Baby powder has been a popular product for decades  thanks to its pleasant aroma and ability to prevent diaper sores. But not so long ago, someone found out that  this product is not so completely safe for young children  because it can cause breathing problems and even dry out their delicate skin.

Although still on the market in most of the world, the American Academy of Pediatrics discourages   its use. The good news is that  there are plenty of other uses for baby powder in your home that can make everyday life easier for you.

So if you have a child who is an adult and you have talcum powder left over – or you have received one as a gift and prefer not to use it –  try the following alternative uses of this product.  Check them out!

List of unusual uses of baby powder

1. Remove grease stains

When your clothes and clothing get some kind of grease stains, they are difficult to remove and many times you have to resort to the use of strong chemicals.

To avoid this nuisance, the next time it happens just apply baby powder using by sprinkling it on the stain and leaving it for a few minutes before wiping.

2. Put on new shoes

When you wear a pair of new shoes, it is common for them to squeak for every step you take. This is due to the friction of the materials when heated, giving the annoying sound over and over again.

To get rid of it, all you need is one of the slightly lesser known uses of baby powder. Shake some of this product into the shoe and repeat as needed.

3. Save kitchen gloves

Kitchen gloves are easily damaged by mold, which causes plastic to break.

To keep them in good condition and prevent the growth of microorganisms on the inside, you can just add a little talcum powder to the gloves every time you finish using them. You only need a small amount to absorb any remaining moisture.

4. Make wooden floors quiet

We mentioned that this product can remove this annoying sound of new squeaky shoes. But… did you know it can also shut your mouth on creaking wooden floors?

If you are bothered by the creaking of the wooden floors, you can spread some talcum powder on the area that is bothering  and use a brush to ensure that the powder falls into the cracks that cause the friction.

5. Reject ants

Thanks to the volatile compounds in this product,  ants  are unable to cross the border into your home – making this a great way to keep them away. The best thing about it is that it is safer than the toxins sold in most stores.

Sprinkle talcum powder around windows and any cracks where ants tend to enter the house, and surround the edge of your garden with it.

6. Shampoo for oily hair

Just as it is helpful to get rid of fat spots, talcum powder can also absorb too much fat in the body.

If your scalp is oily, you can dry it out with some talcum powder 15 minutes before taking a shower.

This pleasant smell is also a great way to care for pet hair without having to use water.

7. An aftershave

Besides being an affordable product on the market, talcum powder can also work wonders when it comes to soothing freshly shaved skin. It has a cooling effect which will remove irritation caused by a razor blade.

If you have sensitive skin, you can even use it to prevent allergic reactions.

8. Improving the odor from cat litter

Although cat litter is made to absorb waste and odors, after a few days it can even start to give off a very unpleasant odor.

To avoid this, try adding four tablespoons of talcum powder to the waste container and see how well it neutralizes the odor. 

To conclude, this product is not as good for babies as was once thought, but it is useful around the house.

If you have any lying around at home do not hesitate to try some of these uses today!