Cucumbers are pretty easy to grow in your home or garden, and while most people know that they’re a vegetable that’s really good for you, all of the other benefits often get overlooked. Cucumbers are not only healing foods, they can be used around the house and even in the garden. Check out these 10 different ways you can use cucumbers!
1) Help puffy eyes
This one is probably the most well known. Cucumbers are great for hydrating the skin and they help contract blood vessels, which makes it the perfect thing for puffy eyes. All you need to do is cut a couple slices and throw them over your eyes for about 15 minutes!
2) Make pickles
This has to be my personal favorite, because I’m a sucker for pickles! Plus, pickles stay good for a pretty long time so it isn’t a bad idea to pickle your veggies if you’re at risk of throwing them out— cauliflower, carrots, and zucchini are good options too. All you’ll really need is vinegar, dill, and garlic, and some time and patience! Check out the breakdown here.
3) Keep slugs out
Unlike most slug deterrents, rather than just placing cucumbers on the ground to keep slugs away, you should combine them with aluminum— I recommend a pie tin. Just set it in the area of your garden that you’re having trouble, and the smell (don’t worry, you won’t smell it!) is awful enough to slugs that they’ll stay away.
4) Stain remover
Cucumbers can actually help you get rid of stubborn stains like crayon or pen. You’ll want to use the outer edge for this, but I’d definitely give it a shot before going to buy a magic eraser!
Cucumbers are also good for removing tarnish from metal, or giving it a quick spruce up. For metal, you can slice the cucumber and use some of the juice on it while using the peel to rub if needed.
5) Stop the squeak
Cucumbers also second as WD-40 and can fix your squeaky door hinge; just rub a slice directly onto the hinge and enjoy your squeak free door!
6) Super food qualities
Cucumbers are plenty good for you, and all of the B vitamins plus the carbohydrates will supply you with long lasting energy. They’re also a natural diuretic, can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, and can help cure hangovers! Super food, much?
7) Cooling relief
Cucumbers are naturally cooling, which makes them great for sunburns, fevers, or even just a relaxing summertime bath. You can slice cucumbers and apply them directly to the skin for sunburns, lay them on your forehead with a fever, or add them to your bath to enjoy the relief all over.
8) Make facial toner
To make your own facial toner, all you really need is a cucumber, some witch hazel, and distilled water. Blend the cucumber with 1/2 cup witch hazel and 1/3 cup of distilled water, then strain all the solids out. The result will be a mild toner that helps soften your skin and tighten it! Plus, it’ll be nice and cooling.
9) Make do mouthwash
Ran out of mouthwash? No worries! Throwing a slice of cucumber on the roof of your mouth for a minute helps kill lots of bacteria in your mouth and keep your breath nice and fresh!
10) Freshen drinks
Cucumbers make great additions to water, lemonade, or even cocktails. They’re good for you and cooling and refreshing, making it perfect for summer! Combine with mint and lemon to enhance the effect.
Are there any other unusual ways you use cucumbers?! Share with me in the comments and we can expand the list!
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