Baby powder is not just for babies. This white powder can do so much more than simply ward off diaper rash. In fact, there are many different uses for baby powder that you probably never considered.

From keeping your pets smelling fresh to helping you to remove stains from your favorite clothing, baby powder is a do-all powerhouse of a product that is sure to be helpful around the house. You can replace many different products with this one container of baby powder and still get everything done.

MAKE A DRY SHAMPOO

Baby powder is perfect for use as a dry shampoo. You just sprinkle it onto your comb and then run the comb through your hair to the roots. It removes oil and grease and makes your hair look freshly washed. This works really well for blondes (or greys). If you are a brunette, add just a touch of cocoa powder to the baby powder before combing it through. Redheads can add a bit of cinnamon. Your hair look great and stay that way until your next shower.

USE AS A PET SHAMPOO

Not only does baby powder work as a dry shampoo for humans, it works for your furry friends, too. If your pet is between baths or you just need to give her a little refreshing, rub a handful or two (depending on the size of your dog or cat) into their fur. Allow it to sit for a couple of minutes and then brush. Not only does it remove oil buildup and make their coats look freshly washed and it can eliminate that dog smell that they may have after playing all day. Plus, your dog is sure to prefer dry shampoo to having an all-out bath.

REMOVE SAND

If you’re lucky enough to be headed to the beach this summer, be sure to bring along some baby powder. It helps to remove the sand that finds its way onto your clothing and into your car or house after a day at the beach. Just sprinkle a bit of powder over anyone who is covered in sand after your day of fun. The powder will make it much easier to just brush off the sand and you’ll be much happier not having that sandy mess all over your car or your living room.

REMOVE GREASE STAINS

Baby powder is great for helping you to keep your favorite clothes looking new by removing grease stains. If you happen to get grease on your clothing, just apply a sprinkling of baby powder to a powder puff or cotton ball and dab at the grease. Rub the powder into the stain really well and then just shake or brush off any powder that is leftover. Repeat until you see that all of the grease has been removed and then launder as normal. The baby powder will bring the grease out of your clothing and keep it from leaving a nasty stain.

LOOSEN UP PLAYING CARDS

Adding baby powder to playing cards is an age-old trick that makes your cards much easier to handle and keeps them from sticking together. When you buy a new set of cards, just place them in a plastic Ziploc bag along with just a few shakes of baby powder. Seal the bag well and shake it a few times to distribute the powder evenly. Once you remove the cards and shake off the excess powder, they will be smooth and much easier to shuffle and deal. 

UNTANGLE NECKLACES

Don’t you just hate it when your favorite necklace gets tangled? Really. It can take forever to get those tangles out, especially from smaller chains and you risk breaking or kinking the chain which renders it un-wearable. The next time you get tangles in your favorite necklaces, reach for the baby powder. Just sprinkle a bit on the chain making sure that it gets into all the little crooks and crevices. The powder will loosen up the knot just a bit, making it much easier for you to get it out without worries of kinks or breaks in the chain.

PREVENT CHAFING

If you run often, particularly during the hotter summer months, you may experience chafing. A little baby powder will clear that right up and help to prevent it on your future runs. Just sprinkle the powder anywhere that you normally chafe before you run. It will help to eliminate friction when you run so your skin will stay smooth and pain-free. This is also a great idea for any movement that normally causes friction and it works perfectly for inner thighs and other areas that tend to rub up against one another when you move.

EASY WAXING PAIN

Waxing may be great for removing that unwanted hair but it can leave behind unwanted pain and redness. If you apply just a bit of baby powder before you apply your wax, it will help to make the entire process less painful. The powder absorbs moisture which allows the wax to work better because it will adhere to every single hair. Plus, it protects the skin which leaves it much smoother and less red and painful. So, baby powder before waxing actually works a couple of ways and makes your waxing session a bit more effective at removing hair and without all the pain and redness.

FRESHEN SHOES

If you or someone in your house tends to have stinky shoes, baby powder can do wonders to eliminate that odor. This is a great trick for new tennis shoes, which normally cause some sort of odor when your feet sweat in them. Just sprinkle a light dusting of baby powder inside all of your shoes that have odor and allow them to sit overnight. In the morning, just shake out the baby powder or you can even leave it in for really bad odors. It will continue to absorb moisture and kill those stubborn odors.

FRESHEN MOLDY BOOKS

If you have books that have acquired mold due to being stored in damp places, you can remove that mold and make those old books nearly new again with a bit of baby powder. You have to allow your books to dry first so open them up and let them air dry for a few hours. Once they are dry, sprinkle just a little baby powder between each of the pages. Stand them upright and leave them alone for several hours. In fact, you may just leave them until the next day for the best results. Then just brush out the powder and they will smell and feel much newer and without all that dangerous mold and mildew.

TREAT YOUR GLOVES

If you tend to use rubber gloves for cleaning or other tasks, you can make them much easier to get on and off if you apply a bit of baby powder before you put them on. Just sprinkle your fingers or the inside of your gloves with a light covering of baby powder. The powder helps to eliminate moisture which is what makes those rubber or latex gloves difficult to get on and off. With the baby powder in place, your gloves should slip easily onto your fingers and should come off without all that pulling and tearing that often takes place when wearing rubber gloves.

COOL AND FRESHEN UP YOUR SHEETS

Nice, cool sheets are wonderful during the summer months but sometimes it’s just so hot that your sheets may feel anything but cool. The answer? Baby powder. If you sprinkle just a bit of baby powder (a very light covering will do it) between your sheets a few minutes before you retire for the night, you’ll enjoy a much cooler night’s sleep. The baby powder cools things down wonderfully and again, plus add some relaxing essential oil to smell heavenly so your dreams will be filled with wonderfulness. This is a great way to freshen up sheets that you haven’t had time to wash and makes a wonderful gift for guests spending the night in your spare room.

PLUMP YOUR EYELASHES

Before you apply mascara, dust just a tiny bit of baby powder on your lashes. The result is plumper lashes that look longer and fuller. 

MAKE DEODORANT

You don’t really have to “make” deodorant. If you run out or if over the counter deodorants leave you feeling a bit irritated or red, baby powder is an excellent alternative. You’ve probably heard your grandmother say something about using a powdered deodorant. Well, this is it. You just sprinkle a handful of baby powder into the palm of your hand and rub it into your underarms. It works great to eliminate sweaty odors and baby powder naturally absorbs moisture so it will keep you dry and fresh all day.