Last Updated on September 10, 2024 by teamobn
Roughly one-half of the world population, including virtually all of East and Southeast Asia, rely on rice as a staple food. People eat around 95% of the world’s rice crop.
We all know that it is a delicious side dish, but there are uses for rice around the house apart from being something to eat.
Here are a few household uses or grains you might find helpful.
Contents
Uses For Rice
As Coffee Grinder Cleaner
We all love the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans. But the beans leave a stubborn residue in the coffee grinder. One of the uses of rice is to get rid of the leftover oil.
Uncooked rice absorbs moisture and oils, so it’s ideal for soaking up those oils. To clean, put a tablespoon or two of grains into the grinder, and grind away. Then rinse and marvel at how shiny your coffee grinder is!
The grains will also sharpen the blades on your machine, which is an additional uses for rice.
For Clump-Free Salt
You’ll find uncooked grains of rice in salt shakers all over Southeast Asia. Do you know why?
Moisture causes salt to clump. The clumps tend to clog the shaker. Other uses for rice is to prevent salt from clumping within the shaker.
Add about a teaspoon of grains to the shaker to soak up that extra moisture. You’ll never have to struggle with those annoying clumps again!
As Fruit Ripener
One handy uses for rice that you might not know about is to ripen fruit faster. If you’ve got fruits like avocados or bananas and need them ripe in a hurry for a recipe, just use rice. Simply put your fruit in a container and bury it in uncooked rice. The rice works by trapping ethylene gas, which fruits naturally emit as they ripen. More trapped gas speeds up the ripening process. So, if you leave your fruit in the rice for at least a day, or until it’s just right, you’ll notice it ripens much quicker.
This method on the uses of rice isn’t just clever, it’s also a great way to cut down on food waste by getting your fruit exactly when you need it. Whether you’re prepping for a smoothie or want that perfect ripe avocado for your toast, using rice this way is a simple, effective solution for those times when you just can’t wait for nature to take its course.
For Rust-Free Tools
Keeping your tools in optimal condition is crucial for their longevity and effectiveness. One of the simplest yet effective uses for rice involves maintaining a rust-free environment for your metal tools. Rust occurs when metal tools are exposed to oxygen and moisture, leading to degradation and wear. By placing a few scoops of uncooked rice in your toolbox, you take advantage of rice’s natural moisture-absorbing properties. This help keep the internal environment of the toolbox dry and conducive to preserving your tools.
This strategy is particularly useful in humid climates or during damp seasons when moisture levels are high. The rice acts as a desiccant, similar to silica gel packets used in various packaging applications, but it’s a more accessible and cost-effective solution. This uses for rice not only extends the life of your tools by preventing rust but also maintains their functionality and readiness for use.
To maximize these uses for rice, it’s advisable to change the rice periodically to ensure its effectiveness in moisture absorption. This simple routine maintenance helps sustain your tools’ condition and performance, showcasing another practical and resourceful use for rice in everyday situations.
Household Uses of Rice Water
Don’t throw out the water that you use for cleaning rice. Its water is just as useful around the house.
You can clean mirrors and glass using the liquid, or use it as a natural starch while ironing clothing. The water contains nutrients, so you use it for your vegetable garden.
You can also make your own rice water by soaking uncooked rice in warm water for at least 30 minutes. Remember, though, it is only good for up to 24 hours.
As Air-Freshener
Rice’s ability to serve as an air-freshener is one of the more innovative uses for rice. In humid climates, closets can become musty, leaving clothes smelling less than fresh. By placing a small bowl of uncooked rice in the closet, you can combat this issue effectively. The rice acts as a natural dehumidifier, absorbing excess moisture that contributes to mustiness.
To enhance this effect, adding 10 drops of your favorite essential oil to the rice transforms it into a DIY air freshener. The rice not only absorbs unwanted moisture but also gradually releases the aroma of the essential oil, refreshing your closet’s air. This combination not only keeps your clothes smelling great but also adds a pleasant scent to your storage spaces.
Expanding on these uses for rice, consider refreshing the rice and oil mixture every few weeks to maintain its effectiveness. This ensures that your closet remains a fresh and pleasant space. Such practical uses for rice demonstrate its versatility beyond culinary applications, making it a staple for both kitchens and closets.
As Gadget Saviour
Rice’s role as a gadget savior is a lesser-known but highly effective uses for rice that comes in handy. If you’ve ever dropped your smartphone in water, you will want to consider this.However, a simple bowl of uncooked white or brown rice might just be the remedy. By burying your water-damaged electronic device in rice, you leverage the natural absorbent qualities of the grains. They work to pull moisture out of every nook and cranny, potentially reviving your device.
Beyond smartphones, this method can be applied to other small electronic devices like watches, fitness trackers, and headphones. After immersing the gadget in rice, it’s crucial to leave it undisturbed for at least 24 to 48 hours. This allows the rice to effectively absorb the moisture. While this tip might not fix every water accident, it has been known to rescue devices from what could have been permanent damage. This is a highlight of yet another practical and valuable uses for rice.
Science Behind the Uses for Rice
Rice isn’t just a staple in kitchens worldwide; it’s also a surprisingly handy tool for a bunch of non-cooking jobs around the house. When you dive into the science behind the uses for rice, you start to see why it’s so versatile. From drying out your phone to speeding up how quickly your avocados ripen, rice has some pretty cool tricks up its sleeve.
One of the key reasons rice is used for keeping things dry, like in your toolbox or salt shaker, is because of its hygroscopic nature. This fancy word just means rice is really good at pulling moisture from the air. The starches in rice are the heroes here—they grab water molecules and hold onto them. This ability makes rice an excellent low-tech dehumidifier, preventing things like clumping salt or rusty tools.
Rice also steps up when you need to ripen fruit fast. Most fruits release a gas called ethylene, which helps them ripen. If you trap fruits in a container with rice, the rice holds onto this ethylene gas, bumping up the concentration around the fruit and making it ripen quicker. This is super handy for fruits that continue to ripen after being picked, like bananas and avocados.
Dropping your phone in water can be a nightmare. But here again, rice can come to the rescue, thanks to its knack for sucking up moisture. If you bury your wet phone in a bowl of rice, those starches get to work, pulling moisture away from the device. This can help prevent permanent water damage by reducing the likelihood of short circuits and corrosion inside your phone.
Beyond these practical uses for rice, there’s even an eco-friendly angle. Rice water—the stuff left over from rinsing or boiling rice—is packed with nutrients. It’s mild enough to be used as a fertilizer in your garden, helping plants grow without harsh chemicals. And for skincare, rice water is a soothing agent that can calm inflamed skin and help maintain moisture, thanks to the vitamins and minerals it contains.
So, whether it’s fixing up fruits, safeguarding gadgets, or giving new life to plants and skin, the uses for rice are grounded in solid science. It’s a prime example of how something as simple as rice can be repurposed in many beneficial ways, tapping into its natural properties to solve everyday problems.
Not Just for Eating
Remember, rice isn’t just for eating and throwing at newly-married couples. This long-time pantry staple has a number of other useful purposes around the house.
You can use it to keep your tools from rusting or even save your wet electronic device, among others.
