How to Make Rice Water
There are two main methods:
Method 1: Rinse Method (Milder)
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Rinse ½ cup rice thoroughly to remove surface impurities.
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Place rice in a bowl with 2 cups water.
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Gently swish with your hands for 1-2 minutes.
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Strain, reserving the cloudy water.
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Use immediately or store in refrigerator.
Method 2: Boiling Method (Stronger)
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Cook rice with extra water (1 cup rice to 4 cups water).
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When rice is cooked, strain out the remaining water.
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Cool before using.
Fermented Rice Water (Most Potent)
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Prepare rice water using either method.
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Let sit at room temperature for 12-24 hours until it develops a slightly sour smell (that's good—it's fermented).
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Refrigerate before using.
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Use within a week.
Storage Tips
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Refrigerate rice water in a sealed container for up to 1 week.
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Fermented rice water lasts longer (up to 1 month refrigerated).
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Freeze rice water in ice cube trays for single-use portions.
Important Precautions
⚠️ Patch test first – Before using rice water on skin or scalp, test a small area to ensure no reaction.
⚠️ Don't use on broken skin – The starch can feed bacteria in open wounds.
⚠️ Rinse thoroughly – When using on hair, rinse well to prevent starch buildup, which can make hair stiff.
⚠️ Not for daily use – 1-2 times per week is plenty for most applications.
⚠️ Discard if moldy – If you see mold, throw it out and start fresh.
The Bottom Line
Rice water truly is "liquid gold"—a free, natural, multi-purpose resource that most of us have been throwing away without a second thought.
Whether you're:
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Nourishing your hair to new lengths
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Soothing your skin with a gentle toner
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Feeding your houseplants
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Polishing your silver
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Thickening your soup
...that cloudy water from your rice is worth its weight in, well, gold.
Next time you rinse your rice, save the water. Your hair, skin, plants, and wallet will thank you.
