11 unexpected uses of potatoes not everyone knows

Potatoes are not only a familiar cooking ingredient in the kitchen, but also can help clean silverware, cure headaches, nourish skin, treat burns.

1. Rust removal

To remove rust stains from metal, follow these steps:

- Cut a potato in half. 

Prepare baking soda, table salt or dish detergent.

– Dip the cut part of the potato in one of the ingredients above, rub it on the rust until it comes out clean. 

– Cut another piece of potato if the old one is worn and then continue the cleaning process. 

- Wash metal items with water, let dry. Complete!

2. Treatment of burns

You need to note that this recipe is more suitable for sunburn burns. How to do this:

- Wash and peel the potatoes.

Thinly slice or grate or squeeze into a paste.

If you cut the potato into slices, just apply it directly to the burned skin for 10-15 minutes. Rinse skin with cool water.

– If you mash the potatoes into a paste (with water coming out), use a makeup remover to fix the potato on the skin. Apply for 10-15 minutes. Rinse skin with cool water.

If you want to treat minor burns (caused by boiling water), mash a potato and apply it on the injured area. You have to be patient as the pain takes from 10 minutes to several hours to go away. When the mixture turns brown, replace the potatoes with new ones.

3. Remove stains on fabric

Potatoes have the ability to remove stains on many different fabrics. How to do this:

– Grate a few raw potatoes in a bowl of 0.5 liters of water 

– Take out the potatoes, add 0.5 liters of water to the bowl. Wait for 10-15 minutes.

– Use a sponge soaked in potato water, rub it on the fabric and then wash it with clean cold water.

If your clothes are stained with berry or beet juice, simply cut a raw potato in half and rub it directly on the fabric.

4. Refresh leather shoes

To treat scratches and fading on leather shoes, follow these steps:

– Cut a raw potato in half.

– Rub the potato on the surface of the shoe.

– Leave for 5 minutes. At this point your shoes will be covered with a translucent layer of potato juice, but don't worry.

Wipe the shoes with a soft dry cloth until they shine again.

5. Refreshing silverware

We all know silverware tarnishes over time. To work around this issue, do the following:

- Boil some potatoes. After boiling, remove the potatoes.

Place tarnished silverware in the potato juice to soak for an hour.

Remove silverware, use a soft brush to scrub it clean. 

– Wash silverware with clean water, let it dry naturally or wipe with a paper towel.

6. Whiten the armpit area

Method 1:

- Wash a potato and slice it.

Use potato slices to massage for 3 minutes.

Leave the potato juice on your armpits for half an hour and then wash your armpits with cool water.

- Gently pat dry with a towel.

Method 2:

- Mash a potato into a smooth paste.

Apply the potato mixture to your armpits, leave it on for 10 minutes.

- Rinse with cool water and dry with a towel.

With both methods you need to do it twice a day for at least 4 weeks to see visible results.

7. Cure headache

To regain sanity, you just need to follow these simple steps:

- Wash and slice a raw potato.

– Place potato slices on temples and forehead, secure them with bandages.

Lie down, close your eyes and wait until the pain disappears.

8. Improve health

Potato juice contains many vitamins and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and vitamin C. Drinking potato juice will help you strengthen your immune system and get many other health benefits.

For example, scientists from the University of Manchester discovered that in potato juice there are molecules that can cure ulcers and heartburn, and even prevent bacteria from multiplying in the stomach. It can also lower cholesterol, limit cancer risk, relieve constipation, and aid in weight loss.

To make potato juice, follow these steps:

- Wash and peel a raw potato.

– Cut into small pieces, put in a blender to grind the potatoes into a liquid mixture.

– Strain the mixture through a gauze pad to get the juice.

Because potato juice is not easy to drink, you can add fresh fruit or vegetable juice to your liking.

9. Beautify skin

The antioxidants, vitamin C and starch in potatoes have a moisturizing effect and provide the skin with many necessary nutrients. Here are some benefits of potatoes for the skin:

– Blurring dark circles and puffiness: Take 2 slices of potato and place it on your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse the surface with cool water.

– Remove acne: Rub a slice of raw potato on the acne affected skin and leave it overnight. Wash your face as usual in the morning. Do it every day until you see results. In addition, you should also wash your face with potato juice and cool water to prevent acne.

– Lightens bruises: Peel and mash a potato. Apply the mixture on your face and massage gently. Leave on for 5 minutes and then rinse with cool water.

Soothe Insect Bites: Just rub a piece of raw potato on the bite and let it dry. Repeat several times a day.

– Moisturize skin, treat wrinkles: Grate a potato, add 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Apply the mixture on your skin for 10 minutes and then wash it off with cool water.

Oily skin treatment: Grate a peeled potato, add some rose water and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply mask for 15-20 minutes, rinse and pat dry.

10. Glass cleaning

– If you must wear glasses, you must have experienced the feeling of foggy glasses due to steam rising from hot coffee or high humidity in the air. In this case, cut a piece of potato and rub it on the glass, wipe it with a soft dry cloth.

With glass on the window, simply rub half a potato on top, wipe with a dry cloth until it is shiny.

11. Make hot and cold packs

Hot or cold packs are effective in reducing cramps, muscle pain, improving blood circulation, reducing pain caused by bruises, etc. You can use potatoes instead of such packs. 

– Scoop some cold potato on the bruise to soothe the pain. Secure the mixture with a gauze bandage.

– Bake or boil a potato, wrap it in a cloth and apply heat to the skin. Potatoes have the ability to retain heat very well, so the ice pack will keep longer.