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Sugar: A Secret Cleaning Powerhouse – 5 Surprising Uses You Never Knew

Normally, granulated sugar is a staple ingredient in many households, typically used as a sweetener in baking and beverages. However, beyond these common applications, granulated sugar also possesses a range of practical uses, as we will explore in the following five scenarios.

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22 April, 2024

Sugar: A Versatile Ingredient with Surprising Household Uses

Sugar has been a staple in human diets for thousands of years. Today, it is commonly used in various forms such as white sugar, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, raw sugar, molasses, and honey.

While white sugar is a common household item, it possesses several practical uses beyond its culinary applications. Here are five surprising household uses of white sugar.

Removing Grease from Hands

After cooking, it is common to have greasy hands. Sprinkle some white sugar on your hands and rub them together. The granulated texture of the sugar creates friction and helps dissolve grease. As the sugar dissolves, it carries away the grease, leaving your hands cleaner.

Rinse your hands thoroughly afterward and notice how they feel noticeably cleaner with no oily residue. The next time you finish cooking, try using sugar to wash your hands for an effective cleaning solution.

Removing Grease from Clothing

Cooking often splatters grease on clothing. Sprinkle some sugar on the grease stain and rub the fabric together. The sugar will help dissolve the grease. Rinse the fabric and launder it as usual to remove the grease stain effectively.

Removing Soy Sauce Stains from Clothing

Soy sauce stains can be notoriously difficult to remove. To treat a soy sauce stain, prepare a bowl of water with sugar dissolved in it. Soak the stained area in the sugar water. The sugar solution will dissolve the soy sauce stain. Rub the fabric gently to remove the stain completely.

Providing Nutrients for Hydroponic Plants

When growing plants hydroponically, you can use white sugar to provide nutrients and promote root development. Sprinkle a small amount of sugar into the water. The dissolved sugar creates a nutrient solution that is absorbed by the hydroponic plants, stimulating root growth.

Use this method sparingly, no more than once a month, to avoid overfeeding the plants.

Softening Dried Mushrooms Quickly

Dried shiitake mushrooms are a common ingredient in home cooking. Soaking them usually takes a significant amount of time. Inadequate soaking leaves dirt and debris trapped in the mushroom crevices. You can use white sugar to soften mushrooms more quickly.

Place the mushrooms in a sealable container. Add a few teaspoons of sugar and pour in lukewarm water (around 90°F). The warm water and sugar help the mushrooms absorb water more efficiently, reducing soaking time.

Close the lid and shake the container vigorously for two to three minutes. The movement helps the warm water penetrate the mushroom crevices, removing dirt more effectively. Open the container and observe that the mushrooms have plumped up within minutes. This method is also effective for soaking wood ear, black, and white fungus mushrooms.

By An Nhien – Vietnamnet

Frequently asked questions

The granulated texture of white sugar creates friction when rubbed between your hands, helping to dissolve grease. As the sugar dissolves, it carries away the grease, leaving your hands feeling cleaner and free of oily residue.

Yes, sugar can effectively remove grease stains from clothing. Simply sprinkle sugar on the stain, rub the fabric together, and then rinse and launder as usual. The sugar helps dissolve the grease, making it easier to remove the stain.

Soy sauce stains can be treated by soaking the stained area in a bowl of water with dissolved sugar. The sugar solution will help dissolve the soy sauce stain, and gentle rubbing will remove it completely.

White sugar can provide essential nutrients for hydroponic plants and promote root development. Dissolving a small amount of sugar in the water creates a nutrient solution that is absorbed by the plants, stimulating root growth. However, it should be used sparingly, no more than once a month, to avoid overfeeding.

Sugar can be used to quickly soften dried shiitake mushrooms. By placing the mushrooms in a sealable container with lukewarm water and a few teaspoons of sugar, the warm water and sugar help the mushrooms absorb water more efficiently. This reduces the soaking time and effectively removes dirt and debris from the mushroom crevices.