Po-tay-to, Po-tah-to: 10 Surprising Uses for a Potato

Out of glass cleaner? Try a potato. Slice a potato in half, and rub the potato using a circular motion on the surface of the glass until it is covered in a starchy film. Next, spritz water onto the glass, and wipe the surface with a towel. The results will blow your mind.

Is your cast iron covered in rust or grim from frequent use? Clean it with a potato. Start by drizzling olive oil in the bottom of the skillet. Next, pour in a generous amount of sea salt. Cut a potato in half, and rub the potato around in the skillet and on the sides using a circular motion until the rust and grime are gone. Finally, use a cloth to wipe out the excess oil and salt.

Yes, you can patina brass using potatoes. First, cut a potato in thin slices and let the pieces sit out uncovered until they turn reddish-brown. Fill a glass or plastic container with enough vinegar to cover the piece of brass you're wanting to patina. Next, add one tablespoon of salt for every 1/2 cup of vinegar. Add the potato slices to the container and let the brass sit in the mixture until a patina starts to form, typically about one to two days.

Cut a potato in half and score the desired shape into the flesh. Next, cut the outside edge of the potato to expose the carved design. Cover your newly-created stamp in a layer of paint using a foam paintbrush, and stamp away.