Homemade Grain Cleaner

Types

• As a grain, corn is ground to different thicknesses for different uses. Cornstarch is also called corn flour because it is ground to a fine, powdery texture. It comes from the endosperm, which is the white, fluffy inner kernel -- the part that pops when you make popcorn. A coarser grind produces cornmeal, which is used to make cornbread. Steel-ground cornmeal removes the husk and germ, and stone-ground cornmeal is made from the whole kernel. A much coarser grind produces grits.

Scrubs and Polishes

• Cornmeal pastes make gentle cleaners that remove tarnish from copper or brass. Add just enough vinegar or lemon juice to cornmeal to make a paste. Spread the paste on tarnished teakettles or other copper or brass kitchenware, and leave it on for 10 minutes. Wipe the paste off with a cloth, and buff the brass or copper with another soft, clean cloth. Sprinkle grits inside pots or pans that have food residue or inside sinks. Using a dish cloth, rub gently to remove dirt and grease.

Carpets and Floors

• Make an organic homemade rug and carpet deodorizer. Add 2 cups of cornmeal to 1 cup of sodium borate, and sprinkle over the carpet. Let the mixture stay in the carpet for an hour, and then vacuum. If you spill liquids on your carpet or if your pet urinates on it, liberally pour cornmeal on the spot to absorb the liquids. Remove wet cornmeal with a dustpan, and sprinkle cornstarch on the damp area, pressing it in lightly to absorb odors. Vacuum the cornstarch when dry.

Windows, Counters and Flatware

• Use a no-streak glass cleaner to clean windows. Add 1 quart of warm water, 1/4 cup of white vinegar and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Mix thoroughly, and fill a spray bottle for spritzing the mixture on windows before wiping them clean with a sheet of newspaper. In addition, a paste of cornstarch and water will polish flatware, clean counters and make ovens and refrigerators shine. You can neutralize odors that may be in your garbage disposal by putting 1 cup of cornstarch down the disposal and pouring boiling water down the drain while turning on the disposal.