Use This Simple Cornstarch Hack To Remove Scorch Marks From Fabric

It often seems like days with busy mornings are the only times when absolutely nothing goes right. If you're rushing around trying to get ready for the day, there's always going to be a few obstacles that decide to pop up and test your patience. Whether it's the incessant red lights you're faced with when you're running late to your job, or the coffee machine that won't seem to work after a night with little sleep, it can feel like the universe just doesn't seem to be on your side.

One thing that can really set someone over the edge? When you burn your last clean work-appropriate shirt when ironing and have nothing else left to wear. In the one minute that you pop out of the laundry room to brush your teeth and hair simultaneously, you return to a too-hot iron that has now scorched your clothing. Before you decide to just call in sick or cancel your plans, this common ingredient in your kitchen may just turn your day around: 

When you burn your clothes when ironing them, it may seem like the only way to remove the stain is to pop it back into the washer. However, with a bit of cornstarch and water, it's like the burn never happened. Wet the area — perhaps with a damp washcloth — and then sprinkle a bit of cornstarch on top. Once it's dry, brush the mixture away and the stain should be completely gone.

Made from the endosperm of corn kernels, cornstarch is an ingredient you should always keep on hand. While it's typically used as a thickener in sauces, stews, custards, and puddings, it also makes a great coating ingredient for fried food like chicken, onion rings, or potatoes. On top of its usefulness in terms of cooking, cornstarch can serve multiple purposes around the home. Aside from remedying scorch marks on clothes, cornstarch can remove grease stains, as well. Pour a heaping amount of the powder onto the stain so it can absorb properly. After about 12 hours, wash the item as you normally would. 

The starchy substance can also soothe painful blisters and itchy bug bites. For the latter, mix some cornstarch with a small amount of cold water and let it sit on the bite until it dries. To relieve a blister if it's rubbing against a shoe or piece of clothing, apply some cornstarch to the area and keep it dry. In order to steer clear of infection, don't apply cornstarch on open wounds.

If you don't happen to have any cornstarch in your cabinet, there's bound to be another ingredient that can help you with burns and stains. If you've stained white cotton clothing while ironing, use hydrogen peroxide to get it out. Apply it to the stain and then rinse it out after one minute. If it's on colored clothes, repeat the process with distilled white vinegar.

For scorch marks that have set into woolen or delicate clothing, a combination of detergent and vinegar should do the trick. Get a white cloth and dip it into white vinegar and dab the scorch mark. Using another cloth, wet it with water and dab the area once more. Air dry your clothes, then use a toothbrush to smooth away scorch marks. Put a gentle liquid detergent onto the area and hand wash it. For non-delicate clothes, you can also use a soft-bristled brush with detergent and hot water to work out the stain.