Ten Surprising Uses for Cream of Tartar Beyond Baking

Ants sneaking in? Skip the harsh chemicals and lay down a line of cream of tartar where they're getting in instead.

Cream of tartar is a secret ingredient in DIY bath bombs, helping them harden and fizz more.

Combine cream of tartar with baking soda, salt, and boiling water to help clear clogged drains and shine up metal surfaces.

Out of stain remover? Sprinkle cream of tartar on a damp stain, then launder as usual, repeating if needed.

To combat yellowing on bleached clothes, spritz with water, rub in powdered cream of tartar, let it soak, then launder, repeating for best results.

Mix a bit of cream of tartar with water and apply to blemishes; it's antimicrobial, so it's worth trying as a simple spot treatment.

To remove coffee stains, sprinkle cream of tartar into the pot, add boiling water, let it sit, then rinse clean.

Combine cream of tartar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide, apply to rust, let it sit, then wipe away, repeating as needed.

A small amount of cream of tartar can act as a mild laxative and diuretic, so use it sparingly if trying it this way.

Mix cream of tartar with vinegar to make a natural paste for old pots and pans. Apply, let sit, scrub away grime, then rinse and the cookware is ready to use again.