7 Surprising Ways to Use Rice Around the House

Clean Narrow Bottles

Phillips knows cleaning bottles or vases with narrow openings can be tricky, even with a brush. “Those kinds of bottles are full of little, hard-to-reach nooks and crannies,” she explains. Fortunately, rice can make it easier to get them clean.

Add a couple of tablespoons of uncooked rice to the bottle, then stream in a little bit of warm, soapy water. Cover the opening securely, then shake the bottle vigorously. The grains act like tiny scrubbers, helping to dislodge grime and buildup from hard-to-reach places. After shaking, pour out the soapy rice, rinse thoroughly with clean water, and let the bottle air dry.

Salvage Electronics

If your electronics get wet, rice can help save the day. Start by turning off the device and removing the battery or power source, if possible. Gently pat the device dry with a soft cloth to remove moisture. Place the device in a large container and fully cover it with uncooked rice. Leave the device submerged for 24 to 48 hours to allow the rice to absorb the moisture.

Let’s be clear: Rice isn’t a fix for severe water damage, but its absorbent property does make it an affordable first step that often works in a pinch to draw out trapped moisture.

'Dry Clean' Plush Toys

Plush toys can be tricky to clean. Some of them can’t get wet at all, and others can only be wiped with a damp rag. Even machine-washable ones sometimes don’t escape the wash cycle without losing their softness. For dusty or slightly matted plush toys that just need a little refresh, Phillips says to give this “dry cleaning” method a try: Place the toy in a plastic bag along with a cup or two of uncooked rice and shake it gently. The rice helps absorb oils and dirt from the fabric without using any water or heat.

Once finished, brush or vacuum off the rice, and your plush will look a bit fresher and fluffier. But rice has its limitations: “Heavily soiled plush toys need machine washing. There’s just no substitute when things get really messy,” says Phillips.

Keep Salt Flowing

Have you ever tried to add salt to a salt shaker only to find that humidity has created a clumpy, lumpy mess? Adding a teaspoon of uncooked long-grain white rice to the shaker before filling it with salt can cure this issue. The rice absorbs excess moisture, preventing clumps from forming and allowing the salt to pour freely. Replace the rice each time you refill the saltshaker to keep it at its best.

Give Houseplants a Boost

During processing, rice can become quite dirty—which is why it’s a good idea to wash it before cooking. Instead of rinsing that starchy water down the drain, reserve it and use it to water your house plants. Rice water is a nutrient-rich way to hydrate your plants both indoors and out. The starch and trace nutrients in rice water can help nourish the soil and promote healthy growth. Just don’t add any salt or seasoning to the rice water; plants prefer it plain.

Pain Relief Packs

Rice can be turned into a flexible freezer pack to soothe aches or reduce swelling. Fill a clean white sock or a cloth bag with uncooked rice, leaving enough room to tie the opening shut. Freeze the pack overnight. The rice conforms to the shape of the area you’re icing, providing even cooling. Mix in dried lavender or a few drops of essential oil before sealing the pack for added relaxation.

These rice-filled packs can also be heated in the microwave for a minute and used as heating pads—but use caution. Microwaves and heating times can vary widely. Heating packs should never be placed directly on the skin and should not be used on children.

Sharpen and Clean Blender Blades

Over time, blender blades can lose their sharpness. If your smoothies are a little too chunky, try this trick before you replace the whole appliance: Pour about a cup of uncooked rice into the blender. Blend on high for 30 to 60 seconds, allowing the grains to scrape and polish the blades while dislodging any stuck-on debris. Once finished, discard the rice and rinse the blender thoroughly with soap and water.

According to Phillips, this method also works well for coffee grinders. “Coffee is surprisingly oily, and running rice through the machine is great for sharpening and removing that oily coffee residue.”