Every day, new studies prove how much sugar can harm our health when consumed in exaggerated amounts. In soft drinks, cookies, cakes, etc., this food has become a true villain and the main cause for the increase of obesity worldwide, especially among children.
Of course, eating something sugary once in a while feels nice and doesn’t hurt anyone. What matters is maintaining a balanced low-sugar diet.
However, sugar can be used in many other possible ways which can make your life easier. Here are some alternative uses of sugar:
1. Exfoliate Body, Face & Lips
What about a DIY natural exfoliator? Simply mix granulated sugar with almond oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil to create a paste. Then rub it gently on the skin and rinse in the shower.
Another version can be made by mixing three tablespoons of sugar with a mashed ripe banana and a teaspoon of olive oil. It’s the exact same process as the previous one. Your skin will be left soft and moisturized, especially in the rougher parts like the feet, knees, and elbows.
And now a mix for the lips: mix a little jujube oil or olive oil with refined sugar. Add a touch of mint or vanilla extract if you’d like a scented exfoliator. Just massage a bit onto the lips and then rinse it off with water.
2. Wash Dirty Hands
If you ever get your hands dirty with paint, grease, or motor oil, simply add sugar to your soap foam. You can also use equal parts of sugar and olive oil, which simultaneously soothe and moisturize your “hard-working” hands.
3. Keep Flowers Fresh & Lively
In a liter of warm or cold water, add two small spoons of sugar and two bigger spoons of white vinegar to keep your flowers looking good for longer. Sugar is good for the stems and vinegar prevents the growth of bacteria.
4. Exterminate All the Roaches
Did you know you could make a lure with sugar to catch disgusting roaches? Simply mix equal parts of sugar and baking powder and sprinkle over the infested areas. The sugar attracts the insects, while the yeast eradicates them. Just make sure to replace the mixture frequently.
5. Trap Flying Insects
Do you know those rolled ribbons that are made to trap flies? (Yes! The hideous ones!) Well, they definitely don’t look good and it’s even worse if you’re having guests over or enjoying a nice barbecue on a hot summer day.
To make a homemade fly trap, just combine equal parts of sugar, honey, and water in a pan, boil the mixture until it thickens and, after it cools down, dip a few pieces of brown tape and let it drain. Then, hang the tape in strategic places. The insects will be attracted by the sugar and get trapped.
6. Treat Wounds
Yes, you can treat wounds with only a pinch of sugar. According to a study conducted in England, spilling granulated sugar on wounds, ulcerated leg wounds, or amputations before bandaging, kills the bacteria that prevents healing and causes chronic pain.
7. Get Rid of Grass Stains
This one is especially good if you do a lot of outdoor work or have small children who just love to play outside. I’m sure we can all agree that getting rid of grass stains is not easy! To do so, make a sugar paste with warm water, apply it onto the stain and let it rest for an hour or more, then, wash as usual.
8. Clean Coffee or Pepper Grinders
Coffee and spice grinders can accumulate oils that are strong in flavor, but sugar can clean them effectively. To do so, just pour 1/4 cup of sugar into the grinder and run it for 2 to 3 minutes. Then, simply remove the residue.
9. Treating a Burnt Tongue
Were you just eager to have a nice hot cup of coffee but ended up just burning your tongue? A pinch of sugar can relieve the pain more quickly. The same can also be done to relieve the effect when you eat something extremely spicy and your mouth burns.
10. Make Food Last
If you sprinkle sugar over a cake, it will remain fresher and tastier for longer. The same applies to fresh cookies.
11. Pedicure
You can remove hard skin from your heels and feet easily using a pinch of sugar and a gel soap. Rub a pumice stone on the affected area to remove it.
12. Cure hiccups with sugar
To treat annoying hiccups, grab a teaspoon of sugar and swallow it. Your hiccups will disappear quickly.
13. Keep cheese fresh
Keep your cheese in an airtight container and add a couple of sugar cubes to it. This will keep it mold-free.