Often criticised, sugar is an integral part of our cuisine. But it does just as good a service in other areas. It helps with the shelf life of food, contains an antibacterial component and can fight off heavy dirt. This inexpensive ingredient works wonders, and not just in the garden.
For bees
These hard-working insects often get tired when collecting pollen. They therefore need more vitality for their work, which they cannot quickly replenish. Place a spoon in your garden with a solution of 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of water. In this oasis, the bees will gather enough energy to fly to the hive.
Rescuing wilting flowers
Sugar mixed into the soil supports beneficial bacteria and microorganisms. These in turn create an inhospitable environment for the nematodes that attack the roots. Watering with water mixed with two tablespoons of vinegar and two tablespoons of sugar is also beneficial for flowers. For extra nutrition, watering with this solution every few days is sufficient. Flowers will stay fresh longer in a vase to which you add both sugar and vinegar.
Natural paste
Mix a cup of warm water, a quarter cup of brown sugar and a quarter teaspoon of yeast. Pour this sweet concoction into the bottom half of a cut PET bottle. Place the top of the bottle in the bottom, neck down, glue them together and wrap (or paint) the bottom black. Place this trap in several places. A dark place that smells of carbon dioxide is what mosquitoes love.
Body Care
In the form of a meal, sugar mixed with one tablespoon of olive oil can be used to cleanse dirty hands. If you mix powdered sugar with a lot of good quality oil, you will help your stretch marks “disappear” a little. For a great scrub, mix crystal sugar and cold-pressed oil. This way it can be used not only on the skin, but also on the lips. If you sprinkle the sugar on the wound repeatedly, you are helping, thanks to the antibacterial component, to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
Sugar paste for women
- 350 g sugar
- 60 ml of water
- 60 ml lemon juice
Bring the mixture of these ingredients to the boil, stirring occasionally, and then turn the heat down to the lowest setting, where it simmers for 10-12 minutes. The temperature of this paste should be between 118 and 120 °C. Pour the finished paste into a jar. The density of this paste is like liquid honey and its colour is golden or yellow. Apply the mixture to the body with a spatula and apply a cloth to the areas concerned, which is then pulled off against the direction of growth.
It can also be used in the home
A mere quarter cup will help you clean your coffee and spice grinder. The combination of sugar and warm water is also great. Apply the cup to the grass stain, and leave it on for two hours. For long fresh baked goods, place a few sugar cubes in the bread machine. Adding sugar cubes to cakes and hard cheese will have the same effect, and will keep them from molding longer.