Unexpected Uses For Petroleum Jelly
Good old Vaseline (a.k.a petroleum jelly) ... you’d be hard pressed to find a household that didn’t have a pot of this “wonder jelly” lurking at the back of the cupboard!
19 April 2022
Funny things
The chemist Sir Robert Chesebrough was the one who invented Vaseline, also known as petroleum jelly. He patented the product in 1872 and he believed in his product so much that he claimed to have eaten a spoonful every morning. (Fun fact – he lived to be 96 years old!)
Seriously though, it’s been the go-to for dry lips, minor cuts, burns and scrapes from the very beginning. Vaseline is made from a mixture of mineral oils and waxes, which according to the American Academy of Dermatology, create a protective barrier to help the skin heal and retain moisture. It’s used to prevent nappy rash and sooth dry lips, but it does so much more.
There’s really no end to its usefulness; this tub has the makings of a medicinal cure-all mixed with a handyman fix-all! We’re always looking for products that multitask, well, look no further.
Are you ready to get a little lubricated?
Here are a few uses for Vaseline that you probably haven’t tried yet:
- Make your fragrance last longer. Rub a little Vaseline on your pulse points before you spritz to make your fragrance last longer.
- Turn eyeshadow or blush into lip-gloss. Blend eyeshadow and Vaseline into a unique colour that’s easy to apply onto your lips.
- Get the perfect spray-on tan. Apply a little Vaseline ahead of self-tanning lotion or a spray-on tan to prevent a streaky look.
- Make your own body scrub. Add salt or sugar to Vaseline to create a body scrub that will remove dead skin cells and leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. Also, try a little lemon and Vaseline as a skin brightening mask.
- Use Vaseline as a makeup remover to remove false lashes, or use as a highlighter. Just dab a small amount on the top of your cheekbones for a dewy, luminous glow.
- Tame your hair. Seal dry, split ends by using a little Vaseline to manage the frizz.
Also:
- De-scuff leather bags and shoes. Apply a small amount of Vaseline and buff them with a clean cloth to make them look as good as new!
- Loosen stuck jewellery from chubby digits, or unstuck a zipper by applying the smallest amount of Vaseline to the top and bottom of the affected area.
- Silence squeaks. Apply Vaseline to squeaky doors and hinges.
- It’s a fire-lighter! Coat a cotton ball (or a few) with Vaseline and light them up to produce a flame.
- Apply to metal hardware and tools to prevent rust.
- Keep glue and nail polish pourable by smoothing a little Vaseline under the cap and around the rim. This will prevent a build-up from sealing the cap.
- Try Vaseline as a substitute for painters tape. Apply a thin layer to mask surfaces where you don’t want paint to adhere, such as windows, door knobs or wooden floors. No scraping required!
Who knew that this inexpensive classic could be so versatile?!
Source: bobvila.com, heraldweekly.com, womenshealthmag.com, cosmopolitan.com, youtube.com, instructables.com, byrdie.com, Vaseline.com, purewow.com, quackcitiesdaily.com
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.