If you’ve recently weaned your baby or switched formulas, you might find yourself staring at leftover cans of baby formula wondering, what now? Don’t toss it! Baby formula is packed with nutrients and can be surprisingly useful beyond the bottle. Whether you’re the thrifty type or just hate waste, here are 30 unique and creative ways to repurpose leftover baby formula.
1. Homemade Face Masks
Baby formula contains gentle ingredients like vitamins, calcium, and protein, making it a surprisingly nourishing base for a DIY face mask. Mix a spoonful of formula powder with a little water or honey until it forms a paste. Apply to your face, leave on for 10 minutes, and rinse for soft, soothed skin.
2. Feed Your Plants
Yes, plants love formula too! The calcium and nutrients can act as a fertilizer. Mix a very diluted solution (1 teaspoon of formula to 1 gallon of water) and use it to water houseplants or garden flowers. Just don’t overdo i, too much can burn the plants delicate roots.
3. Add It to Baked Goods
Use leftover formula as a substitute for milk in recipes like pancakes, muffins, or bread. It works well in any baked good that calls for milk, and adds a subtle creamy taste. Just mix the powder with water as you would for a baby bottle before adding it to your batter.
4. Make DIY Milk Bath Soaks
Create a soothing milk bath by adding powdered formula to warm bath water. It can help soften dry skin and give your bath that luxury spa feel, which is perfect for winding down after a long day!
5. Craft Clay or Salt Dough for Kids
Turn leftover formula into fun craft materials! Mix it with flour and salt to make homemade modeling clay or salt dough for kids’ art projects. It’s a safe and tactile way for toddlers to play, especially if they’re still in the put-everything-in-the-mouth phase.
6. Donate to Animal Shelters
Many animal rescues accept unopened formula to help feed baby animals like kittens and puppies. Just check the label and call ahead to make sure it’s suitable and still within the expiration date.
7. Treat Dry Skin Spots
Mix baby formula powder with a tiny bit of water or coconut oil and apply it to dry or irritated spots on your skin. The gentle formula can help moisturize and calm down minor irritations, which is especially useful for dry elbows, knees, or winter skin.
8. Use as Emergency Coffee Creamer
Ran out of creamer? Formula powder can be a quick substitute! It blends better if you dissolve it in hot water first. While it won’t taste exactly like your usual creamer, it’ll do the job in a pinch.
9. Boost Compost Nutrients
Add small amounts of expired formula to your compost pile to give it a boost of protein and calcium. Just be sure to balance it with carbon-rich materials like leaves or cardboard to avoid any smell issues.
10. Practice Recipes for Homemade Baby Food
If you’re transitioning to solids, leftover formula can be used to thin out purees for babies that are just starting to eat solids. It adds extra nutrition and a familiar taste, helping make the switch a little smoother.
11. Polish Silver or Brass
Mix a paste of baby formula powder and water and gently rub it onto tarnished silverware or brass. The mild abrasiveness and calcium content can help lift tarnish and restore a soft shine. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly.
12. Soothe Sunburns
The proteins and vitamins in baby formula can calm irritated skin. Create a cooling compress by soaking a soft cloth in a chilled, diluted formula solution and laying it over sunburned skin for 10-15 minutes.
13. Clean Leather or Patent Items
Use a small amount of diluted formula on a soft cloth to gently clean scuffs off patent leather shoes, bags, or even furniture. Test a hidden area first to avoid discoloration.
14. Fortify Homemade Yogurt or Smoothies
If you’re making yogurt or blending a smoothie, you can add a scoop of leftover formula for an extra calcium and protein boost, especially helpful for those needing more nutrition.
15. Use for Hair Conditioning
The nourishing fats and proteins can give dry or damaged hair a little love. Mix with water or your favorite conditioner and apply it as a hair mask. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing out.
16. Create Non-Toxic Paint for Kids
Mix baby formula powder with water and food coloring to make safe, washable paint for little ones. It’s great for toddlers or babies who are still exploring everything with their mouths.
17. Make Ice Cubes for Teething Relief
Freeze prepared formula in ice cube trays, then wrap a cube in a baby-safe mesh feeder. It’s a soothing (and tasty) way to calm teething gums.
18. Use for Learning to Pour
Let your toddler use leftover formula when practicing how to pour liquids from one container to another, like in sensory bins or at the sink. It’s less sticky than juice and a good use for small leftover amounts.
19. Dust Preventer on Houseplants
Lightly dusting indoor plant leaves with a diluted formula spray (and then wiping gently) can help reduce buildup and keep leaves shiny. Don’t overuse it though, too much can attract bugs.
20. Emergency Milk Substitute for Pets (with Vet Approval)
In urgent cases where milk is needed for pets like puppies, kittens, or small rodents, baby formula (especially gentle or hypoallergenic kinds) may be acceptable short-term. Always ask a vet first, though!
21. DIY Chalk Paint for Furniture
Baby formula can help create a creamy chalk-style paint for upcycling furniture or crafts. Just mix it into water-based paint (along with some cornstarch or baking soda) to give it that thick, matte texture ideal for rustic finishes.
22. Calming Foot Soak
Create a foot soak by mixing warm water, a bit of baby formula powder, and Epsom salts. The formula can help soften cracked heels while the minerals relax tired feet.
23. Science Experiments for Kids
Use leftover formula in safe science play! Try experimenting with how it reacts with baking soda, lemon juice, or vinegar. It’s a great sensory addition for early learners.
24. Homemade Milk Soap
If you make your own soap (or want to try it), baby formula can be used in place of milk in recipes. It adds creaminess and skin-softening properties. Just be sure to follow proper soapmaking precautions.
25. DIY Nail Soak
Soak your nails in warm water with a bit of baby formula mixed in. The calcium can help support nail strength while softening cuticles. Follow up with a little oil for a nourishing mini-mani.
26. Temporary Wall Filler for Small Holes
Need to patch a tiny nail hole quickly? Mix a bit of formula powder with water to create a paste, then apply it to the hole with your finger. Once dry, sand lightly and paint. It’s a surprisingly decent quick fix!
27. Non-Toxic Adhesive for Kids Crafts
Mix baby formula with flour and water to create a safe, homemade paste-style glue for paper crafts, especially when you’re working with toddlers.
28. Enrich Bird Food
Some backyard bird lovers have added small amounts of baby formula to homemade suet or seed blocks for extra protein—especially in colder months. (Research your local bird species first and don’t overdo it!)
29. Faux Snow for Holiday Crafts
Mix formula powder with baking soda and a few drops of water to create soft, packable faux snow. This is great for sensory bins, Christmas crafts, or snowmen made out of recycled materials.
30. Emergency Lip Mask
Mix a pinch of baby formula with honey and coconut oil for a nourishing lip treatment. Apply, let sit for 5 -10 minutes, then gently wipe off for soft, smooth lips.
Leftover baby formula doesn’t have to go to waste. With a little creativity, you can turn that unused powder into something useful, helpful, or fun! Got your own favorite use for baby formula? Drop it in the comments and share the inspiration!
