Skincare and beauty are some things that come to mind when you think of Vaseline. But did you know there’s much more than you can do with this famous petroleum jelly?
Vaseline is a versatile product that can help you handle several household situations.
Here are seven surprising ways to use Vaseline in your home.
1. Fix Squeaky Doors and Windows
Squeaky doors and windows can be caused by rust and dust particles that build up in the hinges over time. The stuck particles make it challenging for the window wheels to shift, resulting in a squeaky sound. You can use Vaseline to lubricate the hinge and keep the tracks moving smoothly. Interestingly, the petroleum jelly also works on the shelves, racks, and door seals of refrigerators.
2. Remove Stains From Clothing or Furniture
You can use Vaseline to remove stains from clothing, furniture, and other surfaces at home. For example, you can remove hard water stains from wood by cleaning the area with soap, allowing it to dry, and rubbing a cloth with Vaseline to cover the stain. Let the Vaseline settle in overnight and clean it off with a clean cloth in the morning. The jelly makes the stains less noticeable.
A damp cloth with Vaseline can help lift makeup marks on pillows, towels, or sheets before washing. You may need to repeat the process multiple times to remove the stain.
3. Ward off Pests in Your Home
Vaseline works perfectly as a pest repellent in your home and garden. Applying Vaseline around your plants and pots can help keep ants away. You can also use a layer of this jelly to a tumbler that can be a sticky trap for flying insects.
In your garden, you can coat your bird feeder poles with Vaseline to create a slippery surface and keep squirrels away. Dabbing petroleum jelly on your home’s entry points, trails, and hideouts can also repel insects. The jelly’s sticky and thick texture keeps the ants and insects away.
4. Keep Your Tools Rust Free
Replacing your home or garden tools every season isn’t economical. Although tools wear off over time, rust and corrosion can significantly reduce lifespan. Vaseline can help protect your metal tools from corrosion and rust by creating a barrier on the surface. That barrier blocks oxygen and water, the leading causes of rust.
Vaseline also provides a protective layer against salt spray, humidity, and rain, which reduces moisture loss and keeps your tools in good condition.
Remember to pay attention to your tool’s exposed areas, such as edges, joints, and crevices. If your tools are regularly exposed to moisture and other elements, reapply Vaseline periodically.
5. Get Rid of Stubborn Soap Scum in Your Bathroom
You can use Vaseline on your bathroom surfaces and faucets to get rid of stubborn soap scum. Simply run a small amount of the jelly into these areas and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Wipe off the Vaseline with a clean cloth. Use petroleum jelly to lubricate moving parts like faucets, taps, and handles. That also helps reduce rust and wear over time.
6. As a Substitute for Painter’s Tape
You don’t have to use painter’s tape if you have Vaseline at home. Apply the jelly to surfaces you’d like to protect from paint splutters. That could be windows, door knobs, or hard-surfaced floors. Once the paint dries, you can wipe the jelly with a clean cloth.
7. Lubricate Sticky Lightbulbs
Removing lightbulbs that have been in place for a while can be daunting. Applying Vaseline on the metal threads of the lightbulb before putting it back on can prevent rust and make changing your bulbs easier.
These are a few creative ways you can use Vaseline in your household. Whether you’re looking to solve everyday problems with practical solutions or are a DIY enthusiast, you’ll discover that this petroleum jelly has multiple uses to make your work easy. In some cases, you may have to reapply Vaseline for it to be effective.
