10 Surprising Household Uses of Sugar

Sugar usually makes you think of baking or a good cup of coffee. However, unknown to many, this common ingredient can be pretty handy outside of the kitchen too. Here are 10 ways to put sugar to good use in the household:

1. Keep flowers fresh

Prolong the life of your flowers by storing them in sugared water. Simply add three teaspoons of sugar and two tablespoons of vinegar to a vase of water. Glucose compounds in sugar nourish plant stalks, prolonging the life of flowers, while vinegar prevents the growth of bacteria.

2. Remove grass stains from clothes

Enzymes in sugar help to break down chlorophyll compounds present in grass. Mix sugar and warm water until it forms a thick paste and apply it directly to stains. Allow it to sit for an hour or two before washing the garment as per normal. For those of you who play field sports, this will definitely come in handy.

3. Clean coffee machines

It is recommended that you clean your coffee machine at least once a month as coffee bean residues and excess oils often accumulate after repeated brewing. Sugar helps to absorb odours and moisture to prevent the growth of mould inside your coffee machines. Pour one quarter cup of sugar into your coffee pot filled with water and bring it to boil on the machine before washing it out.

4. Remove grease

Washing your hands with liquid soap may not be enough to get rid of stubborn grease. To resolve this, simply rub your hands with a mixture of olive oil and sugar in equal amounts before rinsing thoroughly.

5. Make lip scrubs

The coarse texture of sugar makes it a great exfoliating agent. Make your own lip scrub by adding half a teaspoon of sugar to one teaspoon of honey and stir until sticky.

6. Soothe a burnt tongue

Sucking on a sugar cube or applying a sprinkle of sugar to the burnt area can help to quickly relief the pain.

7. Treat wounds

Studies have shown that sprinkling sugar on wounds such as ulcers and bed sores before cleaning and dressing them can help to kill bacteria.

8. Prolong the shelf life of food

Prevent your snacks such as cookies and cheese from turning mouldy by storing them in airtight containers with a few sugar cubes.

9. Make insect traps

Make your own insect trap by mixing two parts sugar with one part water and bringing it to boil. Pour the mixture into an open jar and place it at your desired area. This sticky mixture will help to trap those pesky insects. Alternatively, you can also mix sugar and baking soda and sprinkle them around the affected areas. Sugar will attract the insects, while the chemical components in baking soda kill them.

10. Get rid of nematodes (garden pests)

Nematodes are common garden pests that feed on living plants, causing them to wilt and die quickly. Sprinkle your plants and the surrounding soil with some sugar to encourage the growth of good microorganisms and worms, which in turn create a hostile environment for nematodes.

*This article was translated from a post originally published on 99.co Indonesia. 

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