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So you bought a jar of cream of tartar, now what?
Don’t just let it slowly lose potency in the back of the pantry.
Put it to good use.
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But what is cream of tartar?
The acidic powder is good for more than just cookies.
Not unlikebaking soda, it has uses beyond baking, from cleaning to homemade play dough.
Here are some ways to use cream of tartar in your baking and beyond.
What Is Cream Of Tartar?
Before you learn how to usecream of tartar, let’s understand what exactly it is.
It’s a byproduct of fermenting grapes during wine making, forming as a residue on the barrels.
It’s an acid that’s similar to citrus or vinegar.
Ways To Use Cream Of Tartar
There’s a ton you might do with this ingredient.
When it comes to cleaning, it seems there’s little cream of tartar can’t do.
Here are a few of our favorite ways to use it in and beyond your cooking.
Use it to stabilize egg whites or whipping cream so it whips up stiff and fluffyand stays that way.
You’ll often see it in meringue or souffle recipes and cream fillings, like inSwiss Roll Cake.
Use It To Substitute For Buttermilk
Out of buttermilk for a recipe?
Skip the vinegar and add cream of tartar instead.
Just use 1 3/4 teaspoons of cream of tartar per 1 cup of milk.
To prevent clumping, add the cream of tartar in with the dry ingredients, then add the milk.
The cream of tartar helps make the dough elastic and keeps it from becoming too dry or crumbly.
It also acts as a preservative, so the kids can keep playing with their play dough for months.
Use two parts cream of tartar and one part vinegar.
Remove Rust
Cream of tartar can also helpremove rust.
Let sit for five minutes before scrubbing with a soft-bristled brush, then rinse.
Eliminate Laundry Stains
Use cream of tartar to remove stains from fabrics and linens.
Spritz the stained area with water to dampen it and sprinkle cream of tartar over it.
Brighten Laundry
you might use it to brighten different fabrics too.
Let them sit overnight in the mixture and then wash as usual.
Ants don’t like the acidic powder and won’t cross over it to slide in your home.
How Long Does Cream Of Tartar Last?
Here’s perhaps one of the best things about cream of tartar: It never expires.
As long it’s stored in a cool, dry place, cream of tartar won’t go bad.
You likely have a substitute in your pantry or fridge.
Use 2 teaspoons of vinegar or lemon juice for 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar in baking recipes.
PETA.Raise Your Antennae and Tune Into Some Fascinating Facts About Ants.
