Organic oatmeal is one of those jack-of-all-trade foods in a surprising number of non-food ways.

Delish, nutrish, and budget-friendly, organic oatmeal is a handy food to have around, and not just for breakfast. In fact, it may have as many non-food skills as it does starring in your kitchen that – in my humble opinion – are way more fun.

Here are 9 more uses for organic oatmeal outside your breakfast bowl:

1. Deodorize your fridge

If you’re running low on baking soda, organic oatmeal is just as effective at removing smells from your fridge. Just leave an open container of it in your fridge and say sayonara to unwanted stenches.

2. Make a dry shampoo

Blend one cup of oatmeal until it’s ground into a fine powder. Add one cup of baking soda and mix well. Store the mixture in an airtight container and rub the mix into your hair as you would any store-bought dry shampoo. Leave it on for a few minutes to soak up the excess oil, then brush or shake it out of your hair. (It’s useful for sprucing up your bath-hating puppy dog too.)

3. Fight acne

Spread cooled oatmeal over your blemish and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it off. It’s known for sopping up the excess oil and bacteria, which may send your acne packing.

4. Make a heating pad

Repurpose an old t-shirt or fleece throw into a heating pad: Sew together two pieces of fabric, leaving a small opening on one side. Fill it halfway with organic oatmeal and sew it shut. The next time you need to ease muscle pain or just want to kick back, pop it in the microwave for a few minutes and apply.

5. Use instead of flour

Replace flour with homemade oat flour by grinding organic oatmeal in a blender until it’s the same consistency. By using it for all of your baking, you’ll score two times more fiber, which means you’ll feel fuller with fewer calories. (Don’t mind if I do!)

6. Make clay

Make your own play-doh for the kiddies! Just mix one cup of organic oatmeal with 2/3 cup all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup of water. Keep it moist while they play with it, then let their masterpieces harden overnight.

7. Make bath bombs

We’re all familiar with the ah-mazing moisturizing qualities of an oatmeal bath. Not only does it help conquer skin irritations, it’s super relaxing. This bath bomb how-to will create enough bath bombs for seven soothing baths – and will look awesome in your bathroom to boot.

8. Exfoliate your skin

Not only does organic oatmeal moisturize and soothe, but it also exfoliates. Make your own body scrub by combining one cup raw organic oatmeal, one cup brown sugar, and one cup olive oil. Mix well, then apply to your skin in circular motions, rinsing thoroughly afterward. Your skin will thank you.

9. Make laundry soap

This organic oatmeal laundry soap recipe from Mrs. January is inexpensive, effective and as easy as… well, oatmeal.

What are your favorite organic oatmeal uses?

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Image: Daniella Segura

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