Its an unmistakable, comforting scent with familiar notes that harken back to your earliest memories.

Baby powder (also called talcum powder) is a parenting medicine cabinet staple.

But did you know its usefulness goes far beyond a babys bottom?

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Two key qualities of baby powder are its ability to absorb moisture and to reduce friction.

These properties mean there are a ton of other opportunities for the product to be tactfully deployed.

Here are 10 of the most useful.

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Put a little bit on your comb or brush and spread it throughout your scalp.

Loosen up playing cards

Dont let sticky cards stand between you and Gin Rummy.

Fresh packs of playing cards have a proclivity to get stuck together.

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To get past this frustration, put the cards in a ziplock bag with a dash of baby powder.

After shaking the bag well, remove the cards and wipe off any excess powder.

Now youll be able toshuffle a deck of cards for your morning workout.

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Downside: extra loads of laundry.

Filling these spaces will lubricate the wood and keep the floorboards from rubbing together.

It will reduce moisture in your underarms and freshen up your scent.

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Once youve taken care of the knot, wash off the baby powder with a mild soap.

Allow to sit for about 10 minutes, then gently brush off the powder.

Repeat this until the stain is gone.

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Ants dont like to cross the powder and get it on their bodies.

It is clear that ants have an aversion to baby powderbut we dont necessarily quite know why.

One of lifes great mysteries, I suppose.

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