11 Mind-Blowing Ways to Use Kool-Aid

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Does anything scream “childhood” more than Kool-Aid? It’s seriously the best on a hot day. But did you know how many other things you can do with Kool-Aid? Well, Kool-Aid playdough, for one!

This list will have you running to buy Kool-Aid in all the flavors. Just make sure you check our coupons page, first!

1. Create scented Kool-Aid playdough.

This is our favorite Kool-Aid playdough recipe! Mix the following in a medium pot:

1 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 Kool-Aid packets
3/4 cup water

Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the dough clumps together and reaches playdough consistency. Repeat the process for each color.

If you feel like you need to change up your Kool-Aid playdough recipe, you can omit the cream of tartar or add food coloring to create richer colors.

2. Use Kool-Aid to transform unfinished wood into colorful decor.

Add color to wooden picture frames, clothespins and any other unfinished wood item with Kool-Aid. Add three to four packs to a container of water to make the Kool-Aid dye super pigmented. Then, set your wooden item into the solution and let it absorb the dye overnight.

3. Remove rust, gunk and buildup inside a washing machine with Kool-Aid.

The citric acid in lemon or orange Kool-Aid helps break down the buildup in your washing machine. Basically, Kool-Aid powder is a cleaning powerhouse!

Run 1/4 cup lemon or orange Kool-Aid in a regular wash cycle — without clothes — and repeat as needed.

Psst…. If cleaning is your thing, then check out these household cleaning tips!

4. Make Kool-Aid dye for all-natural yarn on the stovetop or in the microwave.

It’s important to use 100% wool or yarn that has no synthetic fibers — the dye sticks better this way.

First, wash yarn in gentle baby shampoo. Then, dissolve any color Kool-Aid mix in a small container with water. A general rule of thumb is to use one to two packs per ounce of yarn. Add yarn and dye solution to a pot of water, making sure there’s enough liquid to cover the yarn completely. (The amount of water won’t affect the color since the color is dependent on the amount of dye you use.)

Heat the water until it’s almost boiling. Cover the pot, turn off the heat, and let the yarn sit for about half an hour. Stir occasionally to check the color.

After half an hour, you’ll see that all the color in the water gets absorbed into the yarn, leaving the remaining liquid a milky white. Rinse the yarn gently in warm water (using cold water may cause the yarn to felt). Dry the dyed yarn away from sunlight, and use as normal.

To dye yarn in a microwave, combine water, yarn and Kool-Aid solution in a container and microwave for two minutes. Let yarn sit for two minutes, then microwave again for two additional minutes. Repeat this process until the desired color is achieved.

And if you need a new microwave to do the job the quick way, then check out our deals page.

5. Remove rust stains from concrete with lemon Kool-Aid.

Mix together a few drops of water with a packet of lemon-flavored Kool-Aid. Use a brush to scrub the stains away. The abrasive paste plus the citric acid can do wonders for your driveway or patio.

RELATED: 18 Extreme Cleaning Tips for Neat Freaks

6. Use Kool-Aid dye for hard-boiled eggs.

Pour one envelope of each Kool-Aid color and 2/3 cup water into separate glasses, stirring to dissolve the drink mix. Use a spoon to place a hard-boiled egg into each cup. Keep eggs submerged until the desired color is reached.

RELATED: 17 Free Things to Do with Your Kids This Summer

7. Check for toilet tank leaks with dark Kool-Aid.

Remove the tank lid and pour in a dark-colored Kool-Aid packet. Wait about 30 minutes without flushing the toilet. If any of the colored water appears in the toilet bowl, there’s a leak. You may just have to replace the flapper, or you may have to investigate further.

If it turns out you need some toilet maintenance, then make sure to take a look at our Home Depot deals page. That way you’ll know you’re getting the best deal!

8. Make window clings from Kool-Aid and colored glue.

Pour Kool-Aid into a bottle of school glue and mix thoroughly using a thin, long utensil like a chopstick.

Use the glue to create art on canvas or paper, or try making designs on stretched plastic wrap (tape down the sides and remove creases) that can be dried and used as window clings.

Tip: When using more than one color per gel-cling design, allow each color to dry first; otherwise, the colors may run together.

This is a little messier than Kool-Aid play dough, but we think it’s totally worth it.

Want the best deal on Elmer’s Glue? We have a coupon page for that.

9. Sanitize a dishwasher with lemon Kool-Aid powder.

Fill your empty dishwasher’s detergent compartment with lemon Kool-Aid and run a normal cycle. The citric acid will help remove buildup.

10. Scrub away stains in a toilet bowl.

Pour a packet of lemon or orange-flavored Kool-Aid into your toilet bowl and scrub away the stains with a toilet brush. The citric acid and the abrasive texture of the powder help break down and dissolve stains. Plus, citrus Kool-Aid smells a whole lot better than chemical cleaning solutions!

RELATED: 24 DIY Bathroom Cleaning Essentials

11. Make flavored lip gloss with Kool-Aid.

Put a cup of Vaseline into a small, microwavable bowl and microwave for about 30 seconds (don’t let the Vaseline turn into liquid). Sprinkle in Kool-Aid mix and stir well. Transfer lip gloss to a small, portable container (a clean spice container works well) and enjoy!