Household Uses for Rice

I love the smell of freshly ground coffee beans, but it leaves a nasty residue behind in the coffee grinder. Uncooked rice absorbs moisture and oils, so it's the perfect way to soak up the beans' oils. To clean, place 1-2 tablespoons uncooked rice into the grinder, and grind away. Rinse, and bask in how shiny your coffee grinder is. Bonus: It also sharpens the blades.

Hey, you know that pile of lone socks you've kept just in case its partner magically appears? Put those lone socks to good use by making a heating or cooling wrap. Fill the sock with as much uncooked rice as desired. Tie the sock, and add about 10 drops of your favorite essential oil on the sock. Place in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds to make a heat pack, or place in the freezer to make an ice pack.

Moisture causes salt to clump. Add about a teaspoon of uncooked rice to the shaker to soak up the extra moisture.

Moisture also causes metal to rust. Place your tools and silverware in a container filled with rice to help them last longer.

Your closet and clothes may be smelling less than ideal from the humidity in your house. Add uncooked rice to a small bowl, add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil, and place in a closet. The rice wicks away moisture, while the essential oil adds a nice, fresh scent.

Ripen fruit quicker by placing it in a container and completely covering it with uncooked rice. Uncooked rice traps ethylene gas, and more gas means quicker ripening. Let the fruit sit in the rice for at least 24 hours or until ripe. Here, we placed the tomato on the left in rice for 24 hours, which ripened quicker than the one on the right.

Help your pie crust keep its shape with uncooked rice. Place cheesecloth or parchment paper on the pie crust. Place a generous amount of uncooked rice on top, and bake. The rice will absorb some butter from the pie crust, so you can incorporate it in your favorite rice recipe.

Rice water is just as helpful around the house, so don't throw it out. Clean mirrors and glass and use it as a natural starch while ironing clothing. It also contains nutrients, so you can water your vegetable garden. You can also make your own rice water by soaking uncooked rice in warm water for at least 30 minutes. Note: Rice water is only good for up to 24 hours.