7 Unusual Uses for Raw Potatoes

Did you know that potatoes are a favorite vegetable in this country? According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), every American consumes almost a fifty pound bag of potatoes annually. Potatoes are commonly served boiled, baked, fried and mashed, and are sometimes eaten raw. When it comes to raw potatoes, you can use them around your house to make your life easier. Here are 7 unusual uses for raw potatoes:

1. Safely Remove Broken Lightbulbs
I learned about this use when the bulb in my porchlight became lodged in the fixture. First, I shut off the power at the breaker box. Then, I tried to remove the bulb by twisting it with a gloved hand. The glass part broke off, leaving the base in the fixture. I then cut the top part off a raw potato (so I 'd have a flat surface) and I planted it firmly onto the base. I twisted the potato, unscrewed the base of the lightbulb, and safely removed it.

2. Cure Common Warts
Raw potatoes are chock full of Potassium, Vitamin C and Iron. If you have a common wart you want to get rid of, cut off a piece off a raw potato. Rub the flesh side over the wart so it's completely covered with the juice. Then, discard the potato piece. Don't rinse the juice off. Do this daily until the wart is gone.

3. Soothe Minor Skin Burns
Another unusual use for a raw potato is to treat minor skin burns. The next time you get a burn, peel and dice up a small potato- or use a piece of a peeled potato, depending how large the affected area is- into fine pieces. Add a bit of tap water, just enough to make a paste. Apply the potato paste to the burn and let it set undisturbed for several minutes. You should feel relief from the pain.

4. Remove Berry Stains From Your Hands
Wash and cut up fresh berries, and you know your hands are going to end up being the same color as the berries. Berry stains on your skin are tough to remove. Soap and water just doesn't cut it. But if you rub the stains with a peeled, raw potato, they should come right off! Finish by rinsing the juice and the berry stains off your hands with plenty of tap water.