Vaseline is the branded name for Petroleum Jelly. The raw material for this versatile product was first discovered on an oil rig in Pennsylvania, USA, and through the years we have found some amazing uses, and have discovered numerous cosmetic advantages for this amazing every day product. It would be a gigantic challenge to find a simpler product with the more varied uses than Vaseline.
Yet, if you find yourself holding a jar of Vaseline, what could you do that would give a quick fix to your life and home, with long term effects.
image source- Flit around the house applying some of the magical product on all your squeaky door hinges. It also protects them from further rusting.
- Lightly spread a bit on the soft pads of your cat's paws so that he/she can lick it off while grooming. The secret to this is that it reduces retching when they're expelling hair balls.
- Put some on your eyebrows to keep them perfectly in place, (for men and women).
- Apply some of the versatile white stuff on a piece of soft cloth and rub on all the water stains on wooden floors and furniture you can find. Leave overnight and wipe clean in the morning. Stain is gone!
- Wash out and dry your bin, then rub a thin layer of Vaseline at the bottom, sides and around the edges. Replace your bin liner. This layer of Vaseline not only aids bin liner removal, but also prevents little bits of stray food and rubbish sticking to the bottom of the bin the next time you empty it. Do the same for cigarette ashtrays if you smoke.
- Add a bit of salt to the Vaseline and exfoliate your hands. They'll feel softer for days to come.
- If you happen to be painting, use Vaseline instead of masking tape, especially in small bendy areas like windows and doors frames etc.
- Now for the outside. Go to the shed and apply some to the cylinders of your kids' skateboard and roller skates they roll more smoothly and effectively.
- You'll probably feel a bit sticky after all that, but before you get into the shower, rub some Vaseline on your shower curtain rods to prevent corrosion, and so that it could run with more ease.
- Now that you're in the shower, apply some to your scalp then wash your hair. Let me explain this one carefully. Do not rub the Vaseline on your hair! Part your hair in four or six parts, rub a tiny amount on the part lines in your scalp, then wash your hair normally. This gives your hair instant conditioning, brings out your colour vibrantly, and adds a glorious shine. I've done this hundreds of times and it really works. I've got curly hair and my kids' hair varies from straight to curly. I use it on them too!
Now you've nipped around with your jar of Vaseline, your feet could be a bit achy and dry, so as an extra task for any Vaseline that's left over - use each night on the hard skin on your heels for the next week or so. Make sure you put on some cotton socks afterwards (you don't want to ruin the bed sheets), then wash off in the morning. Your heels should be significantly smoother. (This is for both men and women).Hope you had a productive few hours with your jar of Vaseline, next time you go shopping, grab a tin of salt, we'll be racing around the house soon, doing jobs with that. Take care till then.
Check out Darlene's (other) uses for vaseline .
My other articles in this series are:
