6 Interesting Ways to Use Leftover Milk (Besides Drinking It!)

Together with eggs, flour, and rice, milk is a grocery staple most of us continuously have in our homes (except if you’re vegan of course, in which case you’re likely to have plant-based milk!). Whether you drink it with coffee, or enjoy a long glassful at bedtime, it’s definitely an everyday item in our fridge. But there’s more to milk than simply drinking it. Read on for interesting ways to use milk!

From relieving burns to removing makeup, there are many more things you can do with milk! Not sure what to do with that last bit of milk in the bottle? Here’s how you can use it:

Cool the burn

Milk is a great remedy for sunburn. Soak a facecloth (or cotton pad) in cool (not cold) milk, and apply to the sunburned area for about 15 minutes. The milk proteins soothe the skin and reduce inflammation.

Stop the itch

Milk can be used to reduce swelling and ease the itching of insect bites. Again, it’s all thanks to milk proteins! Soak a cotton ball in milk and dab the affected area.

Smooth skin

Cleopatra was renowned for her beauty and radiant skin, and it’s said it was all because of her famous milk baths. If it worked for her, it can work for you! Milk is a great moisturizer, especially if you have sensitive or inflamed skin. Use a cotton ball soaked in cold milk, and dab all over the face. Allow the milk to sit for a few minutes and rinse off.

Makeup remover

Speaking of beautiful skin, we all know that removing makeup is a MUST before you go to bed. For a gentle makeup remover (perfect for sensitive skin), try using milk. Soak a cotton ball in milk and use it to remove the makeup.

Polish silver

Tarnished silver can easily be cleaned with milk. Combine one tablespoon of vinegar and one cup of milk (or used milk that’s already gone sour). Soak your silver in the sour milk for half an hour, rinse, and buff with a cloth. As good as new!

Remove ink stains

We know the dreaded ink stain all too well. Try using milk next time it happens (which is hopefully never!). Mix two parts milk with one part vinegar, and soak the stained clothing item overnight. If the stain is on the carpet, you can mix a small bit of corn starch with milk to form a paste, rub it on the carpet, allow it to dry, and vacuum the residue.