Introduction: 9 Surprising Uses for Mustard (that Don't Involve a Sandwich)

By solving problems like Maria
About: Former Instructables employee. Living in San Francisco amidst the fog. I love getting my hands dirty by taking on new projects, developing unique skills and learning fun facts.

Oh mustard, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...there's yellow, spicy, honey, dijon, horseradish, whole grain...muscle relaxant?!

Yes, just when you thought your favorite condiment couldn't get any better, I present to you 9 unusual uses for mustard that go beyond sandwich-making.


But first, a little mustard history!

Way back when, the Romans were first introduced to mustard seeds by the Egyptians. They mixed unfermented grape juice with ground mustard, and called this concoction "must" - hence mustard!

Step 1: Soothes Sore Throats

Your favorite team just had their big game, and after cheering them on your throat is feeling a little raw. Hopefully you have some leftover mustard from that tailgate party on hand, because it will get you root-root-root-ing for the home team in no time.

Combine mustard, the juice of one half of a fresh lemon, one tablespoon of salt, one tablespoon of honey, and one half cup of boiling water. Mix the ingredients thoroughly. Let the mixture cool for 10 minutes. Take some in your mouth and gargle! Warning: this concoction will not taste or smell good. After a few rounds of gargling, your throat should be feeling a lot less sore.

For the truly adventurous and brave, put one cap of mouthwash into the mix before gargling. This will increase the nastiness of the taste, but will also heighten the benefits.

Step 2: Removes Unwanted Smells

They say to never judge a book by its cover, and the same usually goes for products. But I've been guilty of getting suckered in to buying something based solely on the fact that the bottle or container it came it looked awesome. So when I've had my fill of said-product, but want to keep the container, what can I do? Simple - I rise it out with some mustard and hot water, and I'm ready to start fresh.

Didn't see Pepé Le Pew on the road until it was too late? If you accidentally ran over a skunk, and don't want to hold your breath every time you take a ride, it's time to get rid of that smell. Mix 1 cup of dry mustard into 3 gallons of hot water. Mix it well, and splash on to the tires, wheels, and underbody of the car. Clean by spraying the solution off. Your passengers will thank you.

Step 3: Decongestant

Have you ever eaten something so spicy that you get sweaty, teary, and have to grab a tissue? Mustard's heat can be put to a good use here, and this kind of 'drippyness' can be induced (in a controlled way, of course) to encourage decongestion.

In place of a topical decongestant, try rubbing some mustard on your chest. Place a cloth, damp with hot water, on top of the mustard. Within minutes, you will feel better. You will not only be able to smell again, but the first scent you'll be greeted with will be that of delicious mustard. Ahhhh


Step 4: Face Mask

Mustard, not only do you enhance the beautiful flavor of my food, but you also enhance the beauty of my skin. Awesome!

Need to look great for that big date, but all out of a traditional face mask? Simply spread a thin layer of mustard on your face. The milder, the better, so go for a classic yellow. Let mustard settle for a few minutes then rinse. After rinsing, your face will be smoother and will have a nice healthy glow - not to mention smell like a sandwich. Added bonus? If using cucumbers on your eyes while mask-ing, you'll be able to have a quick snack before you run out the door!

WARNING: Take a second before slathering up your face like a sandwich, and see if the mustard makes your sensitive skin react. spread a little bit on your inner wrist. If you break out in some funky rash there, then I advise against putting mustard on your face.  

Step 5: Relaxes Muscles

Work out too hard and now have some achy muscles? Mustard can help in a variety of ways, depending on the muscle pain.

If you're hurting all over, try a mustard-infused bath. Combine 2 tablespoons of mustard and 1 teaspoon of Epsom salts in your warm running bath water. Mustard will amplify the therapeutic effects of the salts, relieving you of muscle pains at a much faster rate than bathing with them alone. Leisurely soak in the bath for about twenty minutes to relieve minor muscle aches and pains. After your mustard bath, be sure to shower off to avoid the lingering scent of mustard on your skin. Unless you're into that, of course.

Feet exhausted from a long day of standing? Make a soothing mustard foot bath!  Combine 1 tablespoon mustard in a pan of warm to hot water. Stir the water well to completely dissolve the mustard, and dip those poor puppies in. This will leave your hands free to do more exciting things, like consume a sandwich.

Lower back pain? Pulled some some strange muscle that you didn't know you had? End the agony by making a mustard paste for these targeted sore muscles. Combine powdered mustard seed and all purpose flour in a bowl (1 part mustard seed to 2 parts flour) and slowly stir in warm water to make a paste. Spread the mixture on one side square of cheese cloth and fold. now place the plaster on the ache, securing it with a bandage. Leave the plaster in place for no more than 20-30 minutes at a time, and feel those aches and pains just float away. 

Step 6: Beautify Your Garden

Bambi has been helping himself to your garden veggies a bit too much this season, and it's time to find a creative solution. Rub mustard on a tin pie plate and hang it on a post near your garden. One mustard-covered plate per corner will keep the critters out. Apparently they deer will mistake the scent of the mustard for the scent of sweaty farm workers.

Apparently white mustard seed releases some nutrients onto the soil that can prevent the growth of weeds and other unwanted plants. Plant a handful of white mustard seeds near your prized roses, or simply scatter the seeds throughout your garden. Your weed count significantly decline. Remember to do a bit of research before planting these seeds as some plants are harmed by mustard’s secretions.


Step 7: Hair Conditioner

Mustard oil is a secret conditioner secret that salons don't want to get out. But here's the dish: pour a generous amount of oil (note: not French's) on your palm. Rub hands together, and then scrub and massage your hair. Once done, leave the mustard oil on your hair for about eight hours, or for the entire day/night if you choose. Before falling asleep, make sure you have a shower cap so you don't damage your pillows. Once time is up, rinse the oil with shampoo and conditioner. Upon rinsing, you hair will be softer and more bouncy, and you'll put those Herbal Essence commercials to shame.

Step 8: Burn Relief

Kudos to you for trying your hand at that crazy complicated recipe. But your over-enthusiasm got the best of you and you managed to get a serious burn. Whether it is a severe burn or a minor burn, it hurts like heck and the pain just won't go away.

Step 1,  put the burned part of your body part under cool, running water. This will relieve some of the pain right away and will help to stop the progression of the burning. 

Step 2 is probably the best, and least known remedy for throbbing pain from burns: ordinary mustard. There is something special (magic?) in everyday yellow mustard that quickly takes away the pain. Just spread a nice and thick layer of mustard over the area and go about your Iron Cheffing. You'll find that the pain goes away almost immediately.

Step 9: Other Interesting Uses

Mustard is also rumored to have some other extraordinary uses. If you get a chance, give these a whirl!
And, if you were a bit overzealous with your mustard and spilled a bit on your clothes, no worries. There's a way to get out that stain.