10 Clever Uses For Milk

Milk may be a staple in the refrigerator for everything from bowls of cereal and macaroni and cheese to icing and sauce recipes, and even cocktails. Some may even keep a cold gallon for a big glass of milk to enjoy all on its own.

Regardless of the reasoning, having milk on hand is pretty common, but milk can be very useful outside the kitchen, too. Milk can be used around the house for everything, from ink stains to freshening up frozen fish. 

There is no use crying over spilled milk, but you might want to once you find out all the clever ways to use milk outside the kitchen.

1. Removing Ink Stains

Ink can be one of the most stubborn stains, but it’s no match for milk. More specifically, milk and white vinegar. Mix two parts milk and one part white vinegar and let the garment soak overnight. When finished soaking, wash the garment in a normal washing cycle. 

2. Softening Skin

If your skin is feeling rough after a long winter or you just want to pamper yourself, add a cup of powdered milk to a bath before soaking. 

3. Polishing Silver

Polishing silverware with milk is as easy as letting it soak overnight. You can also use soured milk to get the job done. The proteins found in milk do all the heavy lifting when it comes to tarnish and silverware will wipe clean.

4. Freshening Up Frozen Fish

There’s nothing like the taste of fresh fish, but when frozen is what’s on the menu – milk to the rescue. Let frozen fish thaw in a bowl of milk for a fresher taste.

5. Sweetening Corn On The Cob

Adding equal amounts milk and water to a stock pot before boiling corn will sweeten the corn’s taste.

6. Soothing Skin

Whether you have a sunburn or eczema, break out the milk. Utilizing a milk bath to soothe skin is as easy as creating a mixture of four cups whole milk with a tablespoon of honey in a saucepan on the stove. When combined, add the mixture to a warm bath and soak.

7. Fixing Broken Plates

It’s true, milk might be able to put broken ceramic back together. Because milk contains casein, a protein that works as a binder, it may be the answer for cracked plates and cups. Bind the item back together using elastic bands and submerse it in a pot of milk. Heat the pot to a simmer, then reduce the heat and keep on low for about one hour. Turn heat off and allow the broken ceramic item to cool completely. 

8. Cooling Off Your Mouth

We’ve all been there – we ate something a bit too spicy for our taste buds. Experience will also tell us that water rarely helps. The casein protein found in milk helps dissolve capsaicin, the component that makes chili peppers spicy.

9. Alleviating Bug Bite Itching

There’s nothing worse than feeling like you need to scratch a bug bite to the bone to get relief. Soothe your bites by making a paste with one part powdered milk and two parts water. Dab the paste on your bites and let the milk enzymes get to work neutralizing the itch.

10. Shaving Your Face Or Legs

No shaving cream? No problem! Because milk naturally softens skin, it can be used for shaving in a pinch. Make a paste using powdered milk, water, and a dash of sugar to lather up before shaving normally.