7 Surprising Uses For Sugar Around Your Home

Most of us just stick to using sugar in our baked goods or coffee, but it turns out that the sweet treat has many uses in the home as well.

Although it may not be your first instinct to whip out a box of sugar when you need something clean, the solution to some common household problems may just be waiting in your pantry.

If you’ve got some sugar waiting in your kitchen, consider these seven surprising uses for sugar, from cleaning supplies to insect repellent.

1. Remove Grass Stains

If you have any grass stains on your clothing, mix together sugar and water to create a warm paste. Let sit for an hour or two, and then wash the garment as you usually would. Sugar contains enzymes that can help break down the green stain-causing chlorophyll.

grass photo

2. Trap Insects

Get rid of flies and wasps by bringing two parts sugar and one part water to a boil. Let cool and add to a Mason jar. Create a cone out of paper and place it into the jar. The flies will be attracted to the sugar, but will be trapped by the cone and syrup.

flies photo
Photo by jpctalbot

3. Clean A Coffee Or Spice Grinder

If you grind your own coffee or spices, you may find that your grinder is difficult to clean thoroughly, Luckily, using some sugar can help clean out any built-up excess oils. Just pour 1/4 cup granulated sugar through your grinder, and let it run for a few minutes. Dump out the grinder after use and wipe clean.

coffee grinder photo

4. Treat Wounds

Sugar has been used for centuries as a way to heal wounds, and it turns out their may be some science behind it. A study from Wolverhampton University found that pouring granulated sugar directly into bed sores, leg ulcers and even amputations helps the wound heal faster than antibiotics.

wound photo

5. Keep Flowers Fresh

Mix two tablespoons of vinegar and two tablespoons of sugar into your vase water to enhance the bouquet’s longevity. Sugar helps feed the stems while the vinegar fights off bacteria.

bouquet photo

6. Exfoliate Your Skin

Instead of using products that contain environmentally-unfriendly synthetic microbeads, make your own scrub using sugar. Just mix it with an oil like olive oil or coconut oil, and apply gently to help get rid dead skin cells.

sugar scrub photo
Photo by PersonalCreations.com

7. Sooth A Burnt Tongue

If you burned your tongue on something scorching hot — or even something too spicy — you can use a spoonful of sugar to help ease the pain. Let the sugar dissolve, and the pain should subside within no time.

hot drink photo

Photo by Moyan_Brenn

Home
, , , ,

Related posts

Bowl with brown sugar on wooden table
Brown sugar substitutes that you can use in a pinch
Gert-Jan Oskam walks during new paralysis study
Brain and spine implants enable man with paralysis to walk again
Woman sick with cold or flu
An ingredient in common cold medicines may not actually relieve congestion
How to eat less sugar without overhauling your entire diet

About the Author
Carina Wolff
Carina is a health and wellness journalist based in Los Angeles. When she’s not writing, doing yoga, or exploring mountains and beaches, she spends her time cooking and creating recipes for her healthy food blog, Kale Me Maybe. Carina is also an ongoing writer for Bustle, Reader's Digest, FabFitFun, and more.

From our partners