Cream Of Tartar Uses
For Cleaning, Stain Removal And More

Below you can learn the answer to the question, "what is cream of tartar?" and also cream of tartar uses for around your home for cleaning, stain removal, and fun uses too.

I have seen lots of homemade cleaners recipes which suggest using cream of tartar as a one of the ingredients.

It got me to thinking, "what is cream of tartar?"

Well, this is what I found out.

Cream of tartar is also known as its scientific name of potassium bitartrate.

It is an acid salt, meaning that when it is dissolved into a liquid it will lower the pH of the liquid.

Cream of tartar is a natural by-product of wine making.

Cream of tartar uses for food include being an integral ingredient in some baking powders, along with many other baking uses, but that is not the subject of this article.

Instead, this article discusses the uses of cream of tartar for cleaning, stain removal, and other household uses not related to food.

Generally, cream of tartar is used to clean and remove stains because of its acidic properties, but other times it is also used for its mildly abrasive qualities.

Cleaning Uses For Cream Of Tartar

Generally, the cleaning recipes I have seen which use cream of tartar as an ingredient are metal cleaners, such as for aluminum, brass and copper.

For example, you can make a paste of cream of tartar and vinegar (or another acid, such as lemon juice) which is great for buffing and cleaning many metals. You can, as one reader did, even use it by itself to clean up metals.

(Please note some people expect when they combine cream of tartar and vinegar that it will bubble and fizz, like when you combine baking soda and vinegar, since cream of tartar and baking soda look similar.

However, this chemical reaction does not take place when the paste is made with cream of tartar and vinegar.)

In addition, you can boil a solution of 2 tablespoons cream of tartar, 1/2 cup vinegar or lemon juice, and 1 quart of water in a metal pot for ten minutes to help clean it.

Another way to use cream of tartar for cleaning pots and pans is as part of a homemade scrub powder to remove grease and grime. Here are the ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups salt
• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar

Combine these ingredients together and place in a large container, with a cover.

When you are ready to use it pour a couple of tablespoons of the powder onto the cookware and scrub with a nylon scrubber which has been slighly moistened with water.

Once the pot is clean rinse well and dry.

You can also use cream of tartar to clean stainless steel sinks, pots and pans. See a recipe for homemade stainless steel sink cleaner here.

Further, you can use cream of tartar, along with aluminum, to make a homemade battery which can clean silver.

Using Cream Of Tartar For Stain Removal

In addition, another of the cream of tartar uses is for stain removal.

Some examples from this site where stain removal instructions call for using cream of tartar include:

• Clean Bathtub Rust Stains
• Removing Hair Dye Stains From Washable Fabric
• Bodily Fluid Stain Removal From Clothes
• Removing Grass Stains

Fun Use For Cream Of Tartar: Homemade Play Dough

This site isn't really about homemade crafts and ideas for your kids, but I just couldn't resist showing you this video.

Did you know that another of the uses for cream of tartar is as an ingredient in homemade play dough?

The video below shows how to use the following ingredients to create fun play dough for your kids:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
• 3-5 drops of food dye (various colors)

The cream of tartar is used in a similar way as when used in baking, to keep crystals from forming in the dough.

Hints For Buying Cream Of Tartar

In most grocery stores you will find cream of tartar in the spice aisle, but it comes in a tiny little container like the one pictured above.

If you buy it in such small quantities you will run out of it very quickly, after one or two recipes.

Therefore, the best way to purchase cream of tartar is in bulk, which gets you a good price for a large enough quantity for your baking, cleaning and fun cream of tartar uses. Here are some possible bulk selections to choose from:

Cream Of Tartar {Referral Links}

Hope you use and enjoy these cream of tartar uses for around your home, with this neat little spice from your spice rack.

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CAUTION: This website is provided for informational purposes only. It is provided as is, without warranties or guarantees. Some stains and messes just won't come out, and are permanent. Further, some cleaning methods can harm your item, so if what you want to clean or launder is sentimental or expensive call a professional. See disclaimer of liability for more information.