Starch is obtained from a variety of sources and is principally found in tubers and cereal grains. Given its ability to control viscosity, the primary function of starch in the food industry is to thicken food products. Starch, a complex carbohydrate that provides loads of energy, is crucial for a healthy diet and should form 55% of your daily calorie intake. Besides, it is easier to burn off excess calories gained from consuming starch than those derived from protein or fats. Aside from its dietary significance, starch also lends itself to other applications. In ancient Egyptian times, starch was used in papyrus paper-making and today it is employed in adhesives, coatings, foams, fillers and plastics.

Although commercial starch is also derived from wheat, potato and tapioca, corn makes up more than 80% of the world’s supply of starch. haven examines some of the non-culinary uses for the powdered form of this cereal grain.

1. To polish silverware
There are many techniques to put the shine back in silver and one of them is to polish tarnished silverware with cornstarch. Simply add water to some cornflour to make a paste. Ensure that the paste is neither too runny nor too thick. Using your fingers, apply the paste onto the silverware and allow it to dry. Once the paste is dry, use a soft cloth to briskly polish off the starch and tarnish from the silverware before rinsing with water and drying with a clean soft cloth.

Conclusion:
Cornstarch is effective in removing tarnish but not very successful in restoring the shine of silverware. It is important to immediately wipe dry the polished objects after rinsing to avoid water marks when an item is left to dry naturally.

2. To clean greasy surfaces
Rather than using commercial detergent, try using cornstarch to clean hob tops, vent hoods and other greasy surfaces. Combine one tablespoon of water with three tablespoons of cornflour to create a paste. With a soft scour pad, use the starchy mixture to clean off dirt and grease as normal.

Conclusion:
Cornstarch is a good absorbent of oil and grease and makes for a cheap yet effective natural and non-toxic cleaning agent. However, you need to thoroughly wipe off the cornstarch mixture or end up with streaky surfaces.

3. To clean off polish
Cornflour can also be employed to remove excess polish. Sprinkle a little cornflour onto newly polished wooden furniture and gently rub in the flour with a soft cloth. The cornflour particles will absorb any surplus polish. Similarly, sprinkle a tablespoon of cornflour on a clean rag and briskly buff your car to get rid of any excess car polish.

Conclusion:
Although cornflour appears to remove excess polish (as verified by the residue collected on the cloth), there seems to be no discernable improvement in the appearance of the polished surfaces.

4. To facilitate ironing
Some types of materials such as cotton and linen are difficult to iron and can appear wrinkled even after ironing. One method to reduce such wrinkling is by applying starch spray during the course of ironing. You can either opt for store bought starch spray or you can easily whip up a homemade batch of your own. Simply add one tablespoon of cornflour to two cups of cold water and thoroughly whisk the concoction until the cornflour is fully dissolved. Then pour the solution into a plastic spray bottle. Next, spray a light and even coating on the area to be pressed and proceed to iron as normal. Repeat the process on the rest of the garment until it is fully pressed.

Conclusion:
This is a handy tip to employ when ironing linen such as bed sheets, pillow cases and napkins to ensure a crisp finish. Remember to shake the bottle vigorously to make sure that the solution is well mixed. It is best to use a spray bottle that discharges the solution in a fine mist to avoid too much spray, which can result in starch spots.

5. To eradicate household pests
Get rid of ants and cockroaches with this technique. Mix a generous amount of cayenne pepper with cornstarch and scatter the mixture at entry points or into floor cracks and crevices. The theory is that after consuming and being unable to fully digest this mixture, these unwelcome guests will eventually die.

Conclusion:
Whilst this method may present a safer alternative for those with children and pets, it is not effective.

6. To clean pets
If your dog is wary of baths, try this tip. Sprinkle a liberal amount of cornstarch over your pet and thoroughly rub the flour into the animal’s coat. Next, briskly brush all the flour off. As it does not entail water, this is a good washing technique to use on cats too.

Conclusion:
Whilst there is no substitute for good old-fashioned soap and water, this is an organic, non-toxic yet effective method to clean pets. Although your pets will not have the benefit of smelling fresh as they would after a bath, the cornstarch does absorb dirt and body oils from fur. You can use this method to clean stuffed toys as well.

This article appeared in haven, Issue #40, Dec 2009 + Jan 2010, the deco and garden publication of The Edge Malaysia