10 Unexpected Uses for Cucumbers

Cucumbers are a summer wonder food. They’re packed full of several essential vitamins and minerals, and they also provide much needed refreshment and hydration in the summer months. But did you know that cucumbers have plenty of other benefits, some of which aren’t even food-related? Here are 10 effective uses for cucumbers, some of which you might never have thought of!

Energy Booster

Feeling sluggish and unmotivated in the afternoon? A post-lunch slump? Most of us run straight for the coffee machine to take care of that, but a cucumber might actually be a better alternative.

Photo Credit: Simon Law

Steel Cleaner

If you want to bring the shine back to your faucets or stainless steel utensils, just rub a cucumber slice along the area you want to clean first. It will not just remove the tarnish, but also protect your fingers as you clean.

Pest Control

If you do any gardening and find yourself plagues by pests, put a few slices of cucumber in an aluminum can and place them in your garden. Aluminum reacts with the chemicals in cucumbers to create a scent that human’s can’t detect, but will keep pests away for a long time.

Healthier Snack

We all get sugar cravings from time to time, and it’s especially bad if you’re feeling tempted to cheat on a healthy diet. Cucumbers are a nutritious way to stave off your desire for the unhealthy stuff, and will keep you satisfied until your next meal.

Breath Freshener

You’re ready for your big date or all set for that important meeting, but you really need a breath mint. No need to panic, just take a cucumber slice and press it against the roof of your mouth for about a minute. This helps produce more saliva, which washes away the bacteria that causes bad breath.

Photo Credit: Vernon Tang

Shoe Polish

If you’re out of shoe polish, just use a cut cucumber instead. The chemicals in the cucumber will give your shoes a long lasting shine that’ll dazzle everyone you meet.

Headache Relief

If you need a quick headache cure without resorting to medication, eat a few slices of cucumber or drink a cucumber-infused drink. Snacking on some cucumber before going to bed can help prevent hangovers or headaches in the morning.

Stress Relief

Feeling stressed but don’t have time to head to a spa? Cut up a cucumber and put it in a pot of boiling water. The resulting steam will produce a relaxing aroma and bring you to your happy place. It’s the perfect way to loosen up before a major test or big event.

Sunburn Treatment

If a day at the beach has left you with sunburned skin, try rubbing cucumber juice on it. The cooling properties of cucumber will soothe and cure the skin in very little time.

Eraser

If you have pen marks on any surface such as a wall (or crayon marks, for those of you with kids), rub an unpeeled piece of cucumber on it and watch those stains disappear!