Rice, one of the most widely consumed staple foods of the world can often be found lurking in the back of your cupboard. But did you know you can do more with it than just eat it?
Today we're sharing some brand new uses for rice that you can try at home for free - you won't believe what it can do!
Editor's Note: This post was originally posted in February 2016 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in January 2019.
1. Sharpen blunt blender blades
Over time, blender blades can become pretty blunt. To make them more effective than ever again, use rice!
Pour around half a cup of rice into your blender and pulse for up to 2 minutes. You'll soon notice a difference and there will be no need to buy a new blender!
2. DIY handwarmer
If you need to stay warm, no matter how cold it gets, one of these little beauties from Rae Ann Kelly will really come in hand.
They're the perfect pocket accessory for those winter walks to school and you don't need much to make them - scissors, fabric, needle, rice, pins and thread. Not only practical but also pretty, they'd make gorgeous little homemade Christmas gifts too.
3. Make coloured rice
This a great activity to keep the kids busy at the weekend!
Enjoy sensory play with this exciting colour rice. It's easy to do - check out the instructions at Happy Hooligans. You can keep it for years in an airtight container and use it to make cards, shapes, scenes with toys and more!
4. Save a wet phone
Of all the uses for rice, this has got to be the one we're most grateful for - it's saved us a fair few times!
If you've dropped your phone in the sink or down the toilet, chances are you're panicking. Well, have no fear, rice is here! Fill up a bowl or sandwich bag with rice and place your phone in it. Leave it for a couple of days and then fish it out. The rice should have absorbed all the water and your phone will be back in business.
5. Pack an I-spy bottle for kids
This has got to be one of our favourite parenting tips of all time. If you're heading out on a long car journey then make sure you've packed your I-spy bottle!
It's easy to do and will keep the kids well and truly entertained. Fill up a clear bottle with little objects from around the home and add some rice. Leave a gap at the top so that when you shake the bottle, items will be able to move around. The little objects could include dice, charms, paper clips, buttons - whatever you find lying around.
Give them a list and have them check off each item as they find it. You could even set a timer to see if they can beat their high score.
6. Clean vases or bottles
Sometimes vases and bottles have little nooks and crannies that are really tricky to reach. To make your glassware spotless again, put 2 spoonfuls of rice and some warm water into the vase and leave to soak for 15 minutes. Then, cover, shake well, empty and rinse with water. The rice helps scrub any stains away - how marvellous!
7. Keep your tools rust-free
Add a few scoops of your trusty uncooked rice to a toolbox to absorb the moisture in the air. This should help to keep your tools dry and free from rust.
8. DIY knife block
You really don't need to spend a fortune on a functional knife block - rice and a simple utensil holder can provide the perfect solution.
If you've got a selection of different knives, try filling a large utensil holder with rice. This will fit lots of all types of knives sizes and it's a lot cheaper than buying a fibre cluster universal knife block.
9. Rice water face cleanser
Women in Asia have been using rice water to cleanse their skin for many years. Find out how it works by following the easy instructions at Free People.
10. Clean your coffee grinder with rice
If your coffee grinder or spice grinder has got very dusty or greasy then you can clean it by running some rice through it - it's much easier than taking it apart to clean. It will help to get rid of trapped grounded spices or coffee stale odours - just remember to wipe it afterwards.
11. Grow the longest hair in the world
The secret to long hair? Fermented rice water! Just cook your rice for dinner and save the water. Let it ferment, and you'll have a great hair growth treatment.
12. Use rice instead of baking beans
No baking beans? No problem. If you've got some pastry that needs blind-baking then use rice instead! Line your pie crust with baking parchment and pour in enough rice to keep the pastry from rising. You can use the rice again and again, just keep it in a sandwich bag.
13. Create a rain stick
Here's another fun rice activity you can do with the kids - make a rain stick!
Make a beautiful rain stick with materials from around the home. Put rice inside and it will sound just like rain, perfect for dancing around and creating music with your kids. Check out The Imagination Tree for instructions.
14. Stop salt clumps
Annoying chunks of salt in your salt shaker can be easily prevented by adding a few grains of uncooked rice to the mix. The rice will take in all the moisture and your salt will be easy to sprinkle.
15. Make heated slippers
Forget standard slippers, you can make your very own microwaveable heated ones using rice! If your feet get cold in the winter then this is a must-try. Check out Instructables for the steps to make your own.
16. Ripen fruit using rice
Want ripe fruit, fast? In a bowl of uncooked rice, submerge your fruit. The rice will help to trap ethylene and will help your fruit ripen quicker. Just don't forget to check on it - results can happen pretty quickly!
17. Conduct a science experiment
Buggy And Buddy have written about a brilliant science activity to do with the kids - make your rice dance with baking soda and vinegar!
18. How to test oil temperature
Want to fry something? It can be tricky to tell when your oil is hot enough...unless you have rice, that is! Grab a grain of rice and drop it into your hot-oil filled pan and if the rice comes back to the top and begins to cook then your oil is perfect for frying in!
19. DIY glue
If you're a crafty one, then learn how to make rice glue - it's better for the environment and will probably save you money too! It will dry hard and almost transparent, which is brilliant for crafting.
Watch the video above to discover how to make yours.
Woah! So many uses for rice to try - which one will you attempt first?
Wow! I had no idea thanks :)
Hope you liked the post Natasha!
great tips I have kept rice in my toolbox and garage for years now and it stops rust building.thanks for the other ideas.
Lovely to hear you enjoyed the blog post John. Hope your tools are rust-free!
What great ways to do with rice! I'm gobsmacked at the different ways! It's amazing and very helpful. Thanks
Glad to hear you enjoyed the article Rommie!
Surprising what you can do with rice!
It's true! Hope you enjoyed the post Margaret.
Great ideas!!, a few new ones that I didn't know about. Will give them a go x many thanks Diane x
Happy to help, glad you enjoyed the post Diane!
Rice one!!??
Another great use for rice is add some to a rabbit or pet water bottle fill with some water and shake..rinse well and hey presto sparkling clean pet water bottles...great if you don't have a bottle brush.
Great idea Joanna. This uses the same principle of cleaning your blender with rice. Thanks for stopping by :)
Some great ideas, will try them. I have heard you can eat it too!
Hi Joan. Can you really?! Who'd have thought it! ;)
Thanks, you just saved my out of date rice which will now be recycled for other uses
Glad to hear it, Michelle!
Great, good to hear that. Thanks.
You're welcome!
Some great ideas there. I always keep lots of rice for some of the door stops I make. Just put the dry rice in clear bags inside.
Good idea!
My long hot water bottle burst and now I am wary of them. I kept the cover, it’s a Fluffy cover I 1/2 filled it with rice and tied the top. This is what I now use. Heat up in the microwave for a few minutes. Lovely and toasty. I’m going to do similar when I find some old gloves to pop in my coat pocket
That's a great idea! Very resourceful.