Don’t Throw Away Sprouted Potatoes – Try These Surprisingly Useful Household Tips Instead
Potatoes are a staple in many kitchens due to their versatility and nutritional value. But if yours have started to sprout and are no longer safe to eat, don’t toss them just yet. You can repurpose them in several clever and practical ways.
1. Degrease Your Kitchen and Range Hood
Cooking often leaves behind stubborn grease stains on stovetops, walls, and especially on the range hood. Without routine cleaning, these areas quickly become dirty and unappealing.
To combat this, grab a sprouted potato, slice it up, sprinkle the cut sides with a bit of salt, and scrub the greasy surfaces. The starch from the potato helps break down the oily residue. Wipe the area clean afterward, and you’ll be surprised how shiny and fresh everything looks.
2. Restore the Shine to Glassware
Glass items are beautiful but easily marred by watermarks and smudges. For a quick polish, rub a sprouted potato across the glass surface. Follow up by drying it with a clean, soft cloth. You’ll bring back that brilliant, streak-free shine.
3. Soften New Leather Shoes
Stiff leather shoes can be uncomfortable right out of the box. To ease the break-in process, rub a slice of sprouted potato gently over the leather. The natural resins and moisture from the potato help soften the material, making the shoes more flexible and comfortable.
4. Get Rid of Rust on Pans
If your cookware has started to develop rust spots, potatoes can help fix that too. First, pour a small amount of vinegar over the rusted area to loosen it. Then slice a sprouted potato, dip it in salt, and scrub the rusty spots. The combination of starch and salt acts as a gentle abrasive. Rinse thoroughly and enjoy your pan’s renewed appearance.
5. Graft Roses with Better Results
Potatoes can actually help improve your chances of successfully grafting roses. Their moisture and nutrients support root growth, and as the potato breaks down over time, it acts as a slow-release fertilizer.
Here’s how to do it:
Choose a Healthy Rose Cutting: Use clean, sharp scissors to cut the stem at a 45-degree angle, and remove any wilted leaves, thorns, or buds.
Prep the Potato: Use a clean, pointed tool to create a hole just big enough for the rose stem.
Insert the Cutting: Dip the rose stem in rooting hormone and insert it into the potato.
Plant and Water: Bury the whole potato in a pot filled with prepared soil, water regularly, and within a week or so, roots should begin to develop.
Alternatively, you can plant the sprouted potato itself for ornamental purposes or grow it for a future harvest.
Final Thoughts
Before you toss out those sprouted potatoes, think twice. With a bit of creativity, they can help you clean, garden, and even make your shoes more comfortable—all while cutting down on waste.