We’re a little late on this. Potato month was in February, but the starchy delicious crop is good for things other than being fried and served with ketchup. There are plenty of uses for potatoes around the house. And, if you have extras lying around the house, consider using potatoes for these reasons:
Flowers – keep your flowers upright without using foam. Cut a large potato in half. Use a skewer or an ice pick to poke holes for the stems. Place it at the bottom of the vase and make a super pretty arrangement!
Stamp – the great thing about potatoes is how easily you can make a cute stamp! Scrape a pattern and use the stamp for art around the house, to decorate birthday bags or even wrapping paper. This is a great activity with kids. And, you most likely have all the things you need already in the house.
Rust – it doesn’t make rust, potatoes can help you remove it from cast iron, baking pans and gardening tools. The potato acid dissolves rust. This is a great tip for the kitchen where you don’t want to use any toxic rust removers.
Light bulb – when a light bulb breaks while being removed, simply cut a potato in half. Stick the flat end into the socket, turn and pull. You’ll remove the broken part safely.
Compress – ever notice how your hot potato stays, well, hot? In need of an ice pack or a hot compress, consider using a potato when no other options are available. It will keep the temperature you need for a while.
Tarnish – remove tarnish from silverware by soaking them in potato water for an hour. After, simply wash as normal and they’ll be super pretty again.
Chef Gigi Gaggero 