the natural hair oils that bind the sand to your locks, so the stubborn grains can be washed right out. Bonus: A sprinkle of baby powder also helps you brush sand off your skin.

2. Baby powder uses: Stay cooler on hot summer nights

There’s nothing worse than waking up sweaty and sticky on a hot, humid summer night or from a dreaded hot flash. To stay dry all night, lightly sprinkle 1 to 2 tsp. of baby powder on your sheets before turning in. The granules are so small and silky, you won’t even notice them, but the absorbent ingredients — like silica, talc and cornstarch — will wick away nighttime perspiration for a sound, restful sleep. (Just toss your sheets in the wash the next day.)

3. Protect a summer top from sweat stains with baby powder

According to this morning’s weather report, your company picnic is going to be a scorcher. To prevent stubborn sweat stains from developing on your favorite shirt, turn it inside-out and sprinkle the underarms, collar and other perspiration-prone areas with baby powder. Press with an iron set on medium for 3 seconds. The powder will form an invisible barrier that will absorb moisture before it seeps into the fabric, so the day’s sweat will wash right out.

4. Baby powder uses: Keep pool inflatables from sticking

Whenever you hit the town pool, you bring along a couple inflatable toys for the little ones in your life. The problem: After deflating and folding them up for next time, the plastic always ends up sticking to itself — you once ripped a water wing while trying to pry it apart again. For easier unpacking in the future, dust the plastic with baby powder before folding. The powder will absorb any remaining moisture and create a thin slippery barrier that will keep the plastic from sticking to itself. This trick also works for pool covers and inflatable pools.

5. Take the ouch out of waxing with baby powder

Sure, waxing is the quickest way to smooth your bikini line, but the last time you used an at-home kit, you shrieked so loudly that the neighbors called! To sidestep the pain, dust the area with baby powder before applying the wax. The powder will absorb moisture and body oils so the wax can properly adhere to each hair, plus it will create a barrier to protect your skin. The result: weeks of smooth skin with much less pain. Dusting on a little powder before shaving protects against razor burn, too.

6. Baby powder uses: Silence squeaky wooden floorboards

Forget sneaking downstairs for a midnight treat — one of your wooden steps squeaks so loudly, it would wake the whole house. Silence it with baby powder. Use a clean turkey baster to apply the powder to the crevices between the boards of the step. Explains April Duffy of MakingThisHome.com. “It will fill the empty space, stopping the boards from rubbing against each other.” (Click through for more on how to silence a squeaky floor.)

7. Ensure your picnic stays ant-free using baby powder

You love eating outdoors in the summer, but the inevitable ant infestation is enough to make you stay inside. To keep the pests away, sprinkle baby powder around the perimeter of your picnic table or blanket. The powder will stick to the pads of the ants’ feet, inhibiting their ability to move, so you can enjoy your picnic in peace.

8. Baby powder uses: Prevent an iron from snagging delicates

Your silk tank desperately needs to be pressed, but you’re worried that your sticky iron will snag the fabric. The solution: Sprinkle baby powder on a soft cloth and rub it over the bottom of the cool iron. Then heat the iron until the white residue disappears and iron as usual. The powder will leave behind a smooth slippery layer that will help the iron glide over delicate fabrics. (Test on an inconspicuous area first.)

9. Clean Fido’s coat without the work thanks to baby powder

If your dog’s fur could use a pick-me-up but you don’t have the patience for the usual bath-time struggle, rub one or two handfuls of baby powder into his coat and let sit for a couple minutes before thoroughly brushing it out. The powder will sop up the built-up body oils that make your pup’s fur look dingy without harming his skin. Plus, he’ll smell extra fresh. (Click through for ways to clean your dog when you have no dog shampoo.)

10. Baby powder uses: Rescue a book from water damage

Less than ideal storage conditions in the basement left your treasured photo albums, which weren’t encased in plastic, with mold and water damage. The fix: Liberally sprinkle each page with baby powder, then place the book inside a paper bag, seal and leave in a cool place for three to seven days. Remove the album and dust off the powder. The absorbent baby powder particles will dry out the mold and sop up some of the more recent water damage, leaving the albums almost as good as new.

11. Get fuller lashes for pennies thanks to baby powder

To ensure your eyes really pop in the family photos you’re taking this weekend, reach for baby powder. To do: Apply a coat of vaseline, then while lashes are still wet, sweep a cotton swab dipped in talc-free baby powder over them. Finish with a second coat of mascara. The powder helps the mascara adhere better, giving you thicker, fuller lashes.

To see this tip in action, watch the TikTok below!

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♬ original sound – Gabriella

12. Baby powder uses: Outsmart new-shoe blisters

You’ve gotten so many compliments on your new shoes, but you get blisters every time you wear them. What can help: Sprinkle talc-free baby powder in the shoes before you slip them on. The powder creates a barrier between your feet and the shoes, cutting down on blister-causing friction.

13. Slide dish gloves on with ease using baby powder

Protecting your hands with gloves makes washing the dishes easier, but it can be tricky to get them on. To make the process a breeze, sprinkle some baby powder inside the gloves before putting them on. The powder cuts down on friction, so you can slide your hands right in, plus it absorbs moisture, keeping gloves mildew-free between uses.

14. Baby powder uses: Freshen musty antique furniture

You snagged a great deal on a vintage dresser at a flea market, and it looks beautiful in your bedroom. The only problem? The drawers are emitting a musty odor that you can’t seem to get rid of. The solution: Sprinkle a light layer of baby powder inside the drawers, let sit for a day or two, then simply vacuum it up. The absorbent powder will soak up the odor-causing moisture in the wood, and it will leave behind a light, pleasant scent.

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For more brilliant uses, click through the links below!

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