Expired flour: don’t throw it away! My grandmother used it this way.

Flour is a basic ingredient in our kitchens, but what do we do when we discover that it has passed its expiration date? Even if expired flour is no longer suitable for human consumption, don’t throw it away! It can be reused in many practical and surprising ways.

My grandmother always found inventive ways to use up everything in her kitchen, and expired flour was no exception. Here I share some of her favorite tricks to give it a new use.

Uses of Expired Flour

Use expired flour in the following ways:

1. Natural Substitute for Plasticola

One of the most creative and useful ways to reuse expired flour is to turn it into a natural homemade glue. This glue is ideal for crafts and school projects. Here I explain how to do it:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup expired flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup of water

Instructions:

1. Mix the flour and sugar in a saucepan.
2. Add the water slowly while stirring to avoid lumps.
3. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens and has a cream-like consistency.
4. Let cool before using. This glue is ideal for paper and cardboard.

2. Natural Metal Cleaner

Expired flour can be an excellent ally for cleaning metals and giving them shine. This trick is perfect for cleaning kitchen utensils, jewelry, and other metal objects.

Ingredients:

• expired flour
• Salt
• Vinegar

Instructions:

1. Mix equal parts flour, salt and vinegar to form a paste.
2. Apply the paste to the metal you want to clean.
3. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
4. Rub with a soft cloth and rinse with water. Dry well to avoid stains.

3. Natural Pest Repellent

Expired flour can also serve as a natural repellent for garden pests. This method is especially useful for keeping insects like aphids and ants away.

Instructions:

1. Sprinkle a thin layer of expired flour around the plants you want to protect.
2. Repeat the process every few days or after rain to maintain its effectiveness.

4. Exfoliating Facial Mask

Take advantage of expired flour to prepare a homemade exfoliating facial mask. It is an economical and natural way to take care of your skin.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons expired flour
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon of natural yogurt

Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients until you obtain a homogeneous paste.
2. Apply the mixture to your face, avoiding the eye area.
3. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and then gently massage in circular motions to exfoliate.
4. Rinse with warm water and dry with a soft towel.

5. Surface Degreaser

Another practical way to reuse expired flour is to use it as a natural degreaser. It is ideal for cleaning kitchen surfaces that accumulate grease, such as countertops and stoves.

Instructions:

1. Sprinkle expired flour over the greasy surface.
2. Let it sit for a few minutes so the flour absorbs the fat.
3. Remove the flour with a damp sponge or cloth and clean as usual.

As you can see, expired flour can have many practical uses around the home, from crafts to cleaning. These tricks not only help you reduce waste, but also allow you to save money and use more natural methods in your daily life. Try these tips and discover how something seemingly useless can become a valuable resource thanks to the wisdom of our grandmothers!