St Ives Community Foodshare group have been given a large amount of expired flour so have researched what we can do with it rather than throwing it all into landfill.
What can you do with expired flour?
Expired flour doesn’t carry any risk if it is stored correctly and it can sometimes be used years after the expiration date. However, always check the smell and colour and that no insects have come to nest in your package. Store it preferably in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place. If you have any doubts about the quality of your flour, don’t throw it away, but recycle it! Below are some anti-waste ideas for reusing expired flour. Reusing and recycling expired flour is also another step towards Zero-waste. It is a fact that more and more of us are being made aware of the need to stop producing so much waste.
Can you use expired flour for baking?
If you store all-purpose and other refined flours in a cool, dry place protected from sunlight, refined flour can keep up to one year in the pantry under these ideal conditions, whole wheat flour is best consumed for four to six months afterward. For longer storage, or in a warmer climate, stash the flour in the freezer, where it can last for up to two years. Corn flour lasts from nine to 12 months, rice flour lasts from six to eight months, potato flour lasts the same.
But how is it possible to recognize that flour is not safe to use?
You just have to sniff it, meaning if it smells musty, then it’s not edible. Too long after its expiration date, the flour will begin to give off this musty aroma. Also watch out that insects haven’t invaded the flour. If it smells good, you can still use it. If the color has changed, it means that the product has been affected.
Eight anti-waste ideas for recycling expired flour
Flour is one of the essential ingredients of our kitchens. We know how to use it perfectly in our sweet and savory preparations. But did you know that, past the use-by date, it is also full of resources?
Homemade Modeling Clay / Salt dough Recipe
This recipe can be used to make clay for ornaments, jewelry, or small sculptures. The clay hardens after baking. Pieces may be painted and sealed if desired.
4 cups flour
1 cup of salt
Warm water (aprox 1 1/2 cups water)
Food coloring (optional)
You can experiment with natural colours – ie Tumeric powder makes a beautiful yellow dough
- Mix the ingredients together to form the clay.
- Knead it to make it soft and playable.
- Store the clay in a sealed container / plastic bag until it is needed.
- Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and shape into your chosen model. You can roll it out and cut out shapes, numbers or letters using biscuit cutters, or make any kind of model you can think of.
- Bake the finished pieces on a non-stick cookie sheet at 150 decrees Celcius / 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately one hour or until the clay is slightly brown around the edges.
- Cool the baked clay items on a wire rack before handling them or painting them.
Ideas of what to make:
- Fruit and veg shapes
- cupcakes for a teddy bear’s picnic
- funny faces
- cut out shapes with cookie cutters
- Christmas decorations
Ecological flour glue
The flour glue is ideal for small home crafts. Natural, ecological, and solvent-free, it does not release any volatile toxic compound. It is a great alternative to industrial glue. It is recommended for all artistic activities with children. This glue is effective and is easily cleaned. It is used for upholstery, on wood, for decoration work, scrapbooking, papier-mache, cardboard, etc.
- Step 1 – Combine 1 part all-purpose flour with 2 parts cold water in a bowl.
- Step 2 – Stir the solution to combine the flour with the water. Mix the glue well to remove any lumps that form.
- Step 3 – Add more water or flour to adjust the consistency as needed.
- Step 4 – Store the homemade glue in a covered jar or bowl. Place it in the refrigerator and use the glue within 3 to 4 days.
Thick Glue
- Step 1 – Pour 5 cups of water into a saucepan. Bring the water to a full boil.
- Step 2 – Place 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour and 1 cup of cold water in a bowl. Stir the ingredients until smooth.
- Step 3 – Pour the flour mixture into the boiling water. Reduce the heat and gently boil the solution for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens.
- Step 4 – Remove the glue from the stovetop. Allow the glue to cool before you use it. Store the glue in a covered jar or bowl for 2 to 3 days.
Tip: Add 1 to 2 tbsp. of salt to help retard mold growth.
Warning: Watch the glue while it heats on the stovetop and stir it frequently to prevent it from burning.
A cleanser made from flour
Whether it is to clean your stainless steel faucets, brass, or stainless steel objects, expired flour can do wonders. It is also a great help in scouring the grease from our household appliances: waffle iron, fryer, oven, etc.
Dry shampoo from flour
Dry shampoo is a real ally when you don’t have time to wash your hair. It also helps to give volume and space out shampoos for those whose hair greases too quickly. By using expired flour, you can easily make your own dry shampoo. It’s usually cornflour or rye flour that’s used. You can mix in coco powder to make flour or starch darker.
Dry stain remover from flour
Use your expired flour to absorb oil, mud, soda, wine, blood, etc. on all types of coverings (parquet, tiles, fabric). Liberally apply the flour to the stain. Leave on without rubbing, for a few minutes to a few hours. Remove flour residue by sweeping or vacuuming.
Flour as an alternative for insecticide
Flour is a natural anti-ant and an alternative to unhealthy chemicals. The ants will feed on flour, and when they drink, the flour will swell in their abdomen. Little beasts won’t resist it. Sprinkle the flour on the places where ants pass or on the anthill. In the garden, spread a handful of stale flour around your plants to ward off unwanted people.
Flour batik
You can use a mix of flour and water to paint onto material. Wait for it to dry then paint over the fabric. After it’s dried, peel / wash the flour off.
Flour painting
Natural flour paint, also known as “Swedish paint”, is an environmentally friendly alternative to industrial paints, which are harmful to the environment and our health. If you want to paint your woodwork and provide lasting protection to your exterior woods, here is the economical and eco-responsible solution. Your expired flour will serve as the basis for a single-coat, non-toxic, and resistant paint that resists the vagaries of time for 5 to 10 years.
More info on https://ardec.ca/en/blog/2/flour-paint-an-easy-to-prepare-non-toxic-long-lasting-and-dirt-cheap-exteri
and their recipe to make 10 liters (+/- 2.5 gal.) of Flour Paint, which will cover approximately 35 square meters (375 square feet) per coat. You can adjust the quantity according to your needs. Measurements are provided in both metric and US system for your convenience:
- 8 liters of Water (8.5 qt)
- 650g of White Flour (23 oz.)
- 2.5kg of earth pigments or iron oxydes (5.5 lbs.)
- 250g of Iron Sulfate (9 oz.)
- 1 liter of Linseed Oil (1 qt)
- 100ml of black soap or colorless dishwashing soap (3.4 fl.oz.)
A 100% natural modelling clay from flour
By using your expired flour, you will be able to make a 100% natural, zero-waste, and compostable modeling clay. Quick to make, it is ideal for children and when you bake it, it hardens and you can paint & varnish it.
Here’s a further list of what is needed to make Christmas decorations:
- Parchment paper
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Forks, steel wool, rubber stamps, other textural items—optional, to add texture to the ornaments
- Straw or toothpick—for poking a hole for the ornaments to hang from
- Baking sheet
- Glitter, glue, paint for decorating, or leave the rustic salt dough ornaments
- Ribbon—for hanging the ornaments
